BEST OUTDOOR TANNING LOTIONS 2023

Sun Bum Natural Browning Lotion is a fast-acting, deep-tanning outdoor tanning lotion with bronzer. This tanning lotion is water-resistant and reef-friendly, made of natural ingredients like aloe vera, coffee plant extract, argan oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil that protect and moisturize your skin while tanning. Sun Bum Natural Browning Lotion also has a pleasant coffee scent and can be applied on top of a sunscreen with SPF to protect and tan your skin at the same time. Sun Bum is known for the best sunscreen for tanning, and their products are Vegan, Gluten-free, hypoallergenic, and made without animal testing.

TYPE: Accelerator
WEIGHT: 8.5 oz
ANTI-AGING: No
TATTOO PROTECTION: No
FRAGRANCE: Coconut Oil, Kona Coffee Extract and Aloe Vera

Sun Bum Moisturizing Tanning Oil is often reviewed as the best tanning spray for outside. Sun Bum products are hypoallergenic, Vegan, Gluten-free, and Paraben-free. They also are considered to be the best outdoor tanning lotion for fair skin. The Sun Bum Moisturizing Tanning Oil not only helps build a dark tan, but it also has SPF 15 to help protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. This is a reef-friendly sunscreen with a pleasant tropical scent that moisturizes and helps build a deep golden glow.

TYPE: Maximizer
WEIGHT: 8.5 oz
ANTI-AGING: No
TATTOO PROTECTION: No
FRAGRANCE: Aloe Vera, Green Tea Butter, Marula, Argan, Coconut and Avocado Oil

The Matte Black tanning lotion is a fast-acting tan accelerator that’s also a bronzer with a creamy texture. Including one-of-a-kind blurring, smoothing, and contouring agents in its formula, and the charcoal extract included in the composition makes this tanning lotion a superb toxin-eliminating product that absorbs excess oil, too. Using high doses of DHA, the skin will be protected yet susceptible to a faster rate of getting a tan. Due to the unique blend of smoothing gents, the lotion will leave your skin looking mattified, with no orange streaks left, just a beautiful, bronze tan.

TYPE: Accelerator
WEIGHT: 16 oz
ANTI-AGING: No
TATTOO PROTECTION: Yes
FRAGRANCE: Aloe Vera

Maui Island Secret Browning Formula is one of the best tanning oils for outside, that is also reasonably priced. This outdoor suntan oil contains natural vitamins and mineral extracts that promote a dark tan quickly so that you can minimize your time in the sun. Coffee Bean Extract, Passionflower Oil, Green Tea Extract, Macadamia Nut Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Extract give this outdoor tanning oil a scent that takes you to Hawaii while you are sunbathing. Maui Island Secret Browning Formula is long-lasting and does not leave a sticky residue on the skin.

TYPE: Accelerator
WEIGHT: 8 oz
ANTI-AGING: No
TATTOO PROTECTION: No
FRAGRANCE: Coffee Bean Extract, Passion Flower Oil, Green Tea Extract, Macadamia Nut Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Extract

Somewhere on a Beach Indoor Outdoor, Instant Dark Tanning lotion is an excellent outdoor tanning lotion that can also be used for tanning indoors. This outdoor tanning lotion with bronzer is DHA free and uses Matrixyl Synthe 6, which is one of the most reliable anti-aging agents on the market. Somewhere on a Beach Instant Dark Tanning Lotion has a pleasant coconut scent and includes oils that soften and hydrate your skin during the tanning process. The DHA free bronzers in this product also help to prevent streaking on your skin.

TYPE: Maximizer
WEIGHT: 12.3 oz
ANTI-AGING: Yes
TATTOO PROTECTION: No
FRAGRANCE: Coconut Oil, Sea Buckthorn Berry

Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning Lotion is our top pick for the best outdoor tanning lotion. This indoor or outdoor tan accelerator offers both ant-aging and tattoo protection, making it an excellent choice for sunbathers who have tattoos or want to protect their skin from aging due to the tanning process. Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning lotion is made with coconut milk and coconut oil giving it a tropical scent. It is made from quality ingredients that deliver a deep tan that lasts. It also leaves a shimmer on your skin and reduces the appearance of cellulite.

