The Best Tanning Lotions
Looking to achieve a tan look without the use of a tanning bed or tanning salon? Kick your self-tanning routine up a notch with the best self-tanning lotions on the market. We've got your back covered with this roundup of our favorite options out there.
Beauty by Earth Self Tanner
What’s so great about this self-tanner is the organic products that feed the skin along with tanning it. Containing organic ingredients including aloe, shea butter, coconut oil, and green tea leaf extract, this nourishing self-tanner dries fairly quickly and doesn’t stain the sheets. Free of the typical chemical ingredients you would find in other self-tanning bottles, Beauty by Earth created a great product that stayed on for days so you don’t have to reapply every other day or even every third day. If you are a fair-skinned person, this is a great self-tanning lotion to start with. When you squeeze the product out it is white in color and dries clear when applied to the skin. Wait for the product to completely dry on your skin before showering.
Pros:
- Organic ingredients
- Chemical-free
- No pungent smell
- Lasts awhile
- Great for beginners
Cons:
- If not applied evenly it may leave streaks
- Has a slightly greasy feel
Luau Island Black Bronzer
Get that beachy feeling
If you miss vacationing, sun-bathing, or you just don’t tan and want to look like you just walked off of a beach in the Bahamas then grab a bottle of Luau Island’s black bronzer. Packed with marula oil, a common skin ingredient for acne, aging, or dry skin, this product will not only tan your skin but leave it glowing. With a tan hue and shimmer to it, the product glides across the skin, smells like fruit, and doesn’t wash off easily. Definitely wash your hands between each application to avoid orange stains. Let’s not forget that the bottle itself is designed to look like a little tropical getaway and comes at a great price point.
Pros:
- Smells like fruit
- Contains marula oil
- Has a shimmer to it
Cons:
- Not ideal for sensitive skin
Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden Tanner
Hydrate your skin
Ok, what’s not to love about this product? Not much. With skin health in mind, this self-tanner was created to deliver a beautiful tan while also nourishing your skin through a combination of healthy ingredients. This brand has married coconut oil with tyrosine, an amino acid, and protein building block. When you marry these two ingredients, you get a really hydrating mixture. For those with a very light complexion, this lotion will not turn your skin orange. It will take some time like any product but the initial results are not overwhelming. In a way, this lotion gives you more control over the level of tan your aiming for.
Pros:
- Skin hydrating
- Non-staining
- Leaves skin soft
- Not a typical bronzer formula
Cons:
- Slow drying
- Hard to squeeze the product out of the bottle
Australian Gold Dark Tanning Accelerator Lotion
The place to start
If you’ve never used tanning lotion, this product is a good one to start with. You may be asking what an accelerator lotion does for the skin. An accelerator gradually accelerates the process of tanning your skin. Nudging your skin to produce more melanin, a brown pigment found in the skin and responsible for darkening your skin. Unlike other products, this tanning lotion requires continuous application like you would do with a daily skin moisturizer. If you have sensitive skin, this beginner product is perfect for you and it doesn’t contain any bronzer. Oh, and it’s cruelty-free and water-resistant. At this price point, this is definitely the ideal starter tanning lotion for anyone wanting to try something new without intense results.
Pros:
- Great for beginners
- Contains tee tree oil
- Great price point
- Good for sensitive skin
Cons:
- Requires daily application
Frequently Asked Questions
What are bronzers?
Bronzers are lotions added to tanning products to aid in the even toning of the skin during tanning. Many tanning lotions conveniently come with bronzer built into the mixture. Bronzers enhance the tone of your skin and are not a required part of the tanning process. Naturally, bronzer will start to fade before your tan does so if you buy a tanning lotion with bronzer in it you will likely have to reapply every 4 days or so.
Can I use tanning lotion in and outdoors?
Always be cautious when using tanning lotion outside because many products do not contain SPF to protect the skin. When applying tanning lotion always be sure to apply sunscreen first. Applying sunscreen will not stop your skin from tanning, only keep it healthy. If you are seeking indoor vs. outdoor tanning lotion specifically, make sure to read ingredients and understand how to use the bottle before going outside.
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