Bondi Sands Self-Tanning Drops, 30 ml

When should you use these self-tanning drops for the face?

Bondi Sands Self-Tanning Drops are a self-tanning concentrate to be mixed with your moisturizer. They combine two self-tanning sugars, dihydroxyacetone (DHA) and erythrulose, which react with proteins on the skin’s surface to create a golden tan without sun exposure. They complement our self-tanners for a sunless glow with a dropper bottle designed specifically for the face.

These drops are specially formulated for the face. Their formula is non-comedogenic: it’s designed not to clog pores, which is especially important for skin prone to breakouts. It contains no added fragrance, has been dermatologically tested, and is suitable for sensitive skin. The base also contains extracts from three Australian fruits: riberry (Syzygium luehmannii), Davidson’s plum (Davidsonia pruriens), and lemon aspen (Acronychia acidula).

It offers a customizable tan that adjusts with each application to remain subtle or become more intense. Mixed with your moisturizer, it integrates seamlessly into your routine without any extra steps—preferably in the evening—so the color develops overnight.

Two shades are available. The Light to Medium shade provides a subtle tan for fair to medium skin tones. The Dark shade contains more self-tanning actives and delivers a deeper color, suitable for medium to olive skin tones or for those who want a noticeably more golden complexion. In October, when your face has lost its summer glow faster than your body has, just a few drops are enough to even out the two.

The cream you mix the drops into is just as important as the drops themselves: a product rich in retinol, exfoliating acids, vitamin C, or B vitamins can cause the color to appear uneven. For this reason, we recommend Caudalie’s VinoHydra Hydrating Sorbet Cream, a lightweight formula free of retinol, exfoliating acids, and vitamin C, which serves as a neutral base for the mixture. It provides hydration while the DHA and erythrulose develop the color overnight.

How do you mix these drops into your moisturizer?

Directions for Use

On a clean, dry face free of other products, mix 4 to 12 drops into your moisturizer (the more drops, the more intense the tan), then apply evenly, avoiding the eye area. Wash your hands thoroughly and let it sit for at least six hours before applying any other skincare products.

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Precautions

• Never apply the drops undiluted to the skin: they must always be mixed with a moisturizer that does not contain DHA itself.
• Do not mix the drops with sunscreen: sunscreen should be applied separately, following its own instructions.
• This product does not contain a sunscreen and does not protect against sunburn: the resulting tan provides no protection against UV rays.
• Repeated unprotected sun exposure while using a self-tanner can increase the risk of skin aging, skin cancer, and other harmful effects, even without sunburn. Apply sunscreen suitable for your skin type whenever you’re in the sun.
• When exposed to UV rays, skin tanned with DHA produces more free radicals than untreated skin: the tan is never a reason to prolong sun exposure.
• Test on a small area of the forearm 24 hours before first use.
• Do not apply to broken, irritated, or inflamed skin.
• Avoid the eye area and lips. If contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with clean water and consult a healthcare professional if irritation persists.
• Discontinue use if irritation, redness, or itching occurs.
• Contains sodium metabisulfite, a sulfite: do not use if you have a known allergy to sulfites or any of the ingredients in the formula.
• For external use only. If swallowed, consult a doctor or call a poison control center.
• Store at a temperature below 30 °C, with the bottle upright. Keep out of reach of children.

What are the ingredients in these self-tanning drops?

Ingredients — Light to Medium

Aqua/Water/Eau, Dihydroxyacetone, Alcohol, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Benzyl Alcohol, Carrageenan, Sodium Metabisulfite, Erythrulose, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Syzygium Luehmannii Fruit Extract, Acronychia Acidula Fruit Extract, Davidsonia Pruriens Fruit Extract.

Ingredients — Dark

Aqua/Water/Eau, Dihydroxyacetone, Alcohol, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Benzyl Alcohol, Carrageenan, Sodium Metabisulfite, Erythrulose, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Syzygium Luehmannii Fruit Extract, Davidsonia Pruriens Fruit Extract, Acronychia Acidula Fruit Extract.

Product Details

30 ml dropper bottle, available in two shades: Light to Medium and Dark.

Our Expert Tips on Bondi Sands Self-Tanning Drops

With self-tanning drops, the most common mistake at the counter is expecting to get the full effect on the very first night. It’s best to start with a light application and build up gradually with each use: excess color shows up much more noticeably on the face than on the legs. Prepare the mixture in the palm of your hand—never directly in the cream jar—to control the amount and avoid turning your entire skincare routine into a self-tanner.

Pay attention to areas where the color tends to accumulate: the hairline, eyebrows, sides of the nose, and under the chin. Wiping these edges with a damp cotton pad right after application prevents harsh lines. Finally, don’t let a tanned complexion make you forget the most important thing: of all the precautions listed here, not using sunscreen is the one that matters most in your daily routine.

FAQ

Can I use Bondi Sands Self-Tanning Drops on my body?

Yes, by working one area at a time: mix the drops with a small amount of body lotion or cream, apply it to a small area before preparing the next batch, so the color remains even from one limb to the next.

Why are Bondi Sands Self-Tanning Drops clear?

They contain no dyes: therefore, they leave no visible color guide upon application and won’t stain your pillow or collar. The tan develops over six to eight hours and continues to deepen over the course of a day.

How long does the tan from Bondi Sands Self-Tanning Drops last?

Generally a few days—five to seven, depending on skin renewal. On the face, which is cleansed and exfoliated more often than the body, the color fades a little faster: regular applications using fewer drops are enough to maintain it.