Are self-Tanner Lotions safe?

There is no evidence, as already mentioned, that sunless tanning lotions are unsafe. The only thing you need to know about them is that though some sunless tanning lotions do contain a sunscreen as well, that will only be active a few hours. Hence, even if you are using a sunless tanner, you will still need to wear a regular sunscreen every single day. If you follow that advice, you are fine. 

Tanning pills, however, are not safe. They contain canthaxanthin, which besides tanning your skin can lead to urticaria, eye damage, and liver damage. Though these pills sound wonderful on the surface, do not risk taking them!

If self tans were not safe then why is it that you can by them everywhere? I am assuming, all these cosmetic products, they go through some rigid examination process to check it if they are safe and if problems are located then they would never make it to see the shelves of your super market? This is, not everyone can sell whatever they want and cannot make claims about safety when it has not been checked. If you buy it from a shady place maybe it could be dangerous but otherwise, yes, why worry? It is in normal shops everywhere and has been there many years. If it were dangerous we would know now not use self tanners, I think.

OK reading the replies I'm realising that I actually sound quite paranoid asking if self-tanners are safe for using. It just suddenly struck me that well, they turn your skin darker, which then led me to Google and you all know that whatever you're using, there's always SOMEONE telling you it will give you cancer or something. So I got scared. OK then I suppose I'd better avoid the spray tans, which anyways gave me rather the orange look, and stick to mild self tanners for the best effect. And yeah, I'll wear sunscreen too thanks for the tip. 

Any suggestions which self tanner is best for pale Caucasian skin right now?

Yes! Some people are scared of self tanning lotions because the tan isn't just "smeared on" as with makeup - when you have a shower it still stays on, or rather in. That fake tan is caused by a chemical reaction in the outer layer of the skin that makes some people believe it is not safe. Put it this way though: a real tan penetrates far deeper and extended sun exposure is proven beyond a shadow of a doubt to cause very nasty cancers. I know on which horse I am betting! I suggest you all do the same.