Your Guide to Finding the Best Tanning Bed Lotion
One of the best yet most affordable ways to achieve a full and long-lasting tan is to use a tanning bed lotion before resorting to any other tanning method. These lotions are often inexpensive, non-messy and act as a protective barrier to your skin no matter which tanning method you opted for. These tanning bed lotions are formulated with skin-loving essential oils and vitamins to nourish and hydrate, and are infused with refreshing fragrance such as coconut milk or orange zest. To purchase a quality tanning bed lotion that suits your skin type, you will need to identify the types and ingredients.
What are Tanning Lotions
Tanning lotions are specifically formulated to act as a protective barrier to your skin, shielding it from harmful rays of a tanning bed. They are enriched with ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, and sunscreens that protect your skin from UV rays and other environmental elements. They also help seal moisturise, maximize your tanning results, and mitigate the risks of sunburn.
Tanning bed lotions are available in a variety of formulas, from light lotions to rich, heavy creams. Depending on your skin type and tanning goals, different lotions will work differently on you. It’s important to opt for a lotion that’s designed specifically for tanning beds to ensure you yield the best results.
Benefits of Tanning Lotions
Tanning bed lotions carry ample benefits. Not only do they help protect your skin from harmful UV rays, but they also help boost your tanning results. These lotions are formulated with ingredients that can help seal moisturise, reduce the risk of sunburn, and enhance the color of your tan.
On top of the protective attributes, tanning lotions can also help to improve the overall health and condition of your skin. Many lotions contain antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can help nourish and protect your skin from environmental elements.
What Types of Tanning Bed Lotions Are Available On the Market?
a) Bronzer
Some tanning bed lotions come with bronzers that can help enhance the shade you’re aiming for more efficiently during a tanning session. This sunless tanning agent is used in some lotions that adds a sheen to the skin before any UV rays or other tanning agents are applied. Bronzers are separated into multiple types, whether immediate, delayed, extended, natural, or others.
When buying a tanning lotion, think about whether or not you’d like an extra helping hand to achieve the shade or tone you desired, or you want to tan traditionally at all. The higher the doses of bronzers in a lotion, the quicker your color will show from these sunless tanning agents. We recommend starting with small amounts of bronzer to weigh its effects before opting for more intense options.
b) Tingle
You can count on this type of tanning bed lotion to deliver optimal results, but not all of them are made equal! When you apply tingle lotion onto your skin, it will redden your skin. Now, you should feel a slight tingling sensation (literally) due to the increased blood circulation on the outermost layer of your skin. This helps to bring the skin’s melanin to the surface of your skin and when exposed to UV rays, the results are much significant.
Few hours after you tan, you’ll experience a darker tan than ever before. With that, we recommend that you start with lower-grade tingle lotions to test your tolerance. Most importantly, avoid applying this lotion onto sensitive areas of your body as it can be dangerous.
c) Accelerators and Intensifiers
Accelerator lotions, otherwise known as intensifiers contains proteins and other compounds to prepare your skin for UV exposure. They are enriched with nutrients and moisture to provide your skin with ultimate protection and keep it healthy through every step of the tanning process. Healthy skin reacts better to UV rays after all.
d) Fragrance-Free and Hypoallergenic
Fragrance-free and hypoallergenic tanning bed lotions are formulated without common irritants including certain oils, coconut or cocoa butter. Fragrance-free lotions are the best option for those with sensitive skin or those who wish to avoid any artificial smells or glitters.
How to Choose the Best Tanning Bed Lotion?
Here are some factors you need to consider when purchasing a good tanning bed lotion.
a) Chemical VS Natural Tanning Lotions
This all boils down to your individual preference and body needs. Those who are cautious about their skin and overall health, opting for natural tanning bed lotions is the best bed as they don’t contain a single bit of chemicals. Fortunately, such tanning lotions are available everywhere.
Aside from that, you should always ensure that the product you chose contains natural elements. Say, essential oils and vitamins to keep your skin protected, moisturized and hydrated. Lotions with chemicals are manufactured and used for various reasons, such as their color intensifying ability and pleasant scent; however, you should try to avoid those at all costs as they come with high doses of harmful chemicals such as parabens.
b) Ingredients
Go through the ingredients list carefully every time you purchase a new tanning bed lotion. Make sure you stay away from those with harmful components such as chemical preservatives that will dry out and damage your skin overtime. Check if they contain natural moisturizers so your skin can stay hydrated and protected throughout the tanning session.
It’s also recommended that you opt for lotions that contain bronzers as they typically come with DHA, which helps you achieve the dusky tone and shine you long for, and they’re unable to cause any harm to your skin.
c) Skin Type
Take into consideration your own skin type when choosing the perfect tanning lotion. Those with sensitive skin are prone to experience irritation and reaction to most of the tanning lotion on the market. On the other hand, users with dry skin should look for a tanning lotion that contains moisturizers to keep their skin well hydrated during the session.
d) Tattoo Protection
If you have a tattoo, be aware of the ingredients in your tanning bed lotions. Some options may contain ingredients that react badly with your tattoos and can potentially harm your skin. Be on the lookout for any signs of allergic reactions pertaining to tattoos and lotions before you make a purchase.
How Much Do Tanning Bed Lotions Cost?
On average, tanning bed lotions can cost you anywhere from $9 to $25. Some high-quality lotions contain a pleasant fragrance and are infused with essential vitamins and oils that hydrate the skin but will cost you a little extra. Should you pick an international brand, you will have to pay more than if you would buy a local product.
Certain lotion brands provide bundle offers that include two or more products in a single bundle. The price for such a bundle offer is usually higher than the regular one, but is much more valuable for your purchase.
What Is the Correct Way to Apply Tanning Bed Lotion to My Skin?
When applying your tanning bed lotion, ensure that you:
- Read the directions carefully.
- Properly wash, dry and exfoliate your skin before applying.
- Apply a dime-size amount of lotion to one body part and spread it across your body evenly (a little goes a long way).
- Give the product a few minutes to dry before you start tanning.
- Wash and moisturizes your skin after the session.
Also, you need to understand that your tan may not be complete after a single session, but greater intensity can damage your skin should there not be enough protection.
