We Tried the New Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Face Drops and They Gave Us an Instant Summer Glow

The sun has some competition

Author image: An image of Destinee Scott.

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Published May 28, 2025

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Destinee Scott and Stephanie Maida Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Face Drops review with original photos.

Sephora/Destinee Scott/Stephanie Maida/Design for PureWow

Hot take: Tanning drops are one of the greatest beauty creations of all time. Because who doesn't want to look sun-kissed without sitting under the sun for hours!? They also come in clutch in between seasons when you want to get your glow on. I can keep going, but my point is that they're a beauty must-have year-round, and buyers—including PureWow VP of Editorial Content Candace Davison—swear by the Isle of Paradise self-tanning face drops ($29), and they just got a glow up (literally).

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More specifically, the brand launched a reformulated version of its cult-favorite product, which is supposedly just as customizable and buildable, but with even more skincare benefits. The new niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and azelaic acid-packed formula is also dermatologist-approved and promises to visibly brighten, hydrate and even skin tone while delivering an instant summer glow (aka your dream tan), per the brand. But does the new formula really live up to the hype...? That's what PureWow Senior Commerce Editor Stephanie Maida and I are here to answer. We tried the new self-tanning drops to share our honest opinions about the upgraded formula, and let's just say that our before-and-after pictures speak for themselves.

Destinee Scott Before and After Photo

Whether you've tried Isle of Paradise's original self-tanning face drops or not, all you really need to know is that the product is the next best thing to achieving a natural-looking tan. It also works fast—I took my after photo four hours after application. Speaking of the application, it follows the exact same process as the OG formula: apply three or more drops to your go-to moisturizer (depending on how deep you want your tan to be) and evenly apply it to your face and neck. Then, four to six hours later, you should look like you've been kissed by the sun! And if you don't, simply repeat the steps until you achieve your desired shade.

Your bronzey new look should also last up to five days, but if you ask me, that's not the most exciting thing about this new formula. Besides the fact that it now has a stamp of approval from dermatologists, I'm particularly drawn to its fragrance-free and non-comedogenic components, meaning it shouldn't clog pores. As someone with slightly sensitive skin and a short skincare routine, this has been a huge benefit. I never feel like the drops are interfering with my regular routine. They've actually become a part of it; I've been using them since winter. And I'm not the only one. Maida has also been loving the new formula, but I'll let her tell it.

Stephanie Maida Before and After Photo

"After exfoliating and washing my face in the shower, I used two drops in my Clarins Extra-Firming Energy moisturizer, which I mixed around in my hands before applying as evenly as I could across my face," she explained. "I felt no stinging or irritation. I went to bed and, voilà, I woke up to a subtle—but noticeable to me—golden glow. I've used Isle of Paradise face tanning drops before, but I will say that the old formula used to give me a bit of a self-tan mustache, where it would look darker just above my lip. Not so with this new formula; I thought the color looked even and natural all over."

I couldn't agree more, which is why I highly recommend stocking up before summer. But before you do, you should know that the $29 self-tanning drops are available in three colors: light, medium and dark.

Sephora

Isle of Paradise

The colors basically represent its tanning powers. So, the light color will give you a subtle tan (perfect for beginners), whereas the medium color will give you a slightly deeper tan. Meanwhile, dark is ideal for pro self-tanners. Regardless, all colors are customizable and buildable, depending on the number of drops used per application, so you can't go wrong with Isle of Paradise's new formula. After all, I used a medium color to achieve my sun-kissed glow, while Maida used the light color, and we were both happy with our results. So, take your pick if you want to get your glow on faster than you can say "I'm ready for summer"!

$29 at Sephora

$29 at Kohl's

Destinee Scott

Associate Sales and Deals Editor

Stays on top of the best sales and deals across the internet
Over 3 years of experience in commerce (covering tentpole sales, like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Way Day)
Studied Journalism at St. John's University

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