Best Tanning Oils: Definitive Guide

The summer is nearly in full flow, meaning that we may finally put off all our warm clothes and enjoy the warmth of the sun. If you love sand, surf, and sun, you will probably like looking suntanned the most. Achieve that perfect tan using the finest suntan oils we have gathered. And no matter if you’re lounging on a rooftop or relaxing by the poolside, there is always a chance to get some sunshine for a great tan, wherever you are.

No matter how you get your tan, keeping your skin safe is your top priority – ensure you raise your SPF when exposed to UV rays and select SPF skincare products for extra safety.

Is it summer already?

By drawing extra UV rays to the skin, bronzing oils significantly speed up the tanning process to achieve the tan you’ve been looking for. The UVA rays activate the melanocytes in the skin to generate melanin – a pigment responsible for providing your skin with that lovely “sun-kissed” color.
So how do you decide on the best tanning oil for your skin? Actually, you need to select it according to your skin type and the components it has. If this sounds difficult for you, you can use our buying guide to help you make the right choice. However, first, take a look at our range of top quality tanning oils designed to keep your skin looking its best.

Best tanning oils

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Australian Gold Spray Gel Sunscreen with Instant Bronzer SPF 15

If you are facing the prospect of a beach holiday, take care of the availability of quality sunscreen in advance. Thanks to Spray Gel Sunscreen with Instant Bronzer SPF 15, you can get an even tan without the risk of sunburn or photo-aging your skin.
Spray Gel is perfect for every type of skin, giving it an even golden tint. The product contains natural bronzers to provide the skin with a more intense tone of walnut and caramel. ColorBoost formula helps to fix the tan and visibly extend its effect on the skin. Olive and tea tree oils together with vitamin E and aloe vera juice provide nourishing, moisturizing, anti-irritating and antioxidant action. The spray is highly stable against water and fully retains SPF for 80 minutes of activity. With Australian Gold Spray Gel Sunscreen with Instant Bronzer SPF 15, the risk of sunburn is minimized and a gentle golden tone of suntan ensures a healthy and beautiful skin look.

Features:

• UVA/UVB broadband protector, stable to water (80 minutes), free of oxybenzone, free of cruelty
• Supplied in a handy pump that allows maximum control while the rich formula is easily absorbed by the skin.
• Cockatoo plum and tea tree oil, two powerful sources of anti-oxidants, assist in preventing the skin from free radical damage.
• Gives the skin a shimmering golden tint for instant color, which is washed off after application.

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The oil also has papaya, which purifies your pores

It is the whole concept of a tanning oil not just to give you a tan – you also want to get yourself something to hydrate your skin. That is exactly what this oil will do for you. It includes extracts of aloe vera and Shea butter, both natural sources of hydration and nourishment for your skin. The oil also has papaya, which purifies your pores and makes sure the oil doesn’t clog up the pores on the skin’s surface. The nut oils, anti-oxidants, vitamins such as A, C, and E contribute to it all.

Features:

• Smells good and pleasant.
• Uses only natural ingredients.
• Moisturizing care.

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Deep tan without having to spend long hours in the sun

This natural tanning lotion maintains that quick, deep tan without having to spend long hours in the sun. To guarantee complete protection, you should use a sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher 10 minutes prior to applying the Natural Tanning Lotion. Also, make sure that Natural Tanning Lotion is of brown color and that it contains all the active components needed to tan your skin and they can also rub off on your clothing. Therefore, if you have a wild greasy hand, make sure to throw your clothes into the wash as soon as possible.

Features:

• This superior quality tanning lotion is a real gem that provides a fast, intense tan quickly with no need to stay in the sun for too long!
• This waterproof and gentle tanning lotion is ideal for all skin types.
• The original sun care range is ultra-allergy-friendly and free from toxic substances to guarantee a beautiful day in the sun.

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Enrich, firm, and nourish the skin

Explosive dark, black-tan cocktail with superfruit antioxidants. For those who enjoy the way their tan appears but are worried about getting older, the Ed Hardy BABY GOT BLACK Bronzing Cocktail is the perfect cocktail to take with you before every tanning session. Its exclusive blend enables you to turn completely black at the same time as you help maintain current skin conditions and avoid the formation of new lines. MelanoBronze pigment boosters are included in the mix to boost melanin production, and a mixture of natural bronzers and DHA perfects the tissue even after UV exposure for even darker results.

Features:

• Superfruits anti-oxidants with anti-aging features that fight against free-radical effects.
• Enrich, firm, and nourish the skin.
• Promotes stimulation of melanin activity for extended, deeper tanning effects.
• DHA, natural, and organic bronzing ingredients are mixed to provide instant and long-lasting deep tan effects.

