The term indoor tanning lotion actually refers to lotions that are used during salon tanning and tanning beds. However, some people use this term to include sunless tanning products that come in lotion form. To progress in our analysis of the different types of indoor tanning lotions we have to make the distinction between lotions that produce a fake tan and lotions that assist in salon tanning.

Tanning Lotions That Produce Fake Tans

Tanning lotions that are dihyroxyacetone (DHA) based use the sugar compound to produce a coloration of the dead skin cells on the outer most layer of the skin. These are considered very safe means of temporary and fake tans. The DHA reacts when it comes into contact with the dead skin cells which produce the coloration.

Bronzers are like makeup in that they simply cover up or dye the skin a particular tone. Just like makeup it will wash off at the end of the day and can even rub off to stain clothing of the wearer.

Indoor Tanning Lotions for Salon Beds

There is another type of bronzer that actually serves another function which crosses over to the second type of indoor tanning lotions. This is a bronzer that actually improves the tanning process by absorbing and distributing the UV radiation for more evenly tanned results.

Another type of indoor tanning lotion that helps the natural tanning process is known as accelerators. These lotions act as moisturizers keeping the skin hydrated during the tanning experience. It speeds up the tanning process by making the skin more susceptible to the UV rays and the added moisture helps the skin’s melanin production.

Tingle lotions are similar to accelerators but instead of relying on moisture it actually has chemicals that cause an increase in blood flow to the skin. The increased blood flow brings extra oxygen and other nutrients to the skin to assist during the melanin production process during tanning.

There are many types of tanners and it is up the individual to decide whether they are going to be spending time tanning outdoors in the sun or indoors in a tanning booth and picking the appropriate tanning lotion for each scenario. Be sure not to use an indoor tanning lotion for sun tanning and vice versa unless the label specifically states that the lotion was designed for both functions. Or you could simply pick up a bottle of tanning lotion that produces a fake tan just for that season and reapply every few days to keep it consistent.

One thing to keep in mind is to look out for new products that are being heavily marketed because they are in the promotional phase of the release. This means lots of available samples for these new brands. The first places to check for these are where you would find advertising such as beauty magazines and the health section of newspapers. If you know a particular brand you want to try, go online and visit the manufacturer’s website for discounts, coupons or even free samples.

To really be exposed to tanning products go where tanners go. Visit tanning salons as well as the beauty counter of a department store or specialty cosmetic shops. These places are regularly pounded by manufacturers that want shelf space and will have samples of brands that the manufacturers want to get out to their customer base. Not only will you get free samples but a tanning salon is a good place to visit even if you are not going for a tanning session because there will be very knowledgeable people that can impart a lot of tanning practice and tanning product wisdom.

Samples can also be purchased at very low cost. Try shopping for sampler packs on eBay or other online sites that contain a wide variety of different tanning lotions. This is a quick way to find lots of cheap indoor tanning lotion to trial. When you find the one you like, continue to sample other lotions in case you run into something better. Here are some sampler packs available on amazon.

These sampler packs are great because they offer access to a wide range of brands. You could select different size packs of course and there are smaller packs with 10 or even 3 different lotions to sample. Try one and enjoy! Share your experience with us by adding a comment below.

Australian Gold

Australian Gold has been one of the most respected brands in the tanning industry and keeps itself distinct by only offering their products through tanning lotions. Those who are would like to experience the best in both value and performance should consider giving the Australian Gold Crystal XII, Almost Famous, and Crystal Faces a try.

Their Ultra line of products which includes the Crystal XII and Crystal Faces are their premium lotions. The Crystal XII comes with 12 bronzers in attempt to offer the highest quality tan and their special blend makes the skin glow with a shimmer. The Crystal Faces tanning lotion is designed uniquely for facial tanning and leaves a silky feel. Just below the Ultra line is the Best line which is a lower level performance line of tanning lotions that are also more economical. Those who do not require the Ultra level of performance would greatly benefit from the Almost Famous Darkest Triple Bronzer with Hemp by Australian Gold.

California Tan

California Tan is another popular brand that is associated with salon-quality tanning lotions. The MaxLotion is one of the best basic indoor tanning lotions and is perfect for beginners to build a base tan. It is also versatile in that it can be used both indoors and out.

