Our findings show that these lotions are formulated to keep your skin hydrated, thereby preventing dryness and flakiness that is often associated with sun exposure. Many tanning lotions also include SPF (Sun Protection Factor) to shield your skin from harmful UV rays, reducing the risk of sunburn and skin damage. Some of them even contain antioxidants and anti-aging ingredients like vitamins and minerals, which can help maintain youthful-looking skin. To note more, they reduce the risk of developing uneven tan lines or spots. Besides, tanning lotions with accelerators or bronzers provide quicker and more noticeable results, saving you time in the sun. Hence, by keeping your skin healthy and moisturized, tanning lotions can help your tan last longer and fade more evenly.

We will explore the world of outdoor tanning lotions, uncovering the top contenders and what sets them apart. So, if you are looking to achieve that perfect sun-kissed glow while enjoying the beauty of nature, keep reading to discover the best outdoor tanning lotions that should be on your radar.

• 1
  Best for Natural Glow

  St. Tropez Gradual Tan

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You can never go wrong with St. Tropez's tanning lotion. It offers a gradual tan that allows you to enjoy a sunkissed glow. Infused with skincare, this firming lotion can be used every day to enjoy a bronzer look. The product is smoothening to a point where you don't have to use a contour stick or bronzer ever again. Use a glove or a cotton pad and apply it to your key facial features. Ensure to remember not to wash after application. 

2

Most Budget-friendly

Devoted Creations Somewhere on a Beach, Indoor Outdoor Tanning Lotion

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Featuring a powerful blend of natural ingredients, this tanning lotion is formulated to provide instant results, leaving you with a beautiful bronze glow. It is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, giving you the flexibility to achieve your desired tan no matter the weather. Adding to that, its lightweight and non-greasy formula allows for easy application and quick absorption. Besides, not only does this tanning lotion provide exceptional results, but it also nourishes and hydrates your skin. Infused with advanced skincare components, it helps to moisturize and condition your skin, leaving it feeling soft, smooth, and rejuvenated.

3

Best Non-staining Formula

Dark Tans Exclusive That’s What Sea Said Tanning Lotion

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Specially formulated with carefully selected ingredients, this luxurious tanning lotion offers a truly indulgent experience. Infused with the essence of the sea, it provides a refreshing and revitalizing effect on your skin. The unique blend of moisturizing and nourishing extracts helps to keep your skin hydrated, ensuring a longer-lasting and more radiant tan. With its advanced formula, this tanning lotion further helps to accelerate the tanning process, allowing you to achieve a beautiful, bronzed look in very less time. Whether you're lounging by the pool or soaking up the sun at the beach, it will help you achieve that coveted sun-kissed glow.

4

Best for Dry Skin

Just Nutritive Body Nutritive Serum

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Infused with natural ingredients, this serum is designed to nourish and replenish your skin, leaving it feeling soft, smooth, and radiant. The lightweight formula absorbs quickly, allowing for effortless application and a non-greasy finish. Not only does it enhance your tan, but it also provides essential moisturization to keep your skin hydrated and supple. Enriched with healthy vitamins and antioxidants, this serum also helps to condition and protect your skin, giving you a more radiant and even tan that lasts longer.

5

Best Overall

Australian Gold, CHEEKY BROWN Accelerator Dark Natural Bronzer

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Designed to accelerate your tan while providing numerous skincare benefits, this lotion leaves your skin feeling smooth, nourished, and beautifully sun-kissed. Formulated with natural bronzers, this tanning bed lotion ensures a deep, long-lasting tan that will have heads turning. The powerful blend of key ingredients stimulates melanin production, helping you achieve a natural-looking, deep bronze color without the need for excessive sun exposure. With its lightweight and non-greasy texture, this lotion further effortlessly glides onto your skin, allowing for easy and even application.

6

Best Lightweight Lotion

Dolce Black Bronzer Tanning Lotion

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With its advanced formulation, this natural tanning bed lotion is enriched with premium ingredients to deliver remarkable results. The unique blend of bronzers and intensifiers works harmoniously to enhance and deepen your tan, giving you a radiant and sun-kissed glow. One of the standout features of this exceptional tanning lotion is its ability to protect your tattoos and prevent color fading. To note more, the innovative formula forms a protective barrier over your tattoos, shielding them from harmful UV rays and preserving their vibrancy.

7

Best for All Skin Types

Ed Hardy #Beachtime Dark Indoor Outdoor Coconut Infused Tanning Lotion

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Enriched with coconut oil, known for its moisturizing properties, this lotion will leave your skin feeling silky smooth and hydrated, giving you that healthy, radiant glow. This tanning lotion is also suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, allowing you to achieve a beautiful tan all year round. Its advanced formula further ensures a streak-free and even application, giving you a natural-looking tan that lasts. In a nutshell, with it, you can confidently step out with a gorgeous, sun-kissed complexion.

