Tanning Bed Lotion 101: Ten Words You Need to Know

There are so many tanning bed lotions on the market that all make different claims when it comes to what type of tan they offer. Tingles, accelerators, sprays, and lotions – it is often confusing for consumers who are trying to select the right tanning product for their needs.

Understanding some of the common terms that tanning bed lotion manufacturers use in their product descriptions can be helpful. Here are 10 of the most commonly used words and phrases:

1)    Accelerator

Accelerators are a type of tanning bed lotion that increases the speed of a tan. Most lotions formulated for use in tanning beds include some form of accelerator in order to get the deepest tan possible from each tanning session.

2)    Anti-Aging

Many tanning bed lotions include anti-aging ingredients that help the skin look and feel great. They are an added bonus to the bronzing or accelerating effects of the lotions.

3)    Bronzer

Bronzer is a product that includes DHA or herbal ingredients that are formulated to cause the skin to darken without the need for sun exposure. Most bronzers include moisturizing ingredients and/or anti-aging ingredients to help the skin look and feel great. Bronzers are often used in between tanning sessions to help keep the skin looking tanned.

4)    Cooling

Some tanning bed lotions include cooling ingredients to make tanning sessions more pleasant. They cool the skin and pull the heat away to make tanning more comfortable.

5)    DHA

DHA, or dihydroxyacetone, is the main active ingredient in most bronzer products. The chemical reaction between the DHA and the very top layer of the skin causes a browning effect that looks like a tan.

6)    Maximizer

Tanning bed lotions that are maximizers are meant for use by people who already have a base tan but want to get darker. Most maximizers do not contain moisturizers, so users should moisturize immediately after their tanning sessions.

7)    Moisturizing

When it comes to sunless tanning lotions, moisturizers are probably the most important ingredients after the accelerators or bronzers. Dry skin does not hold a tan very well. Consumers who keep their skin moisturized properly will find that their tans are deeper and last longer.

8)    Oils and Butters

Nut oils and plant-based butters are often used in tanning bed lotions as moisturizing ingredients. Tanning is incredibly drying, so moisture needs to be replenished regularly. Also, dry skin does not tan well and does not retain the tan for long.

9)    Tingler

Tingle tanning bed lotions encourage blood flow to the surface of the skin, which causes a tingling sensation. This increased blood flow brings with it more oxygen, which in turn produces more melanin. Melanin are the cells in the skin that turn brown when exposed to UV rays. Tingler lotions enhance the effects of a tanning bed.

10)    Sunless Spray

Sunless tanning sprays are usually bronzers in spray form. They darken the skin without the need for any exposure to the sun or to sunless tanning beds. They usually include moisturizing ingredients to help nourish the skin.

The many types of ingredients in tanning bed lotions means that consumers need to know what they are looking for before they start shopping. Regardless of what type of tan is preferred, look for products that are moisturizing and easy to apply.