facial tanning lotion for tanning bed

12 Best Self Tanning Lotions for Sun-Kissed Skin Lovers

You’ve come to the right spot if you want to fake tan to achieve that coveted bronze glow without spending time in the sun or taking a trip. It can be exhausting to rush to the salon every time you want to add some color to your skin, but not with these solutions at your disposal. These self-tanners can give you the ideal glow that turns into the exact natural gold tan you want. These creams don’t alter the skin’s natural tone; instead, they give off an instant hint of luminous bronze. So, go ahead and check out our list of the 12  best self-tanning lotions.

Sun Laboratories Tan Overnight Self-Tanning Lotion

This lotion from Sun Laboratories is good if you want the longest-lasting, highest-quality self-tanner. Both the face and the body can benefit from this perfect tanner. For the best skin care and nourishment, it also has a fast-drying composition and is enriched with vitamins C and E. Finally, this self-tanner will help you get a deep shade and bronzed glow without streaks or mess. We promise that it will maintain the radiance and health of your skin. Spreading it evenly can be a little challenging, though.

M. Asam SUN Self Tanning Fluid

Next up is a flawless self-tanner that produces results that look natural and lasts for a long time. It has been expertly produced by the brand M.Asam with consideration for the demands of all women who desire gorgeous, honey-colored skin that has tanned. You can show off your summer-like tan all year round with this self-tanning fluid. The product’s promise to provide even and streak-free results within a few hours of application attracted users.

L’Oréal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Facial Water Mist

This is among the best sunless tanning lotions on the market. This recipe offered you a new glow that appeared practically soon after application, unlike other formulas that would have left your skin looking somewhat reddish or orangey. This face mist is designed to be spritzed onto a cotton pad and then swiped across the face, saving direct spritzing for the neck and decollete. Most self-tanning face mists are applied by spraying them on. Although this is a little annoying, in the end, it was rather beneficial because the formula has a guiding color that made it simple to see where we had applied it. Just remember to put it on your ears! When we first visited, we didn’t notice this place, which was really obvious.

Sol by Jergens No Wait Tropical Tan 

Consider SOL by Jergens as a tropical getaway for your skin. The foaming self-tanner mousse No Wait Tropical Tan is made to give you a quick, natural-looking tan that will have others wondering when you return from vacation. Formulated with a coconut water infusion and a tanning active made from natural sugars. A color guide is included with Sol by Jergens instant tanner to help you get a custom-made, instantly gorgeous hue. With only one application, the natural-looking tan is appealing, but it was evident that layering the mixture would result in a deeper glow. Seasons self-tanner enthusiasts agreed that its lovely flower aroma was superior to other solutions they had tried. The tan lasts for five days when it is fully set in.

Jergens Natural Glow Sunless Tanning Lotion

If you’re looking for a tanning lotion for tanning beds that works well on fair skin, this is for you. Even if the beach is miles (or months) away, Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer for Body progressively adds subtle color by itself. Your natural skin tone will be enhanced in a few days if you apply at least once a day, and you’ll have a gorgeous, natural-looking color in about a week. In addition to moisturizing elements, antioxidants, and Vitamin E, Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer for Body also keeps your skin nourished while enhancing its glow.

Neutrogena Build-A-Tan Gradual Sunless Tanning Lotion

You have control over the tint of your tan thanks to the Neutrogena Sunless Tanning Lotion. With each application, it provides a subtle hint of color that progressively intensifies to the color you prefer. The tan appears realistic and natural thanks to this lotion. The darker the shade, the more often you apply it. This creamy lotion works well for daily usage and aids in color development in two to four hours. If you rub it all in, you’ll have orange streaks on your 

complexion, even though this is perhaps one of the best self-tanning lotions for fair skin.

Coppertone Glow Protect and Tan Sunscreen Lotion

With a water-resistant composition that lasts up to 80 minutes, Coppertone Glow Protect is a lightweight, moisturizing sunscreen that offers effective protection against UVA and UVB rays. With an SPF rating of 45, you can be confident that the lotion will provide your skin with adequate protection from damaging UV rays. Your skin feels nourished and soft all day because of the special combination of nutrients in this product, including vitamin E and aloe vera extract. For a tan that looks natural, it functions as a progressive self-tanner. Use caution as this may transfer slightly.

Tan Towel Self Tan Towelette Classic

In just a few hours, TanTowel towelettes with their clear self-tanning formula interact with your skin’s proteins and amino acids to create a healthy, natural sunless tan. Apply in circular motions to your body’s clean, dry skin; wash your hands right away. There are ten of them in a pack. The tanning formula is injected into each professional-grade fiber towel, blending with the skin’s proteins and amino acids to create a tan that is natural and devoid of sun exposure. The skin lasts over several hours. In one step, the towel tans exfoliates, and hydrates the skin. For a deeper tan, reapply the towel.

