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Tan Luxe The Butter Review: A Worthy Body Moisturizer?

Written by Lexi Carlson
Medically Reviewed by Denise Christine Bries, MD
Updated
Tan-Luxe The Butter Review_ A Worthy Body Moisturizer_

Nobody can say no to a body moisturizer that tans, hydrates, and illuminates the skin. The Butter from Tan-Luxe is a cult favorite, and it’ll be yours too once you try it. 

We’ll go straight to the point – it’s worth it

But why? 

Read through this article to find out more before purchasing! 

Overview of Tan-Luxe The Butter

The Tan-Luxe The Butter is described as a 4-in-1 product

It “replenishes, hydrates, perfects, and illuminates” your skin while giving it a beautiful glowing tan. 

Like all Tan-Luxe tanners, The Butter doesn’t have a color guide. Their products don’t have bronzers when applied since they don’t believe in them. 

According to Tan-Luxe, color guides don’t affect your tan; they only mess with the color actives that lead to streaking and unevenness

Specifications:

  • 4-in-1 self-tanner that deeply moisturizes 
  • It gives a dark golden tan in just one application
  • Doesn’t need daily application  
  • The Butter is made with cruelty-free ingredients: 
    • Aqua (Water)
    • Dihydroxyacetone
    • Ethylhexyl Stearate
    • Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil
    • Glycerin
    • Isopropyl Palmitate
    • Polysorbate 60
    • Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Oil
    • Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
    • Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Seed Oil
    • Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter
    • Dimethicone
    • Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
    • Others: view the complete list here 

Pros

  • Not intimidating for beginners – it applies exactly like lotion. 
  • Low maintenance. You don’t need to apply daily to achieve the tan. 
  • It gives the darkest tan out of all Tan-Luxe products 
  • Other than tan, it illuminates the skin thanks to the reflective nanoparticles
  • Easy and not messy to apply. No transfer! 
  • Glow and color are buildable. 
  • Best for dry skin; also suitable for all skin types

Cons

  • Pricey for its size
  • It can be uneven on drier areas (such as ankles and feet) 

Tan-Luxe The Butter: Full Review

Having said all that, how did The Butter users find them? 

Hint: They LOVED them. 

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

We loved The Butter, but we wanted to be fair and look for other reviews for drawbacks. But wow, there aren’t. Almost everyone who tried it vouched for good results

Let’s break them down into these factors, so you can see what we mean. 

Looks, Feel, & Smell

The exterior packaging of The Butter looks fancy. Its white minimalist design and silver cap tell you that it’s a luxurious product. The actual content of The Butter lives up to its name.

It’s thick, rich, and smooth as it glides on your skin. 

  • People with dry skin will appreciate the consistency while achieving that glowing tan. 
  • Scent-wise, it isn’t bad, especially if you compare it to the usual self-tanners with strong smells. 

As best described by Lauren Erro from Youtube, it has a sunscreen smell mixed with oatmeal lotion. 

Application, Directions, and Usage

The application is EASY and FOOL-PROOF!

It applies like lotion, and you’re all set. You don’t have to worry about the product transferring to sheets or making a mess. 

The tan develops in 2-4 hours. You can choose to apply more if you want to build up the shade. It’s also not a daily commitment. Some people only use it once or twice a week

Make sure to wash your hands after use, as it’s still a tanner! That’s the only difference with regular lotions, which you can simply leave them be.

Tanning Effect

The Butter can give you the darkest tan out of all Tan-Luxe tanners. You can go even darker as you build up the product and apply them daily.

It’s easy to even out The Butter on the skin because of its SMOOTH consistency. You don’t have to worry too much about patches, except on unavoidably dry parts! 

Pre-moisturizing on parts like the shins, ankles, or elbows where dry patches are a given help contribute to better results. 

The bronze effect lasts for about a week, depending on your daily activities and routines. It wears off nicely and doesn’t give you weird uneven tans. 

Price

Tan-Luxe products are indeed in a higher price range than other brands. But The Butter is on the reasonable scale, retailing for about $25 to $30 per tube

However, if we consider the 200 ML size, some people may find it more expensive, primarily if you use it daily. 

You can already get giant sizes for $30 with drug store brands. 

But overall, we think that the effectiveness and results can justify the price point

Summary

Tan-Luxe The Butter is an EXCELLENT self-tanning product for beginners or anyone intimidated by regular tanners. 

It doesn’t have a color guide, so it’s mess-free. It’s also best for people with dry, dull, and pale skin. There’s no need to go to great extents to achieve a healthy glow; The Butter can pull it off within 2-4 hours

We also love that it’s low-maintenance. We know how laziness or tiredness can sometimes get the best of us – applying this every day to achieve the bronze can be bothersome

You don’t have to with The Butter! Most people apply it only once or twice a week, depending on your desired results.

The only issue is the size. If you’re used to the big bottles that last for several months, you might not have that with The Butter. One tube is only 200 mL

But as we mentioned, you don’t apply this daily. There are ways to control your usage and make every penny count with every drop of this product. 

Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs] 

Let’s address some of the FAQs about The Butter. 

How Long Does Tan-Luxe The Butter Take to Develop?

It takes only 2-4 hours for The Butter to develop. If you want to go shades darker, you can build it up and control the results as you go! 

Most people use this before bed to see the results right upon waking up. It doesn’t transfer to clothing and sheets, so it’s perfect. 

Does Tan Luxe Butter Stain Sheets?

Not at all! Tan-Luxe The Butter doesn’t contain color guides. 

The bronze stains from regular self-tanners are not the tan itself; it’s only the color guide. 

The absence of color guides on The Butter makes this self-tanner one of the best choices if you want to avoid transfers and stains. 

Alternatives to The Butter Body Moisturizer

Still want to explore other tanners? Try these alternatives from Tan-Luxe! 

  • Super Glow – a hyaluronic self-tan serum best to include in your skincare regimen
  • The Water – a tanner in water form. It’s an even more hydrating option.
  • The Gradual – lightweight moisturizer for a subtle and gradual glow
  • Hydra Mousse – clear liquid mousse that glides like foam but gives a lovely tan. 

Final Verdict: Is Tan-Luxe The Butter Worth Buying?

We love The Butter if you still didn’t get the hint. 
It’s RATED and gives you your money’s worth! It gives you a nice tan and improves the whole experience simultaneously. Try it!