How To Choose An Indoor Tanning Lotion

If you are going to use an indoor tanning bed you have to use some kind of indoor tanning lotion. One without the other is not going to give you the best possible tan. I know that sometimes indoor tanning lotions can be kind of expensive but it is worth it to invest the extra money and get yourself a bottle of tanning lotion.

Indoor tanning lotions can sometimes be a bit confusing especially if your new to the whole indoor tanning thing. Heck, even if your not, it can still be overwhelming. Indoor tanning lotions are basically broken up in to five different groups.

Depending on your personal preference and skin type you can choose which tanning lotion is right for you. This list should help you decipher between the different characteristics you see on the bottles of lotion, on your tanning salon shelf.

The first type of tanning lotion is a basic accelerator. These indoor tanning lotions are great for a beginning tanner with pale or sensitive skin. Many of these have great anti-aging elements in them. If you have dry skin, look for an aloe based formula with moisturizing hemp seed oil in it.


The most popular indoor tanning lotion out right now is a bronzer. These are great because they give you that natural brown glow. Bronzers are my favorite kind of tanning lotion because I have paler skin and my tan tends to look more reddish and the bronzer helps with that, making my tan look more brown or bronze. Always try to apply evenly and wipe hands off afterwards.

There are also tinglers. These indoor tanning lotions stimulate your skin, causing it to redden and become irritated. This effect can last for hours and result in an uncomfortable burning and itching feeling. Be careful if you have small children because this can be easily transfered to your child and make their skin become red and irritated as well, and we don't want that! Despite all of these bad side effects, tinglers remain the most effective tanning lotions. Combine them with a good bronzer, and you are sure to have a beautiful, dark tan.


Some indoor tanning lotions are made specially for your face, called facial tanning lotions or facial tanners.The skin on your face is more sensitive than the rest of your body. Most indoor tanning lotions are not designed to be applied to your face. Opt for a special tanning lotion just for the face. Or, better yet, apply SPF to protect the face from tanning, and just use a great make-up bronzer to achieve a nice glow.


Last but not least there are the after tan moisturizers. There are special ones that are sold at tanning salons. Better yet you can find them online at places like Amazon.com. I like Hempz, after tan moisturizing lotion. Any non mineral-oil based moisturizer will do, just make sure to apply it within fifteen minutes of getting out of the tanning bed.