Chocolate Sun: Organic Sunless Tanning for a Natural, Sun-Kissed Glow
Chocolate Sun is widely recognized as a pioneer in organic sunless tanning and is credited with creating one of the first organic sunless tanning solutions and retail collections. Founded in 2003 by entrepreneur Susie Hatton in Santa Monica, California, the brand began in a garage and eventually grew into a professional sunless tanning company with studios and an online boutique.
Founded with a passion for creating a healthier approach to achieving a beautiful tan, Chocolate Sun has become a well-known name in clean beauty and professional sunless tanning. Alongside co-owner Kimmie, Susie has developed the brand into a woman-owned company celebrated for its natural-looking results and botanical-focused formulas.
The Story Behind Chocolate Sun
Chocolate Sun began in Santa Monica in 2003 when Susie Hatton set out to create a more natural alternative to traditional sunless tanning products. What started as a small operation in a garage eventually evolved into a dedicated sunless tanning studio focused on the artistry of creating customized, natural-looking tans.
The brand's philosophy centers on achieving a beautiful sun-kissed appearance without relying on harsh ingredients. Its professional expertise has helped Chocolate Sun develop a loyal following among beauty enthusiasts and clients seeking a more conscious approach to sunless tanning.
Award-Winning Sunless Tanning
Chocolate Sun has earned significant recognition throughout its history, including Allure “Best of” awards for 10 consecutive years. The brand was also named Best Self-Tanning Brand at the 2025 Beauty Shortlist Awards.
These accolades reflect Chocolate Sun’s reputation for creating high-quality self-tanning products designed to deliver a natural-looking glow while maintaining a strong focus on clean beauty standards.
A Hollywood Favorite
Chocolate Sun has also established a reputation within the entertainment industry. The brand has provided customized spray tanning services for celebrities, red carpet appearances, and major film productions.
Its professional formulas were notably used during the production of Top Gun: Maverick, further highlighting the brand’s experience with camera-ready, natural-looking sunless tanning.
From Santa Monica to a Growing Studio Collection
Chocolate Sun has expanded significantly since its early days in Santa Monica. The company has grown to include multiple studios throughout Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and West Hollywood, along with an online boutique offering its sunless tanning collection.
The brand combines professional tanning expertise with at-home products, allowing customers to recreate the Chocolate Sun glow as part of their regular beauty routine.
Organic & Botanical Tanning Formulas
Chocolate Sun focuses on handcrafted, small-batch formulations made with organic and wildcrafted botanicals, herbs, essential oils, and clean preservatives. Its tanning formulas use ECOCERT-certified DHA derived from sugar beets to create a natural-looking sun-kissed appearance.
The use of botanical ingredients helps distinguish Chocolate Sun from conventional self-tanning products and reflects the brand’s commitment to combining tanning performance with skin-conscious formulation.
A Clean Approach to Self-Tanning
Chocolate Sun products are formulated without mineral oils, dyes, parabens, petrochemicals, sodium lauryl sulfate, PABA, and formaldehyde. The brand also describes its products as vegan-friendly and non-comedogenic.
This ingredient philosophy makes Chocolate Sun an appealing option for consumers who want the appearance of a beautiful tan while seeking cleaner alternatives to traditional tanning formulas.
A Natural-Looking Sun-Kissed Glow
One of Chocolate Sun’s key goals is creating a tan that looks natural rather than overly dark or artificial. Its professional approach focuses on customized color and gradual-looking radiance, helping create the appearance of healthy, sun-kissed skin.
For those who want a bronzed complexion without intentional sun exposure, organic self-tanning products can provide a convenient way to achieve a glowing look while maintaining a conscious beauty routine.
Why Chocolate Sun Stands Out
Chocolate Sun has helped redefine the sunless tanning category by combining professional tanning expertise, organic botanicals, clean ingredients, and natural-looking color. Its history as an early pioneer in organic sunless tanning, along with its Hollywood clientele and award-winning products, has helped establish the brand as a standout in clean self-tanning.
For anyone searching for organic self-tanner, clean self-tanning products, natural sunless tanning, vegan-friendly self-tanner, or professional-quality tanning products, Chocolate Sun offers a thoughtfully formulated collection designed to create a beautiful, natural-looking glow.
Discover Chocolate Sun
Explore Chocolate Sun and discover organic sunless tanning products created to deliver a radiant, natural-looking glow. From professional spray tanning to at-home self-tanning essentials, Chocolate Sun offers a cleaner approach to achieving beautifully bronzed skin without the need for sun exposure.