Product Rating:   (46 reviews)
I have tried many tanning products and this one is my favorite.
—Christine R.


Outstanding product! I can't believe no one else has commented on how this product is fragrance free! That is my big gripe about self tanners: they're usually stinky! This one gave me a completely even tan with no complaints about the smell from my husband. I've finally found a winner!
—Marianne S.


I agree with all the previous rave reviews of this product; I've tried dozens of other self tanners, but none have produced the rich, realistic look that Paula's does. The non-oily texture is also great for the face!
—Samantha M.


I just wanted to let you know how much I love your new SPF 30 Spray and Almost The Real Thing self tanner. I received them last night and couldn't wait to try them out. The SPF 30 Spray feels like nothing at all and the Self Tanner gave me just the right amount of color and dried quickly! Great products!
—Eileen F.


This is amazing! I've been super leery about using self tanners because of their ability to turn orange and be streaky. But I gave in and purchased Paula's, and it's perfection in a bottle! I have olive colored skin thanks to my Italian heritage and my legs now match my arms and chest! It's amazing. It's very easy to use, and leaves your legs super soft and smooth! I love it! I'll continue using this all year round now!
—Lauren Z.


Your tanning gel is fabulous!! No streaking and an even color. I'm really impressed!
—Joan W.


Your self tanner is the BEST out there! I have gotten many compliments on the golden tone of my tan. It's hard for people to believe it's from a self tanner. That's how GREAT it is! I Love It, just give it a try, you'll be pleased!!
—Judi T.


Having given up the sun for good, I have purchased at least 15 different brands of self-tanning products in the last several years, some costly, some not, with varying results (cost usually not a factor in determining results). This summer, I tried Paula's Choice Almost the Real Thing Self-Tanning Gel. Wow! No orange, no streaking, and one of the best results for a fair-skinned auburn. And what a value! Thanks, Paula.
—Marilyn L.

Natural tan
This is honestly the best self tanner I have ever used. I used to equate price with quality, and tried most of the tanners available at Saks and Neimans. This is by far the most natural looking and best smelling product I have used!
—Sharon

Almost The Real Thing Tanning Gel
As a freckled redhead & longtime consumer of sunless tanners, I was disappointed that you didn't review many sunless products(at that time)saying that they were all alike. Then, you truly created the best one I've ever used! I loved the color guide, easy glide on application, gorgeous color and nice even fade. I knew then, your skin care & makeup HAD to be great.
—Dana Conrad

10 Years of Use & Still
I've been using this tanning gel for almost 10 years and still have yet to find another that matches the realistic look of this. Love it!
—Kris

Realistic Facial Tanning!
This product produces the most complimentary and realistic facial tan I have ever gotten with any self-tanning product, and I've tried them all. Looks great everywhere else, too! The fact that it's salicylate-free is a huge plus all over!
—Laurie B.

Tropical Glow
No self tanner ever deserves a 5 star rating because, let's face it, nothing is the same as a real tan. But this product is truly a 4 1/2 star gem. No smell, gorgeous color--not too dark nor too light, no leathery orange look. Just perfect. Like you spent a wonderful day in a tropical paradise--without the aging effects of those harmful rays. A wonderful self-tanner--the best I've ever used.
—Sherie

Self Tanner Breakouts
I LOVE Paula's products and use practically every item, but I have realized lately that Paula's self tanner is making me break out! And I love the color it provides. My friends and coworkers have had the same problem. Hopefully she will come out with something a little more matte.
—Julia

Almost The Real Thing Self-Tanner
This is the ONLY self tanner that doesn't smell funky! I can't believe it! It's wonderful not to walk around with that smell that other tanners give off. Oh, and the tan is nice & natural looking too.
—Pamela Hill

The Best Self-Tanner on the Market
By far the most realistic self-tanner I have ever used. Having fair skin, every self-tanning product I have used looked unnatural and obvious on my legs. This product is seamless and provides a warm golden caramel like color in a couple of hours. No streaking, blotching, bad smell or unslightly orange color. Believe me, you won't be dissapointed.
—Lindsay Muir

Self Tanner
Been using this product since day one. Love it but would like to see a version WITHOUT caramel coloring. It gets all over my clothing no matter how much I try to avoid it.
—Judith McGuane

yess
great! doesnt leave my skin patchy like others.
—sarah

Almost real thing self tanner
This product is remarkable and I'm thankful that it's easy even for a man to use. No orange colour, No bad smell. Bravo Paula!
—William