8

Best for Gifting

Onyx Tattoo Tanning Lotion Fade Protection Ink Care Formula for Indoor & Outdoor

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Crafted with precision and backed by years of research, this revolutionary product is the perfect companion for preserving the vibrancy and longevity of your tattoo. It is specially formulated to provide superior sun protection, shielding your tattoo from harmful UV rays. Its advanced fade protection formula ensures that your tattoo remains vivid and vibrant, even after prolonged sun exposure. This versatile lotion is further suitable for both indoor and outdoor tanning, making it ideal for any occasion. Whether you're lounging by the pool or hitting the beach, it will keep your tattoo looking its best, while also giving your skin a healthy, sun-kissed glow.

9

Most Hydrating Formula

Tanovations SUN DAY FUN DAY Indoor/Outdoor Tanning Cocktail

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With this tanning lotion, you can say goodbye to pale skin and hello to a radiant, bronzed complexion. Formulated with a powerful blend of ingredients, this tanning cocktail works to stimulate melanin production, while providing your skin with nourishment and hydration. The unique combination of bronzers and accelerators in it ensures a fast and even tan, saving you time and effort. This tanning cocktail will enhance your natural tan and give you that coveted sun-kissed look.

10

Best for Combination Skin

Millenium Tanning Solid Black Coconut Vibes

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Designed to enhance your tanning experience, this luxurious lotion by Millennium Tanning is infused with the irresistible scent of coconut, transporting you to a tropical paradise with each application. Formulated with advanced tanning ingredients, it helps accelerate the tanning process, giving you a deep, dark tan in no time. Whether you prefer indoor tanning beds or soaking up the sun outdoors, this versatile lotion is suitable for both. With its unique blend of bronzers, moisturizers, and skin-nourishing components, this tanning lotion not only helps you achieve a beautiful tan but also leaves your skin feeling hydrated and smooth.

11

Supre Snooki SHORE TO PLEASE Tanning Bed Lotion

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Featuring a unique blend of White DHA bronzers, this lotion helps to enhance your tan, giving you a deep, long-lasting color that will make heads turn. The bronzing agents work in harmony with your natural skin tone, ensuring a seamless and natural-looking result. One of the standout features of this tanning lotion is its after-tan odor eliminators. This means, no more worrying about that unpleasant post-tanning odor, as this lotion is specifically formulated to neutralize any unwanted smells, leaving you smelling fresh and clean. Adding to that, vitamins and powerful antioxidants in the product help to replenish moisture, leaving your skin feeling soft, smooth, and healthy

12

Onyx Suncolada Indoor Tanning Lotion

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This triple bronzing pineapple sun tanning lotion is specially formulated to provide a deep, golden tan while nourishing and moisturizing your skin. With its advanced formula, this indoor tanning lotion with bronzer offers a luxurious tanning experience, giving your skin a radiant and sun-kissed glow. Enriched with nourishing ingredients, this tanning lotion helps to prevent dryness and keeps your skin feeling soft and smooth. It protects your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays while accelerating your tan, giving you a beautiful and even complexion.

Now that you’ve seen our product recommendations for the best outdoor tanning lotions, let us see the following buying guide and steps to use to shop wisely and make the best of the product.

Here are some important factors to consider before buying the best outdoor tanning lotion:

Determine Your Skin Type: Before you start searching for the ideal outdoor tanning lotion, it's crucial to understand your skin type. There are different products formulated for various skin types, such as sensitive, oily, or dry. Knowing your skin type will help you find a tanning lotion that caters to your specific needs, ensuring maximum effectiveness and minimal side effects.

SPF Protection: The first and most crucial factor to consider when choosing an outdoor tanning lotion is its sun protection factor (SPF). Look for a lotion that offers broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays. The higher the SPF, the more protection it provides. While you may want to get a tan, it's essential to prioritize your skin's health. Opt for a lotion with an SPF of at least 30 to safeguard your skin from sunburns and damage.

Ingredients: Take a closer look at the ingredients list on the outdoor tanning lotion. Look for natural ingredients like aloe vera, green tea extract, and coconut oil, as they provide hydration and nourishment to your skin. Avoid lotions that contain harsh chemicals, fragrances, or artificial dyes, as they may irritate your skin or cause allergic reactions. Keep in mind that everyone's skin is different, so choose a lotion that suits your specific needs and skin type.

Water Resistance: If you plan on spending time in the water while tanning, consider opting for a water-resistant outdoor tanning lotion. These lotions are designed to stay on your skin even when you're swimming or sweating, providing consistent protection and preventing the lotion from washing off.