TYPE: Accelerator
WEIGHT: 17.6 f oz
ANTI-AGING: Yes
TATTOO PROTECTION: Yes
FRAGRANCE: Coconut milk, coconut oil

Carroten Tan Express Intensive Tanning Gel is a blend of oil and gel tanning lotion. This product goes on smooth, and its fast-tanning ingredients help accelerate a deep, long-lasting tan. Carroten Tan Express Intensive Tanning Gel does not contain SPF, so it is recommended to apply a sunscreen with SPF before applying this tanning gel. Sunbathers approve of the nutty, carrot, and coconut scent and the non-greasy feeling on the skin. This is a highly rated choice for the best tanning oil for outside.

TYPE: Maximizer
WEIGHT: 8 oz
ANTI-AGING: No
TATTOO PROTECTION: No
FRAGRANCE: Carrot, Coconut

If you’re after a tan like that of Italian movie icons, then the Sicilian will provide you with a perfectly bronzed, sun-kissed tan. Thanks to the unique blend of ingredients like walnut, macadamia, acai berry, and a special blend for melatonin-boosting, the Sicilian delivers a nice-looking, evened-out tan.
Suitable for outdoor and indoor tanning, the Sicilian offers anti-aging property, tattoo protection, and skin firming properties.

TYPE: Accelerator
WEIGHT: 13.5 oz
ANTI-AGING: Yes
TATTOO PROTECTION: Yes
FRAGRANCE: Vanilla

Cocosolis’s Choco suntan and body oil uses a premium blend of natural, organic ingredients to deliver healthy-looking, tanned skin with minimum effort. It’s recommended to apply a layer of Choco before a sunbathing session or before hitting the sunbed, and, according to users, it’s the go-to choice for indoor tanning beds. Thanks to its formulation using almond, coconut, avocado, and jojoba oil, you can even use this tanning oil as part of your daily skin-care routine.

TYPE: Accelerator
WEIGHT: 3.7 fl oz
ANTI-AGING: Yes
TATTOO PROTECTION: Yes
FRAGRANCE: Chocolate

Heading on a beach trip, or to a weekend pool party to work on your tan? Choosing the best outdoor tanning lotion can be tricky since there are so many great products on the market. There are different types of sun tanning lotions that work best outdoors and various reasons to choose a specific brand that is the best for you.

Types of Outdoor Tanning Lotion

When it comes to outdoor tanning lotions, there are quite a few options to choose from. Tanning maximizers, bronzers, accelerators, and those with tattoo protection or anti-aging properties are the top picks when it comes to the best outdoor tanning lotion.

Tanning maximizers are an excellent choice for sunbathers who may already have a base tan and want help make their tan deeper. Bronzers, commonly-known as self-tanners, are mixed into many different outdoor tanning lotions to help give the user an instant darker color. Bronzers that are the most popular are made from natural ingredients like coffee or carrots. Certain bronzers can stain clothing or cause streaking, so many sunbathers use a tanning mitt or applicator to make sure their bronzer is put on evenly.

Accelerators can be used indoors or outdoors by new tanners to develop a base tan. They can also be used for tanners who already have a base but want to maintain or increase their tan. Ed Hardy’s Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning Lotion is a popular choice that also has tattoo protection. The best outdoor sun tanning lotion, like Coconut Kisses, protects your tattoos from fading and keeps them vibrant longer when tanning.

Another type of outdoor tanning lotion is one with anti-aging properties like Somewhere on a Beach’s Indoor-Outdoor, Instant Dark Tanning Lotion. These outdoor tanning lotions contain vitamins that are designed to fight the signs of aging from sun damage.

Many manufacturers have started to make their products, gluten-free, vegan, and cruelty-free due to the changes in people’s diets and for animal rights. Sun Bum’s suncare line is one of the newest and most highly-rated in this realm.

How to Use

To achieve the best results when tanning outdoors, there are a few things you can do. Exfoliating your skin before tanning will help get rid of any dead skin cells and create a blank canvas for your tan. Also, refraining from using makeup before tanning will also keep you from having an uneven tan difference from your face to the rest of your skin.

