ComScore

The 4 Products Ryan Gosling Uses to Get His Ken Doll Tan in 'Barbie'

PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here.

We've all seen it: Ryan Gosling looks fine as hell in the new "Barbie" promos, from his glistening six pack to the illuminating tan we all want to achieve. Sunless tanning expert and educator Kimberly Nkosi has revealed her secret formula of products that gave our Ken his glow, and all of them are *very* affordable (ahem, less than $33).

Barbie isn't hitting theaters until July 2023 but early leaked images are helping it build serious buzz. Ryan Gosling, who portrays Ken in the film and his co-lead Margot Robbie, who plays Barbie (and is producing the movie), both boast sun-kissed complexions. There is one photo of Mr. Gosling we all can't seem to get past (hello, abs). It turns out that glow all comes down to four essentials.

barbie copy image
IMBD/Heyday Films/LuckyChap Entertainment/Mattel Films

You may have one or two of these products in your beauty arsenal, like the internet-beloved Isle of Paradise Prep It Self-Tan Priming Spray ($24) and Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Water ($32). The primer is used to adjust your skin's pH levels, resulting in a longer-lasting faux tan. As for the Self-Tanning Water, Nkosi relied on blending two shades to achieve Ken doll status. "ALWAYS in medium, with a touch of dark to balance his undertone," Nkosi shares in an Instagram about working with Gosling. (The Self-Tanning Water is available in three shades depending how dark you want your tan.)

As for that illuminating sheen that's highlighting those abs, you can thank Glossier's Balm Dot Com ($12) in Mango and the Dr. Hauschka Lemon Lemongrass Vitalizing Body Oil ($29) for that. Most of us mere mortals use The Balm Dot Com as lip balm or a hand salve, but Nkosi used it all over, likely because of the thick, petroleum-like consistency, which keeps skin hydrated and reflects light well. The Vitalizing Body Oil would add a top layer of glisten for that final touch.

As we head into summer, we'll definitely be grabbing this quartet to illuminate our tan and emulate the beautiful Ryan Gosling every time we hit the pool.


Want to know which buzzy products are *really* worth buying? Sign up for our shopping newsletter to uncover our favorite finds.


IMG 1645 e1692204102526

Commerce Editor

Olivia Dubyak is PureWow's Commerce Editor and textbook Capricorn. She studied journalism at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but has gone from New York City to...