Best tanning oils for sunbed

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Maintain the overall condition, flexibility, and appearance of your skin

Get a flawless golden tan. Finally, you’ll get a sunless tanner for your skin type. Get the natural golden glow you deserve today! This helps to reduce the appearance of stretch marks, cellulite, wrinkles, and other imperfections. Skin loving borage seeds, jojoba, rose hips, and more will help you look more radiant and rejuvenated. This sunless anti-aging tanner quickly and easily delivers wonderful natural moisture and skin color. Quick and easy to use. No waiting to rinse off in the shower. Apply and go. No artificial colors or fragrances.

Features:

• Get a deep, golden suntan with no sun.
• Add glow and tone to your skin with no use of a sunbed.
• Nutrients escape the effects of skin aging while allowing you to turn naturally colored without damage.
• Care for your skin with natural extracts that nourish and provide it with vitamins and antioxidants.
• Maintain the overall condition, flexibility, and appearance of your skin.

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Unbelievably nice smell of bananas

The Banana Boat Deep Tanning Oil is ideal for anyone who desires a deep bronze tan combined with a wonderful scent and texture. Once you apply it, it will be instantly soaked into your skin, making you prepared for tanning experiences with no tacky clumps on skin or clothes.
For an easier method of application, Banana Boat’s UltraMist deep tan dry oil is supplied in a continuous spray bottle allowing you to evenly mist your skin without the need to touch it with your hands. This special formula contains coconut and grape seed oil to maintain your skin moist and smooth and offers just a hint of sun protection with a very low sun protection factor of 4.

Features:

• Gives a beautiful, rich, intense tan
• The formula offers light sun care (SPF 4)
• Rich in natural oils that moisturize the skin
• Unbelievably nice smell of bananas
• Remains on the skin (in water) up to 80 minutes

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Free from parabens or synthetic substances

A tanning oil which is not impaired by the action of moisture and at the same time offers you sunscreen. It certainly doesn’t get any better than this, does it? Sun Bum Tanning Oil has strong rehydrating and moisturizing components. Essential oils are renowned for their ability to achieve a healthy tan whilst maintaining your skin’s healthy look. The SPF contained in this oil safeguards your skin from sunburn and damaging UV rays.

Features:

• Hypoallergenic.
• Cruelty-free.
• Free from parabens or synthetic substances.

Best tanning oils for dry skin

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Tanning with essential vitamins and powerful antioxidants

Bronzo Sensuale Deep Tanning Carrot Oil assists you in achieving the ideal tan while offering sunscreen protection and humidifying your skin. This tanning oil includes SPF 15, perfect for decreasing the amount of harmful sun damage to your skin during sunbathing! Bronzo Sensuale manufactures this oil in tiny quantities to guarantee the highest quality and to keep it fresh. Though it is a pricier choice, the cost can be reasonable regarding the premium components. Clearly, sunbathing under the sun is not the safest thing for your skin. This Bronzo Sensuale Oil feeds your skin while tanning with essential vitamins, powerful antioxidants, and organic, natural ingredients to reverse some of the harm done by the sun. It also does not contain harmful components. This will give you complete calm when you are concerned that dangerous substances might be absorbed into your skin!

Features:

• Organic, natural, botanical ingredients.
• Vitamins and antioxidants.
• Does not contain parabens, PABA, benzophenone or mineral oil.
• PETA and Jumping Rabbit approved. Vegan certified. No animal ingredients or tests.
• Biodegradable, recyclable.
• Produced in small batches to guarantee quality and freshness.

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Hemp seed oil provides excellent skin moisturization

If you are looking for a tan that makes you radiant, the Caribbean Cool Natural Bronzer is an excellent choice. The oil is infused with a small amount of “glitter” and leaves a subtle, shimmering shimmer on the skin. Made with Jamaican black castor oil, it can also help open clogged pores while detoxifying and removing excess oil from the skin. Other ingredients include coconut milk, argan oil to soften the skin and hemp seed oil to prevent dryness. The tanning oil creates a dark, golden tan and does not stain clothes. Be aware that it does not contain any type of sunscreen (SPF), so if you are exposed to the sun for a long time, you should consider applying sunscreen.

Features:

• Tropical DHA Free Natural Bronzer delivers streak-free/stainless effects.
• Jamaican Black Castor Oil unblocks clogged pores during detoxification, removes excess skin oils, and has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Advanced Matrixyl Synthe 6, firms and tonifies the skin and simultaneously contributes to reducing the formation of wrinkles.
• Argan oil smoothes the skin. Hemp seed oil provides excellent skin moisturization.

