11 Best Tanning Lotions For Sensitive Skin
Picking out the perfect tanning lotion can be tricky on its own, but when you’re selecting a tanning lotion for sensitive skin, you may feel a little overwhelmed.
You deserve a beautiful, sun-kissed tan without worrying about your skin reacting to the product.
What are the best indoor and outdoor tanning lotions for sensitive skin?
Indoor and outdoor tanning lotions for sensitive skin should contain natural, organic ingredients in place of harsh chemicals, and they should nourish and soothe your skin. The lotion should help you make the most of the UV rays, but without causing harm to your skin.
If you are looking for beautifully bronzed skin without irritation, keep reading to discover how to choose the best tanning lotions for sensitive skin, along with our top recommendations.
How To Choose The Best Tanning Lotion For Sensitive Skin
You do have to put in some extra time to find the best tanning lotion for sensitive skin, as you want to choose a product that is gentle on your skin while still giving you a gorgeous tan. Here is what to look for:
Skin Nourishing
Tanning lotions are applied before spending time in the sun or in a tanning bed, and we all know how UV rays can be harmful to your skin.
This is why it is so important to choose tanning lotions that not only help you develop a beautiful tan but also protect and nourish your skin while doing so.
The product should include skin-loving ingredients, such as shea butter and vitamin E, to help the skin recover.
Natural Ingredients
You should also choose a tanning lotion that contains other natural ingredients. This includes a gentle bronzer if the tanning lotion includes it.
Look for natural ingredients such as aloe vera, argan oil, shea butter, and fruit extracts. These are all gentle on your skin, yet also nourishing and soothing.
While the tanning lotion is working to develop a darker color on your skin, these ingredients will hydrate and soften your skin, without any irritation that artificial ingredients might cause.
Tint/Color
While searching for a tanning lotion that is gentle on sensitive skin, you still need to ensure that the resulting tan looks natural and attractive. Consider your skin tone when selecting a tanning lotion.
How dark you tan will depend on the amount of time you spend in the sun, but most tanning lotions include a bronzer in their formula.
If you have fair skin, it’s best to avoid choosing the darkest shade possible, as it may appear unnatural. Likewise, you cannot choose a light tanning lotion if your skin is naturally dark.
Indoor/Outdoor Tanning Lotion
You need to know where you will be using the tanning lotion before deciding which one to use.
You cannot use outdoor tanning lotions on a sunbed, as the mineral oils will damage the sunbed lining.
Check to see if the tanning lotion is suitable for indoor or outdoor tanning.
SPF Protection
You do not want too much SPF protection when trying to develop a tan, but for sensitive skin, a low SPF can be beneficial.
Look for an SPF 4 or similar, which will protect your skin from burning while still allowing you to develop a beautiful tan.
The Best Tanning Lotions For Sensitive Skin
Now that you know what to look for in a tanning lotion for sensitive skin, take a look at our top recommendations!
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Hawaiian Tropic SPF 4 Sunscreen | SPF 4, island-inspired botanicals |
| 2. | Just Nutritive Indoor Tanning Lotion | Indoor tanning, natural skin-loving ingredients |
| 3. | Devoted Creations Famous Faces Tanning Lotion | Hypoallergenic, anti-aging and skin-firming for facial skin |
| 4. | Australian Gold Dark Tanning Accelerator Lotion | Natural ingredients, instant bronzer |
| 5. | Devoted Creations Hydrating Tanning Butter | Sensitive shea butter formula, anti-aging |
| 6. | Millennium Tanning Products Hypoallergenic Tan | 100% pure hemp seed oil, sensitive skin-approved formula |
| 7. | Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning Lotion | Skin hydrating formula, develops dark tan |
| 8. | Sun Bum Browning Lotion | Accelerated tanning, sensitive formula |
| 9. | Cocosolis Choco Suntan & Body Oil | Certified organic ingredients, indoor and outdoor formula |
| 10. | Hempz Hydro Max Indoor Tanning Lotion | Natural hemp seed oil, tan enhancers for deeper tan |
| 11. | Pro Tan Hypoallergenic Dark Tanning Accelerator | Hypoallergenic, natural tan enhancers |
1. Hawaiian Tropic SPF 4 Sunscreen (Outdoor)
The Hawaiian Tropic SPF 4 Sunscreen is a tanning lotion and protective sunscreen all in one, making it absolutely perfect for sensitive skin.
