Loving Tan Vs. St. Tropez: In-Depth Differences

Want a golden glow without frying your skin?

I tested Loving Tan and St. Tropez to find the ultimate self-tanner for you.

This article shares my hands-on experience, pros, cons, and tips to help you pick the perfect tan.

From application ease to color payoff, I’ll break it down in a chatty, real-world way.

Read on to see which brand nails your dream bronze.

Comparison Table Loving Tan Vs. St. Tropez

My Tanning Adventure with Loving Tan and St. Tropez

Last June, my ghostly legs needed a glow-up for a friend’s beach wedding.

At 29, I’m all about avoiding sun damage, so self-tanners are my jam.

I snagged Loving Tan Deluxe Bronzing Mousse (Dark, $40) and St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse ($44) after hearing they’re top-tier.

As a tanning rookie, I wanted a natural, streak-free bronze.

Here’s how my head-to-head test played out.

I kicked off with Loving Tan.

The 120ml bottle’s pump dispensed a velvety mousse with a red-brown guide color.

After exfoliating, I slathered it on with a mitt, and it blended like a dream.

It dried in 5 minutes, so I could chill in pajamas without feeling sticky.

The sweet, mild scent was barely there—love that.

After 3 hours, I rinsed off, and boom: my skin had a deep, natural bronze.

I looked like I’d spent a week in Hawaii!

The tan held for 5 days, though my hands faded first.

By day 4, my knees had a slight orange tint, which was a bummer.

Then came St. Tropez.

The 200ml bottle’s foam was light and fluffy, with a cool-toned guide color.

It went on smoothly, but took ~10 minutes to dry, so I stood around awkwardly.

The floral scent started nice but got that classic fake-tan biscuity smell later.

I showered after 2 hours, revealing a golden, medium tan.

It lasted 8 days, fading evenly except on my elbows.

St. Tropez was easier for my newbie skills, but Loving Tan’s richer color stole my heart.

Let’s dig into the details.

Why Loving Tan and St. Tropez Shine

Self-tanners like Loving Tan and St. Tropez let you bronze safely using dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which reacts with your skin to mimic a tan.

Loving Tan, born in Australia, crafts premium mousses with organic ingredients, aiming for a salon-quality glow in 2–6 hours.

St. Tropez, a UK icon, delivers versatile foams with customizable shades in just 1–3 hours.

Both are cruelty-free and packed with skin-loving ingredients like aloe vera and vitamin E.

I tested their Dark and Express formulas to see which fits folks like you, comparing color, ease, and staying power.

Pros of Loving Tan Deluxe Bronzing Mousse (Dark):

• Deep Bronze: Rich, natural tan in one go. My pale skin looked sun-kissed.
• Quick-Dry: Sets in ~5 minutes. I was back to lounging fast.
• Subtle Scent: Mild, sweet aroma. My roommate didn’t notice it.
• No Streaks: Red-brown guide color keeps it even. I nailed the application.
• Moisturizing: Aloe vera left my skin soft. My legs felt hydrated.
• Salon Vibes: Luxe finish. I got “where’d you tan?” compliments.
• Ethical: Organic DHA and cruelty-free. I felt good using it.

Cons of Loving Tan Deluxe Bronzing Mousse (Dark):

• Pricey: $40 for 120ml hurts the wallet. I rationed every pump.
• Less Product: ~6 uses per bottle. I burned through it quickly.
• Fades Fast: 4–6 days, hands go first. I needed touch-ups by day 4.
• Orange Tint: Knees turned slightly orange by day 4. Not cute.
• Beginner Trap: Tricky to master. My first ankle attempt was blotchy.
• Leaky Bottle: Pump dripped a bit. I kept a towel handy.
• Online-Only: Hard to find in stores. I waited days for shipping.

Pros of St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse:

• Long Wear: Lasts 5–10 days. My tan stayed vibrant for 8 days.
• Flexible Timing: 1–3 hours for light to dark. I picked my shade easily.
• Easy for Newbies: Blends like a dream. I had no streaks, ever.
• More Product: 200ml gives ~12 uses. I got tons of applications.
• Nourishing: Vitamin E and jojoba kept skin smooth. My arms loved it.
• Cruelty-Free: Ethical formula. I supported it guilt-free.
• Easy to Buy: Available at Ulta, Sephora, Amazon. I grabbed it same-day.

Cons of St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse:

• Biscuity Smell: Floral scent turns chemical. My bedroom smelled weird.
• Slower Dry: ~10 minutes to set. I stood around waiting.
• Patchy Elbows: Fades unevenly on dry spots. My elbows looked splotchy.
• Pricey: $44 isn’t cheap. I hesitated at checkout.
• Guide Color Stains: Can transfer to sheets. I stained a towel.
• Sensitivity Risk: Irritated my wrists slightly. My sensitive skin tingled.
• Foam Waste: Pump dispenses too much. I overdid it at first.

Application Tips for a Flawless Tan

Nailing a self-tan takes some prep.

Here’s how I got pro-level results with both brands.

• Exfoliate 24 Hours Before: Use a gentle scrub to smooth skin. I used a sugar scrub for baby-soft legs.
• Hydrate Dry Spots: Lotion elbows, knees, and ankles pre-tan. I dodged patches this way.
• Grab a Mitt: Both need a mitt for even spreading. My hands stayed clean.
• Work in Sections: Apply from feet up in circles. I focused on legs, then arms.
• Shower Right: Rinse after 2–3 hours for St. Tropez, 3–6 for Loving Tan. I used cool water.
• Moisturize Daily: Lock in color with a light cream. I slathered on aloe lotion.
• Reapply Smart: Touch up every 4–5 days. I blended new layers carefully.

These tricks made my tans look salon-fresh.

