The 5 Best Tan Accelerators for Pale Skin
Those with pale skin need a little more help and care to achieve a gorgeous, glowing tan when using a tanning bed. To come to the rescue, tan accelerators can help get the job done with minimal damage done to the skin, thanks to nourishing and hydrating ingredients.
Oils are the other half of the equation. My ranking of the best carrot oils for tanning covers which ones add real depth.
Pale skin should not be a reason to stay away from the tanning beds, you just have to be more cautious with the tanning process. Choosing the right tan accelerator can be your best chance at protecting your sensitive skin, as well as allowing your tan to look great and last long.
Which is the best tan accelerator for pale skin?
The Australian Gold Rapid Tanning Intensifier is my vote for the best tan accelerator for pale skin. Why? Because it is bronzer-free, so nothing gets painted onto pale skin, and its Biosine Complex speeds up how fast your own color comes in.
Not sure what all of that means? I’ve explained a lot more in the content below. Please read at your leisure and enjoy, my fellow pale-skinned friends!
1. Australian Gold Rapid Tanning Intensifier
There is no bronzer in this one, and on pale skin that is the whole point. Nothing is being painted onto you, so the color you see after a session is your own rather than a brown wash sitting on top of it.
The Biosine Complex is what does the work. It speeds the tanning process up in a bed or in the sun by pushing pigmentation, so a short first session actually gives you something to show for it.
Tea tree oil and vitamin E are in there for the skin itself, which matters when you are pale and your sessions are short and frequent.
One thing worth saying plainly: it contains no sunscreen. This is an intensifier, not protection, so keep your session times down anyway.
It rates 4.6 stars across more than 18,000 reviews, the best-rated accelerator I could find that skips the bronzer entirely.
2. Vibe Tanning Lotion Intensifier
Vibe Tanning Lotion Intensifier was made for those looking for the perfect tan with little time to spare, but for those with skin that needs a little extra love.
The natural tan accelerating fusion is powerful and helps to develop a rapid tan, deepening the natural tone of the skin. The Skin Renew Magic Blend is formulated with Cupuacu Butter and Beeswax and leaves the skin incredibly soft and smooth, and able to hold on to a tan for longer.
The addition of Tea Tree Oil, Cocoa Seed Butter, and Argan Oil gives the skin extreme nourishment and hydration, making the accelerator suitable for fairer skin.
Carefully selected ingredients, combined with an effective tan accelerator, make this one of the stand-out products when it comes to indoor tanning with fair skin.
3. Tanning Lotion She Bronzing Intensifier
She, the bronzing intensifier for women, is a breakthrough product that offers everything pale skin might need to achieve a healthy, glowing tan using a tanning bed.
The indoor tanning lotion helps you make the most out of your tanning sessions. Double tan enhancing power, with bronzer, helps to intensify the tanning process, giving the skin an enchanting glow.
The B-Shape complex helps to improve the appearance of the skin, all while reducing the appearance of body fat. Black Rose extract offers the skin wonderful hydration, leaving the skin feeling smooth and firm.
Skin needs extra nourishment when tanning, and the included Tamanu Oil, with peach and melon extract, keeps skin hydrated through the tanning process.
For pale skin, this is a great option. It is so incredibly caring and gentle on the skin, nourishing it and protecting the skin throughout the tanning process, with ingredients that leave the skin looking gorgeous, holding on perfectly to a new, enhanced tan.
4. Tanning Paradise Sun Of A Beach Tanning Lotion
This vitamin-rich bronzing tanning lotion is perfect for pale-skinned beauties thanks to its gentle formula.
My favorite quality about this tanning lotion is that it is enriched with tattoo and color fade protectors, so those of us who are inked can tan with peace of mind.
Another unique attribute of this tanning lotion is that it is formulated as a deodorizer, which prevents that weird tanning smell that can occur in tanning beds. If that is something that bothers you, then this is the choice for you.
It is coconut scented, so make sure you do a test patch to make sure you don’t have an allergic reaction.