The Island Tanning Sunscreen absorbs quickly into the skin and luxuriously nourishes it from deep within, which helps to enhance your tan.
Cocoa butter and shea butter keep skin soft and luminous as it soaks up the sun.
Other island-inspired botanicals are included in the formula, such as mango, papaya, passion fruit, and guava, to add even more skin-loving properties to the lotion.
As the formula is lightweight and dermatologist-tested, you can be assured that it is gentle and soothing for sensitive skin, providing the extra protection it needs while building a gorgeous tan.
2. Just Nutritive Tanning Lotion (Indoor)
The Just Nutritive Indoor Tanning Lotion helps to extend the life of the tan you develop using a tanning bed by providing your skin with the best nourishment possible.
The tanning lotion absorbs quickly, allowing you to develop a deep tan in a shorter amount of time.
It has been specifically formulated for use in indoor tanning beds to maximize the benefits of your tanning session.
Exotic oils and shea butter help to nourish your skin, protecting it from drying out. Tan-extending accelerators help to build up your tan faster, working to optimize your color and keep your tan darker for longer.
To make the tanning lotion suitable for sensitive skin, it is free from chemical fragrances, artificial colors, and parabens, so your skin will not experience any irritation.
Aloe vera helps soothe and calm sun-kissed skin, while coffee extracts contain antioxidants that fight off free radicals and prevent inflammation.
This indoor tanning lotion ticks all the boxes!
3. Devoted Creations Famous Faces Tanning Lotion (Indoor and Outdoor)
If you always have a hard time tanning your facial skin and find that normal tanning lotions just do not work, then the Devoted Creations Famous Faces Tanning Lotion might be just what you need.
This hypoallergenic lotion is specifically formulated for use on the face.
It nourishes and protects the sensitive skin on your face, and it also features skin-firming and anti-aging benefits.
It is blended with multiple advanced tanning technologies to help achieve a bronzed tan on your face in a gentle and non-irritating way.
Matrixyl works to fill in lines and wrinkles, and includes vitamin A, which gets working on promoting healthy skin. A light palm garden fragrance enhances the experience further!
4. Australian Gold Dark Tanning Accelerator Lotion (Outdoor)
The Australian Gold Dark Tanning Accelerator Lotion will help you achieve a deeper, darker tan, and you’ll look sun-kissed in no time.
The accelerator lotion features an instant bronzer that intensifies your glow and provides an instant tan while you wait for the real one to develop.
The lotion absorbs quickly into the skin, allowing you to achieve an even tan, whether indoors or outside.
Australian natural ingredients are used to care for your skin while you tan, such as Kakadu plum extract, tea tree oil, and vitamin C.
These nourish your skin and help fight off free radicals, leaving your skin looking youthful and smooth. These natural ingredients are all suitable for sensitive skin.
Biosine complex helps your developed tan last for longer, as skin is left hydrated and moisturized.
To top it off, the tanning lotion features a delightful Cocoa Dreams fragrance with notes of orange, vanilla, and coconut.
5. Devoted Creations Hydrating Tanning Butter (Indoor)
The super-soft tanning butter from Devoted Creations is gentle on the skin and nourishes it from deep within, ensuring it is protected and cared for during the tanning process.
With this tanning lotion, you can build and maintain your skin’s natural glow, while the formula provides anti-aging and skin-firming benefits, making your skin appear more youthful and supple.
AcquaCell formulation helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, further promoting a sun-kissed, even appearance all over.
This lotion is suitable for sensitive skin, made with caring shea butter, and is free from parabens and other harmful ingredients, so you can trust your skin will be left happy!
6. Millennium Tanning Products Hypoallergenic Tan (Indoor)
The Millennium Tanning Products Hypoallergenic Tan is an ultra-hydrating tanning lotion suitable for use both indoors and outdoors.
