Do you dream of a sun-kissed glow without spending hours at the beach? Many people turn to indoor tanning for that perfect bronze look. But walking into a tanning salon or browsing online can feel overwhelming. Lotions, accelerators, bronzers—the choices pile up fast! It’s hard to know which product actually works best for your skin and tanning goals. You want results, but you also want to avoid that dreaded orange tint or a wasted purchase.
Choosing the wrong indoor tanning product can lead to frustration and uneven color. You might spend good money on a lotion that doesn’t deliver the deep, natural-looking tan you hoped for. Understanding the differences between these specialized products is key to unlocking your best indoor tan yet. This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what each type of tanning product does and how to select the perfect match for your skin type and tanning bed use.
By the end of this post, you will feel confident picking out the right supplies. Ready to stop guessing and start glowing? Let’s dive into the world of indoor tanning products and discover your secret weapon for a flawless tan.
Top Indoor Tanning Products Recommendations
- 100X BRONZING POWER - Get a deep, dark and long-lasting tan with this dark tanning accelerator. This powerful formula is designed to enhance your natural tan and give you 100 times more bronzing power. Say goodbye to pale skin and hello to a gorgeous, sun-kissed glow!
- ULTRA-DARK INDOOR/OUTDOOR TANNING LOTION - Achieve a deep, natural tan with this powerful tan oil. Formulated for use both indoors and outdoors, this lotion contains a silicone bronzer to enhance your tan and leave your skin glowing. Experience 100X dark results with this easy-to-use tanning lotion.
- INTENSE, DEEP, AND LONG-LASTING TAN RESULTS - Achieve the ultimate bronzed glow with our Indoor-Outdoor Tanning Accelerator. This powerful lotion will enhance and extend your tan for a darker, richer, and longer-lasting result. Perfect for those seeking intense and deep tanning results.
- SUITABLE FOR USE IN TANNING BEDS AND OUTDOORS - Achieve a deep, dark tan both indoors and outdoors with this specially formulated lotion. Its silicone bronzer and Tan Enhancing properties make it the perfect choice for those seeking a dark tanning bed lotion.
- ENHANCED WITH SKIN-NOURISHING VITAMINS - This Tan lotion is infused with vitamins to nourish your skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth while achieving a deep, dark tan.
- Sun Tanning Accelerator: Powered by the Infinite Tan System, featuring naturally derived carrot and coconut oils, it accelerates the tanning process for a rich, long-lasting bronze (SPF0).
- Instant Sun-Kissed Glow: Achieve a flawless, even tan instantly with our powerful blend of tanning oils, crafted for radiant results.
- Water-Resistant: This dual-action protectant and tanning blend of natural oils provides instant and even tanning results while remaining resistant to water. Perfect for any vacation!
- Nourishing & Hydrating: A powerful combination of Vitamin A and E for enhanced skin nourishment and protection. This tanning lotion moisturizes skin leaving it soft and smooth during tanning.
- Easy Application: Silky, easy-to-apply formula spreads evenly for a streak-free finish unlike tanning lotions. Perfect for a deep golden shimmering tan. Apply SPF prior to Carroten for UV protection.
- Specially formulated for indoor tanning use, this powerful lotion helps maximize your tanning bed sessions by enhancing your skin's ability to darken quickly and evenly.
- Infused with nourishing ingredients, this lotion conditions and softens your skin, allowing it to radiate a rich, golden-bronze glow with a healthy-looking finish.
- Features time-release DHA bronzers and an ultra-dark Glow Matrix that continues to develop and intensify your color for hours, giving you a deeper, darker tan.
- This tanning lotion does not contain sunscreen and will not protect against sunburn; always use appropriate sun protection when exposed to natural sunlight.
- Includes a Tiger Grass tattoo-enhancing complex that helps maintain the brightness and clarity of your body art, ensuring tattoos stay vibrant and well-defined.