The Ionyx Bronzer by California Tan promises to deliver ultra-dark tans and offers increased hydration for the skin. Their special time-release solution keeps the skin hydrated for extended periods throughout the tanning session.

Designer Skin

The Tao Bronzer by Designer Skin is made for both men and women with vitamin A, C, E and avocado oils to nourish and improve the texture of the skin. Surveys have confirmed that customers are particularly fond of the smell and moisturizing effects as well as the results in coloration after a single session.

One of the best budget priced lotions is Designer Skin’s Secret Stash. Splash! Tanning Tonics is the line and Secret Stash, despite the lower price, offers amazing performance making it one of the top indoor tanning lotions in terms of value.

Remember, you can purchase sampler packs online to find which lotions you like best before buying the entire bottle. Don’t forget that while they are relatively safe products even the best indoor tanning lotion needs to be tested on a small area of skin to ensure there are no adverse reactions.

Reborn Couture 40xxx by Devoted Creations

To begin, the packaging of this lotion just screams quality. The manufacturer really put a lot of thought into giving customers something to really feel since squeeze bottles are effective and clean dispensing methods. Many enjoy the super soft feeling it leaves the skin and the texture is thick but very hydrating.

Some users don’t like the oily feeling but it certainly does a good job moisturizing the skin. Probably the biggest problem with this lotion is the odor after applying the lotion. This is a common problem with some tanning lotions which is why some manufacturers will try to mask or alter for a more pleasant scent.

Devoted Code by Devoted Creations

The oily feeling and odor issues with the Reborn product are not repeated here with the Devoted Code. It has a gender neutral scent for both men and women so most people will enjoy the scent without being overpowered by it. It isn’t oily at all and works as well as the best indoor tanning lotion should. Tan results were visible almost immediately after the tanning session.

There are also many special features of this product. It comes with an intense hydration anti-aging formula to keep the skin moist and healthy. The Mela-Dark(TM) Complex helps the skin produce a natural looking tan and Acai oil is loaded with anti-oxidation nutrients. All these additional features justify the higher-than-average price for a bottle of tanning lotion.

Couture Sport by Devoted Creations

This particular lotion is scented reminiscent of a classic Tommy Hilfiger cologne making it ideal for men. It is probably one of the better scented of any tanning lotion out there in the market today. A much desired feature is how it dries easily after application so it is like wearing nothing at all. The extreme serum formula allows this lotion to penetrate into the skin almost as soon as it is applied so it is not greasy. It is without the bronzer complex of most lotions making it one of the best indoor tanning lotions without a bronzer.

Wholesale prices for indoor tanning lotion are available for retailers such as tanning salons and beauty shops, but what about the individual consumer? The good news is that there is no need to buy huge quantities like the retailers to get wholesale prices. There are other distribution channels that are set up to sell in bulk but are willing to sell retail quantities to individuals at the same wholesale price. This is made possible especially with the process automation of being online which is great news for consumers.

New products are constantly being promoted by manufacturers with all kinds of features for improved skin care or user experience. The first was the addition of moisturizers into the lotion to combat the dryness caused by exposure to UV rays.

Then it was scented to cover up the chemical odors especially after the tanning session. New scents are sometimes used to gear the product toward male tanners who don’t want feminine scents on their body. Some products have taken it to the next level and develop scents based on principles of aromatherapy. For many people, tanning is a relaxing and soothing experience and the aromatherapy scents are aimed at targeting the sensory experience of tanners.

Additional features include firming blends to improve skin texture and anti-aging formulas to protect the skin and keep it healthy. These features help distinguish the product for the manufacturer while increases the value to the customer.

A great way to save money is simply by shopping for discount indoor tanning lotion when it is out of season. Tanning is a seasonal thing and winter is the best time to buy. Just don’t buy more than you can use before the expiration date. Since it is very sensitive to trends, brands come and go out of popularity so sometimes a brand that is no longer popular could be had for a discount.

The other self-tanning options are tanning bronzers which work like make up. It just leaves a layer of stain on your skin and will come off at your next shower. Tanning lotions on the other hand can last over three days depending your rate of shedding dead skin cells.

In many cases, your tan actually looks more natural than laying out in the sun for hours because it can turn out more even and smooth. Also, you don’t have to worry about the tan lines of your fancy bathing suit. But the more important benefit of an indoor tanning lotion is the safety from avoiding exposure to harsh light rays.

