Self Tanning Products

What is Tanning Lotion with Bronzer? (3 Best Ones)

Written by: Anastasija

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There are so many products available for us to use in order to reach our dream bronzed glow, from self-tanners to tanning accelerators, but some of them we may not have even heard of! In case you were wondering what, exactly, a bronzing tanning lotion is, here are the answers.

What is a tanning lotion with bronzer?

Unlike self-tanners or spray tans, tanning lotions aren’t as common or talked about as often in the tanning industry. They are yet another tool to achieving the gorgeous colour you’ve always dreamed about.

Tanning lotions are also known as tanning accelerators, and they are designed to speed up the amount of time it takes for you to naturally tan from the Sun, meaning you can achieve the same natural glow as you normally would, but in a much shorter time.

tan skin

Ordinarily, without a tanning lotion, your skin naturally produces a suntan as a defence mechanism against burning whilst in the sunlight. What happens is, when your skin gets ‘hit’ by either UVA or UVB rays (or generally both), it almost realises that it’s in danger of sun damage if it doesn’t protect itself. We have a store of a certain pigment in our skin, known as melanin, and our body’s way of protecting itself is by producing this melanin at a faster rate to the upper layers of our skin and this gives us our tan.

When we’ve got a suntan, we’re less likely to suffer from sunburn, which is why our bodies produce that melanin in the first place, and it protects our skin from potential complications in the future. However, of course, this suntan only protects us to a certain extent before we burn, but that doesn’t really matter at the moment.

These tanning lotions work by stimulating the melanin production in your skin whilst it’s exposed to the Sun. In other words, they speed up the natural process of melanin production in various different ways, utilising various different ingredients.

When you use a tanning lotion with bronzer, the same process of enhanced melanin production occurs, but the product also contains a bronzing agent, which gives you an instant tan to boost the appearance of your base tan. However, this colour doesn’t usually stick around like a normal self-tanner does, the tanning lotion will most likely wash off in the sea or any other water in the pool or shower.

Also read: How Does Self-Tanning Lotion Work? (+ My Favorite 3)

How do you use a tanning lotion?

Using a tanning lotion is really easy, thanks to their simple design and idea. There are only a few things you have to do in order to benefit from the greatness of these products and flaunt your best, bronzed skin. If you’re wondering how to use a tanning lotion with bronzer, here are the steps!

  1. Start by taking a shower and washing your body as needed in the morning. Follow this up with a moisturiser, and any other body product you like to use before going out. Basically, prepare your skin in any way that you normally would.
  2. Apply a sunscreen to your body before applying the tanning lotion. While some people don’t like to use a sunscreen, as it does slow down the tanning process slightly, it’s still an important step in this routine to protect your skin in the long term.
  3. Now, you can apply the tanning lotion to your skin like you normally would with a sunscreen, using your hands to rub it in. There’s no need to worry about your tan going streaky, as that’s not a problem.

Also read: Does Sunscreen Ruin Fake Tan? (4 Ideas To Prevent It)

Are tanning lotions safe?

If you’re considering using a tanning lotion, you might just be thinking that the claims it’s making are way too good to be true. The biggest downfall for these things is there safety, which is really important, and should play a huge role in your decision about whether or not to use it. So, are tanning lotions safe?

t lotion

In truth, tanning lotions themselves aren’t considered completely safe for your skin, as they do absorb the Sun’s UV rays more than your skin would on its own, in order to promote melanin production. While they’re not quite as dangerous as sunbathing in the Sun without any protection whatsoever, any type of sunbathing is discouraged, as it can still cause damage to a certain extent.

However, if you are remembering to use a suitable factor of sunscreen on your skin whilst using a tanning lotion, and being careful about bathing in the Sun, you shouldn’t have to worry too much about any problems. Just avoid spending too much time in the heat of the Sun, as it can affect your skin and cause other problems like dehydration or even sunstroke.

Also read: What is The Best Sunscreen? (For Body or Face)

What are the best tanning lotions with bronzer?

