At The Tanning Shop Ireland, we’re proud to offer a vast array of professional tanning lotions from industry-leading brands, Australian Gold and Vital. But with so many to choose from, how do you decide the best tanning lotion for you? From accelerators and intensifiers to bronzers and extenders, we’re here to give you the low-down on how each product works and which sunbed cream is best for your skin type, experience level, and goals.
What is the Best Tanning Lotion for You?
Before starting any UV tanning routine, we’ll guide you through a few basics to ensure responsible tanning at every session. A key part of this is helping you choose the right tanning lotion. Every lotion in our range is formulated with conditioning ingredients that keep skin smooth and hydrated, but each category offers different benefits depending on your preferences and experience level.
Here are some essentials to consider when deciding on the best tanning bed lotion for you.
The Best Sunbed Cream Based on Skin Type
As part of your initial consultation, we’ll assess your skin type using the Fitzpatrick Skin Type Chart. Your skin type helps us determine how your skin naturally tans and how sensitive it is to UV rays. If you have additional skin sensitivities, we can also recommend hypoallergenic and fragrance-free tanning lotion options to keep skin calm and healthy.
Choosing the Right Sunbed Lotion for Your Experience Level
Your tanning experience is also a primary deciding factor when selecting your ideal lotion. The best indoor tanning lotion for a beginner is unlikely to be the best choice for a regular tanner. Our consultants will help you narrow down your selection to ensure skin is nourished and protected as you gradually build your colour.
Do You Want Instant Colour?
UV tans develop over time with responsible sunbed use, but if you’re seeking an immediate colour, we recommend a bronzer. Our best bronzing tanning lotion products include natural and DHA bronzers (more on these later) to provide a bronzed glow as your natural colour develops.
Types of Tanning Lotions Explained
Onto the crux of the matter: what are the different types of tanning lotions? We’ve identified your skin type, experience level, and tanning goals, so let’s get to grips with the types of lotions available at The Tanning Shop and who each is best suited for.
What is a Tan Accelerator?
How it works: Accelerator lotions support the skin’s natural tanning process while deeply conditioning the skin.
Who it’s best for: Customers who want to build a natural tan responsibly.
When to choose accelerators: Our best tan accelerator products are ideal for beginners or those with fairer skin types.
What is a Bronzing Lotion?
How it works: These hydrating lotions contain added bronzer to provide an instant colour as your natural tan develops.
Who it’s best for: Those who want an instant glow.
When to choose bronzers: Bronzing lotions are best suited to more experienced tanners and those looking to boost their natural colour results.
Natural vs DHA Bronzer: What’s the Difference?
At The Tanning Shop, we offer lotions with both natural bronzers and DHA bronzers. Both provide an instant colour boost but have a few key differences:
- Natural bronzers use plant-based ingredients to provide immediate, temporary colour that washes off with water.
- DHA bronzers react with the skin’s outer layer to develop into a long-lasting tan over 8-24 hours
What is a Tan Intensifier?
How it works: Intensifiers (sometimes called maximisers) help to deepen an existing base tan while softening and nourishing the skin.
Who it’s best for: Those who want to maintain or enhance a base tan responsibly.
When to choose intensifiers: Tan intensifying lotions are best for customers looking to enhance natural tanning results. Suitable for most skin types.
What is a Tan Extender?
How it works: Tan extenders are deeply conditioning lotions for use after tanning sessions to prolong the life of your tan.
Who it’s best for: Customers wanting to maintain an existing tan.
When to choose extenders: We recommend tan extender lotions to all customers to keep skin soft, hydrated, and deeply conditioned.
How to Choose the Best Sunbed Cream for Your Skin Type
Your skin type is the ultimate determining factor when choosing the best sunbed tanning lotion for your needs. While all our products are designed to hydrate and smooth the skin, some are better suited to different skin types and nourishment needs. Here are our top picks.
Best Sunbed Tanning Lotion for Dry Skin
Vital Natural Bronzer: boosted with ultra-hydrating ingredients, this vegan bronzing lotion with natural caramel, glycerin, and coconut oil combats dryness, leaving skin super soft and smooth.
Best Tanning Lotion for Sensitive Skin
Australian Gold Smooth Faces: fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, this is the best sensitive skin tanning lotion, specifically formulated to nourish delicate facial skin.
Best Indoor Tanning Lotion for Beginners
Australian Gold Tanning Accelerator: our all-time best-seller for a reason, this award-winning lotion is packed with skin-nourishing ingredients that soften and hydrate skin as you gradually build colour.
Best Tanning Bed Lotion for Experienced Tanners
Australian Deviously Bronze: this popular bronzing lotion combines natural black walnut shell, fennel seed extract, and DHA bronzers to provide an instant bronze that intensifies over time.
