13 Best Indoor Tanning Lotions [2022 Reviews + FAQ]

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If you read our spring fashion trends breakdown, you probably know that the 2000s fashion trends are back in style. Everything from low-rise jeans to thin eyebrows is trending, and that includes indoor tanning lotions.

In recent years, society turned towards self-care, and looking after our skin has become more important than the trendy (and harmful) suntans. There is enough research out there to prove that the worst thing you can do for your skin is sun exposure. Research shows that harmful UV rays are the primary reason for wrinkles and skin aging. And yet, people still adore the tan – we all love looking sun-kissed, don’t we? For many people, tans create an optical illusion and make their bodies appear skinnier, so you can understand the great appeal behind caramel skin.

So what happens when we want the best of both worlds – an even tan without skin damage? We turn to tanning lotions. They keep our skin hydrated, soft, and smooth with a perfect tan. But how do you choose the best indoor tanning lotion with all the variety? Where is the guarantee you won’t put it on and instantly turn into an Oompa Loompa?

That’s what I’m here to help with today! Allow me to introduce you to 13 reliable lotions for various skin types. I’ll also answer some of the most famously asked questions on the subject of indoor tanning sessions. By the time we’re done, you’ll have the tanning lotion of your dreams! Now get ready to exfoliate!

Table of Contents

13 Best Indoor Tanning Lotions Reviews

1. Best Indoor Tanning Lotion for Light Tan – Jergens Natural Glow +FIRMING Self Tanner, Sunless Tanning Lotion for Fair to Medium Skin Tone

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  • SELF TANNER BODY LOTION – Create a flawless light bronze tan with gradual, natural-looking color while nourishing and hydrating dry and extra dry…
  • GRADUAL SUNLESS TANNING – Our Jergens Natural Glow & FIRMING moisturizer will gradually enhance and deepen your natural skin tone to provide…
  • CELLULITE REMOVER – Infused with collagen, elastin, and green tea infusions, our fast-acting, anti cellulite formula will help reduce cellulite…

Last update on 2022-05-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Jergens Natural Glow self-tanner is an excellent and affordable first choice for people looking to get a light bronze tan. The lotion is infused with Vitamin E, antioxidants, collagen, elastin, and green tea. These ingredients help reduce the appearance of cellulite, so expect to notice a change within seven days of using the lotion. You can see a tan developing after the first two days of use, even if you have ultra fair skin. It’s perfect for people who find it difficult to tan naturally. The Jergens indoor tanning lotion will leave your skin soft and moisturized, and it’s easy to use, so we recommend it to beginner users. 

2. Best Indoor Tanning Lotion With Fresh Scent – NIVEA Q10 Firming + Radiance Gradual Tan Moisturizer


  • Gradually builds up a natural looking tan for a sun-kissed, radiant glow
  • The firming formula with Q10 improves skin elasticity in 10 days
  • Fresh, summery scent

Last update on 2022-05-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

You can’t go wrong choosing Nivea – their timeless indoor tanning formula was an absolute classic – a golden tanning lotion in the early 2000s (and in the 60s before that), withholds its reputation to this day. The Nivea Q10 tanning lotion is infused with anti-age coenzyme Q10 leaving your skin plump and hydrated! A disclaimer for people with sensitive skin, this product includes perfume in its ingredients, so it might not be suitable for acne-prone skin or skin prone to allergies. The scent is summery fresh, and you will notice hints of jasmine, rose, peach, and plum mixed with notes of violet and bergamot. This can be a huge plus for people that dread the self-tan smell! It’s also dirt cheap, so get your credit card at the ready!

3. Best Indoor Tanning Lotion for a Rich and Dark Tan – Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning Lotion


  • Ultra-Darkening Skin Hydrating Intensifier: Contains coconut milk, coconut oil, and cocoa butter to improve skin hydration. Delivers a dark golden tan…
  • Tattoo Fade Protecting Formula: Helps prolong the life and radiance of your tattoos and tanning results.
  • Quad Tyrosine Blend & Melano Bronze: Stimulates and increases melanin formation to accelerate the tanning process.

Last update on 2022-05-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Tanning Lotion is one of the most popular best-selling indoor tanning lotions, largely because it creates such a rich and dark tan after just a few uses. The Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses is famous for creating the deep I-live-on-the-beach-in-Hawaii tan everyone dreams of having! It’s a little pricier than our previous suggestions, but its blend includes many moisturizing ingredients, such as coconut oil, coconut milk, and cocoa butter, which greatly boost skin hydration. The Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses lotion is totally safe to use over your ink and will do a great job moisturizing and deeply hydrating your tattoos. There is a considerable debate whether or not this is an authentic product by Ed Hardy – relax, customers have confirmed it’s authentic numerous times. What are you waiting for?