Beautiful Glow
This product gave my skin a natural beautiful tan glow. It looks very natural and no streaking or orange spots. Great product, thank you!
—Lily

gorgeous color
This gave me the "reddish" tan that I get when I really tan---and I'm a pale girl! I haven't tanned in so long I forgot how pretty my color was until I saw it again with this ST. Fabulous!
—EstheticianJen

Love it!
This product is fabulous. The color is so realistic, I get so many comments about when did I go to the beach! It's a beautiful golden brown-love it!
—Debbie Nunn

Love it!
I have tried several self-tanners, including some that are quite expensive, and I have never been as satisfied as I am w/ this one! VERY natural looking, no streaks, and very easy to use!
—Alicia

Satisfied
I've tried many self-tanners after kicking my tanning bed addiction. My biggest concern is finding a product that is safe for my acne prone skin and I'm happy to say I found it. It doesn't have an overwhelming smell, does not streak and develops a very natural color. I also love that I was able to try a sample before purchasing. Thanks Paula!
—Nikki

May cause a rash
A subset of the population is apparently allergic to the main ingredient in self tanners, Dihydroxyacetone. Discovered I was one of them when I got a rash after the second application of the 'Almost the real thing' self tanner, the first self tanner I have used in years. Good news is the Antioxident Serum seems to be helping the contact dermatitis. Customer Care: We regret that our product was not what you may have epxected. Our Customer Service will be more than happy to assist you in finding another product that will work better for you. Please note that Paula's Choice also has a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee return policy within 60 days of purchase.
—Cheri

Self-Tanning Gel
I ordered this product because of high review ratings but I find that it does have a funky smell like so many other self-tanners. Guess I just have a sensitive nose.
—Shirley Sorrell

The Best Self-Tanner Out There!
This is the best self-tanner I've tried. It must be a new formula because it doesn't smell at all when I apply it!
—Jen

Perfection
As others have mentioned, this self tanner truly does not streak. The gel texture of this formula makes it a breeze to apply, and while I would guess that the active chemical that creates the "tan" is minimal in this formula---and that's probably why this self tanner is so good. The effect is minimal, which is also a good thing, and if you really want to look tan, I'd recommend putting it on two days in a row for maximum effect. In any case, this formula is much better than some of the one's that Paula herself recommends---i.e. the self tanners from Clinique, which are much more prone to streaking. As usual, this understated and underrated product is economical, elegant and all around excellent.
—Dustin

Looks natural
I bought this product last year and used it all summer. I knew that it was natural looking when my best friend remarked how nice my tan looked and wished she had time to get one like that. I like how it looks on my face as well as the rest of my body.
—Nancy

Almost the Real Thing Self- Tanning gel
As all Paula's Choice products Absolutely awesome, easy to apply, looks very "NOT-ORANGE" gave to some friends to try all agreed with me I have used many self-tanning products over my 61 years this is by far the BEST.I tan easily but don't do the sun thing, my boss is fair/medium and my sister is a very fair redhead and we all love it!!!! I was so exited about this product I gave away all but half a tube. Also hasn't stained anything. Oh I could go on and on but I'll stop now.
—cheryl haines-ishida

You've outdone yourself!
I put this one before bed and woke up with a beautiful, realistic, tan! I thought "Wow! Paula! You've outdone yourself!"
—Lisa

Not tan enough
This looks natural, but as natural as my non-tan skin, so I don't really need it! This doesn't do much for me. I can barely tell the difference. Customer Care: Please call our Customer Service for assistance with finding a product that will work for you. Also, please note that we have a 60-day 100% Satisfaction Guarantee return policy.
—Jennifer M.