Tanning booths can be very dangerous to inexperienced users, especially if the user naturally has very light, very sensitive skin. Tanning beds have settings that is far from dummy proofed so anybody can just as easily set themselves up to getting roasted.

Spending too much time in the sun can put you at risk of heat stroke. Too much UV rays on your skin puts you at risk of skin cancer. Sun bathers and tanning booth goers really have to check for skin spots and other signs of anomalies in their skin.

Ideally, people can just realize that fair skin is just as attractive as dark skin, and realize the health risks of tanning under ultraviolet rays. Until that day, indoor tanning lotions are the safest option.

Contained in indoor tanning lotions is the active ingredient dihyroxyacetone (DHA) which is a sugar that interacts with the dead skins cells on the surface of your epidermis. The reaction is a coloration of the dead skin cells. So the tan created is actually an external layering on top of your living cells. Since dead cells are constantly being discarded the tan eventually fades at the rate of dead cells being worn off your body. That’s why many product labels recommend reapplying the self-tanners every three days to maintain the tan.

An interesting self-tanning product is the tanning pill. It’s a simple concept of using canthaxanthin, a food
coloring agent and getting it into your skin through ingestion. However, as a food coloring agent in small quantities it is deemed safe by the FDA. But in larger quantities such as the pill it is not approved by the FDA to be used as a tanning agent and the side effects reported range from hepatitis to canthaxanthin retinopathy, a condition in which yellow deposits form in the retina of the eye.

Another self-tanner is the bronzer. It works much the same way as make-up for the body. Usually in powder or moisturizer form, it only gives you a tan as long as you don’t wash it off. A simple shower with body wash is enough to take it completely off.
And after a long day of showing off that sexy tone, who wouldn’t want to relax in a hot shower covered in your favorite lavender body wash from head to toe. The point is, bronzers are great for one day wears.

Even when using these products, remember to use a strong enough sunscreen to protect yourself if you will be outdoors. None of these products offer sun protection and with lotions, these are designed for indoor use and thus we tend to refer to them as indoor tanning lotions.

It’s easy to mistaken tanning lotion with a sun block type product when in actuality it’s the other way around. Tanning lotion is not a sun block and offers zero protection from the sun. In fact, the purpose of tanning lotion is to increase your skins sensitivity to the ultraviolet rays which stimulates melanin production, thus, the name indoor tanning totion as most skins are required to stay indoors or risk over burning with the use of tanning lotion. For those people who have had cosmetic surgery face lifts, indoor tanning lotions are the only way to go since they can’t take in excessive UV rays for a while.

Many products also serve as a skin moisturizer, and why not when every skin could use more moistening. But it does not serve as a sun block. One person mentioned that everyone at the beach uses tanning lotion. No. Everyone at the beach may use sun block, if everyone at the beach used tanning lotions you might think a disease had gone viral eating at human skin.

So, to my non-Caucasian friends whose skin continuously produces melanin pigments, its understandable why you wouldn’t know exactly what tanning lotion does. But when white people ask what self-tanning solutions are good don’t make assumptions when you clearly never used a product or contributed to the bajillion dollar industry designed to take advantage of our western culture’s ridiculous obsession with tanned skin.

So I figured the best way was to ask people what brands they use to become the envy of the party. Some people won’t admit that they use a self-tanner and get offended. What I’m learning is that more people are using sunless tanning lotions than ever. Usually it is just a slight tint in their skin so it looks hardly noticeable and very natural.

So how do you decide which product to use? It’s one of those products, so specific in its function and purpose that all the brands seem the same. Unlike acne skin care products, it’s not specific to skin type. There is no major variation in ingredients or production process. And by what criteria do you measure tanning lotions.

One thing I’ve learned is that new formulas don’t turn your skin orange anymore. Apparently manufacturers realized they don’t have to use as much of the same ingredient that turns your skin orange.  Many tanning lotions are also designed to serve as skin moisturizer but I guess that just makes the selection process more complicated.

If any of you would like more information on a specific topic related to tanning lotions, please feel free to drop a comment and let us know. Thanks again for the visit and make sure to check back often to receive additional information on tanning lotion.