4. Best Tanning Bed Lotion – Australian Gold CHEEKY BROWN Accelerator Dark Natural Bronzer


  • The No. 1 dark tanning lotion Now with Bronzer!
  • Native Australian oils, Vitamins A and E create a skin-hydrating formula for a maximum tanning experience.
  • For Indoor and Outdoor Use

Last update on 2022-05-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Australian Gold Cheeky Brown bronzer and accelerator combo are perfect for starting your base tan and gradually darkening to your desired hue. But the Australian Gold Cheeky Brown tanning lotion is more than a regular tanning product – it’s one of the top tanning bed lotions and can be used outdoors as well! You won’t notice the horrible tanning bed smell, which is a great plus – your skin will smell of bubble gum and fruity freshness. Another great plus is that this Australian Gold Cheeky Brown tanning lotion doesn’t streak and won’t stain your clothes or create a mess. What’s not to like?

5. Best Multi-Use Tanning Lotion Without Bronzer – That’s What Sea Said Tanning Lotion Accelerator For Outdoor & Indoor UV Skin Tanning Beds


  • ✅ “That’s What Sea Said”– With a name this flirtatious, you know we “get” the art & science of tanning for that perfectly provocative…
  • ✅ Proprietary Tanning Accelerators – Our lotion features our exclusive blend of Tyrosines, specially-formulated to stimulate melanin in your skin…
  • ✅ Natural Anti-Aging Hibiscus – Hibiscus nourishes your skin, helping to increase elasticity and evening the tone and texture throughout for a…

Last update on 2022-05-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Another multi-use tanning lotion is the That’s What Sea Said accelerator! If you’re looking for a universal product for your indoor tanning session and something to use in a tanning bed, this is it! Wondering how it’s any different from the Australian Gold Cheeky Brown product? That’s What Sea Said tanning lotions use different ingredients in their formula: seaweed, hibiscus, passion fruit, and coconut for ultimate skin nourishment. Hibiscus provides your skin with a natural glow and shine and has some awesome anti-aging properties! That’s What Sea Said also doesn’t use bronzer in their formula, which is great for people who want to achieve an authentic tan without the bronze glow.

6. Best Multipack Tanning Lotion – Neutrogena Build-A-Tan Gradual Sunless Tanning Lotion


  • 6.7-fluid ounce of Neutrogena Build-A-Tan Gradual Sunless Tanning Body Lotion for a buildable tan you can control
  • Create a deep tan or a healthy-looking glow with this fast-drying gradual self-tanning body lotion that is clinically proven to provide…
  • Sheer sunless tanning lotion allows you to control your tan for a shade that’s uniquely your own by applying more often for a deeper tan or less often…

Last update on 2022-05-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Neutrogena Build-A-Tan is a great value for money-saving options – you get three tubes for under $30. This is a quick-drying formula for a deep tan, so I wouldn’t recommend it for beginners – you shouldn’t work fast to achieve the results you want. For people that have already had a go at self-tanning, this might be your new favorite. It is quick to build up if you want a last-minute tanning solution, and the results are powerful. People are bound to start asking where you went to get this kind of tan!

7. Best Tanning Lotion for Sensitive Skin – Beauty By Earth Organic & Natural Self Tanner – Sunless Tanning Lotion

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  • SUN-KISSED SKIN, NOT ORANGE: Picking the right color fake tan will ensure no orange color on your skin. For fair or pale skin, use fair to medium. For…
  • CLEAN INGREDIENTS, NO JUNK: Beauty by Earth has been in the Self Tanners Best Sellers category for years. It’s formulated with organic aloe vera, shea…
  • BODY LOTION, CAN BE USED ON FACE: This sunless tanning lotion was formulated for the body, however it can be used as a face tanner. If you are prone…

Last update on 2022-05-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

If you’re like me and you have sensitive skin, adding a new product to your skincare routine can have some pretty troubling consequences. If you’re careful to select each and every product you choose in order to avoid skin irritation, don’t worry, I have found the real tanning lotion of your dreams! The Beauty By Earth Organic & Natural Self Tanner has carefully mixed their formula to select natural ingredients such as tea extract, shea butter, coconut oil, cranberry fruit extract… the list goes on! It won’t streak or stain, and creating a natural-looking tan is dead simple with this lotion! Whether you want a sun-kissed glow or a darker tan, this indoor tanning lotion works for all skin types!

8. Best Tanning Lotion for Darkest Tan – Millenium Tanning Solid Black Tanning Lotion

Millenium Tanning Solid Black Tanning Lotion
Millennium Tanning Solid Black Tanning Lotion:

  • Ultra advanced 100X silicone bronzer
  • Auto-Darkening Tan Technology
  • Tan enhancer
  • Orchid Blush fragrance
  • 13.5 fl oz (400mL) bottle