5 Best Tanning Bed Lotions That Get You Results

Lying in the tanning bed is not all you need to achieve that beautiful bronzed look. You also need a tanning lotion to protect your skin and ensure even results. Read on for a review of 5 best tanning bed lotions that actually get you results.

Many women want to maintain their golden tan glow all year round. However, nature doesn’t allow the sun to shine every day. That is where tanning beds and tanning salons come in. To achieve an even glow, you need to invest in a quality tanning lotion. These lotions also help to speed up the tanning process and make sure you skin doesn’t get dry and flaky.

There are many tanning lotions in the market. Every manufacturer includes a unique element which seems attractive until you see the next product. It can be difficult to choose a suitable tanning lotion to match your skin type and meet your tanning needs.

Here is a list of the 5 best tanning bed lotions which will get you results.

Benefits of Using Tanning Bed Lotion

Hydrates skin

The UV rays you get from a tanning bed have a drying effect on the skin. Using lotion provides much-needed hydration to prevent a dull, dry appearance at the end of the session. Moisturized skin also absorbs UV rays better therefore making the tanning process faster for deeper darker results.

Even tanning

You don’t want to have some perfectly tanned parts of your body and face and others which didn’t quite darken as much as the others. Using tanning bed lotion ensures you get as even a tan as possible.

Increases collagen synthesis

Collagen is a protein in your skin whose tensile strength is responsible for skin elasticity. Collagen degradation leads to wrinkles linked to aging.

Using lotion while on a tanning bed increases production of collagen which plumps up the skin and helps to slow the aging process.

Faster tanning

Lotion helps your skin absorb UV rays but the tannin process is sped up if the lotion contains an ingredient called tyrosine. This ingredient, usually present in higher quality lotions, stimulates melanin production which causes the skin to darken faster. With it, you can achieve a deep dark tan in much less time. 

5 Best Tanning Bed Lotions – A Comparison Table

Brand of tanning lotion	Form	Volume	Product dimensions	Fragrance	Action
Maui Babe Browning Lotion	Liquid	236 ml ( 8 fl.oz)	2 x 2 x 6 inches	Chocolate /coffee	Check Price
Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Tanning Lotion	Liquid	400 ml ( 13 fl.oz)	6 x 4 x 2 inches	Coconut	Check Price
Australian Gold Jwoww Black Bronzer	Liquid	400 ml ( 13 fl.oz)	3.9 x 2.4 x 6.9 inches	Berry	Check Price
Neutrogena Build-a-tan tanning lotion	Liquid	198 ml ( 6.7 fl.oz)	7.1 x 3 x 2 inches (package)	Fragrance free	Check Price
Devoted Creations #TANLIFE hydrating tanning butter	Semi-solid	360 ml ( 12.25 fl.oz)	3.5 x 2.7 x 4 inches	Exotic mango	Check Price

5 Best Tanning Bed Lotions – Comparison guide

Maui Babe Browning Lotion

This accelerator tanning lotion is made using what the manufacturer describes as secret, natural Hawaiian ingredients which include Aloevera. It gives you a dark tan and leaves your skin soft and smooth. If you are worried that it will leave you looking orange, worry no more. Maui Babe lotion doesn’t contain bronzer. It works by speeding up the natural tanning process.

It is infused with Kona coffee extracts which gives it a light coffee scent. A variety of vitamins are included to nourish your skin in the process.

This is a multipurpose lotion because it can be used for both indoor and outdoor tanning. It contains sunflower oil which serves to protect the acrylic on the tanning bed. If you choose to use it for outdoor tanning, bear in mind that it has no SPF so you will need to use it with your regular sunscreen.

Pros

• Used for indoor and outdoor tanning
• Made with natural ingredients
• Coffee scent

 

Cons

• No SPF
• Leaves an oily feel on skin

Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Tanning Lotion

There are varied options when it comes to coconut scent some love it and others detest it. If you love it, you will love Ed Hardy coconut kisses tanning lotion. It is infused with both coconut milk and coconut oil to help replenish moisture as you get your tan.

This lotion can be used on all skin types and doesn’t cause irritation even for people with sensitive skin.

It doesn’t contain any bronzing agents so its effects last longer. It instead works by stimulating melanin formation. It is also infused with ‘Body Fit’ which helps firm the skin during and after your tanning session.

In terms of consistency, this lotion is relatively thick so it may take some time before it is fully absorbed.

Pros

• No bronzing agents
• Works on all skin types
• Moisturizes skin

Cons

• Thick

 

Australian Gold Jwoww Black Bronzer Dark Tanning Lotion

This tinted tanning lotion from Australian Gold is an option for you if you are looking for an exceptionally dark tan. A special blend of kukui oil and black currant keeps your skin moisturized with a light and pleasant berry fragrance.

