Ever dreamt of that perfect, sun-kissed glow without spending hours at the beach? Tanning beds promise that easy bronze, but picking the right one can feel like navigating a maze. You want results, but you also want to feel safe and comfortable during the process. It’s tough to know which machine offers the best experience and the right level of UV exposure for your skin.
Many people face the same confusion. Should you choose a stand-up unit or a lay-down bed? What about the bulbs and the lotions? These details matter a lot for your final look and how you feel afterwards. Getting this wrong can lead to disappointing results or just a waste of your hard-earned money.
This post cuts through the confusion. We break down exactly what makes a great tanning bed experience. You will learn the key features to look for and the simple questions to ask before you book your next session. Ready to stop guessing and start glowing? Let’s dive into finding your ideal Tanner For Tanning Beds.
Top Tanner For Tanning Beds Recommendations
- ✅Dark Star 5000X Bronzing is the darkest of dark!
- ✅Time-release complex continues to develop even darker
- ✅Mega-sculpting skin firming tones the appearance of skin
- ✅Tattoo Enhancing blend puts your ink in the spotlight
- ✅Vegan, No parabens-sulfates- gluten-phthalates- or animal testing
- INSANELY DARK UV TANNING LOTION. i boost + accelerate natural tanning results to the darkest level thanks to x4000 tanning intensifiers
- TINTED TANNING OIL. i’m perfect for when you want your tan dark but don’t want to lay out allllll day. i'm perfect for when you want your tan dark but don’t want to lay out
- FAST RESULTS. tan accelerating actives speed up the tanning process, which means less time in the sun and/or tanning bed for deeper, darker tanning results
- SO MOISTURIZING. i’m juiced up with acai berry, coconut, argan, & jojoba oil to moisturize + nourish your skin as you tan
- EASY TO USE. apply lotion liberally + evenly to your whole body before sun or UV bed exposure. re-apply as necessary.
- 100X BRONZING POWER - Get a deep, dark and long-lasting tan with this dark tanning accelerator. This powerful formula is designed to enhance your natural tan and give you 100 times more bronzing power. Say goodbye to pale skin and hello to a gorgeous, sun-kissed glow!
- ULTRA-DARK INDOOR/OUTDOOR TANNING LOTION - Achieve a deep, natural tan with this powerful tan oil. Formulated for use both indoors and outdoors, this lotion contains a silicone bronzer to enhance your tan and leave your skin glowing. Experience 100X dark results with this easy-to-use tanning lotion.
- INTENSE, DEEP, AND LONG-LASTING TAN RESULTS - Achieve the ultimate bronzed glow with our Indoor-Outdoor Tanning Accelerator. This powerful lotion will enhance and extend your tan for a darker, richer, and longer-lasting result. Perfect for those seeking intense and deep tanning results.
- SUITABLE FOR USE IN TANNING BEDS AND OUTDOORS - Achieve a deep, dark tan both indoors and outdoors with this specially formulated lotion. Its silicone bronzer and Tan Enhancing properties make it the perfect choice for those seeking a dark tanning bed lotion.
- ENHANCED WITH SKIN-NOURISHING VITAMINS - This Tan lotion is infused with vitamins to nourish your skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth while achieving a deep, dark tan.
- Get Darker, Faster: Get your most glowing tan yet with this advanced tanning bed lotion, made to help boost your skin’s natural melanin production, delivering a deeper, richer bronze quickly - whether you tan indoors or outdoors
- Deeply Hydrating, Never Sticky: Enriched with aloe vera, coconut, and passionfruit, the indoor tanning bed lotion nourishes and hydrates skin while you tan, leaving it beautifully soft, smooth, and glowing - not greasy or heavy
- No Bronzers, No Stains: Pure white sun tanning lotion formula means no orange tones, streaks, or stains on clothes, towels, or sheets. Plus, the tan lotion leaves skin lightly fragranced with a clean, tropical summer breeze
- Indoor & Outdoor Ready: Perfect tanning lotion for tanning beds and outdoor sun use - whether it be beach days, poolside lounging, or backyard sun sessions for flawless golden results. Great for those who want color and radiance that gets noticed
- Tattoo-Friendly & Cruelty-Free: The tanning bed face lotion helps protect tattoo vibrancy while tanning, is vegan-friendly and cruelty-free, Plus, the tanner supports healthier-looking skin by helping combat visible signs of skin aging
- · Tattoo Fade Protecting Formula: Helps prolong the life and radiance of your tattoos and tanning results.
