Achieving a healthy, sun-kissed glow can bring a wonderful boost of confidence, but as we get older, our skin's needs change. Many standard self tanners can cling to dry patches or settle into fine lines, resulting in a finish that’s more patchy than polished.
At Green People, we believe that radiant skin has no age limit. That’s why our approach to fake tan focuses on nourishing, plant-based ingredients in certified organic formulas, ensuring your skin is cared for while you build a beautifully natural and even colour.
At a glance
- Best for customisable glow: Age Defy+ Liquid Gold Tanning Drops
- Best for a classic lotion feel: Self Tan Lotion
- Best for gradual tan with SPF: Glow & Protect SPF30
- Essential for flawless application: Prep skin with an Exfoliating Hand & Body Scrub
What makes a good fake tan for older skin?
As skin matures, it naturally produces less oil and can become drier. This means the best self tanners for your 50s, 60s and beyond are those packed with hydrating ingredients. Formulas rich in moisture help to create a smooth canvas, preventing the tan from gathering on drier areas like elbows, knees and ankles.
Look for buildable colour. A gradual or customisable tan allows you to control the depth of shade, ensuring a believable warmth that complements your skin tone rather than overpowering it.
Finally, a gentle formulation is key. Mature skin can be more sensitive, so choosing products free from drying alcohol and artificial fragrances helps to keep it feeling calm, comfortable and healthy.
Why choose a Green People self tan?
With over 25 years of expertise in creating gentle products for sensitive skin, we understand how to blend nature and science for beautiful results. Our natural and organic self tanning products are designed with mature skin in mind.
We prioritise plant-based, cruelty-free ingredients and our self tans are dermatologically tested to be kind to sensitive skin. This means you can trust that what you’re putting on your skin is both effective and exceptionally gentle.
"A sun-kissed glow should feel healthy and look natural at every age. That's why we formulate our self tans with ultra-hydrating, organic ingredients that care for mature skin, ensuring a beautiful, even finish without compromise."
- Charlotte Vøhtz, Founder of Green People
Best for a customisable face and body glow
If you love your current skin care routine and want to seamlessly add a touch of warmth, tanning drops are the perfect solution. They put you in complete control.
Our Age Defy+ Liquid Gold Tanning Drops are designed to be mixed with your favourite face or body moisturiser. Simply add a few drops - more for a deeper tan, fewer for a subtle hint of colour - and apply as you normally would. This method ensures your skin gets all the hydrating benefits of your moisturiser, helping the tan to develop evenly.
These certified organic drops are fragrance-free and clinically proven to be kind to sensitive skin. They have also contain collagen-protecting Green Tea and skin-firming Seaweed for an extra boost. The lightweight fluid blends invisibly, developing into a natural-looking, streak-free tan over the next 24 hours without the tell-tale self-tan scent.
Age Defy+ Liquid Gold Tanning Drops 30ml
Glow from head to toe with our scent-free certified organic tanning drops£42.00
Best for a traditional, hydrating lotion tan
For those who prefer a classic, one-step application, a nourishing lotion is the ideal choice. It allows you to moisturise and build colour in a single, simple step.
The Organic Food Federation-certified Self Tan Lotion is a beautifully creamy formula that glides onto the skin. It’s enriched with hydrating organic Aloe Vera and develops into a realistic golden tan within three hours. It feels more like a body moisturiser than a typical tanner, leaving skin feeling soft and supple.
Its buildable nature means you can reapply every few days to maintain or deepen your glow. This lotion has a light, fresh botanical scent and is also dermatologically tested, making it a reliable choice for easily irritated skin on both the face and body.
Self Tan Lotion 150ml
Tan easily at home with this natural and organic self tan lotion£30.00
Best for a gradual tan with daily sun protection
Combining your daily sun protection with a gradual tanner is a smart way to streamline your routine. It protects your skin from UV damage - which can contribute to signs of ageing like age spots - while imparting a gentle, summery radiance.
Our Glow & Protect SPF30 is an innovative 3-in-1 moisturiser, tan and sun cream. It provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection whilst delivering a subtle, buildable colour. It is a non-greasy lotion that sinks in easily, leaving skin hydrated and protected.
This is a particularly good option for holiday prep or the summer months, simplifying your routine without compromising on protection or glow. For more information on sun protection, see our essential guide to SPFs.
Glow & Protect SPF30 150ml
Glow, hydrate and protect in one intelligent step£38.00
Self tan prep essentials for a flawless finish
The secret to an even, long-lasting tan at any age is preparation. Exfoliating before you apply your self tan is the most important step for a professional-looking finish. It removes dead, dry skin cells, creating a perfectly smooth surface for the tan to be applied to.
A gentle yet effective exfoliator is your best friend here. Our gentle Exfoliating Mitt can be used wet or dry to buff the skin. It’s brilliant for focusing on stubborn dry areas like elbows, ankles and knees, ensuring these spots don’t absorb too much colour.
Exfoliating Mitt
Instantly smooth your skin with this gently exfoliating body mitt£7.00
For an all-over polish, the COSMOS Organic Exfoliating Hand & Body Scrub is sublime. It uses Pineapple Enzymes and fine particles of Bamboo to gently lift away dull skin, while nourishing Shea Butter leaves your body feeling incredibly soft and ready for an even tan application.
Exfoliating Hand & Body Scrub 200ml
Treat your skin to berry bliss with this invigorating hand and body scrub£20.00
Frequently asked questions
Will fake tan make my age spots and pigmentation darker?
Self-tanners work by reacting with the top layer of your skin, and this can sometimes make areas of hyperpigmentation like age spots appear more prominent. To minimise this, you can apply a light barrier cream or moisturiser to these spots just before your tan application to slightly inhibit colour development in those specific areas.
How can I stop fake tan from settling in wrinkles?
The key is hydration and preparation. Ensure your skin is well-moisturised before applying tan, as this plumps the skin and helps prevent colour from gathering in lines. Using our Age Defy+ Liquid Gold Tanning Drops mixed with your favourite anti-ageing moisturiser is an excellent way to combine hydration with a customisable glow.
How often should I apply self tan to mature skin?
This depends on your desired depth of colour and your skin's natural exfoliation cycle. Generally, applying a self-tanner every 3-5 days is enough to maintain a consistent glow. For a gradual tanner like Glow & Protect SPF30, it can be used daily to build and maintain a subtle warmth.
Can I use tanning drops for the face on my body?
Yes, absolutely. Our Age Defy+ Liquid Gold Tanning Drops are formulated for use on both the face and body. Simply mix a few drops with your chosen body lotion for an all-over, even radiance.
Why does my fake tan go patchy on my elbows and knees?
Elbows, knees and ankles have drier, thicker skin which can absorb more of the tanning product, leading to darker, patchy results. Always exfoliate these areas thoroughly before application and apply a light layer of moisturiser to them just before you tan to act as a barrier. This will help you achieve a much more even finish.
We hope this helps you find a suitable self tan for your skin. If you need any more help or advice about finding the best fake tan for your 50s or 60s, our friendly UK customer care team are happy to help on 01403 740350 or on social @GreenPeopleUK.
MEET CHARLOTTE, FOUNDER OF GREEN PEOPLE
Charlotte Vøhtz, founder of Green People, has 25+ years of experience in the natural and organic beauty industry.
A recognised leader in the field of organic beauty, Charlotte helped inform the UK's first organic beauty standards and was voted the People's Choice in the 2023 list of Who's Who in Natural Beauty.
A published author, she wrote the organic beauty bible 'Naturally Gorgeous'. Previously, she qualified as a nurse and spent over 10 years working in pharmaceuticals.
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