What Kind of Tanning Bed Lotion is the Safest?

Estimated Time to Read: 3 minutes

Achieving the perfect warm glow can do wonders for your confidence, and using an indoor tanning bed is an easy way to achieve your ideal tanning results. For the best tanning sessions, you will need a trusted bottle of high-quality tanning lotion to not only improve your tanning results, but also to protect your skin. There are a number of types of best tanning lotion for tanning bed on the market, but how do you know what bottle is the safest for your skin?

Indoor VS Outdoor Tanning Lotion

Your go-to bottle of lotion you bring with you to the beach is not going to perform well under the artificial lights of an indoor tanning bed. Outdoor and indoor tanning lotions are two very different types of lotion that work in different ways. While outdoor tanning lotion incorporates SPF and protects skin from UVB rays, indoor tanning lotions for tanning beds are designed to improve tanning under UVA lighting and are not suited to tanning under the sun; however, some lotions on the market have been designed to function both indoor and outdoor. If you are planning to head to the tanning studio, always make sure the tanning lotion you pack along is a tanning lotion for a tanning bed. Outdoor lotion is not suited for indoor tanning use; it not only skews your results, but it can also cause damage to the acrylics found in tanning beds.

Are Different Types Safer than Others?

Tanning lotions for tanning beds come in different shapes, sizes, smells, and even functions. Accelerators and maximizers are ideal for those with pale skin. These tanning lotions contain moisturizing ingredients that keep your skin hydrated under the lights while simultaneously simulating melanin. Bronzers are a common type of tanning lotion that kick it up a notch and help you achieve darker tones within hours. Tinglers get their name from the tingling sensation they leave on the skin, and while it may be uncomfortable for those not used to the feeling, these tanning lotions are perfectly safe, albeit recommended for more advanced tanners. No type of tanning lotion is necessarily safer or more dangerous than others. The important thing is finding a high-quality lotion that has great moisturizing capabilities and an impressive ingredients list that will protect your skin from UV exposure.

Providing Essential Moisture for Your Skin

The key to maintaining healthy skin while using indoor tanning beds is pairing your sessions with an invigorating lotion. Tanning lotion for tanning beds is crafted to prepare your skin for UV rays emitted by the tanning bed and many of these lotions incorporate vitamins to help protect your skin. High quality tanning lotions will work to open pores and magnify the UV rays of the tanning bed to help you achieve a deeper tan without drying out your skin.

Proper Preparation Before the Tanning Bed

Before heading to the tanning studio, there are a few things tanners should do to prepare their skin. Showering and gently exfoliating skin and following up with an oil-free moisturizer will go a long way in improving the evenness of your tan and also in helping your skin to maintain moisture. For anyone on medication, always check the side effects and risks associated because some medications are known to increase sensitivity to sun exposure. In addition to packing along your favorite tanning lotion for tanning beds, you should make a habit of carrying lip chap or lip balm with SPF. This will protect your lips and ensure they do not dry out from UV exposure.

Finding the Safest Tanning Lotion for You

Finding the perfect tanning lotion for tanning beds can take time. Everyone’s skin is different, and knowing how your skin reacts to different lotions can take some trial and error. For those with sensitive skin, it is a good idea to start light and look for an unscented lotion to reduce the risk of a reaction. Another key factor to keep in mind is your skin type because lighter skin tones will need a different type of protection than darker ones, and vice versa. If you are unsure of your skin type, speak to the staff at your local tanning studio! There is never harm in asking for help, and the more you know about your skin, the safer your tanning experience will be.