Best tanning lotion for fair skin

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Without parabens, glutens, completely vegan, without THC

Hempz Yuzu & Starfruit Touch of Summer Fair Skin SPF30 body milk provides deep nourishment and moisture to the skin, maintaining a smooth and natural light tan all year round with constant use. It contains only natural ingredients that gently and effectively take care of the skin: hemp seed oil is rich in amino acids and essential acids providing deep nourishment; extract of ginseng root and shea butter prevents irritation; vitamins A, C, and E provide reliable protection against negative environmental factors, rejuvenate and smooth the skin.

Features:

• Enhanced with 100% virgin natural hemp seeds oil
• Without parabens, glutens, completely vegan, without THC
• Delicate self-tanning agents enhance the natural color, shade, and appearance of the skin

Best tanning lotion for pale skin

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Enriched with essential oils and essences

This radiant tanning complex is specially designed with the finest components to give your skin a gorgeous appearance. Enhanced with essential oils this ultra-lightweight formula, enriched essential oils mousse revitalizes your skin while promoting healthy tan without the risk of sunburn.
This tanning mousse perfectly bronzes your skin completely free of scent and is 100% streakless. In contrast to many self-tanners, it leaves no amber tint on your skin. Miami Gorgeous Sunless Tanner is a revolution in self-tanning technology. Before application, scrub and gently massage in with a tanning glove or by hand in a circular movement; let the skin dry before applying.

Features:

• Great for your body and face
• Enriched with essential oils and essences
• It is simple to apply: Take a bath, put it on and get dressed
• Non-parabens, non-sulfate, ecologically approved DHA, no gluten, cruelty-free

Best tanning for dark skin

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Contains 1000 mg of a proprietary blend of herbs and extracts

Erase Pro contains 1000 mg of a proprietary blend of herbs and extracts designed to boost testosterone and reduce estrogen production. Its main ingredient is ashwagandha root extract, which makes up 675 mg of the 1000 mg in each serving. This root extract, also known as Indian ginseng, has been shown in several studies to improve thyroid function and block estrogen production in men.

Features:

• This exclusive formula includes multiple components designed to assist in maintaining healthy testosterone, cortisol, and estrogen levels.
• This product does not include fillers or components that have been shown to be unhelpful.
• Every PEScience product is produced in a cGMP factory and its effectiveness and purity are checked so that you can be certain that you will not get an adulterated or under-dosed product.
• It’s strong enough to provide benefits on its own and versatile enough to be used with any dietary supplements for even more powerful results.

Best tanning oils for the beach

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A tanning glove is included

Do you like the thought of waking up with a radiant and glorious tan? Sun Labs’ organic self-tanner develops while you sleep so you can wake up as if you had spent a day at the beach without the investment of hours or the dangers of sun exposure.
This dark tanning fluid can be daunting at first sight, but it definitely lets you see what you’ve covered and what you might have missed. Do not panic. If you rub it, it will begin to fade almost immediately. This thick, lightly almond-scented lotion feels good on the skin because it contains lots of natural almond oil, although it also contains dimethicone, which gives it that slightly slippery texture.
For best results, you must wait at least eight hours before taking a shower or going to the pool, which can make it a little more frustrating than some others. The tinted color in the lotion is then washed away, revealing your actual color underneath.

Features:

• A tanning glove is included.
• The caramel color allows the product to be evenly distributed
• Gives you a beautiful bronze color
• Light almond scent

Best tanning bed lotion

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No added bronzers

This coconut kiss tanning lotion from Ed Hardy is available in a 13.5-ounce container. Featuring coconut milk and oil, as well as tanning enhancers. In supplement, the product features a blend that stimulates melanin production and tanning.
Customers who bought this lotion found it good that there are no additional tanning agents. Many customers also said that the lotion gives a nice “sun-kissed” shine. Other customers noticed that the lotion smells amazing and makes their skin very soft.

Features:

• No added bronzers.
• Sun-kissed glow.
• Smells good.

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It contains no parabens, no DHA

Heaven in a jug. If you were able to catch a moment frozen in time; ideal sun, sea, and scents – that’s it. Your compelling island incandescence, that magnificent bronzing effect that peaks at sundown, has been reproduced in this 200X Black Bronzer. This color strength inspires admiration, and this smooth and supple skin makes you want to feel it. However, good things never last eternally, but fortunately for you, Luau is always nearby.

Features:

• 200X Island Black bronzing is reminiscent of a paradise-like deep shade of black.
• Marula Goddess Glow Serum contains a high amount of Marula oil for an unbelievable looking skin.
• With an island essence and a premium blend of silicones, Marula Goddess Glow Serum leaves the skin soft and shiny.
• It contains no parabens, no DHA.