St. Tropez was more forgiving if I rushed, while Loving Tan needed precision.

My friend skipped moisturizing and got patchy knees—don’t be her.

Key Features Face-Off

Loving Tan Deluxe Bronzing Mousse (Dark) is a luxe mousse with a red-brown guide color, drying in 5 minutes.

Its 120ml bottle delivers ~6 uses, developing in 2–6 hours for a deep tan.

St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse is a foamy formula with a cool-toned guide color, taking ~10 minutes to dry.

The 200ml bottle yields ~12 applications, with a 1–3-hour development time.

Both are vegan, but Loving Tan’s organic DHA feels gentler, while St. Tropez’s vitamin E adds nourishment.

How Long They Last

St. Tropez outlasted Loving Tan, sticking around for 8 days on my skin.

It faded evenly, though my elbows got patchy by day 7.

Loving Tan held for 5 days, with hands and wrists fading first.

By day 4, my knees had a slight orange hue, needing a touch-up.

Daily moisturizing stretched both tans, but St. Tropez’s endurance was impressive.

My cousin, who tans biweekly, said St. Tropez lasted 2 days longer than Loving Tan on her medium-toned skin.

Shade Suitability

Loving Tan’s Dark shade gave my fair, cool-toned skin a warm, deep bronze, perfect for a bold look.

Its Medium suits paler tones, while Ultra Dark is for pros or darker skin.

St. Tropez’s Dark shade delivered a golden, medium tan, ideal for fair to medium complexions.

Its Light works for super pale skin, and Medium fits olive tones.

My freckled friend found St. Tropez’s Light less orange than Loving Tan’s Medium.

Patch-test shades to match your vibe.

Scent and Application Comfort

Loving Tan’s mild, sweet scent was a standout—barely there, even during development.

The mousse felt light and non-sticky, letting me relax post-application.

St. Tropez’s floral scent started pleasant but turned chemical, lingering for hours.

The foam was airy but tacky until dry, making me wait before dressing.

Loving Tan was comfier, but St. Tropez’s easier blending suited my novice skills.

Both caused mild wrist tingling, so I used less on sensitive spots.

If smells bother you, Loving Tan’s a safer bet.

Price Vs. Value Breakdown

St. Tropez’s $44 for 200ml (~12 uses, $3.67/use) offers more bang than Loving Tan’s $40 for 120ml (~6 uses, $6.67/use).

St. Tropez’s longevity and volume make it cost-effective for frequent tanners.

Loving Tan’s premium finish felt worth it for events, but the smaller bottle emptied fast.

I stretched St. Tropez longer, but Loving Tan’s rich color justified its price for special days.

My budget-conscious friend picked St. Tropez for weekly use.

For regular tanning, St. Tropez saves; for occasional glows, Loving Tan’s luxe vibe shines.

Real-World Testing

I rocked Loving Tan to the wedding, and it looked flawless in photos, though my hands needed blending by day 5.

The deep tan got “you look radiant!” vibes, but the orange tint showed later.

St. Tropez shone at a pool party, surviving splashes and sweat.

It faded evenly, but elbows needed extra lotion by day 8.

St. Tropez suited my active days, while Loving Tan was my go-to for glam.

My sister preferred St. Tropez’s lighter tone for daily wear but loved Loving Tan’s depth for date nights.

Also Read: My Experience With Peta Jane Self Tanner

Ethical and Green Factors

Both brands are cruelty-free and vegan, which I vibe with.

Loving Tan uses organic DHA and aloe vera, feeling eco-friendlier.

St. Tropez’s vitamin E and jojoba nourish skin, but its larger bottle creates more waste.

I recycled both, though St. Tropez’s pump was easier to clean.

Loving Tan’s biodegradable formula tipped the scales for sustainability.

If green beauty matters to you, Loving Tan’s a slight edge, but both are ethical picks.

Busting Tanning Myths

Some think self-tanners always look fake.

Loving Tan’s red-brown base and St. Tropez’s cool tones kept my tan natural.

Others say tans fade fast.

With care, St. Tropez lasted 8 days, Loving Tan 5.

Many believe application’s a hassle.

A mitt and prep made both a breeze.

Some assume pricier tans are superior.

St. Tropez, slightly costlier, outperformed Loving Tan in wear but not color.

Forget the myths—technique is everything.

Getting the Most from Your Tan

Shave and exfoliate a day before tanning.

I used a loofah to prep my skin.

Apply in a cool room to avoid sweat streaks.

I tanned at night for overnight development.

Use a lightweight moisturizer daily to extend color.

I reapplied St. Tropez every 7 days, Loving Tan every 5.

For your face, mix a drop with cream.

My friend’s splotchy tan came from rushing prep—take your time.

Safety and Skin Care

Both are dermatologist-tested, but patch-test first.

Loving Tan felt gentler, but my wrists tingled slightly.

St. Tropez caused mild redness on my elbows.

Avoid eyes or broken skin, and wash hands after.

I wore gloves with St. Tropez to prevent stained palms.

If you have sensitive skin, consult a doc—my cousin’s eczema flared with St. Tropez.

Both are safe with care, but know your skin’s limits.

Also Read: My Thoughts On NuSkin Sunright Insta Glow

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Final Thoughts

After pitting Loving Tan against St. Tropez, I’ve got your back on picking the best self-tanner.

St. Tropez’s long-lasting, beginner-friendly formula wins for daily use, while Loving Tan’s rich, luxe glow is perfect for big moments.

This article laid out their pros, cons, and real-world performance to guide you.

Whether you’re after a budget-friendly tan or a red-carpet bronze, both deliver with prep.

Grab St. Tropez for endurance or Loving Tan for drama—your glow’s just a mitt away.