You may be looking forward to glowing skin and a healthy sun-kissed look. To achieve this, you need a tanning lotion or tan accelerator. Most of these lotions will nourish, restore and protect your skin with the added vitamins, antioxidants, and natural extracts. But what is the best tanning lotion to use for an excellent tanning process? Which factors do you consider when choosing the best?
Tanning lotions help capture the UV rays you are exposed to while in a tanning bed to achieve the best tan. There is quite a large variety to choose from while choosing a tanning lotion. However, the descriptions on the bottle guide you on what precisely the product does. Some of the factors to consider are skin sensitivity and skin type: the face skin is lighter than the other body skin and requires less intense lotion. Read on and learn more about the best tanning lotion that protects the skin.
What’s Indoor Tanning Lotion?
Tanning lotion is a skin product that helps you achieve a dark tan and quicken the tanning process. You apply the tanning cream before getting into the tanning beds. The lotion protects your skin’s moisture levels and allows the pores to open up, magnify the UV exposure to achieve a nice look. Using a tanning bed dehydrates your skin; thus, you require the best lotion that can help you get a golden tan without having burns or irritation.
Check this too: Tanning Bed Tips for Beginners
Types of Indoor Tanning Lotions
There are three main categories of tanning lotions. All three contain moisturizers to hydrate your skin. But remember, these indoor products won’t protect your skin in the outdoor sun. Tanning types include;
Tingle Tanning Lotion
These lotions contain ingredients that increase blood flow to the skin, creating a tingling sensation. The lotion speeds up the repair process of the skin and tans faster. If you have delicate skin, the lotion will be quite uncomfortable.
Accelerators
An accelerator is best for someone who is starting the indoor tanning process. The lotion helps you attain a base tan and contains a lot of moisturizers. A moisturized skin tans faster and can hold the tan.
Maximizers
The lotion is suitable when you want a base tan and to get darker. Unfortunately, it lacks moisture, and that’s why you should apply it directly to the skin before you start the indoor process.
Bronzers
It’s more of a feature that you find in both maximizers and accelerator lotions. The component makes a sunless tanner quick at tanning. The aim is to give your skin an illusion of tan as the actual tan develops under the coat. It’s best to use a streak-free bronzer to avoid an uneven look.
Is it Better to Use Tanning Lotion in a Tanning Bed?
Yes, it’s better to use tanning lotion in a tanning bed as it helps you tan faster and achieve better results. The tanning lotions protect and nutrify your skin for tan to last longer. They also contain lots of essential nutrients for the skin, hydrates your skin to keep it tight, wrinkle-free, and prevent it from being itchy.
Tanning lotions have significant benefits to your skin. The main advantage is that the tanning beds quickly dry your skin and darken it leaving it looking dull. But when you apply the appropriate lotion, it hydrates your skin, keeping it healthy. Dry skin reflects light making the skin unable to tan effectively and spends more time tanning.
Other helpful benefits include;
- An increase in collagen synthesis plumps the skin and prevents the aging process.
- Improved skin firmness which makes the skin look toned and tightened
- Promotion of free radical scavenging, diminishing their presence on the skin and protecting the skin from damage.
- Controls the inflammation of the skin
- Prevention of protein and lipid oxidative damage improving your general skin condition
- Increase enzyme synthesis, which makes the tanning process great.
Tips to Pick Perfect Tanning Lotion
- Check the scent of the lotion first. You may not like to have a tanning lotion that you can’t stand the smell when using it.
- Consider choosing bronzer component (DHA)in lotion, as it enhances your tan and gives the best results.
- Type of tanning you need, indoor or outdoor
- Your level of usage, if for a beginner you need different from an expert
Does Tanning Lotion Make You Tan Faster?
Tanning lotions help you tan darker and faster than you would do when lying in the sun. The lotions intensify the UV light on your skin which accelerates the tanning process. To achieve this fast-tanning process, ensure you follow these tips;
- Exfoliate your skin before tanning to remove the dead skins and prepare it for tanning.
- Keep your skin hydrated and moisturized.
- Apply a sunbed lotion or tanning accelerator before
- Remove any makeup and other cosmetic products
- Choose foods that fasten tanning like carrots, tomatoes, mangos, apricots, and more.
- Avoid showering immediately after tanning.
- Avoid shaving or waxing after each tanning session; it’s best before the process. Showering removes the top layer of the already tanned skin.
- Keep your skin moisturized.
Best Tanning Lotion for a Tanning Bed
Choosing the best tanning lotion will help you nourish, protect and hydrate your skin. Besides, you will achieve the shiny, smooth, glowing look that you desire. Check out the following three lotions;
Cocosolis Choco Sustan Lotion
Cocosolis is suitable for indoor salon tanning or outdoor sun tanning. The lotion has bio-certified and natural elements that nourish your skin. The natural vitamins, antioxidants help you tan fast and achieve a glowing look. The lotion has cocoa to ensure delicate softness, and beautiful appearance, and an irresistible scent. Its also rich in oils to keep, like coconut, avocado to keep the skin smooth and hydrated. Again, it’s a tanning lotion that protects your skin due to vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant with anti-aging benefits.
Features
- Certified organic ingredients
- Used in the sun or the sunbed
- Takes good care of your skin
- Aromatic for your face and body
Pros
- Suitable for sensitive skin.
- A rich source of vitamins, minerals, bio-active ingredients, and antioxidants
- Indulgent chocolate scent.
- Hydrates tighten and nourish your skin daily.
Cons
- The oil doesn’t contain sun protection.
- Extended exposure to the sun can risk your health.
- It’s not a self-tanning product.
Tanning Paradise Lotion
Black Coconut Love drenches your skin with great coconut-rich hydration. It also has multiple dark tan activators, and dark color stimulators allow you to develop darker, lasting results faster. Paradise has a formulation with anti-aging, firming, tattoo & color fade-producing properties. The lotion will tighten, tone, and protect your skin. It’s suitable for use indoors and outdoors as well as for sensitive skin tanners. The skin formula is the best tanning bed lotion for cellulite.
Features
- Dark tanning activators present
- Multiple tan intensifiers and melanin simulators
- Ultra-tan activator for even lasting color
- Tattoo and color fade protection
Pros
- Smells amazing
- Best for those with pale, sensitive skin
- It leaves your skin smooth and hydrated
Cons
- It may cause itching to some skins.
Somewhere on a Beach Lotion
The lotion is instant both for indoor and outdoor tanning sessions. It contains coconut and walnut oils, powerful anti-aging peptides that reduce lines and wrinkles. The bronzer lotion helps with overall skin health and prevents orange or reddish streaks or stains. When you apply the lotion, you achieve darker tan faster, and your skin remains hydrated. But its results vary and only suitable as tanning bed lotion for pale skin.
Features
- Tropical tantini fragrance
- Used indoor/ outdoor
- Enriched with BB cream to prime and perfect skin
- DHA- free bronzers that give streak-free results
- Tattoo and color fade protection
Pros
- Nice and smooth consistency without stains
- Protects the skin from dryness or fine lines
- Wonderful scent that lasts for long
Cons
- Best suitable for fair skin and gives light to medium bronze
Conclusion
Tanning your skin is a great way to enhance your personality and boost self-esteem. As you choose your lotion, consider asking for professional help, especially as a beginner. Know your skin type and your goal for tanning. Also, follow the above-explained tips to make your tan last longer, and your skin remains healthy.