- Enhanced Tanning Action: Speeds up your tan
- Skin Hydration: Keeps your skin moisturized
- Pleasant Scent: Enjoy a beach-like aroma
- Non-Sticky Application: No greasy residue
- Flexible Use: Suitable for various skin types and tanning methods
- ✅A Deep Tan: That’s What Sea Said tanning lotion is specially formulated for a rich, dark tan; Our outdoor and indoor tanning lotion contains a proprietary blend of tyrosines to help stimulate melanin production; Achieve a glowing golden bronze faster with this advanced tanning oil
- ✅Safe: Ideal for outdoor use as well as tanning lotion for tanning beds, That’s What Sea Said tan lotion has undergone stringent quality inspection and many hours of development with leading dermatological experts; This sun tanning lotion is crafted to the highest standards; Our promise is this; if we wouldn’t use this tanning oil for outdoor sun exposure ourselves, we won’t sell it
- ✅Tattoo Protection: It’s time to say goodbye to tanning bed lotion that doesn't prevent your tattoos from fading; Our advanced tan and tattoo lotion actively works to protect your ink from becoming dull; Show off your best self and tan more confidently with That’s What Sea Said tanning lotion
- ✅Advanced Hydration: People love how our dark tanning lotion helps prevent against wrinkles and signs of ageing; Enriched with aloe vera, coconut and passionfruit to lock in moisture, That’s What Sea Said outdoor and indoor tanning bed lotion is enhanced with botanical extracts for smooth, luxurious and supple skin
- ✅No Stains: Tell self tanner lotions that leave unsightly stains on your sheets and clothes to step aside, this premium body and face tanner from That’s What Sea Said is a white suntan lotion and has a smooth touch that’s never sticky; What’s more, our body and face tanning lotion smells like a gentle coconut summer breeze
- ✅Dark Star 5000X Bronzing is the darkest of dark!
- ✅Time-release complex continues to develop even darker
- ✅Mega-sculpting skin firming tones the appearance of skin
- ✅Tattoo Enhancing blend puts your ink in the spotlight
- ✅Vegan, No parabens-sulfates- gluten-phthalates- or animal testing
- Indoor/Outdoor Bronzing Blend with low levels of DHA combined with high levels of Natural bronzers allow the skin to develop natural, long lasting bronzed results.
- Guava Extracts are rich in antioxidants that help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while providing a glowing complexion.
- Watermelon Extracts provide 24-hour hydration while improving the skins tone and deeply improving the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dry spots of the skin.
- MelanoBronze stimulates melanin activity to allow for longer lasting, darker tanning results.
- Tattoo & Color Fade Protection protects the color and luster of your tan and tattoos.
- This salon formula tanning lotion adds extra depth to tanning bed sessions for dark skin and bold tattoos
- Time-released DHA complex bronzers develop a tan even after you've left the tanning bed
- Contains tattoo-enhancing serum to keep tattoos bold and clear
- Contains coconut, olive, sunflower, and hemp seed oil to nourish skin and enhance tattoos, also contains açai palm, sweet orange, Tahitian gardenia, walnut shell, and bupleurum falcatum root extracts
- 12 fl oz size. Bottle with a convenient press-open nozzle for quick, mess-free application
Your Essential Guide to Choosing the Best Indoor Tanning Products
Welcome to your go-to guide for everything about indoor tanning products! Getting that sun-kissed glow safely at home requires the right gear. We will help you pick the best items for your needs.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for indoor tanning products, several features make a big difference in your experience and results.
Tanning Bed/Booth Type
- Lay-Down Tanners: These let you lie down comfortably. They often offer more even coverage.
- Stand-Up Booths: These are quicker and stand you upright. Make sure you have enough ceiling height for these!
UV Lamp Technology
Lamps are the heart of your tanning unit. Look closely at the lamp type.
- Fluorescent Lamps: These are common and effective. Check the wattage; higher wattage usually means a faster tan.
- High-Pressure Lamps: These use less surface area and deliver more UVA rays for a very deep color. They can be more expensive.
