Best Tanning Oils

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Best Tanning Oils

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How to Choose the Best Tanning Oil

Finding the best tanning oils for your skin can help keep your gorgeous tan all year round! Whether you like to catch rays at the beach, your favorite tanning booth, or at home, we have products everyone can use to get the glow they want. There are so many types of tanning oils out there – it can be hard to choose one! Here are some key features you should know about to help you pick the right one for you.

Best Tanning Oils

Bronzer: We’ll let you know if each product contains extra bronzer or self-tanners, so you can get the best tanning oil for you! Bronzers add extra color, and they’re great for showing you where you’ve applied the product for even application!

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Package Size: The package size for each review is for one bottle, so you can get the most for your money! We’ll also let you know if they come in multi-packs, so you can stock up before hitting the beach this summer!

How to Choose the Best Tanning Oil

Use: Indoor oils typically contain bronzers and are great for adding some color when you can’t get outside to soak up some rays. Outdoor oils are made to work with the sun or indoor tanning beds to amplify your gorgeous tan.

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Sunscreen: Many oils don’t contain sunscreen, so the sun can give you a deeper tan quickly. We did, however, find a few great options that contain SPF for those who burn easily or want to protect your skin from harmful rays.

Best Tanning Oils

Water Resistant: If you plan to take your tanning oil to your local pool or beach, we found some great sweat and water resistant tanning oils for you! You can go for a cooling dip in the water without worrying about reapplying.

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Hypoallergenic: Just because you have sensitive or allergy-prone skin doesn’t mean you can’t have the tan of your dreams! We found a few hypoallergenic options that even those with sensitive skin can use to get a beautiful tan without any irritation!

Top 10 Products

Now that you know what kind of tanning oil you’ll need, let’s find a good tanning oil to add to your routine! We found great tanning oils to wear at the beach, and indoor tanning oils to add color when you’re stuck indoors. There are even hypoallergenic options for sensitive skin! If you don’t have time to read all 10 reviews today, no problem! Start with our Top Pick and Budget Pick, and come back later to read the rest!

Bondi Sands Liquid Gold Dry Oil

Bondi Sands Liquid Gold Dry Oil
Our Top Pick is one of our favorites if you want indoor tanning oil that gives you a deep, natural tan without any fuss! We like this tanning oil from Bondi Sands because it’s easy to apply and it works fast. It contains DHA and Erythrulose, which give off an instant color, then develops fully over the next few hours. We like that you can see where you’ve applied it immediately, so you can make sure you have an even coat and haven’t missed any spots! It dries quickly and leaves a light coconut scent, so you can throw on clothes and head out without needing to shower or worry about that dreaded “fake tan” smell. We also like that it uses Argan oil, which helps moisturize your skin while you tan! This is great tanning oil for those of you who can’t get out in the sun, or if you just want to boost the tan you already have!
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Australian Gold Tanning Oil

Australian Gold Tanning Oil
Our Budget Pick is the inexpensive Australian Gold Tanning Oil, which helps you get the color you want while you relax on the beach! We like this product because it’s easy to use – just apply it anywhere you’ll be exposed to the sun, and relax while it gives you a deep, dark tan! The formula uses carrot oil to help add a bit of natural-looking color and help enhance your tan as you sit outside in the sun. A little bit goes a long way, saving you even more money! We also like that this tanning oil absorbs into the skin quickly, leaving behind a light scent, but no greasy residue! It’s also water resistant for up to 80 minutes, so you don’t have to worry about reapplying if you decide to take a dip in the pool, or if you get splashed on a boat. We think this is great for boosting your tan while staying within your budget!
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GOLDEN STAR BEAUTY Tanning Oil

