Tanning Lotion 101
Every indoor tanning lotion is different. Some are tanning accelerators. Some are bronzers. Some contain special ingredients to make the surface of your skin feel warm or cool. However, most tanning lotions do not contain sunscreen and don’t offer protection from UV rays because they are designed to harness those rays and enhance your tan.
Types of Indoor Tanning Lotions
Hot Action and Tingle Tanning Lotion: These products can be fun to try in your search for the ultimate tan, but are not recommended for first-time tanners. Hot action tanning lotions contain active ingredients like benzyl or methyl nicotinate which promote micro-circulation. More plainly, it increases blood flow and brings oxygen to your skin cells. This process of oxygenation will improve your tanning results. When you use these products, you will experience mild tingling, reddening, and a warming sensation on the skin’s surface. You might want to test these tanning lotions on a small area at first because they can cause reactions for people with delicate or sensitive skin.
Bronzer Lotion: Some people are confused by indoor tanning lotions and self-tanning products. So what’s the difference? Self-tanners contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a chemical that changes skin cells. This chemical is also found in bronzing lotion. The nice thing about a bronzer is it gives you an instant tan, so you achieve that sun-kissed look immediately and you continue to darken for hours after your session. With bronzers, you typically wait a few hours after tanning before taking a shower. But, it is recommended to wash your hands right away to avoid discoloration. The skin on your hands reacts differently to bronzers than the rest of your body and can sometimes get splotchy if you don’t wash your hands afterward.
Accelerator & Maximizer Lotions: Accelerators and maximizers are great for beginner indoor tanners. They are formulated to help you quickly achieve a base tan, but normally don’t contain any added bronzers. They usually contain a large number of moisturizers that allow the skin to tan more quickly and retain your color for a longer time. Once you build up a good base tan you can try a more intense bronzer or tingle tanning lotion to give you that extra boost.
With so many options available, carefully read product labels to find the lotion that’s right for your skin type and your level of tanning. It’s important to be familiar with ingredients like:
Hemp Seed Oil: It’s nourishing and moisturizing properties make it a popular ingredient in many bronzing lotions.
Body Blush: A type of product made for those who want a tingling effect but have sensitive skin.
Anti-Aging: These lotions contain added vitamins that help protect against premature signs of aging.
Shimmer: Glimmering additives in these projects have reflective properties that give your skin an added glow.
Caffeine: Caffeine is often added to reduce puffiness and energize your skin. Caffeine will absorb into the body, so if you are sensitive to caffeine or have eliminated it from your diet, steer clear of these lotions
Beta Carotene: Also called vitamin A. It enhances pigment coloration in your skin.
Vitamin E: Makes skin softer and reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles.