Tanning can give your complexion a healthy glow.
But can you use the same indoor tanning lotion for your face that you use on your body?
The answer is sometimes, but it depends on how sensitive your skin is.
Instead, it’s smart to use the best face tanning bed lotion.
Facial tanning lotion is formulated so that it doesn’t clog pores and cause acne. Also, it features additional benefits to boost the beauty of the skin.
Today, we’ve reviewed indoor tanning lotions for the face, and a few body lotions, too.
But don’t feel pressured to skip the sunscreen if you’re worried about wrinkles. We’ve included face sunscreen as well.
Let’s begin by explaining why certain tanning lotions are better for the face.
Contents
- What is a face tanning bed lotion?
- Best Face Tanning Bed Lotion in 2024
- Devoted Creations Famous Faces Skin-Perfecting Hypoallergenic Facial Tanning Lotion
- Devoted Creations GLAMMED GLOW Instant Facial Bronzer
- Hempz HydroKiss BB Facial Bronzer
- Supre Hempz Black Label Hydromax Select Face Tanning Lotion
- Onyx Anti-Aging Indoor Dark Tanning Face Bronzing Intensifier
- Supre TAN CANDY Facial Tanning Bronzer
- Australian Gold Smooth Faces Facial Intensifier Tanning Lotion
- Australian Gold Crystal Faces Facial Tanning Lotion
- Instant Icon Facial Tanning Lotion by Designer Skin
- Keep Calm And Tan On Facial Tan Maximizer
- Pro Tan FLAWLESS FACES Facial Cream with Aloe
- Face sunscreen for tanning
- Body tanning lotions that may be safe for the face
- Conclusion
What is a face tanning bed lotion?
Face tanning lotion is designed to help your skin tan more quickly and more deeply. It doesn’t provide any protection against UV rays, and it may intensify their effects.
Usually, tanning lotions for the face include ingredients that improve the complexion’s texture and tone. They have antioxidants that counteract the damage caused by photo-aging.
Moreover, they tend to be less greasy, and they guard against clogged pores.
Have you ever heard of acne cosmetica? It’s when your makeup or moisturizer triggers a breakout (1).
It may not happen right away. The pimples may take a few days to appear, so it’s hard to know which product caused the problem.
Of course, if the only new thing you’ve added to your routine is tanning lotion, it’s a safe guess that it’s the culprit.
Instead, choose non-comedogenic facial tanning lotion.
For example, pick an oil-free lotion. When in doubt, steer clear of mineral oil. Most of the time, plant oils (like apricot kernel or avocado) are okay. Many tanning lotions are silicone emulsions, which means they aren’t greasy.
Next, a fragrance-free lotion is safer for sensitive skin. However, if “perfume” or “fragrance” is one of the ingredients, verify that it’s not in the top seven. That way, it shouldn’t be in a high enough concentration to matter.
Best Face Tanning Bed Lotion in 2024
Let’s look at some examples of the best indoor tanning lotions for the face.
Devoted Creations Famous Faces Skin-Perfecting Hypoallergenic Facial Tanning Lotion
[su_amz asin=”B00655WLIS”]
Here’s one of the best face tanning bed lotions without bronzer. The color you achieve with it is all-natural. There’s no DHA and no cosmetic coloring in it.
It promotes a deeper tan with tyrosine that stimulates melanin production. Plus, it has a proven anti-aging ingredient called Matrixyl. It firms the texture of the skin to erase fine lines and wrinkles.
Although there is a subtle palm garden fragrance, it’s one of the last ingredients on the label.
Reviewers say the lotion is super lightweight and non-greasy. It leaves the skin soft to the touch and seems to improve tanning results.
Devoted Creations GLAMMED GLOW Instant Facial Bronzer
[su_amz asin=”B01M4RCMOD”]
If you’d prefer to look sun-kissed in seconds, this lotion has a bronzer. It’s like a CC cream as it adds color, corrects tone, and firms the skin.
As soon as you smooth it on, the serum’s cosmetic bronzer provides instant gratification. Then, over the next few hours, DHA deepens the color. Even if you didn’t go tanning, by the next day, you’d look like you did.
The formula features patented anti-aging ingredients like Trylagen and Electric Daisy, which stimulate collagen, fade fine lines, and shrink pores.
Happily, the formula is fragrance-free.
Hempz HydroKiss BB Facial Bronzer
[su_amz asin=”B01M8MP3AW”]
This tanning lotion from Hempz is like a BB cream for your face. It has natural bronzers plus DHA for sunless tanning.
