Speed up your tan by applying a tanning accelerator and enhancer every time you go tanning or lay out in the sun.
Whether you are working on your base tan for an upcoming vacation or event or just like to maintain a year-round bronzed glow, these lotions will help you achieve your tanning goals.
There are hundreds of tanning accelerators on the market but they are not all created equal.
In this article we’ve rounded up the 10 Best tanning accelerators to get you the results you want, fast.
Here are the Best Tanning Accelerator Lotions on the Market:
Maui Babe Tanning Salon Formula
Via Amazon.com
Via Walmart.com
Maui Babe tanning lotion is a very popular choice for those who like to tan often.
It was invented by a man name Joe who was trying to save his family from being homeless.
To avoid losing everything and ending up on the streets, Joe invented this formula that instantly bronzes your skin and helps your tan darken naturally.
Some of the ingredients in this lotion include: Kona coffee extract which has caffeine to stimulate blood flow, Kukui nut oil which is a natural remedy for sunburns, and lots of Vitamins A, C and E which are antioxidants and help protect against ageing caused by UVA/UVB rays.
This tanning lotion can be used indoor and outdoor which makes it economical and more practical.
Australian Gold Bronzing Dry Oil Spray Intensifier
Via Amazon.com
This dry oil isn’t greasy and soaks into your skin leaving it soft and luxurious feeling.
This Intensifier gently deepens color with black walnut shell extract, melanin, and tyrosine.
Users love it because it doesn’t leak or drip like most tanning oils making it ideal if you are at a beach where there is sand all around you.
Two things we love about this lotion is that it absorbs beautifully into your skin and does not leave a greasy residue.
Secondly, it helps you achieve a nice base tan without leaving any streaks that some lotions with bronzers do.
One plus to this lotion is that is protect your tattoos from fading.
Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning Lotion
Via Amazon.com
Via Walmart.com
If you have tattoos that you want to protect while tanning, this is a great lotion to do just that.
Infused with tyrosine and melanin, this lotion will speed up your tanning and continue to work at tanning you for hours after you’ve left the tanning bed.
Customer reviews rave about the great fragrance of coconut oil and how soft it leaves their skin.
Not only that, but it contains a proprietary ingredient called “Body Fit” that claims to hide the appearance of cellulite.
This product is also recommended if you have pale skin that burns easily.
Hempz Hypoallergenic Dark Tan Maximizer
Via Amazon.com
Via Walmart.com
If you have sensitive skin, then this is the indoor tanning lotion for you.
Hempz products are hypoallergenic, vegan and free of parabens, dyes, and perfumes.
Hempz Hypoallergenic Dark Tan Maximizer is made from pure hemp seed oil, oatmeal, and mango seed butter.
You can see that the ingredients are natural and gentle on the skin and will help soothe and protect your skin while tanning.
Banana Boat Deep Tanning Oil Spray
Via Amazon.com
If you already have a base tan and want a dark, golden color this spray will get you to the next level.
It has an amazing tropical fragrance that will make you feel like you are on an exotic beach in Hawaii.
Best of all, it is made of safe ingredients no only for your skin but for the ocean so you won’t harm any ocean animals or coral when taking a swim.
Ingredients like coconut, banana and carrot extracts give you a glorious, deep color as if you have been living the island life for a very long time.
Hawaiian Tropic Dark Tanning Oil Original
Via Amazon.com
Another ocean and reef safe formula is this Hawaiian Tropic Dark Tanning Oil.
This drugstore oil is one of the best on the market to help accelerate and enhance a deep tan.
This rich oil conditions your skin while you sun bathe so that you don’t dry up or wrinkle.
It also contains essential antioxidant vitamins E, C, and A plus aloe, cocoa seed butter, and fruit extracts and smells amazing.
Australian Gold JWOWW One and Done Intensifier
Via Amazon.com
Unique blends of raspberry, beeswax, yogurt, and shea butter makes this lotion buttery soft and so good for the skin.
The tanning intensifier makes you tan faster but is still gentle on the skin while providing protection to tattoos.
This really is a “one and done” product.
Sun Bum Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion
Via Amazon.com
Via Ulta.com
Via Target.com
Prolonged sun exposure can age your skin more rapidly and if this concerns you, the Sun Bum Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion gives you the best of both worlds.
It enhances your tan while protecting you from some of the UVA/UVB rays with SPF included.
It is also gluten free, paraben free, and PABA as well as water resisitan for up to 80 minutes.
The price is pretty good too!
Bain de Soleil Orange Gelee Sunscreen and Tanning Lotion
Via Amazon.com
Users love this lotion because it helps you tan without burning which is idea if you have fair or sensitive skin.
It has a nice, soft fragrance and leaves your skin feeling soft and moisturized.
If you are just starting your tanning for the season, this is ideal for building a beautiful base tan.
Tips for Getting the Most out of Your Tan Accelerator Lotion
Read the Label
Each product is applied differently and has different instructions for how long to leave on after sun bathing. For best results, make sure to read the instructions on whichever product(s) you choose to really get the full effect.
Choose a product that suits your skin type:
If you have pale skin, you are more prone to burning and will want to choose a tan accelerator lotion that has some SPF protection.
For those that have sensitive skin, choosing a natural lotion that is hypoallergenic is going to be your best bet.
If you tan easily or already have a base tan, then you can choose a more advanced tanning accelerator like the Maui Babe products or the Hawaiian Tropic Dark Tanning Oil.
No matter where you tan, do it in brief sessions to avoid getting a sunburn.
Sunburns cause skin damage and increase the signs of aging, so you want to make sure you don’t expose yourself for prolonged periods of time.
If you are going on a sunny vacay, try tanning for a few hours and then apply sunscreen/sunblock and a hat or clothing to prevent over exposure.
How to Suntan Fast
Using an accelerator is a very important piece of the puzzle but there a few other things you can do in combination with the accelerator to get a quick tan.
Start small and build your way up:
Getting a sunburn will cause your skin to peel and will put you back. Getting a sunburn also means you need to take a longer break in between sessions, slowing down how quickly you get burned.
It is better to start with a little at a time and build a great base tan and build the exposure time up from there.
Exfoliate:
Exfoliating before applying any lotions and accelerators are really going to help.
This removes all of the dead skin allowing the fresh skin to absorb more rays.
Wait to Shower:
Wait to shower for a few hours after tanning in a salon or outdoors to really allow your skin to soak up that formula.
This will give you a deeper, darker, longer lasting tan.
Moisturize:
Dry skin flakes off and so your tan will go away faster.
Moisturize every day to keep your summer glow around longer.
