With all the options on the market, choosing an indoor tanning lotion can seem very difficult. You don’t have to be overwhelmed by products on the shelves if you know what you want in an indoor tanning lotion. When looking for a suitable lotion, you need to consider what ingredients the lotion contains, where you plan to use the lotion, and whether the lotion works as a tingle, bronzer, or moisturizer.
First, make sure you know what indoor tanning lotion really is. Indoor tanning lotion is like tanning oil. Many tanning lotions come with formulations that contain melanin or ingredients intended to increase melanin production and blood flow. These lotions should not be confused with tanning lotion, as they do not have ingredients that can protect the skin from sun damage.
You should look for a lotion that can work as a great moisturizer. Tanning makes the skin dehydrated, and dry skin can make tanning difficult. Many of the same ingredients found in regular hand or body moisturizers, such as vitamin E, can help you tan or help tanned skin retain its moisture. Indoor tanning lotions can also contain exotic ingredients that can help hydrate the skin. Hemp seed oil is one of them, as are a variety of botanical extracts.
Some indoor tanning lotions can be described as bronzers. These lotions contain a chemical called dihydroxyacetone (DHA) or natural pigments to help darken the skin. Bronzers can help indoor tanners achieve a darker color faster, as they can pigment the skin and complement the results of indoor tanning. Bronzers can also come with ingredients, such as menthol, that make the skin feel fresh or tingly.
Decide if you want your indoor tanning lotion to tingle with your skin. The chemical ingredients contained in tingling lotions work to irritate the skin on purpose. This is so that the skin can react, redden and increase blood flow in its upper layers. Increased blood flow can increase melanin, which can aid in the tanning process. Potential users of tingling lotions should consider their skin sensitivity before purchasing a tingling, because the sensation can range from mild to uncomfortable or even painful.
If you want to use one of these lotions, keep in mind that most indoor tanning lotion formulations should be used indoors only. Many do not offer protection from the sun and do not have a sun protection factor (SPF). Therefore, if you use these lotions outdoors, the sun’s rays could damage your skin.