You will be able to find many different types of self-tanners on the market. Some products work for some people, and others don’t. One type of self-tanning lotion that is becoming more and more popular is tingle tanning lotion.
These tanning lotions cause a tingling feeling when applied to the skin. Some are stronger than others, with a “low tingle” or “high tingle” rating usually found on the bottle. These tingle lotions offer up a different experience to other self-tanners out there.
How Do Tingle Tanning Lotions Work?
Tingling lotion is used to bring the blood to the surface. This oxygenates the skin’s melanin, which in turn darkens the skin. This then boosts the effects of UV rays when in the sun, leaving you with a darker, fuller tan.
Tingle lotions contain ingredients called Methyl Nicotinate or Benzyl. These chemicals increase the blood flow and circulation of your skin and bring more oxygen to the surface of your skin.
These lotions are not intended to be painful. They are supposed to encourage your skin to become darker when exposed to the sun. However, some people find that the tingling sensation is too strong for them and actually causes pain and discomfort. Rather do a test beforehand on a small area of skin to make sure you are comfortable with the feeling it gives your skin.
Tingle lotions do contain moisturizing ingredients. These help keep the skin hydrated in order to help the UV rays penetrate into the skin and help the tan last for longer. Moisturized skin holds bronze tans for much longer than dry and brittle skin, so it is really important that tingle lotions contain moisturizing ingredients such as essential oils and white tea extract.
One of the biggest selling points of tingle lotions is that they work from the inside out. This means that you actually tan from the inside and not only on the dead layer on your skin. This helps avoid any streaky or patchy areas that you might get when using other self-tanning lotions or spray.
Precautions to Take
Just as you would when applying any chemical to your skin, it is important to take precautions to ensure a safe and pain-free application.
Those who have sensitive skin should either stay away from using tingle lotions or proceed with caution. If you have sensitive skin, purchase a ‘low tingle’ lotion to try out first. If you feel okay with the sensation, you can move on to a stronger tingle in time.
The tingle lotion also increases the skins receptiveness to UV rays, so those who have sensitive or pale skin need to introduce the sun slowly to their skin. Spending too much time under UV rays after using tingle lotion might cause your skin to burn, leaving it damaged and painful.
Avoid using tingle lotion around children. Sometimes accidents happen, and you wouldn’t want for some of the lotions to transfer onto a young child’s skin. Their skin is so much more sensitive to chemicals than ours, and the tingle lotion can end up really burning them, and even making their skin too sensitive to the sun’s rays.
Do not apply tingle lotion to your face or sensitive regions of your body. It could cause burning that is difficult to diffuse. Keep it away from your eyes especially, and wash out with water immediately if some does come into contact with your eyes.
While this all sounds scary and serious, tingle lotions are safe to use if done properly. By following the necessary precautions, you will be protecting yourself from any mishaps or accidents. When done properly, there should be no pain experienced from using tingle lotion.
The 5 Best Tingle Self Tanning Lotions
So I’ve tried quite a few tingle tanning lotions, and I absolutely love them. For this guide, I tried lotions, researched them, and compiled everything I knew to make what I think is the absolute best list of tingle tanning lotions on the market.
I took a bunch of things into account when ranking these lotions, including:
- Quality
- Safety
- How Natural
- Customer Reviews
- Price
And so much more. Alright, now let’s get to those lotions.
1. Ed Hardy Obnoxious Extreme Bronzer Tingle Tanning Lotion
Check it out on Amazon.
If you are looking for a tingle lotion to take your tanning to the next level, this is the product for you.
The bronzer, moisturizer and tingle lotion works to the extreme. It gives up an extreme tingle that vigorously circulates blood flow in the skin. Serious tanners will love the bronze, dark look this lotion helps to achieve.
While it is one of the more extreme tingle lotions on the market, it still carefully moisturizes and softens the skin. It contains antioxidants which actually help slow down the aging process.