Tan Enhancers: Some outdoor tanning lotions come with tan enhancers or bronzers. These ingredients help accelerate the tanning process and give your skin a sun-kissed glow. If you're looking for a deeper and more immediate tan, choose a lotion with tan enhancers. However, be cautious if you have fair or sensitive skin, as some bronzers may cause streaking or deliver an unnatural color. Do a patch test on a small area of your skin before applying it all over your body.

Moisturization: Sun exposure can dehydrate your skin, so it's important to choose an outdoor tanning lotion that provides adequate moisturization. Look for lotions with hydrating ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, or vitamin E. These will help replenish moisture and keep your skin soft and supple, even after spending hours in the sun.

Smell And Texture: The scent and texture of a tanning lotion may not seem like a crucial factor, but it can significantly impact your tanning experience. Choose a lotion with a fragrance that you enjoy, as it will be lingering on your skin throughout the tanning process. Additionally, consider the texture of the lotion – whether you prefer a lightweight, non-greasy formula or a thicker, more moisturizing one.

Price: Lastly, consider your budget when choosing an outdoor tanning lotion. While it's important to invest in a quality product, there are options available at different price points. Compare prices and consider the value for money that each product offers before making a decision.

With the right lotion, you can enjoy the sun responsibly and achieve the glowing tan you desire.

Take a look at the different types of tanning lotions:

Accelerators And Intensifiers: These lotions are ideal for beginners or those who have fair skin. They contain moisturizing ingredients like aloe vera, vitamin E, and natural oils that help to hydrate and nourish the skin. Accelerators and intensifiers work by stimulating the production of melanin in the skin, which is responsible for giving you that golden tan. They also help minimize the risk of sunburn and encourage an even and long-lasting tan. 

Bronzers: If you're looking for an instant tan, bronzers are your go-to option. These lotions contain added ingredients, such as DHA (dihydroxyacetone), that temporarily darken the skin upon application. This instant color serves as a guide for an even application and develops into a deeper tan over a few hours. Note that bronzers can give you an immediate sun-kissed look without the need to spend hours in the sun, making them perfect for special occasions or events. 

Tingle Lotions: For experienced tanners who want to take their tan to the next level, tingle lotions are the way to go. These lotions contain active ingredients such as benzyl nicotinate, which create a tingling sensation on the skin. This increased blood flow to the surface of the skin helps to accelerate the tanning process. Tingle lotions are known for their intense tanning results but may not be suitable for sensitive skin types. 

Cooling Lotions: As the name suggests, cooling lotions provide a refreshing sensation on the skin, making your tanning experience more enjoyable. These lotions often contain menthol or other cooling agents that help soothe the skin and provide relief from sunburn or heat. Cooling lotions are perfect for hot summer days when you want to keep your skin cool and hydrated while achieving a beautiful tan. 

Sunscreens with Tanning Benefits: Protecting your skin from harmful UV rays should always be a top priority when tanning outdoors. Sunscreens with tanning benefits combine the best of both worlds by providing SPF protection along with added ingredients that enhance and accelerate your tan. These lotions typically include natural oils, antioxidants, and vitamins to nourish and protect your skin while promoting a gorgeous tan.

Preparation is key when it comes to achieving an even and long-lasting tan. Start by exfoliating your skin to remove any dead cells and create a smooth surface. Use a gentle scrub or exfoliating mitt to slough off the dry skin, paying extra attention to rough areas like elbows and knees.

Step 1: Now that your skin is prepped and ready, it's time to apply the outdoor tanning lotion. Begin by reading the instructions on the product carefully. Shake the bottle well before use to ensure even distribution of the formula.

Step 2: Start with a small amount of lotion and apply it evenly all over your body, focusing on one area at a time. Use gentle, circular motions to massage the lotion into your skin, ensuring that it is absorbed completely. Be extra cautious around joints and areas with thicker skin to prevent streaks or unevenness. Remember, less is more when it comes to tanning lotions. You can always apply more if needed, but it's harder to fix excessive application. Take your time and be thorough in your application for the best results.

Step 3: While outdoor tanning lotions help enhance your tan, it's crucial to protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays. Apply a generous amount of sunscreen with a high SPF all over your body, paying attention to areas that are more prone to burning, such as your face, shoulders, and back.

Step 4: Reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially if you are swimming or sweating. Remember that tanning lotions do not provide complete sun protection, so it's essential to have a separate layer of sunscreen for optimal safety.

Step 5: Once you've achieved your desired level of tan, it's important to maintain it and keep your skin healthy. Moisturize your skin daily with a hydrating lotion to prevent dryness and peeling. This will also help extend the life of your tan.

Step 6: Avoid exfoliating your skin aggressively or using harsh soaps, as these can fade your tan more quickly. Opt for gentle cleansers and exfoliate only once a week to maintain the glow.