- · Quad Tyrosine Blend & Melano Bronze: Stimulates and increases melanin formation to accelerate the tanning process.
- · Ultra-Darkening Skin Hydrating Intensifier: Contains coconut milk, coconut oil, and cocoa butter to improve skin hydration. Delivers a dark golden tan without the use of bronzing agents.
- · Coconut Paradise Fragrance: An intoxicating light coconut fragrance with a faint scent of vanilla will make you dream of a day in paradise.
- · Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses is part of the Tanovations company. The Ed Hardy logo was replaced by the Tanovations logo, which has a palm tree.
- ✅ BLACK BRONZER TANNING LOTION: The world's first 100% natural tanning lotion self tanner treatment with full skin care benefits. Dark DHA, Natural & Cosmetic self tanning bronzers provide deep, dark and long-lasting bronzed results. Superior soft silicone formula allows results to last days longer.
- ✅ ANTI-WRINKLE & ANTI-AGING: This lightweight tanning lotion delivers an instant bronze glow that is fast drying and develops in just 2 hours to a long-lasting tan. Indoor tanning lotion with bronzers & a powerful anti-aging and skin firming peptide that reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for long-lasting youthful results.
- ✅ ALL NATURAL: Dark self tanner is formulated with only the highest quality natural ingredients. Our natural bronzing tanning lotion formula will moisturize your skin while giving you that stunning beach babe glow. Our Black bronzer tanning lotion is vegan, cruelty free, never tested on animals and toxin free made with all natural ingredients.
- ✅ TATTOO & COLOR FADE: Dolce Black tanning lotion is antioxidant-rich to fight free radical damage. Infused Tattoo & Color Fade Protectors w/ Self tanning lotion formula protects the color and luster of your tattoos. After tan odor eliminator, self tanner lotion proprietary blend of deodorizing and skin freshening ingredients.
- ✅ ANTI-ORANGE FORMULA: Dolce Black natural tanning lotion transforms your skin without any of those nasty streaks or blotches for a beautiful natural looking, golden glow with no orangey tones. Dolce black bronzing lotion allows the skin to develop the darkest results possible. Natural oils and extracts will help penetrate dry layers of skin for deeper hydration.
- Specially formulated for indoor tanning use, this powerful lotion helps maximize your tanning bed sessions by enhancing your skin's ability to darken quickly and evenly.
- Infused with nourishing ingredients, this lotion conditions and softens your skin, allowing it to radiate a rich, golden-bronze glow with a healthy-looking finish.
- Features time-release DHA bronzers and an ultra-dark Glow Matrix that continues to develop and intensify your color for hours, giving you a deeper, darker tan.
- This tanning lotion does not contain sunscreen and will not protect against sunburn; always use appropriate sun protection when exposed to natural sunlight.
- Includes a Tiger Grass tattoo-enhancing complex that helps maintain the brightness and clarity of your body art, ensuring tattoos stay vibrant and well-defined.
- Features a rich, buttery formula packed with advanced bronzers that deliver instant and deep color, helping you achieve a flawless, streak-free golden tan fast.
- Ultra-hydrating blend moisturizes deeply, leaving skin silky smooth and preventing dryness or peeling that can dull or shorten the life of your tan.
- Contains skin-nourishing ingredients that support firmness and elasticity, helping to improve the overall tone and texture of your skin while you tan.
- Specially formulated for indoor tanning beds, it enhances tanning session effectiveness while providing long-lasting color that continues to deepen after use.
- Infused with a warm, luxurious fragrance that leaves your skin lightly scented, making each tanning session feel like a spa-level experience.
Your Guide to Choosing the Best Tanner for Tanning Beds
Getting that perfect glow from a tanning bed is exciting! But choosing the right tanning lotion, or “tanner,” makes all the difference. This guide helps you pick the best product for your tanning goals. We focus on what matters most so you get great results safely.
Key Features to Look For in a Tanning Lotion
Not all tanning lotions work the same way. Look closely at the bottle for these important features:
1. Bronzers vs. Accelerators
- Bronzers: These ingredients give you instant color. They are like temporary makeup for your tan. Look for natural bronzers (like walnut shell) or cosmetic bronzers (like DHA).
- Accelerators (or Tyrosine): These ingredients work with your skin to boost melanin production. Melanin is what makes your natural tan. Accelerators help you tan faster under the UV lights.
2. Hydration and Skin Care Ingredients
Tanning beds can dry out your skin. Good lotions include moisturizing ingredients. Look for:
- Aloe Vera: Soothes and hydrates the skin.
- Vitamins (like Vitamin E): Helps protect your skin.
- Natural Oils (like Coconut Oil): Keeps skin soft and smooth.
3. Tingling/Hot Sensation
Some advanced tanners have a tingling effect (often caused by ingredients like Benzyl Nicotinate). This makes your skin feel warm and look flushed. This sensation means the lotion is boosting blood flow to the skin’s surface. If you have very sensitive skin, avoid these types.
Important Materials and What They Do
The ingredients list tells a big story. Focus on these material types:
Natural vs. Synthetic Ingredients
Many users prefer lotions made with more natural materials. Natural ingredients often nourish the skin better. However, synthetic ingredients, like DHA (the main tanning agent in many bronzers), are very effective at creating color.
Silicone Content
Silicone helps the lotion spread easily. It also creates a smooth barrier on the skin that locks in moisture. High-quality lotions use good silicones that feel light, not greasy.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes one lotion great and another just okay? It comes down to how well the product works with your skin and the tanning bed environment.
Quality Factors That Improve Your Tan
- Intense Moisturizers: Dry skin stops a tan from developing evenly. Lotions packed with good moisturizers help your tan last longer.
- Advanced Melanin Stimulators: Lotions using the newest accelerator formulas often give deeper, darker results in fewer sessions.
- Odor Eliminators: A common complaint about tanning is the smell. High-quality tanners include ingredients to neutralize that “tanner smell.”
Quality Factors That Reduce Your Tan
- Alcohol or Harsh Chemicals: These ingredients can dry out your skin quickly. Dry skin flakes, and when skin flakes, your tan goes with it.
- Using Old or Expired Lotion: The active ingredients break down over time. An old bottle will not work as well as a fresh one. Always check the date if you can.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about when and how you plan to use the tanner.
For Beginners
If you are new to tanning beds, choose a **DHA-free Accelerator**. These lotions help your natural tanning process without the risk of an uneven, dark stripe if you miss a spot. Focus on hydration.
For Advanced Tanners
If you tan often and want maximum darkness fast, look for **High-level Bronzers** combined with **Hot/Tingling Agents**. These products push your tan development to the limit.
Daily Use vs. Session Use
Some people use a special lotion *only* inside the bed. Others use a general, everyday moisturizer that also helps maintain their color. For the best results, use a specialized tanning bed lotion right before your session.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Tanning Bed Lotions
Q: Do I have to use a special lotion in a tanning bed?
A: Yes, you should. Regular body lotion often contains minerals that reflect UV light, blocking your tan. Tanning lotions are designed to let UV light penetrate deeply.
Q: What is the difference between a bronzer and an accelerator?
A: A bronzer gives you instant color right away. An accelerator helps your skin produce more melanin underneath for a longer-lasting, natural tan.
Q: Can I use a bronzer if I’m a beginner?
A: You can, but use a lotion with a low level of bronzer (like 4x or 8x). High bronzers can sometimes leave streaks if you do not apply them perfectly.
Q: Why does my skin tingle after applying the lotion?
A: That tingling feeling usually means the lotion contains ingredients like Benzyl Nicotinate. It increases blood flow to the skin, which can help deepen the tan, but it might irritate very sensitive skin.
Q: How soon before my session should I apply the lotion?
A: Apply the lotion just minutes before getting into the bed. This ensures the active ingredients are on your skin and ready to work when the UV lights turn on.
Q: Does expensive lotion always mean a better tan?
A: Not always, but generally, higher-priced lotions use better quality moisturizers and more advanced accelerator compounds. They often smell better too!
Q: How long will my tan last if I use a good tanner?
A: A tan achieved with a quality accelerator and good moisturizers will usually last longer—often a few days longer—than a tan achieved without specialized products.
Q: Are tanning lotions safe to use every time I tan?
A: Yes, tanning lotions are made specifically for use during UV exposure. They help your skin stay healthy under the lights.
Q: What ingredient helps prevent that “tanner smell?”
A: Look for lotions that advertise “odor eliminators” or “after-scent technology.” These ingredients neutralize the smell caused by DHA oxidation.
Q: Should I use a lotion with DHA if I only tan once a week?
A: If you tan only once a week, a lotion with a moderate DHA level is great because it gives you an immediate boost while your natural tan develops. Make sure you exfoliate well before your next session.