Once you have applied the lotion to your skin, you will notice an immediate reddening. You will be able to notice the difference it makes to your skin’s circulation. Vitamins C and E help to repair dry and damaged skin, especially damage caused by the suns harsh rays.
2. 
Devoted Creations White 2 Black, Tingle, Ultra-Fast, Darkening Lotion
Check it out on Amazon.
This Devoted Creations tingle lotion can take your skin up to three shades darker. It is an ultra-fast tanner that cuts down on your time spent in the sun, and therefore the damage done to your skin.
It is made with accelerators that specifically target melanin production which helps achieve a dark bronze tan look.
The lotion itself is bronzer free so all your coloring will be natural. It just aids in the absorption of the UV rays by the skin.
It is easy to apply and offers an intense tingling sensation. This is a great tingle lotion to try for those who want to achieve some serious bronzing.
A rain-kissed leaf fragrance will leave you feeling and smelling refreshed and as beautiful as your skin looks.
3. Millenium Mega Tingle Dark Tanning Lotion
The Millenium Mega Tingle Dark Tanning Lotion is formulated for people with a medium-deep skin tone looking for an ultra-dark tan.
The Mega Tingle formula makes your skin feel warm and tingly as if you’ve been soaking up the sun. It gives your skin a noticeable sheen that makes you look like a glowing bronzed goddess.
It’s designed to be non-fading and can be used indoors or outdoors for an accelerated tanning experience.
The smell is decent, definitely not as good as the Devoted Creations rain-kissed leaf scent, but if you are looking for the darkest tan possible, then this is it.
4. Devoted Creations Ignite Noir Hot Tingle Bronzer
This is one of Devoted Creation’s highest DHA tanning lotions, which means a super dark tan.
The tingle is pretty intense, hence the name “hot tingle.” Whenever you see the word “hot” advertised on tingle tanning lotion, you can expect lots of tingles.
It gives your skin a decent blush and the tingles are spicy, to say the least. It’s not a great choice for beginners, but pros will appreciate the intensity.
The fragrance is Starfruit and Aloe. To me, the scent is like fruity hard candy, like jolly ranchers.
5. Devoted Creations Avant Dark Tingle Tanni
ng Lotion
Check it out on Amazon.
This tingle lotion utilizes microcirculation to help produce an incredibly dark tan that does not use bronzers or added DHA’s. The refreshing pomegranate scent will make using this lotion an absolute pleasure and an all-around enjoyable experience.
This tanning lotion does not contain any bronzers or DHA’s so all of your new bronze colors will be straight from UV rays. You will be able to notice a red color in your skin straight away after use, due to the circulation of blood in your skin caused by the tingling. This then helps your skin absorb the UV rays, resulting in a dark, natural looking tan.
Avoid spending hours in the sun and instead use the product, with even as little as half an hour in the sun, to obtain the dark tan that you have been after.
I think this might be one of the absolute best tingle tan optimizers on the market and is perfect if you’re going to just spend a short amount of time outside.
Tingle Lotions vs Self-Tanners
Many people are opting to use tingle lotions as an alternative to self-tanning products. They find that because the lotion works from the inside out, and your skin is actually tanned by the sun, they land up with a more evenly toned and natural looking tan.
If you can handle the tingling sensation, it is a great product to try as you can still spend some time outside enjoying the warm sun and swimming in the ocean or pool, without worrying about if your self-tan will wash off or fade in the sun.
Only use the tingle lotion every now and again to avoid interfering with your skin’s circulation too much, and avoid spending too much time in the sun with the lotion on. Otherwise, it is quite a safe option for those looking for a darker tan and you will be able to control how dark you want to go with how long you spend in the sun.
Enjoy a unique tingling sensation all over your body and some warm sun; all while achieving a sun-kissed, bronzed and beautiful natural tan. It is a lotion to keep ready in your cupboard for those warm summer days when the sun is calling your name.