To get the best results when using outdoor tanning lotions, you should also use pre-tanning creams to prepare your skin before tanning. The pre-tanning lotion moisturizes your skin, keeping it smooth after exfoliation. Pre-tanning lotions are excellent for prepping your skin for an even tan; these usually take about an hour to absorb into your skin.

When you reach your tanning destination, whether it be the beach or the pool, then you can apply your outdoor tanning lotion. If you want to have some protection from the sun’s UV rays, you can also choose to apply an SPF sunscreen before this step, or just mix it in with your tanning oil.

When you are done with your day in the sun, using after-tanning lotion hydrates your skin to prevent peeling or damage, using an after-sun lotion with aloe is cooling and calming for your skin.

Before using any type of sun tanning lotion, be sure you do not have any allergies to the ingredients that could cause a rash or allergic reaction.

Skin Types in Tanning

People around the world have different types of skin based on your genetics and your origin. Knowing your skin type is essential when it comes to protecting yourself from the sun and when it comes to choosing the best tanning oil for outside.

• Type 1 skin is exceptionally white, fair, always burns, and never tans.
• Type 2 skin ranges from white to light beige and can quickly burn but achieve a light tan.
• Type 3 skin is beige skin, which burns moderately but gradually tans to light brown.
• Type 4 skin is light brown, burns minimally, and tans moderately well.
• Type 5 skin is a moderate brown that tans exceptionally well and rarely burns.
• Type 6 skin tans exceptionally well and never burns.

Knowing your skin type will help you decide if you should choose an outdoor tanning lotion that has SPF, or if it would be acceptable to use a tanning accelerator. People with Type 1 skin should stick to bronzers, self-tanners, or a sunblock with more than 30SPF if they do not want their skin to burn in the sun.

1. How to use outdoor tanning lotions?

To get the best results when using outdoor tanning lotions, you should also use other lotions to prepare your skin before tanning and after-sun lotion. Pre-tanning lotion can be used before outdoor tanning lotion, which exfoliates, smooths, and moisturizes your skin. Pre-tanning lotions prep the skin for an even tan, and they usually take about an hour to absorb. When you reach the beach or pool, you can then apply your outdoor tanning lotion. Be sure to apply it evenly, and you can mix it with an SPF sunscreen if you would also like protection from the sun’s UV rays. After using outside tanning lotion, you can use an after-tanning lotion with aloe to hydrate your skin to prevent peeling or damage.

2. What is the difference between sunscreen and tanning lotion?

Sunscreen and tanning lotion are sometimes used as interchangeable terms, but they are very different. Sunscreen is a lotion with more than SPF 15 that offers protection from the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. Sunscreens can have various SPF protection levels and essentially filter the sun’s rays. At an even higher level, there are products called sunblock that actually block the sun’s rays from your skin. These products are usually thick and opaque and visible on the skin. Sunscreens can come in a spray or lotion and should be rubbed in evenly multiple times a day when being exposed to the sun. Tanning lotion is used for the purpose of tanning the skin to get a deep, dark color when in the sun. Tanning lotions can come with or without SPF protection from the sun. The most popular tanning lotions have SPF 4-15 and include bronzing properties or accelerators to enhance your tan.

3. Types of outdoor tanning lotions?

There are various types of outdoor tanning lotions. Tanning maximizers are used for sunbathers who already have a base tan to help make their tan deeper. Bronzers are mixed into many different outdoor tanning lotions to help give the user an instant darker color; these are commonly known as self-tanners. Bronzers are often made from natural ingredients like carrot or coffee. Accelerators can be used by new tanners to develop a base tan or tanners who already have a base but want to maintain or increase their tan. For sunbathers with tattoos, a popular choice for outdoor tanning lotion is one with tattoo protection. The sun’s rays can cause tattoos to fade, so finding a suntan lotion with tattoo protection can help keep them vibrant longer even after tanning. Another type of outdoor tanning lotion is one with anti-aging properties. Some outdoor tanning lotions contain vitamins that are designed to fight the signs of aging from sun damage.

As always, we create our content with you, fellow adventurers, in mind. So, how’d we do? Did you find this informative? Did it help you make a decision? Did we miss anything? We’d love to hear from you below. Thanks for reading and we hope your next adventure is a great one!