10 Best Sun Tanning Lotions 2020 [Buying Guide]

Your Authors and Guides

Heather
Patton

Jennifer
Trimbee

Samantha
Dewitt

How to Choose the Best Sun Tanning Lotion

Whether you’re looking for a light, natural tan or a deep golden glow, the best sun tanning lotions can get you there! You can get the tan you desire while lounging at the beach, relaxing in a tanning booth, taking a dip in the ocean, or even while you sleep! There are a lot of sun-tanning lotion options out there. So before you add a tanning lotion to your skincare routine, here are a few key things to consider first.

Sunscreen: Some of the tanning lotions we reviewed contain sunscreen, which is great if you want to tan while protecting your skin from the sun’s rays. We also found some without sunscreen that are perfect for indoors or outdoors use, too!

Bronzer: We’ll also let you know if each tanning lotion we reviewed has added bronzers in their formula so you can get the level of color you’re looking for. Bronzers add extra color to your skin with or without the sun!

Scented: If you’re sensitive to added perfumes, no worries! We found some great unscented and naturally scented tanning lotions for you! If you want a scent, we also found several with beachy or fresh scents you’ll enjoy wearing all day long.

Water Resistant: Planning to tan by the beach or the pool? We found great options if you’re looking for a good sun tanning lotion that’s water resistant! You can work up a sweat or take a dip in the pool without reapplying!

Paraben-Free: Parabens are chemical preservatives that are commonly found in skincare products to keep them from expiring or losing effectiveness too quickly. If you prefer to avoid them, that’s fine! We found some paraben-free sun tanning lotions that you’ll enjoy using!

Weight: Finally, we’ll let you know how many ounces of tanning lotion you’ll get with each order! This allows you to stock up on only what you’ll need. It also helps you stay within your budget, which is always a plus!

Top 10 Products

Now it’s time to find the best sun tanning lotion for you! We did the hard work for you already and reviewed a bunch of sun tanning lotions with different features and price points. Then we narrowed it down to our 10 favorites to make it easy to shop around. If you’re pressed for time, we totally get it! You can start off with our Top Pick and Budget Pick now, and then come back later to read the rest!

Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Tanning Lotion

Our Top Pick from Ed Hardy topped our list because it does a lot more for your skin than just giving you a deep tan! We like this tanning lotion because it has tanning intensifiers that give you a rich, deep tan. You can use this lotion in a tanning booth or out in the sun. It also contains Nouritan, which is an additive that prolongs the life of your tan. This means you don’t have to tan as often while still keeping your deep color! We also like this lotion because it contains coconut milk, cocoa butter, and coconut oil to keep your skin moisturized and smooth. Oh, and it smells absolutely amazing thanks to the coconut milk! They also help to reduce the look of cellulite and firm skin. Another added benefit? It also prevents tattoos from fading from extended sun exposure! We think this is a good suntan lotion for tanning booths, beaches, or in your backyard!

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Australian Gold SPF 30 Lotion

Our Budget Pick is a great option if you’re looking for a tanning lotion with SPF protection that won’t break your skincare budget! This tanning lotion has SPF 30 sun protection, which is great for wearing outdoors while you work, play, or relax. It’s also water resistant for up to 80 minutes, so you can feel confident that you’re well protected if you work up a sweat or decide to take a cooling dip in the pool. We like that this formula is also paraben free, gluten free, and cruelty-free – which is great for a budget product! The other reason we like this lotion is the added bronzers that come from added Kona coffee. It adds an instant color that not only makes your skin look great – it also lets you know that you’ve applied it properly! It also has the signature Australian Gold “Cocoa Dreams” scent that reminds you of relaxing vacations on the beach. We think that this is a great inexpensive lotion that keeps you protected while helping you get the gradual tan you’re looking for!

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Beauty by Earth Sunscreen Lotion

Are you looking for the best sun tanning lotion for both your face and body – even if you have sensitive skin? Consider checking out this mineral sunscreen from Beauty by Earth, which is made of natural ingredients that won’t clog pores or irritate your skin. This sunscreen has SPF 25 protection that is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, so you can apply it and get back to playing sports, relaxing by the pool, or playing with your kids. Mineral sunscreens are a great option if you have sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, or allergies. It doesn’t contain parabens, synthetic fragrances, phthalates, and other ingredients that might irritate sensitive skin. We also like that it’s reef-safe, making it safe to wear in the water without affecting your local ecosystem. This sunscreen is safe for the whole family to wear! You can stock up on one sunscreen that will keep your entire family well protected while you enjoy a fun day outdoors!

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Banana Boat Sunscreen Sport

Another great option for the whole family is this spray sunscreen from Banana Boat. We liked this sunscreen because it’s incredibly easy to apply, and it works hard to keep you protected through whatever you want to do outside. It contains SPF 30 protection that blocks both UVA and UVB rays to keep your skin safe while you get a gradual tan. This spray sunscreen goes on clear – no worries about a white hazy look! The continuous spray makes it easy to apply this sunscreen evenly, and you can even get into those tough-to-reach spots if you’re applying it to yourself. It’s water resistant for up to 80 minutes, and the lightweight formula won’t feel heavy, even after reapplying it. Oh, and it comes in a pack of 2, so you’ll be stocked up for your entire family! We think this is the best sun tanning lotion for outside that your whole family can wear while enjoying the great outdoors!