Best Tanning Lotion for Sunbeds and Red Light Therapy
Australian Gold Hot! Hybrid: this luxurious lotion works perfectly with sunbeds and red light therapy to boost your glow and support natural collagen production.
What Ingredients Should You Look For in a Tanning Lotion?
Knowing which ingredients support your skin type and goals is a great way of refining your sunbed tanning lotion options. From ultra-nourishing humectants to bronzing additives and tattoo protection, here are a few ingredients to keep an eye out for.
Hydrating Ingredients That Support Skin Comfort
Every one of our tanning lotions is enriched with hydrating ingredients designed to moisturise and soften the skin. A few of our all-time favourite ingredients for skin hydration include:
- Glycerin
- Coconut Oil
- Shea Butter
- Vitamins A, B5, and E
- Aloe Vera
- Olive Oil
Please be aware that sunbed tanning lotions do not contain SPF and are not for use as sun protection products. Our lotions are designed for indoor tanning only.
Bronzers for Immediate Colour
If you’re looking for an instant bronze that uses only natural ingredients, our bronzing lotion range is ideal for you. These nourishing lotions include plant and herbal extracts such as:
- Caramel
- Walnut Shell
- Henna
- Annatto Seed
- Beta Carotene
- Fennel Seed Extract
Tattoo Protection
Anyone with a tattoo knows that ink needs extra defence against colour fade. We offer several tattoo protection tanning lotion options formulated with a ColorGuard™ Tattoo Technology — a specialised cocktail of Shea Butter and Tiger Grass to deeply condition skin and minimise tattoo fade.
Quick Comparison - Which is the Best Tanning Bed Lotion for You?
The best tanning lotion depends on whether you want instant colour, gradual development, or simply enhanced hydration. Whether you’re after the best tan accelerator to start your tanning journey or the most nourishing tan extender to lock in moisture, find your ideal match with our quick lotion overview.
| Lotion Type | What it Does | Best For | Colour Result | Things to Consider |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accelerator | Supports the skin’s natural tanning process with hydrating and conditioning ingredients. | Those wanting a natural-looking result without added guide colour. | No immediate colour; develops naturally over time. | No instant glow. Ideal if you prefer no cosmetic bronzer transfer. |
| Bronzer | Adds natural and/or DHA bronzers for instant and developing colour. | Those who want deeper-looking colour or an immediate glow. | Instant cosmetic tint + longer-lasting developed colour (if DHA included). | Cosmetic bronzers may transfer before showering. DHA develops over several hours. Patch-testing recommended if sensitive. |
| Intensifier | Focuses on maximising the appearance of natural colour without bronzers. Similar to accelerators but often positioned for enhanced results. | Those who do not want bronzers but want a richer-looking finish. | No instant guide colour; supports deeper-looking natural results. | No transfer risk. May be labelled as “bronzer-free”. Hydration remains key. |
| Extender | Deeply hydrates and conditions the skin to help maintain the appearance of your tan. | Anyone wanting to maintain colour for longer between sessions. | No tanning effect; prolongs visible results. | Best used as part of daily skincare. Does not contain tan accelerating ingredients. |
Frequently Asked Questions About Tanning Lotion
Do Sunbed Tanning Lotions Contain SPF?
No. Indoor tanning lotions do not contain SPF and are not a substitute for sunscreen. They are designed to support skin hydration and enhance the appearance of colour, but they do not protect against UV exposure.
What is the Difference Between a Cosmetic Bronzer and a DHA Bronzer?
Our natural cosmetic bronzers provide immediate colour that washes off after showering. A DHA bronzer reacts with the outer layer of the skin to develop a longer-lasting glow over several hours. Some lotions contain a combination of both.
Can I Use the Same Tanning Lotion on My Face and Body?
Not always. Facial skin is typically more delicate, so you may prefer to use a lotion specifically formulated for the face, particularly if you have sensitive or reactive skin.
What’s the Difference Between an Accelerator and a Bronzer?
An accelerator supports the skin’s natural tanning process without adding instant colour, focusing on hydration and conditioning while your colour develops gradually. A bronzer contains added pigment — either natural bronzers for an immediate glow or DHA for longer-lasting developed colour — giving you visible results straight away as your natural tan continues to build.
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At The Tanning Shop Ireland, we’re proud to offer a vast array of professional tanning lotions from industry-leading brands, Australian Gold and Vital. But with so many to choose from, how do you decide the best tanning lotion for you? From accelerators and intensifiers to bronzers and extenders, we’re here to give you the low-down on how each product works and which sunbed cream is best for your skin type, experience level, and goals.
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