Cooling and Ventilation Systems
Tanning rooms get hot! A good cooling system is vital for comfort.
- Built-in Fans: Powerful fans keep air moving around your body. This makes long sessions much more pleasant.
- Air Conditioning Hookups: Some high-end units allow you to connect to external AC.
Safety and Controls
Safety always comes first. Ensure the controls are easy to use.
- Timers: Digital timers let you set exact session lengths. Never exceed recommended times.
- Emergency Stop Button: This should be easily accessible in case you feel unwell.
Important Materials in Tanning Equipment
The quality of materials affects how long your unit lasts and how well it works.
Acrylic Shields
The clear cover you lie under or stand behind is usually made of acrylic.
- High-Grade Acrylic: Thicker, high-quality acrylic filters out harsh UVB rays while allowing tanning UVA rays through. Cheap acrylic can yellow quickly.
Frame and Housing
The structure needs to be sturdy.
- Steel Frame: A strong, powder-coated steel frame provides necessary support and resists rust.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all tanning units perform the same. Pay attention to these details.
What Improves Quality?
- Lamp Efficiency: Newer lamps tan faster and use less electricity.
- Reflector Material: Shiny, high-quality reflectors bounce UV light evenly across your body. Good reflection means fewer missed spots.
- Easy-to-Clean Surfaces: Non-porous materials make wiping down the unit after use much easier.
What Reduces Quality?
- Old or Weak Lamps: If lamps are old, they produce less UV light, making your sessions ineffective.
- Poor Ventilation: If the fans are weak, the unit overheats quickly, and you will feel uncomfortable.
- Flimsy Construction: Units with thin plastic parts or weak hinges break down faster.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you plan to use the product daily.
Home Use vs. Salon Grade
- Home Units: These are usually smaller and designed for occasional use. They are perfect if you only want a few sessions a month.
- Commercial Units: These are built for non-stop use. They offer higher power but require more space and electricity.
Setup and Maintenance
Consider if you have the space and know-how to set it up.
- Assembly Required: Most home units require assembly. Check if professional setup is offered or if you need tools.
- Regular Cleaning: You must clean the acrylic after every use to maintain hygiene and UV efficiency.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Indoor Tanning Products
Q: How long should my first indoor tanning session be?
A: Your first session should be very short—usually between 3 to 5 minutes. You must start slow to see how your skin reacts to the UV light.
Q: Do I need special goggles for indoor tanning?
A: Yes, absolutely! You must wear FDA-approved tanning goggles every single time. Your eyes can be damaged easily by UV light.
Q: How often can I safely use a home tanning unit?
A: Most experts suggest waiting at least 48 hours between sessions. This gives your skin time to build color and recover.
Q: What is the difference between UVA and UVB rays in these beds?
A: UVA rays cause the immediate browning (color), and they penetrate deeper. UVB rays cause the skin to produce more melanin, leading to a longer-lasting tan, but they also cause sunburn.
Q: Can I use regular sunscreen in an indoor tanning bed?
A: No, you should not use regular sunscreen. You need tanning lotions specifically designed for indoor use. These lotions help moisturize your skin and maximize UV absorption.
Q: How much space do I need for a typical home tanning bed?
A: A standard lay-down bed needs about 7 to 8 feet long and 3 to 4 feet wide when open. Always measure your room first!
Q: What should I do after my tanning session?
A: Immediately after tanning, apply a good quality moisturizing lotion or an after-tan product. This helps lock in your color and keeps your skin soft.
Q: Are the electric bills high when running a tanning unit?
A: Higher-wattage units use more electricity. Check the unit’s power rating (usually listed in watts) before buying to estimate your running costs.
Q: How long do the lamps last before needing replacement?
A: Most modern tanning lamps last between 500 and 1,000 hours of use. You will notice the light becoming dimmer when they near the end of their life.
Q: Is it better to buy new or used indoor tanning equipment?
A: New equipment comes with warranties and the latest safety features. Used equipment can save money, but you must check the age and hours on the lamps carefully.