It is suitable for both the face and body and doesn’t cause any tingling or redness even on sensitive skin. If you enjoy both indoor and outdoor tanning, this lotion can be used for in both. Keep in mind however, that it has no SPF so when it is used for outdoor tanning, you should combine it with sunscreen lotion.

While some lotions require numerous sessions before any results can be seen, this one requires only 2 to 3 session for a notable change.

Pros

• Suitable for very dark tan
• Quick results
• Suitable for both indoor and outdoor tanning
• Non-greasy

Cons

• No SPF

 

 Neutrogena Build – a – Tan Gradual Tanning Lotion

Unlike other lotions which you apply when going into the tanning bed, this one is sunless and is made for daily use. You use it just like you would a daily moisturizer and continue doing so until you achieve a desired tan. It delivers color with each application so if you are looking for nothing more than a light hint of color, you can reduce frequency of use.

It blends well into the skin although it takes longer than average to dry. While other similar products add fragrances to mask the unpleasant DHA smell, this one offers no mask so you have to deal with a somewhat unpleasant smell every time you use it.

It takes between 2 and 4 hours to develop and doesn’t streak or stain fingers.

Pros

• Gradual tan
• Blends into skin well

Cons

• No fragrance
• Takes long to dry

 

Devoted Creation #TANLIFE Hydrating Tanning Butter

This is a soft tanning butter with Shea butter which hydrates even the driest skin. Hypoallergenic properties make it ideal for people wit sensitive skin and allergies.

The thick formulation is made to melt into your skin and is blended with multiple accelerators which work by boosting production ofmelanin to give you fast tanning results.It also boasts of anti-aging benefits.

Antioxidant benefits are provided by a blend of extracts from 5 fruits, that is lychee, grapefruit, acai berry, pomegranate and orange.

Achieving a full body tan and maintaining the colors of your tattoos can be difficult. You will be forgiven for assuming that you have to choose one or the other. With Devoted Creation’s # TANLIFE product, you don’t have to choose. It has tattoo and color fade protectors which let you achieve that elusive tan without losing the colors of your tats.

Pros

• Hypoallergenic
• Anti-aging properties
• 5X antioxidant blend
• Tattoo and color fade protectors

Cons

• Butter is too thick for some users

Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Tanning Bed Lotion

Type

There are a few different types of tanning bed lotions. These are some of them.

Bronzer tanning bed lotions:These give your skin instant color and deepen your tan for a darker glow. Bronzer lotions are rated using numbers which indicate how dark the lotion helps you get. The higher the number the darker your tan will be.

Coolant tanning bed lotions: These give your skin a cool refreshing feeling. They are ideal if you tend to feel very hot while on the tanning bed and if you plan to be in the bed for long periods of time.

Hot action tanning bed lotions:These use heat to boost blood circulation in the skin and stimulate melanin production. They often cause tingling which some people like. It may also cause redness and is generally not recommended for people with sensitive skin.

Accelerator tanning bed lotions: These hydrate the skin to give you a base tan. Well moisturized skin tans faster. Accelerator tanning lotions are best for people trying indoor tanning for the first time or those who haven’t done it in a long time.

Maximizer tanning bed lotions: With these you get a deep, rich tan after you have achieved a base tan. They are a good option for people who tan indoors on a regular basis.

SPF (Sun Protection Factor)

It may seem counterintuitive to choose a tanning bed lotion with SPF but it is necessary if you have very fair skin. It helps to prevent burns. Look for lotions with a low SPF such as 8 or lower. This way your skin is protected and you still get to enjoy the benefits of the tanning bed.

 Area of Application

Some lotions are intended for the face and others for the rest of the body. Those made for facial use are light and are not very greasy. This prevents clogging of facial pores to avoid breakouts. Those intended for body use are richer and heavier.

Developing time

It takes different periods of time for your full tan to develop after applying tanning lotion in a tanning bed. Fast ones take 2 to 4 hours for the browning effect to come through. Others take 5 to 6 hours. In both cases, the effect can continue for up to 72 hours.

Choose a lotion which lets you develop your full color in at least 6 hours. If you have an event for which you want to look your best, you can time it so that you have the full effect at the time of the event.

Scent

Who wants to use a flat or unpleasantly scented lotion? This one is down to personal preference. Some lotions have tropical scents, others come with floral scents. Fruit scents such as pineapple are also common.

Choose one with a scent you like just to make you’re your tanning experience more enjoyable.

Conclusion

With a good tanning lotion on your skin, you can relax in that tanning bed knowing your skin is well protected and you won’t end up with uneven patches of tanned skin. If you also enjoy outdoor tanning, be sure to get a lotion which can be used for both indoor and outdoor tanning. Check that it has SPF and ensure it offers sufficient protection for you. Without this, you could end up with unpleasant, often painful burns.