Best tanning lotion for face

Features:

It is non-comedogenic, so it neither blocks pores nor leads to acne

This amazing self-tanner for the face will give you a luxurious gold-bronze tan. It works as an unbeatable self-tanning moisturizer that leaves your face perfectly tanned, absolutely no false tan odor, and 100% streak-free. Unlike many self-tanning bestsellers, it does not turn your skin orange. It does not feel greasy and does not fade. All you need is the ultimate sunless facial tanner that will give you an eye-catching look that will grab everyone’s attention. This sunless tanning product does not just provide your face with the stunning natural tan of the sun, but also greatly hydrates, deeply conditions as well as regenerates your skin color! This breakthrough facial suntan features anti-aging properties, providing deep moisturizing and rejuvenating effects. It is designed to reduce the aging process and enhance the tone and suppleness of your skin. It is non-comedogenic, so it neither blocks pores nor leads to acne.

Features:

• Oil-free
• Paraben-free
• Cruelty-free
• Dye-free
• Gluten-Free
• Vegan

How to select tanning oil – Shopping guide

Everyone knows that tanned skin is beautiful. But the time it takes in the sun can be very dangerous. For this reason, the best bronzing oils are designed to assist you in getting the desired bronze tan more quickly. Check out what you need to keep in mind while buying tanning oils.

• Time of day

Taking into account the hour of the day when you expect to be in the sun is extremely critical. In the afternoon the rays are more intense, meaning you will require some type of sun protection in combination with the oil. However, in the early hours of the morning (unless the UV rays are very intense) it is normally perfectly safe to choose just the oil that has a smaller sunscreen or no protection factor at all.

• Kind of tanning material

Tanning materials exist in various types: lotions, oils, and serums. Usually, oils fit perfectly on the skin and are easily soaked in. In comparison to other types, they normally provide a beautiful tan more quickly. You should be cautious, though, as they may make marks on your clothing if they are not left on long enough to be absorbed.
To facilitate the application, we suggest that you purchase the oil in a spray bottle. So whether you require self-tanning oil or preparation to be applied on the beach, you will find that the most effective tanning oil is one that is quick and easy to use.

• Time in the sun

The time spent in the sun will affect the selection procedure of the best tanning oil. When you are going to spend long periods of time in the sun each day, the most suitable tanning oil for you is a formula that remains on the skin for a considerable time after use. This also assumes that the oil has a high SPF (or that you are using it together with another type of protection).

• Ingredients

The finest tanning oils are produced from totally pure ingredients. Among them are usually aloe vera, coconut oil, shea butter, vitamins A, C and E, and many others. Choosing more natural oils will help avoid skin inflammation or harm (that might be provoked by certain drugs such as parabens).
Whilst you are looking into this, you also have to consider the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of the oil you want to use. This can range between 0 and 15. Keep in mind that bronzing oils are meant to provide you with a tan and are not designed to help protect your skin, meaning that sometimes the very best bronzing oils have an SPF of 0.
It is therefore essential to choose the correct sun protection factor for your skin (usually with a sunscreen). You want a great tan, but you don’t want sunburn or skin damage.

• Skin type

Tanning oils are often produced with a specific skin type in mind. For example, dry skin needs a more oily oil to keep it moist, while oily skin will work well with the best tanning lotion for tanning.
In addition, light or pale skin burns quickly and takes longer to tan. Long-lasting oil with a high sun protection factor, therefore, works better to provide enough time for a tan. On the other hand, people with dark skin can rely on oils with a lower SPF for faster results, as the risk of sunburn is much lower.

• Diseases of the skin

Many skin diseases influence the choice of oil. As you probably know, some people are more sensitive to certain ingredients than others.
For example, a person suffering from eczema should find an oil that moisturizes and nourishes the skin. Similarly, people who suffer from allergic reactions should choose a more natural product with fewer chemicals and additives.

How long can I store the sunscreen?

The expiration date is almost always indicated on sunscreens, but in any case the period of use. You can orientate yourself on this. Sunscreen can also be used after the expiration date, provided it is properly stored. However, excessively high temperatures can reduce the sun protection factor, which can have fatal consequences in the next sunbath. This also applies if the tube was stored in a hot car during the summer. Then the light protection cannot be guaranteed even before the data expires. If you still want to use sunscreen during your next summer vacation, it is best to leave the tube in the fridge for the winter. If nothing has changed in color, smell or consistency, you can use the cream again.

Conclusion

So if you plan to go out for a tan this summer, make certain you have a bottle of tanning oil with you. In addition to helping you get an even dark tan, the best bronzing oil works to moisturize and enrich your skin.
When you decide on tanning oil from the list, your skin is guaranteed to remain well hydrated and renewed. Be careful to treat the oil with care (with sunscreen) so you can achieve a magnificent fresh tan in the blink of an eye!