Bali Body Face Tan Serum image
Disclaimer: Bali Body gifted me the serum for review purposes, but all thoughts are my own and unbiased

If you’re looking for a new gradual hydrating bronzing serum, this review of Bali Body’s brand-new Face Tan Serum tells you everything you need to know!

The serum launched yesterday and is the latest addition to Bali Body‘s famous fake tan range. As with all Bali Body products, I had high hopes for the new bronzing serum, as I’ve been thoroughly impressed with the brand.

I truly appreciate when a gradual self-tan product is good. You want seamless application and blending, a natural-looking tan, hydrating formula, and a smooth even tan at the end. Does the Bali Body Face Tan Serum deliver a sunkissed glow to my face, or does it leave a lot to be desired? I’m sharing my honest thoughts in this review.

What is Bali Body?

Bali Body is an Australian, vegan, and cruelty-free beauty company that creates nourishing and beneficial products for the skin.

Over 6 years ago, a young Australian couple had a vision to create natural and vegan friendly suncare products.

Bali Body

The company is famous for its tanning products, like its Gradual Face Tan, but it also does an excellent range of skincare, personal care, and suncare products. Bali Body has created a tonne of ‘how to’ videos for people looking to apply the brand’s products in the best and most effective way.

Bali Body Face Tan Serum product claims and key ingredients

Bali Body Face Tan Serum image

The Bali Body Face Tan Serum is a gradual self-tanning serum that claims to combine active skincare ingredients with self tan. It promises to bronze the complexion without blocking pores or irritating skin.

Enriched with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide & vitamins, this lightweight formula helps to nourish, brighten & plump your complexion while leaving you with a natural looking tan. 

Bali Body

According to Bali Body, you can apply this serum directly to your skin or mix it in with moisturiser for a flexible, glowy, and sunkissed tan.

Key ingredients

Excluding water, the top 5 ingredients on the INCI list are:

  • Propanediol: moisturises the skin with a smooth, dewy finish
  • Dihydroxyacetone: a common colouring agent that makes skin browner (fake tan)
  • Erythrulose: another colouring agent for browner skin (fake tan)
  • Glycerin: hydrates the skin
  • PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil: an emollient (softens or soothes skin)

See the full INCI list below:

Water (Aqua), Propanediol, Dihydroxyacetone, Erythrulose, Glycerin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Niacinamide, Sodium Metabisulfite, Carrageenan, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Fruit Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Panthenol, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Tocopherol, Fragrance (Parfum), Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool.

Before and after using the face tan serum

To show you how the Bali Body Gradual Face Tan looks on my skin, I’ve taken a before and after photo. I applied the serum for 2 consecutive days to show you how you can build the serum up.

Bali Body says you can apply the serum 3-4 times a week for an all-year bronzed, glowy look. However, I prefer a more subtle tan, so I opted for twice a week.

Here’s how the fake tan serum looks on my skin:

As you can see, it’s definitely made my skin more bronzed without looking orange or fake. I love the results, and the serum was super easy to use!

Honest Bali Body Face Tan Serum review

I really like the Bali Body Gradual Face Tan for multiple reasons.

To start, I like the consistency of the serum. It’s a little thicker than a typical serum, but it doesn’t feel oily. Yet, it feels nourishing and smooth. Even though this is richer than a standard serum, it’s still lightweight and absorbent. I love how this serum glides over my skin!

The Bali Body Gradual Face Tan delivers some skin benefits alongside the fake tan. On application, my skin feels moisturised and hydrated. It instantly visibly looks glowier too, which I’m a huge fan of.

Bali Body Face Tan Serum image

As for the gradual self-tan, it’s fabulous.

The colour is a lovely bronzed shade without looking orange or fake. I love that the tan is very subtle. If you didn’t know me, you’d have no idea that I’d applied the serum. In fact, even if you know me, I’m not convinced you’d be able to tell that I’ve applied a fake tan.

The self-tan aspect is gradual. It develops over the course of the day slowly. For that reason, the tan is also buildable. I love this because it’s ultra-natural, and you’ve got control over the results. I think the results are best if you leave 1 day in between applying the tan to allow it to settle and smooth over the skin.

Overall, I’m really pleased with the Bali Body Gradual Face Tan. My only small gripe is that colour does gather a little bit around my hairline. But that’s to be expected with any face self-tanner.

Where to buy

Retailing for £25.95 for 30ml, you can purchase the Gradual Face Tan serum from Bali Body. As you only use 1-2 drops per use and wouldn’t apply this serum daily, I think this is a reasonable price. I think the seru will last me for months, especially as I’d only apply it twice a week.

Final thoughts

Bali Body Face Tan Serum image

The Bali Body Gradual Face Tan is a great option for those looking for a natural and hydrating bronzing serum. It’s buildable, feels great on the skin, and is easy to apply.

Rating: 4.5 stars

I’m excited to continue using this glowy self-tanning serum.


Will you be purchasing this brand-new serum? I’d love to hear from you in the comments