Golden Star Beauty Self-Tanner Lotion

Sensitive skin types can safely use Golden Star Beauty self-tanning lotion. Aloe vera, sugarcane extract, natural oils, and organic hyaluronic acid are added to help gradually darken the skin tone. Because it hydrates and nourishes the skin while shielding it from the effects of early aging, it is perfect for dry skin. The pregnancy-safe self-tanner has received multiple favorable reviews and provides a smooth, streak-free application without an artificial orange color. But for some customers, the unpleasant smell could be a touch off-putting.

Coola Organic Sunless Tanning Lotion

This all-natural sunless tanning lotion tightens, tones, and tans skin for summertime use. The pina colada-scented, transfer-resistant lotion creates a subtle, streak-free glow. Caffeine and hydrating shea butter are also included in the Ecocert-certified recipe to make skin appear smoother and firmer. To those who prefer somewhat strong-smelling goods, its tropical scent is amazing. Although it can be challenging to apply uniformly, this tanning lotion is nonetheless effective.

Australian Gold Gradual Sunless Lotion

The Australian Gold Gradual Sunless Lotion’s specifically formulated tanning mix results in a lovely tan. It produces a gorgeous tan without causing the typical UV and solar damage to the skin that occurs with a tan that is obtained organically. To create the ideal natural bronze tint, the product is enhanced with a combination of DHA and erythrulose, caramel, black walnut, and DermaDark bronzers. Its Fade-Defy Technology combines vitamin C-rich kakadu plum with skin-moisturizing shea butter to keep color vibrant for an extended period of time. While caffeine gives you energy, a combination of chamomile extract and vitamin B moisturizes and softens your skin.

VITA LIBERATA Advanced Organics Fabulous Self-Tanning Gradual Tan Lotion

You can use VITA LIBERATA’s Fabulous Gradual Self-Tanning Lotion as a daily moisturizer. It hydrates and moisturizes your skin while giving it a beautiful color. Aloe vera extracts that are 100% organic are added to the tanner to restore sun damage and calm and soothe the skin. This formula’s ingredients—natural silk, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin—restore skin health and fight and prevent indications of aging. Shea butter, papaya, and witch hazel, which are antimicrobial components, form a barrier to safeguard the skin from UV radiation.  It is suitable for all skin tones, even sensitive skin, due to its soft formulation.

Although people who prefer tanned skin don’t always agree with each other, spending lengthy hours in the sun and exposing your skin to UV rays can be your worst nightmare. Our selection of the top 12 self-tanning creams above will alter your life if you enjoy being outside in the sun but detest UV rays.

Can You still Tan with Sunscreen ?

If you like spending time in the sun, you may be concerned about whether sunscreen will stop you from tanning. While using sunscreen may help shield your skin from harmful UV rays, getting a tan isn’t always a guarantee. This essay will examine the connection between sunscreen and tanning and provide advice on how to enjoy the sun safely.

What is Sunscreen?

Sunscreen is designed to shield your skin from the sun’s damaging UV rays. Prior to the photons penetrating your skin, it either absorbs or reflects them. In order to provide broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB radiation, sunscreen often combines organic and inorganic substances.

Can You Tan with Sunscreen?

Yes, it is possible to get a tan while applying sunscreen, but the degree of tanning will depend on a number of variables, including the sunscreen’s SPF, the quantity applied, and the length and intensity of sun exposure.

Sunlight’s UV rays are either absorbed or reflected by sunscreen. The more SPF a product has, the more UVB radiation that causes sunburns and other skin damage that might result in skin cancer is protected against. But because no sunscreen can entirely shield the skin from UV rays, some of them will still get through.

While still acquiring a tan, you may lower your risk of sunburn and skin damage by using adequate sunscreen and reapplying it often. However, because sunscreen will reduce the quantity of UV radiation that reaches your skin, it may not be the best strategy if you want to get a deep, dark tan.

There is no such thing as a “healthy” tan, since any change in skin tone indicates skin injury. The best approach to shield your skin from UV rays and lower your chance of developing skin cancer is to wear protective clothes, seek shade during peak sun hours, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and limit your time spent in the sun.

Best SPF for Tanning

Most people connect tanning with obtaining a sun-kissed sheen on their skin. But too much sun exposure may also cause sunburn, premature aging, and even raise your chance of developing skin cancer. In order to protect your skin when tanning, it’s essential to wear sunscreen with the appropriate Sun Protection Factor (SPF).

