Can You Use Tanning Bed Lotion Outside?

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Indoor tanning and outdoor tanning, when done properly, can both give you a beautifully natural-looking sun-kissed glow.

In both cases, your skin is exposed to UV rays, so one would assume that the tanning lotion you use for either is the same, right?

However, the tanning lotions used for indoor tanning and outdoor tanning are different, and some care should be taken when using one in place of the other.

Can you use tanning bed lotion outside?

You can use tanning bed lotion outside, but keep in mind that indoor tanning lotions do not contain SPF, unlike outdoor lotions. Therefore, you will need to compensate to prevent your skin from burning when exposed to the sun.

It is always best to use indoor tanning lotion indoors and outdoor tanning lotion outdoors, but when you don’t have an option, read on to find out if you can use indoor tanning lotion outside!

What Is Tanning Lotion?

Understanding what tanning lotion is will help you understand why you shouldn’t change it up too much!

Tanning lotion is a product that is applied to the skin before going under the sun to amplify the UV rays effect, causing you to tan faster.

These accelerating lotions reduce the amount of time you spend in the sun while still allowing you to achieve a beautiful tan.

Outdoor tanning lotions often have SPF built in to protect your skin from burning, but they are not strong enough to prevent tanning.

Indoor tanning lotions do not have SPF protection, as they are made to maximise the short time you spend in an indoor tanning bed.

Both outdoor and indoor tanning lotions contain nourishing ingredients that help keep your skin hydrated and moisturised, preventing it from drying out during the tanning process.

If you’re looking for suggestions for the perfect tanning lotion, take a look at our article for the Best Bronzer Tanning Lotions.

Are Tanning Bed Lotions Suitable for Use Outdoors?

As the name suggests, tanning bed lotions are specifically designed for use in tanning beds. Tanning in a sunbed is quite different from tanning outdoors.

You are in a controlled environment, there is no sand from the beach or pools/ocean to interfere with the product, and you are exposed to UV rays for a set amount of time.

You can certainly use indoor tanning lotion outdoors, but you need to consider how an indoor tanning lotion differs from an outdoor one and counteract these differences.

These are the properties of indoor tanning lotions that make them problematic outdoors:

No SPF

Indoor tanning lotions do not contain SPF, which may seem like a good thing, as you want to develop a tan when out in the sun and don’t want the SPF to get in the way.

With outdoor tanning lotions, there is a small SPF in the lotion that helps protect your skin from the sun, but it does not prevent tanning.

It just takes the edge off, preventing burning and any serious damage.

When using an indoor tanning lotion outdoors, you will not have this small amount of protection, and this could lead to your skin burning and not tanning.

Not Water-Resistant

Most outdoor tanning lotions are made to be water-resistant, but indoor tanning lotions do not need to be.

You would actually want your indoor tanning lotion to wash away easily once you jump into the shower afterwards.

If you use an indoor tanning lotion outdoors, and you take a swim in the ocean or a dip in the pool, there is a good chance that most of the tanning lotion will wash off.

This will likely leave you with a patchy tan and dry skin.

Greasy Feel

Most indoor tanning lotions can be quite greasy, and this is probably not the feel or look you want when you are poolside or sitting at the beach.

Not only will your skin look greasy, but if you are on the beach, it could also mean the beach sand sticking to your skin, causing discomfort and irritation.

Outdoor tanning lotions are better suited for use outside and are less greasy or noticeable when applied to the skin.

How Best To Use An Indoor Tanning Lotion Outdoors

If possible, use an outdoor tanning lotion when spending time outdoors in the sun.

If you cannot, and you only have indoor tanning lotion to use, here are some things you can do to make the indoor tanning lotion suitable for outdoors:

Use Sunscreen

It is highly recommended to use sunscreen (like one of my favourites from Coola), in addition to the indoor tanning lotion, if you plan to be out in the sun.

This doesn’t have to be a high SPF, but an SPF 20 or SPF 30 broad-spectrum sunscreen would be sufficient, especially if you plan to spend a longer time in the sun.

You will still be able to tan, as the tanning lotion will maximise the UV rays, but the damage done to your skin will be less, and hopefully, you will not end up burning and peeling from exposure to the sun.

Keep Reapplying

As indoor tanning lotion is not waterproof, you must reapply it to your skin after swimming or getting wet.

Once you get out of the pool or the ocean, dry yourself off and reapply both the tanning lotion and the sunscreen to your skin.

If you do not, then most of the tanning lotion will wash off, leaving you with streaks and a patchy tan.

Indoor tanning lotions are also designed for short spurts in a tanning bed, so they might become ineffective after some time in the sun.

Because of this, you will need to reapply the tanning lotion if you spend a long time in the sun.

Can I Mix Indoor And Outdoor Tanning Lotion?

There is no law that prohibits mixing indoor and outdoor tanning lotions, but it is generally recommended that you avoid doing so.

The two products are made with different ingredients, so there is a good chance they won’t even mix together nicely.

If you mix the two products together to achieve the best of both indoor tanning maximisation and outdoor tanning protection, and then spend time in the sun, there is a likelihood that you will be left with a very patchy tan.

You will not be able to mix the two together perfectly, which means that some areas of your skin will have slight UV protection, while others won’t.

After spending some time in the sun, this can be very noticeable.

It is best to stick with an outdoor tanning lotion for outdoor use, and if you must use an indoor tanning lotion, apply some sunscreen over it.

Can I Use Outdoor Tanning Lotions Indoors?

As we mentioned earlier, indoor and outdoor tanning lotions were created for specific environments, and don’t often do well when interchanged.

While you can use indoor tanning lotion outdoors (with added SPF from sunscreen), you should never use outdoor tanning lotion indoors.

Almost all salons will have signs up warning against the use of outdoor tanning oils in their beds, and for good reason.

Mineral oil in outdoor tanning lotions (and most contain this) can severely damage the acrylic lining in tanning beds.

Even the smallest amount of outdoor tanning lotion in an indoor tanning bed can cause serious damage, so it is best to leave the outdoor tanning lotion outdoors!

Final Thoughts

You can technically use indoor tanning lotion outdoors, but it is not recommended.

Outdoor tanning lotion often contains SPF to prevent your skin from burning, but indoor tanning lotion typically does not, leaving your skin vulnerable to sunburn.

If you plan to use a tanning bed lotion outdoors, be sure to apply additional sunscreen over it to prevent burning and peeling.

Also, reapply the tanning lotion and sunscreen if you get wet, as they are not waterproof.

It is best to use tanning lotions for their intended purposes to make the most out of the carefully selected ingredients.

Can You Use Tanning Bed Lotion Outside?

What Is Tanning Lotion?