When tanning indoors in a tanning bed, or outdoors under the sun, a tanning lotion will really help you to develop a glowing bronzed tan in a shorter amount of time and help to keep your skin nourished too.
The one consideration you need to make when choosing a tanning lotion is whether you want one with a bronzer or not. A bronzer will give you an instant tan to show off, but this will wash away as soon as your skin gets wet.
If you just want a tanning lotion to help build a tan, without the instant bronzer that might stain your clothes, then you can choose to use exactly that.
What are the best tanning lotions without bronzer? The best tanning lotions to use without bronzer would contain all the right ingredients to accelerate your tan and will also contain ingredients that will nourish your skin as you tan. The tanning lotion should also be suited to your skin type!
Choosing the right tanning lotion is so important to building the perfect tan, so keep reading to find out how to choose one, and the best ones on the market right now!
How To Choose The Best Tanning Lotion Without Bronzer
Here are the things you need to think of when choosing the best tanning lotion without bronzer, to be sure it is the right one for your skin!
Tan Level
You need to first consider how dark you want your tan to develop before choosing a tanning lotion. Some only work to build a medium tan, while others work to build a very dark tan.
Be sure to also keep your skin type in mind when picking this out, as fair skin will not do too well tanning too dark too fast.
Skin Type
There are various tanning lotions without bronzer that cater to different skincare needs. If you have dry skin, then look for a tanning lotion that caters to this.
Oil-based tanning lotions are better for dry skin, but they might be a bit too much for already oily skin. There are also tanning lotions that are ideal for sensitive skin, so make sure to look for this if needed.
Type Of Tanning Lotion
There are a few types of tanning lotions to choose from, the two most popular being accelerator and tingle lotions.
Accelerator or maximizer lotions help keep the skin hydrated while tanning, and help your skin make the most of the UV rays to develop a base tan and darken the skin.
Tingle lotions work to cause a tingling sensation on the skin, bringing more oxygen to the surface of the skin, which allows the skin to darken quicker and produce more melanin.
SPF
Some tanning lotions come with SPF, which is really a good thing. You might think that SPF in a tanning lotion will prevent your tan, but it is actually essential to building a dark, even tan.
Without SPF, you will likely burn when in the sun, and you will land up with sunburn and possible peeling, and not an even tan.
If the tanning lotion does not contain any SPF, then it is worth using additional sunscreen on your skin. An SPF15 or SPF20 is ideal for tanning.
Ingredients
Always take a read through the ingredient list of the tanning lotion you are using. Try to choose one which includes natural, organic ingredients where possible. These ingredients are not only better for your skin, but they will help build a radiant tan too.
Also be sure to check that there is no bronzer included in the tanning lotion, just to make sure there are no surprises when you apply it.
Indoor Or Outdoor Tanning
The different tanning lotions are usually designed to be used indoors or outdoors, so think about where you will be spending your time tanning before picking one out.
You can use indoor tanning lotions outdoors, but you cannot use outdoor tanning lotions in tanning beds, as they contain mineral oil which can really damage the acrylic lining in tanning beds.
Choosing one that can do both is a good option, especially when you are not sure whether you will be indoors or outdoors.
Best Tanning Lotions Without Bronzer
Here are the best tanning lotions without bronzer on the market, to help you build up a gorgeous, natural-looking tan!
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Tanning Paradise Black Coconut Love Tanning Lotion | Tan intensifier, coconut milk and coconut butter nourish skin, tattoo protector |
| 2. | Devoted Creations Blonde Obsession Lotion | Skin firming and tightening benefits, skin pigment correctors, bronzer free |
| 3. | Hawaiian Tropic Dark Tanning Oil | Natural tanning oil, skin conditioners, suited for dry skin |
| 4. | Onyx Vibe Tanning Lotion | Indoor and outdoor tanning, nourishing ingredients, smooth skin from silicone |
| 5. | Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning Lotion | Skin hydrating, dark tan accelerator, coconut fragrance |
1. Tanning Paradise Black Coconut Love Tanning Lotion
The Tanning Paradise Black Coconut Love Tanning Lotion contains dark tanning activators that help you get a golden, dark tan, without needing any bronzers.
Using multiple tan intensifiers as well as melanin stimulators, the tanning lotion increases melanin production in the skin to accelerate the tanning process. The lotion also contains activators that stimulate tyrosine activity, to promote an even and long-lasting color.
Coconut milk, coconut butter, and cocoa oil all help to keep skin hydrated and nourished as you tan and well after, giving the tan a glowing radiance. Tattoo and color fade protectors also help to prolong the radiance of your tattoos too.
Helping you achieve a dark tan, while keeping your skin nourished and hydrated, this is a great bronzer-free tanning lotion.
2. Devoted Creations Blonde Obsession Lotion
The Devoted Creations Blonde Obsession Lotion provides you with all you need to make the most of your tanning session, but it also provides superior skin tightening and firming benefits.
Enjoy building a tan using this lotion without the use of bronzers or self-tanning ingredients, building a natural tan, just with a little acceleration.
Skin pigment correctors help you develop an even, natural-looking tan all over. Antioxidants included in the formula help to fight against free radicals, which promote more youthful-looking skin.
With a sweet black lotus fragrance and all the skin benefits that this tanning lotion offers, it will sure to be one of your favorites soon enough!
3. Hawaiian Tropic Dark Tanning Oil
If you have dry skin, then the Hawaiian Tropic Dark Tanning Oil is your best option.
It has a blend of rich tanning oils, found naturally, and it is formulated with exotic moisturizing ingredients to ensure your skin is fully nourished.
The skin conditioners in the formula soften your skin and moisturize it, to help it make the most of the UV rays, developing a tan quicker.
Ingredients such as vitamins A, C, and E all keep your skin hydrated and smooth.
With a classic coconut scent, you’ll feel like you’re tanning on a tropical island, and with the great ingredients this lotion contains, your skin will definitely look like it was tanned on a tropical island too!
4. Onyx Vibe Tanning Lotion
The Onyx Vibe Tanning Lotion is a white lotion that contains tan accelerators, but absolutely no bronzers, so you can watch as your natural tan develops.
Your skin will tan quicker thanks to the melanin boost given by the tanning accelerator, which contains powerful intensifiers that target melanin production to give you a darker tan with less time spent under UV rays.
A blend of silicone in the formula helps to give skin a smooth finish, and it keeps it soft and hydrated through the tanning process.
Nourishing ingredients such as tea tree oil, argan oil, and olive oil all keep skin hydrated and soft, and also help protect tattoos. This tanning lotion has been designed to be used in tanning beds, but it can be used outdoors too!
5. Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning Lotion
This ultra-darkening skin hydrating intensifier from Ed Hardy contains coconut milk, coconut oil, and cocoa butter, all of which help improve skin hydration.
This helps to deliver a dark and golden tan, without any bronzing agents included in the lotion.
Quad tyrosine blend and Melano Bronze stimulate and increase melanin formation, which darkens the skin quickly for a deeper tan from the sun.
Enjoy the coconut paradise fragrance, with hints of vanilla, to really make you feel as though you are spending the day out in paradise and enjoy your dark tan that develops from it!
Related Questions
Does tanning lotion help you tan?
Tanning lotions help you tan by keeping your skin hydrated, which leads to a more even tan all over, and your skin is not left dry or peeling.
Should you shower immediately after tanning?
Do not shower immediately after tanning. Tanning lotions applied during tanning contain ingredients that boost melanin production, and this happens even when you are out of the UV rays.
You need to allow these ingredients to work on your skin after tanning, so only shower around 3 hours after you’re out of the sun.