The ideal SPF for tanning relies on a number of variables, including your skin type, the strength of the sun’s rays, and how long you spend outside. When tanning, it’s often advised that individuals apply an SPF of at least 30. Sun damage may be avoided with an SPF of 30, which protects 97% of UVB radiation from the sun.

You may want to choose a higher SPF, however, if you have fair or sensitive skin or are tanning in the middle of the day. The best defense against dangerous UV radiation is an SPF of 50 or higher. It’s important to remember that no sunscreen will completely shield you from the sun’s rays, so you must still take other safety measures when tanning, such as looking for shade and wearing protective clothes.

It’s crucial to pick a sunscreen that is made particularly for tanning in addition to the SPF level. Many sunscreens include chemicals that absorb UVB rays, but not UVA rays, which may harm skin over time. In order to defend against UVA and UVB radiation, look for sunscreen that gives broad-spectrum protection.

The kind of sunscreen you use is another factor to take into account when selecting the ideal SPF for tanning. Chemical and physical sunscreens are the two basic categories. Physical sunscreens form a barrier on the skin to deflect UV radiation, while chemical sunscreens function by absorbing UV energy and turning it into heat.

Because they provide a more constant degree of protection, are less prone to irritate the skin or trigger allergies, and are less likely to degrade when exposed to sunlight, physical sunscreens are usually thought to be preferable for tanning. They could, however, be more challenging to apply and leave a white film on your skin.

 In order to guarantee that you are fully protected when tanning, remember to reapply sunscreen every two hours or right away after swimming or perspiring.

Sunscreen on Face in Tanning Bed

Using sunscreen in a tanning bed is generally not recommended. Tanning bed sessions are typically time-limited and have pre-set intensity levels. However, if you wish to protect your facial skin or maintain a lighter tone, there are alternative options to consider.

Facial skin is often more sensitive, so some individuals may prefer applying sunscreen specifically to their face. However, if sensitivity is a concern, it’s advisable to spend less time on the tanning bed rather than applying sunscreen to the face.

For those desiring a lighter facial tone, using a low SPF cream on the face is an option. However, this may result in a noticeable difference between the face and the rest of the body.

To achieve a more natural-looking tan, it is recommended to apply a tanning lotion to the entire body, excluding the face. This approach allows the body to tan more evenly and produces a more cohesive appearance.

Also keep in mind that the best method to get a healthy glow is to embrace your natural skin tone and practice safe sun practices.

Sunscreen Use for Tanning: Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Reduced chance of skin damage over the long term and sunburn.
  • Protection against UVA and UVB rays, which are dangerous.
  • Lower chance of peeling or blistering.

Cons:

  • Some UV rays can still penetrate your skin and cause tanning.
  • Sunscreen can be expensive and time-consuming to apply.
  • Some people may not like the texture or feel of sunscreen on their skin.

Step-by-Step Guide to Applying Sunscreen

  • Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
  • Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before going outside to give it time to absorb into your skin.
  • Use enough sunscreen to cover all exposed skin. A good rule of thumb is to use about one ounce (or a shot glass full) for each application.
  • Pay special attention to areas that are often missed, such as the ears, neck, and back of the hands.
  • Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more frequently if you’re sweating or swimming.

Conclusion

So, can you still tan with sunscreen? The answer is yes, you can. Sunscreen does not completely block out UV rays, so some tanning can still occur. However, using sunscreen can help reduce your risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage caused by UV exposure. Remember to choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and reapply it every two hours when outside. Additionally, consider alternatives like self-tanners or bronzing makeup if you want a tan without the sun exposure.

FAQs

  1. Can you get a tan with SPF 100? SPF 100 provides a high level of protection against UV rays, but it does not completely block them out. Tanning can still occur with SPF 100 sunscreen.
  2. How often should you apply sunscreen? It’s recommended that you reapply sunscreen every two hours or more frequently if you’re sweating or swimming.
  3. Is there such a thing as waterproof sunscreen? No, there is no such thing as completely waterproof sunscreen. Sunscreen labeled “water-resistant” will provide some protection while swimming or sweating, but it still needs to be reapplied every two hours.
  4. How long does it take for sunscreen to start working? Sunscreen should be applied 15 minutes before going outside to allow time for it to absorb into your skin and start working.
  5. Can babies and young children use sunscreen? Yes, babies and young children can use sunscreen, but it’s important to choose a product specifically designed for their delicate skin. It’s also recommended that you keep infants under six months old out of direct sunlight.