It is formulated with hemp extracts, argan oil, cocoa butter, and shea butter, providing a nourishing and skin-caring experience.
This sensitive skin-approved formula is free from parabens and other harmful chemicals, ensuring it won’t irritate your skin.
It features a skin-softening maximizer that leaves skin smooth, silky, and beautifully tanned after some time in the sun.
Made with 100% pure hemp seed oil, this product provides the best care from deep within, leaving even sensitive skin happy and beautifully tanned.
7. Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning Lotion (Indoor)
If you are looking for an ultra-dark tan, then the Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning Lotion is just for you!
The hydrating and softening formula is ideal for dry skin and can also be used by those with sensitive skin types.
It contains soothing ingredients, including coconut milk, coconut oil, and cocoa butter, to improve skin hydration. It then delivers a dark golden tan, free from bronzers.
The tattoo fade protecting formula protects tattoos while the rest of your skin tans, so the colors and radiance are prolonged.
Special tanning ingredients help to stimulate and increase melanin formulation, to accelerate the tanning process.
Helping you enjoy your tanning session even more, the tanning lotion has a Coconut Paradise fragrance, with delightful scents of vanilla.
8. Sun Bum Browning Lotion (Outdoor)
This premium browning lotion from Sun Bum helps you develop a fast, deep tan without spending hours in the sun.
The accelerating ingredients help you maximize your time in the sun, building a dark tan in no time.
The water-resistant tanning lotion is suitable for all skin types and has been specifically formulated for sensitive skin as well.
It cares for skin using aloe vera, marula oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil. All of this is tied together with a coffee scent.
Being hypoallergenic and moisturizing, sensitive skin will benefit from the added nourishing ingredients, allowing your skin to develop a golden tan in a shorter period.
9. Cocosolis Choco Suntan & Body Oil (Indoor and Outdoor)
The Cocosolis Choco Suntan & Body Oil is crafted with certified organic ingredients, including cold-pressed oils, natural vitamins, and antioxidants, to help you develop a tan more quickly and maintain it for longer.
This tanning lotion is suitable for use with indoor tanning beds and can also be used outdoors. Coconut oil, cocoa butter, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, and vitamin E all help to keep skin smooth and hydrated, while antioxidants fight away free radicals.
Enjoy a beautifully sun-kissed tan with the help of this lotion, while still providing comfort and nourishment for sensitive skin, both in the sun and after.
10. Hempz Hydro Max Tanning Lotion (Indoor)
The Hempz Hydro Max Tanning Lotion is designed for use in a salon or when relaxing under a tanning bed to help the skin develop a deeper, richer, and longer-lasting color.
Made with 100% pure, natural hemp seed oil, the formula is suitable for sensitive skin and works to hydrate, nourish, and condition the skin, leaving it feeling soft, smooth, and moist after a tanning session.
Rich in antioxidants from Yangu oil, the lotion helps combat free radicals, thereby protecting against sun damage.
The non-greasy, lightweight formula absorbs quickly into the skin, helping you maximize your time spent in a tanning bed.
11. Pro Tan Hypoallergenic Dark Tanning Accelerator (Indoor)
The Pro Tan Hypoallergenic Dark Tanning Accelerator combines natural tan enhancers that help prepare your skin for tanning and optimize your skin’s response to UV rays, resulting in a darker tan in a shorter time.
The formula includes natural calming ingredients to soothe the skin.
Oatmeal helps to comfort and calm the skin during the tanning process, and rich mango seed butter helps to smooth and hydrate skin.
The formula is non-greasy and lightweight, and being hypoallergenic and paraben-free, it is a great choice for sensitive skin.
Final Thoughts
Take your time to select the right tanning lotion for sensitive skin, ensuring your skin is cared for and nourished while developing a deep, rich tan.
The product should not contain ingredients that could cause irritation, and your skin should be left healthier than before, just with a beautiful tan!
Above are 11 of the best tanning lotions for sensitive skin on the market, as well as some really handy tips on how to go about choosing the right one for you and your skin!
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