Use it as a self-tanner, or enjoy it while laying out in the sun or in a tanning bed. Either way, it promises to leave your face radiant. It smells wonderful, too.
It’s rich in ingredients that rejuvenate mature skin. They soothe redness and even out skin tone while leaving the face conditioned and comfortable.
Anti-inflammatory licorice makes sure the tan looks flawless, while yangu and hemp seed oil keep the skin hydrated and supple.
There’s just one downside – it comes in a small bottle.
Supre Hempz Black Label Hydromax Select Face Tanning Lotion
[su_amz asin=”B0014C6PPW”]
Hempz and Supre teamed up to create one of the best facial bronzers. It won’t streak or turn the skin orange. Instead, the ingredients adapt to the natural skin tone and gradually darken it even without the sun.
But your tan will deepen further with UV exposure. The patented AlgoMax technology provides tanning boosters to speed up melanin production. It takes you darker faster than you could go on your own.
Of course, UV rays can damage the skin and break down the collagen. That’s why the formula has alpha-lipoic acid to minimize harm.
The fragrance is Banana Fresh Breezy Floral.
Onyx Anti-Aging Indoor Dark Tanning Face Bronzing Intensifier
[su_amz asin=”B01IRFMM9Q”]
This tanning intensifier for the face has both DHA and erythrulose. They build a long-lasting bronze without the need for tanning. The moisturizer will give you a sun-kissed appearance within hours.
But you’re not going to spend all your time indoors, are you? This tanning accelerator has tyrosine to stimulate melanin synthesis and darken the skin while you catch rays. After all, this is a product developed in Florida where they understand sunshine.
The flip side of too much UV exposure is fine lines and discoloration. Happily, the formula has green tea, cranberry, and macadamia to keep the skin looking young and healthy.
But the real anti-aging powerhouse in the bottle is Matrixyl 3000. It’s a patented molecule proven to reduce wrinkles.
As you can see, everything about this tanning lotion is luxurious. You may even fall in love with the fragrance, which is Fresh Meadow. It’s fruity and floral.
Supre TAN CANDY Facial Tanning Bronzer
[su_amz asin=”B00PCGU714″]
What happens when your tanning lotion smells good enough to eat? This one has a Soft Spun Sugar fragrance. No wonder it’s called Tan Candy.
It will make you look delicious as well. It has both instant bronzer and tanning intensifiers.
Since it’s like a beauty balm, it also firms, minimizes pores and evens skin tone.
Fortunately, the formula contains no oil or nuts.
Australian Gold Smooth Faces Facial Intensifier Tanning Lotion
[su_amz asin=”B083NDZXB3″]
Australian Gold is discontinuing some of its facial tanning lotions, so availability may vary. In the meantime, if you can snap up Smooth Faces, it’s worth it.
It has a healing formula that helps detox and clear the complexion. At the same time, vitamins and caffeine neutralize free radicals that cause wrinkles and age spots.
The lotion mattifies to control shine, plus it’s fragrance-free and hypoallergenic.
Australian Gold Crystal Faces Facial Tanning Lotion
[su_amz asin=”B004UDOMWK”]
Have you ever used a tanning lotion that made your skin feel like silk? If so, it was probably silicone-based like this one.
The Cashmere Silk Blend inside is super lightweight and non-greasy. It will make your face feel sleek and soft.
Then, there’s the DermaDark Blend with DHA-free bronzers. It provides an instant glow that gradually darkens over the next few hours.
The color can last up to eight days, which means you don’t have to use this lotion every day to maintain the tan. Just a warning: it’s hard to resist!
Instant Icon Facial Tanning Lotion by Designer Skin
[su_amz asin=”B07JNGJJ83″]
All this time in the house has made you pale. But this lotion has caramel and DHA for an instant bronze that deepens during the day or overnight.
It immediately brightens your complexion while working behind the scenes to repair it. It has hyaluronic acid and peptides to restore elasticity and a youthful appearance.
What’s also nice is that the lotion is fragrance-free so that it won’t clash with perfume or trigger allergies.
Keep Calm And Tan On Facial Tan Maximizer
[su_amz asin=”B00GW4LZBG”]
Pamper sensitive skin with a luxurious facial tanner. It turns back time with antioxidants and Coenzyme Q10.
There’s no bronzer, but there are potent tanning enhancers like tyrosine. They promote an even, radiant tan.
The hypoallergenic formula is unscented and paraben-free.