5. Australian Gold Bronzing Accelerator
Pick this one when you want to see something the same day. It carries an instant bronzer, so you leave with a tint while the real tan builds underneath it.
It works indoors or outdoors and is built on the same Biosine Complex as the intensifier above, with aloe vera, vitamin E and tea tree oil keeping the skin from drying out between sessions.
For pale skin the bronzer cuts both ways. It looks good immediately, which is the appeal, but wash your hands the moment you finish applying or your palms will give you away.
It rates 4.5 stars across nearly 13,000 reviews, and it is the one I would hand someone who finds a bronzer-free accelerator too slow to be motivating.
Tips for Tanning With Pale Skin
Below are my best tips for fair-skinned beauties.
Time Your Tan
Pale skin is more sensitive to UV rays, so it is important to keep a close check of the time you spend in a tanning bed. Normally, tanning bed sessions are around 20 minutes long, but this is too long for someone with pale skin, especially if it is the first tanning session.
The first tanning session should only last for around 6 to 7 minutes to build up a base tan. There should be around four or five sessions at this length until it is safe to move up to 10 minutes.
It is also a good idea to wait at least 3 days before the next tanning session. This gives your skin the chance to recover from the last tanning bed session.
Tanning Lotions
For first-time tanning bed users with pale skin, it is a good idea to use a sunscreen with an SPF of 20 or 30.
This protects your skin from burning under the UV rays but still lets you develop a base tan. With this, you should also use an indoor tanning bed lotion that will moisturize your skin and prevent it from drying out.
Shower Before
Some products used on the skin might act as a barrier to tanning, which is why you should always shower before a tanning bed session. Avoid wearing perfume or any lotions other than tanning bed lotions after the shower.
Some of these products can even cause your skin to burn more under the UV rays, and instead of a tan, you will be left with a bad sunburn. Exfoliate and shave in the shower to remove excess product and to create the perfect canvas for a tan.
Do not use deodorants or perfumes straight after tanning either, as these could cause blotches where the deodorant is applied.
Keep Moisturizing
The key to a long-lasting tan is extra moisture. Dry skin does not hold on to a tan as long as well-nourished, hydrated skin does. Remember to moisturize daily after tanning to lock in extra moisture, which will not only extend the life of your tan but enhance its appearance as well.
There are tan extenders available on the market which can also be used to prolong the life of a tan, which stops you from having to visit the tanning bed so often, avoiding any excessive damage done to the skin.
Know Your Limits
If your skin is damaged or sunburned after tanning in a tanning bed, know that it was too much for your pale skin.
Either opt to wear a stronger SPF sunscreen, or try and cut back on the time spent in the tanning bed. You might be desperate for a quick tan, but the damage done to your skin might be irreversible and is just not worth it.
Tanning Lotions for Pale Skin
The answer to your pale skin tanning woes is tanning bed lotions. These help to protect and moisturize your skin while making the most of the time spent in a tanning bed.
Without these lotions, your skin will be left open to damage from the UV rays and will lose the tan quicker without any extra nourishment and care.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Should A Pale Person Stay In A Tanning Bed?
The first tanning session should only last around 6 to 7 minutes to build up a base tan. Do four or five sessions at that length before it is safe to move up to 10 minutes, because 20 minutes is too long for pale skin.
How Many Days Should You Wait Between Tanning Sessions?
Wait at least 3 days before the next tanning session. That gives your skin the chance to recover from the last tanning bed session.
Do You Still Need Sunscreen In A Tanning Bed If You Are Pale?
Yes. For first-time tanning bed users with pale skin it is a good idea to use a sunscreen with an SPF of 20 or 30, and accelerators are not a substitute because they contain no sunscreen.
Should You Shower Before A Tanning Bed Session?
Yes. Some products used on the skin act as a barrier to tanning, which is why you should always shower first. Avoid perfume, deodorant or any lotion other than a tanning bed lotion afterwards.
What Does A Tan Accelerator Actually Do?
It speeds up the tanning process by increasing the pigmentation your own skin produces, rather than staining you. That is why the nourishing and hydrating ingredients matter as much as the tanning ones.