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Coppertone SPORT Sunscreen Spray

If you’re looking for a sunscreen that holds up to even the sweatiest activities, this one from Coppertone is great! It has SPF 50 protection to keep your skin well protected from harmful rays – even if you have sensitive or pale skin. Even though this is a high-grade sunscreen, it doesn’t feel heavy on the skin at all. It doesn’t feel thick or greasy, even after sweating with it on! We also like that this sunscreen comes in a spray can that’s easy to use. It has a continuous spray that works at all angles, so you can get hard to reach spots easily, or spray down your squirmy kids quickly! To keep your skin feeling great, it also contains vitamin E and moisturizers to add another layer of defense. This version comes in a 2-pack, which is great for stocking up. Keep one at home and toss the other in your sports bag to stay protected wherever you are!

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Peak Products Mineral Sunscreen

Next up is one of our favorites if you’re looking for the best sunless tanning lotion for face or sensitive areas! Even if you’re using a tanning bed, it’s a good idea to put some SPF on your face to protect it from premature aging or other damage. This mineral sunscreen is great for that because it’s all natural, lightweight, and won’t cause breakouts – even on sensitive skin. We like that this sunscreen is made of natural ingredients that are non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic, and free of parabens, gluten, phthalates, chemical fragrances, and more! It provides SPF 30 protection for up to 80 minutes, and it’s water resistant so you can wear it while sweating it up in a tanning booth or on the beach. We also like that this sunscreen is biodegradable and reef safe, so you can use it in open water without damaging the delicate underwater ocean, lake, or river ecosystem. What a great sunscreen for all skin types!

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Hawaiian Tropic Tanning Lotion

For a sun tanning lotion that helps you get a deep glow without too much sun exposure, this low-SPF lotion from Hawaiian Tropic does it all! We like that this sunscreen has only SPF 8 protection, so you can use it and still get a tan. It helps to block harmful UVA and UVB rays, but not so much that you stay pale! It’s water resistant for up to 80 minutes, so you can enjoy some fun in the pool or relax on the beach without needing to reapply every time you get wet. We also like that it’s made without oxybenzone and octinoxate, so it’s perfectly safe to use in places where you need to use reef safe suntan lotion. It also contains moisturizers like aloe and shea butter that keep your skin smooth and soft, which can help to prolong your tan. Oh, and it comes in their signature coconut scent, which will remind you of the tropics!

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Sun Bum Tanning Oil

This tanning oil from Sun Bum is another favorite of ours if you want a sunscreen that keeps your skin looking its best! This formula is full of all-natural moisturizers like coconut oil, argan oil, avocado oil, aloe, and more. It works hard to moisturize your skin and encourage a healthy glow. We like that this oil is hypoallergenic and won’t cause breakouts, so you can enjoy it even if you have sensitive skin! It’s water resistant for up to 80 minutes, so you can enjoy your day without worrying about reapplying often. We also like that it has SPF 15 sun protection, so you can get a rich tan while still protecting your skin from harmful rays. The tropical scent isn’t too heavy, so it’s a great option to wear with all your favorite summer outfits. This is a great tanning oil to wear to the beach, but it’s also great for watching sports, hiking, or a sunset dinner!

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Somewhere on a Beach Tanning Lotion

Looking for an indoor tanning lotion to take with you to the tanning salon that will get you darker in fewer sessions? Consider picking up this tanning lotion from the brand Somewhere on a Beach! This tanning lotion contains DHA-free bronzers that deposit a natural-looking color onto your skin right away for instant results that look real. It also has accelerators in it that help you build a darker color faster while you tan. This means you can get the color you want with fewer sessions – a great way to save a little money on your skincare routine! It contains anti-aging moisturizers, along with natural ingredients like coconut oil, walnut oil, and aloe, to keep your skin looking great and extends your tan long after you leave the bed! We also like that you can use this tanning lotion in indoor booths or outdoors! You can wear it to the beach, pool, or just grab some rays in your backyard!

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Ed Hardy #Beachtime Tanning Lotion

Another great indoor and outdoor tanning lotion to help you get the maximum results is the #Beachtime tanning lotion from Ed Hardy! This lotion contains bronzers that give your skin an instant glow that looks natural without looking orange. The tanning accelerators allow you to spend less time in the tanning booth or out in the sun, which reduces overall damage and saves you money. There is also a color protector in this lotion that prolongs the life of your tan and keeps your tattoos looking beautiful and bright! We also like that it contains Body Fit, which helps to firm your skin to reduce the look of cellulite – a nice bonus! Hibiscus extract and vitamins A & C help to fight free radical exposure and ensure your tan’s color stays smooth and even. Coconut milk and coconut oil moisturize your skin, which helps to soothe freshly tanned skin and keeps it looking great long after your session is over.

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About the Author

Jennifer Trimbee

Expert Researcher and Writer

Jennifer Trimbee, a lead researcher and writer at GeekWrapped, is an expert writer with many years of experience. Jennifer writes about technology, sports, outdoor, and gear products.

Learn more about Jennifer

Article last updated on:

September 29, 2019

See more reviews:

Best Sun Tanning Lotions

Top 10 Buying Guide

Our Recommendations

Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Tanning Lotion

Australian Gold SPF 30 Lotion

How to Choose the Best Sun Tanning Lotion

Top 10 Products

Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Tanning Lotion

Australian Gold SPF 30 Lotion

Beauty by Earth Sunscreen Lotion

Banana Boat Sunscreen Sport

Coppertone SPORT Sunscreen Spray

Peak Products Mineral Sunscreen

Hawaiian Tropic Tanning Lotion

Sun Bum Tanning Oil

Somewhere on a Beach Tanning Lotion

Ed Hardy #Beachtime Tanning Lotion

About the Author

TOP PICK

Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Tanning Lotion