1. Australian Gold Dark Tanning Lotion with Bronzer

Australian Gold Dark Tanning Accelerator Lotion With Bronzer, 8 Ounce, New Package Same Formula, B003GX5SSC
7,310 Reviews
Australian Gold Dark Tanning Accelerator Lotion With Bronzer, 8 Ounce, New Package Same Formula, B003GX5SSC
  • ACHIEVE A DEEPER, DARKER TAN - This dark tanning accelerator lotion with instant bronzer intensifies your bronze glow & helps you achieve a darker tan. Blends effortlessly and absorbs quickly, allowing for an even sunless tanning or outdoor sun tanning
  • BLESSED WITH AUSTRALIAN NATURALS - A rich blend of Kakadu Plum extract with highest content of Vitamin C, and Tea Tree Oil, a powerful antioxidant, fights off free radicals and gently cleanses your skin leaving it healthy and smooth

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If you are into the whole industry of tanning and sun protection, Australian Gold is probably a familiar name for you, and all for good reasons. Their regular sunscreen formulas are incredible for both your skin and the environment and contain the best high-quality ingredients out there.

Of course, their tanning lotion is no exception, and the incorporation of the temporary bronzer makes your base colour seem enviable in the first place, whilst you build up a strong, dark colour that will last on your skin for much longer than a self-tanner or spray tan. How can we not mention the incredible, unbeatable price point, too, at just $3.33?

2. Somewhere on a Beach, Indoor Outdoor, Instant Dark Tanning Lotion

Somewhere on a Beach, Indoor Outdoor, Instant Dark Tanning Lotion 12.25 Ounce
6,260 Reviews
Somewhere on a Beach, Indoor Outdoor, Instant Dark Tanning Lotion 12.25 Ounce
  • Somewhere on a Beach, Indoor Outdoor, Instant Dark Tanning Lotion 12.25 Ounce
  • DHA-Free bronzers provide streak free/stain free results. Sea Buckthorn Berry protects skin from free radical damage.

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When it comes to this product, it’s perfect for achieving the perfect, flawless tan in the summer months, plus thanks to the bronzing agents in it, you can even begin with the perfect tan to start with. Speaking of the bronzers in this tanning lotion, they’re DHA-free, as they provide a temporary colour while the rest of your tan develops. However, they do provide a streak-free finish that won’t stain your clothes either – perfect.

In addition to all of this, coconut oil and walnut oil both work hard in your skin to provide intense hydration and softening properties to your skin, so you don’t need to worry about that dry, flaky skin after a day on the beach. What’s more, you can use this both indoors, in a tanning bed, or outdoors, in the Sun itself.

3. Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning Lotion

Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning Lotion Cruelty Free, Gluten Free, Mineral Oil Free, DHA Free for All skin type,13.5 oz
  • 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.
  • Tattoo Fade Protecting Formula: Helps prolong the life and radiance of your tattoos and tanning results.

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This last tanning lotion is a good middle ground option between the previous two in terms of price, but it still packs in a highly recommended, trustworthy formula for anyone’s skin. As well as the luscious coconut scent that it brings, it’s really effective at intensifying your tan and improving hydration at the same time.

One thing that is unique to this product is the tattoo-preserving technology, which is designed to keep your tattoos looking radiant, which is something you don’t see in other products – great for those who are looking to prolong the life of their tattoos.

Final thoughts

Tanning lotions are a good way to speed up the time it takes for you to sunbathe, if that’s your preferred method of tanning, but there are some risks involved which you should be careful about. The natural suntan you get from these products often looks more genuine and is easier to achieve than another method of sunless tanning, but some people would rather preserve their skin’s health. Ultimately, now you know what a tanning lotion is, you can decide what’s best for you!

About Anastasija

Welcome to my website! I'm Anastasija, and as a redhead with a sensitivity to the sun, I embarked on a quest to find the perfect sunless tanner six years ago.

After extensive research and four years of personal experience, I'm here to share my wealth of tips and tricks for achieving a beautiful, sun-kissed glow.

Whether you're interested in self-tanners, spray tans, or safe sun exposure, this website covers it all.

Join me as I provide valuable insights and guidance for various methods of getting that desired tan.

Anastasija thirsty for tan about me

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