Nice even color
I recently tried the Neutrogena line of sunless tanning products. Well, I look orange (not tan) esp on my legs. I thought I will give this one a try. Ordered some samples. Very nice even color but it does fade rather quickly. I like it a lot. Will be placing a order for some soon!
—Carol M

Fabulous product!
I've tried lots of other self tanners, but this is by far the best! Fragrance-free and doesn't streak or turn me orange. Highly recommend!
—Cherie

The Best For Half My Body
The absolute best for face-doesn't sting eyes or skin, no smell. I use it down to mid-thigh. However, it wears terribly on my legs-looks scaly after a few days.
—Lynda

Not that great
I consider myself to be an expert self-tanner. I have always had fair skin and use self tanning products in the summer. I just could not get this come out even and I found the color to be a little too dramatic for me. I felt orange. I will probably continue to use it on my face but will go back to a drugstore brand for the rest of my body.
—Caroline

plusses/minuses
I love how this goes on and the end color. Like all DHA self tanners, it has a horrible after smell and turns my age spots even darker. I love Paula and use her products, but I guess even she can't find a solution to the stink and dark spots. Customer Care: Please call our Customer Service for assistance with finding a product that will work for you. Also, please note that we have a 60-day 100% Satisfaction Guarantee return policy.
—Tricia McConnell

THE BEST self tanner!!!
This is absolutely the best self-tanner on the market. The color is perfect, the drying time is adequate, it's not greasy and best of all there is no smell! I don't know how she came up with a truly fragrance free tanner but she did...just wish it came in a super jumbo size. Love it!
—Christin

Did not see any difference on the color at all!
I apologize but this was a complete waste of my own money to not even seen any "tan" results from this bottle. I have used it already several times and not notice any significant different in the tone of my skin. No tanned skin at all here that I received. I guess this product didn't just work out for me I suppose but maybe for others it will. Customer Care: Please call our Customer Service for assistance with finding a product that will work for you. Also, please note that we have a 60-day 100% Satisfaction Guarantee return policy.
—Guillermo

Very natural looking
I ordered this for my teenaged daughter to keep her out of the tanning bed. She is so happy with how natural it looks and I am happy she is no longer cooking herself!
—Becky F

Amazing!
I have Snow White-fair skin, but have never been able to bring myself to use self-tanners because of the smell associated with all of them. Although I could still smell a faint smell in this gel, it was not strong enough to bother me. The color is beautiful, too. I am hooked!
—Miranda

Not tan enough
I agree with one of the reviewers here. It's natural, but has the same color with my skin. Doesn't make any different. It's probably best for people with very fair skin. Customer Care Response: We are sorry to hear that this product did not meet with your approval. Please contact Customer Service via Live Chat, Phone or Email for assistance in selecting a more appropriate product.
—CPM

Better than a Mystic Tan...
I applied this self tanner last year for our annual trip to Aruba and got a Mystic this year. Comparing the pictures from last yeat, I looked so much more tan and even. Others looking at the pitcures even noticed. Way to go Paula! Great color and it lasts.
—Katie

Satisfactory(?)
I have been using a personal favorite spray tan for a few years now. Since my spray tanner was tucked away and I had a sample of Paula's, I decided to try it. The good news is that once it was all over a done with, a day later, the color looked fine. The bad news was that it took 5 hours plus, for the greasiness to go away (I usually put my self tanner on in the day and my skin was very dry so I wouldn't have expected greasiness from anything at this dry winter time) and the smell was terrible. I didn't realize what a find I had made with the other tanning spray until I tried this one. Perhaps Paula and her team can improve this in the future. Customer Care Response: Thank you for your feedback. We will share your comments with our Product Development team. Please contact Customer Care for further assistance with a return or exchange.
—Lisa Powers

Amazing! Best Self-Tanner I've Tried
This gel has a great consistency, so it's easy to apply and easy to use. The color is VERY natural on my skin (I'm Caucasian, light skinned, with golden undertones). Overall, I like this product best of all the self-tanners I've used, & I've tried sprays, gels, and lotions from all sorts of brands. Also, I think the price & quantity is fair. I highly recommend this product!
—Catherine

Great color, not so great smell
Really, this tanning gel is wonderful except for the strong chemical smell that is pretty typical of nearly all sunless tanning products. The consistency is so easy to smooth into the skin, no orange hands, and the color is very natural! I'm all for unscented products, but if a little scent could help this one out I'd be ecstatic because I really like the product otherwise. I will probably continue to use it, though, because I haven't found anything that goes on so well!
—Leigh Ann

What makes this product unique?
With Almost the Real Thing Self-Tanning Gel you can achieve a natural-looking bronze glow without the harmful effects of sun damage. This lightweight self-tanner dries quickly and has a natural caramel tint so you can easily see where it has been applied. No need for separate products for the face and body; it works beautifully on both making it cost effective and convenient! Women who have used this product have said it makes their skin look better than any tan they used to get from the sun.