Pro Tan FLAWLESS FACES Facial Cream with Aloe
[su_amz asin=”B00A0UNJVC”]
Pro Tan’s products often cost less than the competition. They don’t look as flashy, but they work just as well or better.
This DHA-free tanning lotion was developed solely for faces. It has the ideal amount of moisture and plenty of vitamins to defy aging.
It’s hypoallergenic and fragrance-free to protect against breakouts.
A thrilled reviewer commented how it helped her face get just as tan as the rest for body.
Face sunscreen for tanning
Can you use sunscreen for tanning? Yes, because sunscreen doesn’t block 100% of UV rays.
It filters out most of them, which reduces the risk of harm. In other words, it’s ideal if you want to tan your face but don’t want to end up with as many wrinkles.
Also, there’s no problem tanning in a bed while wearing sunscreen as long as it doesn’t contain mineral oil or ingredients that could harm the acrylic.
Neutrogena Oil-Free Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15
[su_amz asin=”B000052YP1″]
Neutrogena’s lightweight moisturizer has just enough sunscreen to keep your face from burning while tanning. (If you plan to be outdoors for an extended period, you’ll want something more potent).
It’s non-comedogenic and non-greasy, with glycerin to hydrate the skin. This lightweight moisturizer sinks in quickly and keeps working for twelve hours.
It has no artificial fragrance, color, oil, or alcohol.
Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15
[su_amz asin=”B001IM5VT4″]
Aveeno’s lotion wasn’t made for tanning but rather as a defense against the sun. It offers broad-spectrum protection to prevent wrinkles and age spots. That’s good news when you want to bronze but not end up leathery a decade later.
Moreover, the formula was designed to improve skin tone and texture with regular use. Clinical testing proved that it works. After four weeks of use, it faded discoloration and firmed the users’ skin.
It’s suitable for all skin types as it’s oil-free and non-comedogenic.
Hampton Sun SPF 15 Super Hydrating Face Cream
[su_amz asin=”B0052PQNOA”]
If you’ve been to Las Vegas, you might’ve seen Hampton Sun sold in hotel gift shops there. It’s a boutique product with premium benefits.
For one, it doesn’t just filter out the sun but also diminishes irritation and redness in case you overdo it.
Next, it only takes a pea-size amount to moisturize the face and neck and smooth fine lines. Even though it’s very hydrating, it’s lightweight and quick-absorbing.
Finally, it’s oil-free, hypoallergenic, and has no fragrance.
Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Face Lotion, SPF 30
[su_amz asin=”B00FLRHYCE”]
If you love the classic tropical coconut fragrance of sunscreen, try this face lotion. With SPF 30, it filters out 97% of harmful UV rays.
Although it’s made for fun in the sun, it will protect pale skin from burning in a tanning bed. You can also safeguard tattoos and other sensitive areas with it.
It’s breathable, silky, and virtually weightless.
Body tanning lotions that may be safe for the face
Some tanning lotions are mild enough to use on the face.
Bronzo Sensuale SPF 0 No Sunscreen Organic Carrot Lotion
[su_amz asin=”B00FENR4FM”]
This award-winning lotion uses the power of carrots to build a deep, natural tan. Don’t worry, there’s no orange color involved. It so happens that the nutrients in carrots stimulate pigment production.
Since there is no bronzer, you can clearly see your tan darken after each session. It doesn’t hide anything from you.
Furthermore, it pampers the skin with certified organics like hemp, aloe, and shea butter. Smooth it on and soak up the moisture like you’re at a luxury spa. The aromatherapy fragrance is out of this world.
None of the ingredients will damage a tanning bed, either.
Hempz Dark Tan Maximizer, Hypoallergenic
[su_amz asin=”B00PBDOVOW”]
The hypoallergenic Hempz lotion is ideal for sensitive skin. It’s free of parabens, gluten, nuts, and animal ingredients. Users with psoriasis, rosacea, and acne-prone skin have had success tanning with it.
It has mango seed butter and oatmeal to calm and soften dry skin. Then, the tanning enhancers intensify each session’s effects to help you get as dark as possible.
Conclusion
According to the experts, your body can get a deeper, longer-lasting tan by using tanning lotion. The same is true for your face.
Protect your complexion with plenty of hydration and nutrients to keep it healthy. The right face tanning lotion can help you achieve sun god status in record time.
Source:
1. https://www.self.com/story/noncomedogenic-skin-care by A.A. Newton, published August 8, 2019, accessed January 27, 2021