This product is 100% fragrance-free.

Who is this product for?
Almost the Real Thing Self-Tanning Gel is formulated for all skin types.

How should this product be used?

1. Take a quick shower; do not soak.
2. Use a body shampoo or shower gel to prevent soap film.
3. Gently exfoliate in the shower; be careful not to overdo it and do not shave.
4. Towel dry completely.
5. Apply a light layer of moisturizer (our Slip into Silk Body Lotion is an excellent option).
6. Apply the self-tanner evenly and smoothly, one area at a time.
7. Wash hands thoroughly and use a nail brush to avoid tan palms and cuticles.
8. Use no additional skin-care products at least an hour after application.
9. Wait an hour before dressing or getting into bed to avoid stains.
10. Your "tan" should develop within 1–3 hours and may continue to deepen for a few hours after that. If desired level of darkness is not obtained after one application, simply reapply and your "tan" will deepen. Once you are satisfied with the results, reapply self-tanner every few days to maintain depth of color.

Did You Know?
Self-tanner can collect over creases and dry or rough skin, so use less over those areas or use a paper towel to dab off the excess.

Use a clean makeup sponge to apply self-tanner to tops of hands and feet. Use another sponge that's dampened with water and cleanser to remove any excess self-tanner from palms or fingertips.

Self-tanners do not protect from sun damage so you must still apply a sunscreen.

What Makes Paula's Choice Products Unique?

Created by world renowned skin care expert and author Paula Begoun

Proven effective based on hundreds of published scientific studies

Targeted systems for wrinkles, acne, rosacea, sensitive skin, oily skin, dry skin and more

Fragrance-free, color-free, free of harmful skin irritants, and never tested on animals

100% customer satisfaction guaranteed

Unequalled customer service

: Water, Cyclomethicone (skin-conditioning agent/silicone), Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol (water- binding agents), Dihydroxyacetone (self-tanning agent), Dimethicone Copolyol (skin-conditioning agent/silicone), Diazolidinyl Urea (preservative), Caramel (natural coloring agent), Sodium Metabisulfite (stabilizer), Methylparaben, Propylparaben (preservatives).

Directions:

1. Take a quick shower; do not soak.
2. Use a body shampoo or shower gel to prevent soap film.
3. Gently exfoliate in the shower, be careful not to overdo.
4. Towel dry completely.
5. Apply a light layer of moisturizer (Slip into Silk Body Lotion is an excellent option).
6. Apply the self-tanner evenly and smoothly, one area at a time.
7. Wash hands thoroughly to avoid tan palms and cuticles.
8. Use no additional skin-care products at least an hour before and after application.
9. Wait an hour before dressing or getting into bed to avoid stains.
10. Your "tan" should develop within 1–3 hours and may continue to deepen for a few hours after that. If desired level of darkness is not obtained after one application, simply reapply and your "tan" will deepen. Once you are satisfied with the results, reapply self-tanner every few days to maintain depth of color.

Did You Know?
Self-tanner can collect over creases and dry or rough skin, so use less over those areas or use a paper towel to dab off the excess. Self-tanners do not protect from sun damage so you must still apply a sunscreen.

How long does the color last?
That depends on how well it "takes" on your skin. Results often vary widely with the same self-tanner. On some the color may last a week or more, while others find it lasts 2 days or fewer.

How does using an AHA or BHA affect the results I get from using Almost the Real Thing Self-Tanning Gel?
There are pros and cons to combining any exfoliant (AHA or BHA exfoliant or topical scrub) with a self-tanner. Our self-tanner contains dihydroxyacetone (a derivative of sugar that turns skin cells a shade of brown), which affects only the uppermost layers of skin. Exfoliants affect these same layers and, as a result, the exfoliant sloughs off the skin cells affected by the self-tanner, thus reducing how long your "tan" lasts. That's the negative. The positive is that when the skin is smoother (the benefit of using a well-formulated exfoliant) you get much more even-toned results from the self-tanner. Unless you're willing to avoid using an AHA or BHA product or a topical scrub when trying to obtain and maintain a self-tan, the only solution is to compromise. That may involve using the BHA or AHA lotion less often (such as two or three times per week rather than daily) or applying Almost the Real Thing Self-Tanning Gel more often to maintain the level of color you like.