GOLDEN STAR BEAUTY Tanning Oil
If you are looking for a gradual self-tanning oil to use indoors, this one from Golden Star Beauty is easy to use and easy to control the color! This natural tanning oil is made of organic oils and extracts that moisturize your skin while giving it a custom glow! It couldn’t be easier to apply, too! Just spray it on, rub it in with your bare hands or with gloves, wait a few minutes for it to dry, and you’re all set! The color develops overnight, and it is fully developed in 24 hours, making this perfect to apply before bedtime! It won’t stain clothing or wipe off on your bed sheets! We also like this tanning oil because it’s a gradual tan, so you can use it once for a light glow, or repeat the process each night until you get the color you want. Oh, and it’s also free of parabens and gluten, is vegan-friendly, and cruelty-free!
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Banana Boat Deep Tanning Oil

Banana Boat Deep Tanning Oil
Looking to stock up on tanning oil for the summer or your next vacation? This set of 3 bottles of Banana Boat Deep Tanning Oil will keep your skin looking and feeling great all summer long without breaking the bank! We like this outdoor tanning oil because it’s made of simple ingredients like coconut oil, cocoa butter, and carrot extract to help moisturize your skin while enhancing your body’s natural color as you lounge in the sun. It sprays on evenly, coating your skin with nourishing oil that gives your skin a healthy glow! We also like that this oil doesn’t leave your skin feeling greasy, so you can toss your clothes back on when you’re done tanning and head out for an evening of fun – no shower required! The smell is subtle and not overpowering, so it also can do double duty in your travel kit has a body moisturizer if you’re looking to save space in your luggage!
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Panama Jack Tanning Oils

Panama Jack Tanning Oils
Another great option if you’re looking to stock up on tanning oil is this set of 2 bottles from Panama Jack! This outdoor tanning oil works great to moisturize your skin and boost your skin’s natural ability to build color. Once you already have a solid base tan, apply this to your skin to help deepen and darken your tan. It applies evenly and soaks in quickly, so you can get back to lying in the sun with your favorite book, magazine, or cocktail! We like that this smells like the natural coconut, sweet almond, and kukui nut oils that are in it for a light, tropical scent. This tanning oil is one of our favorites because you don’t have to live on a tropical island to use it. It’s formulated to work anywhere you can get out in the sun – even places where the sun isn’t that strong. Oh, and the 2-pack purchase option makes this a great value!
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Art Naturals Tanning Oil

Art Naturals Tanning Oil
A dark tan looks even better on healthy skin, and this tanning oil from Art Naturals can give you both! This is great, lightweight oil you can apply right before heading out to the beach (or your backyard) to get some sun. It uses a blend of oils, including safflower, coconut, jojoba, and more to moisturize your skin, leaving it glowing and soft all day long. There are also a variety of natural extracts, like lavender, green tea leaf, and chamomile that help calm your skin after it’s been sitting in the sun all afternoon. This tanning oil made our list because it can do a whole lot more than darken your tan! You can use it after you shower to moisturize and calm dry, irritated skin. It also works well over your favorite self-tanning lotion to deepen your color or use it on dry patches to prevent uneven self-tanner application. This one little bottle can do a lot!
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Tropical Sands Tanning Oil

Tropical Sands Tanning Oil
Are you wondering what is the best tanning oil for outside and inside tanning? We did too, and we found this great oil from Tropical Sands you can use in the sun or in your favorite tanning bed for a deep, rich color that looks gorgeous! This all-natural tanning oil is made of high-quality ingredients that are biodegradable, eco-friendly, coral reef safe, and hypoallergenic. It’s also safe to use in an indoor tanning bed because it won’t ruin the equipment like outdoor-only oils can do! Since this is made of natural ingredients, it also works as more than tanning oil. You can spritz some in your hair as a leave-in conditioner, spritz some on instead of your usual moisturizing lotion, or dab it around your cuticles to soften them up! This is a great option if you plan to hit the tanning salon before your next trip, and you want one product that you can use in both places!
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Dr. Mercola Natural Tanning Oil

Dr. Mercola Natural Tanning Oil
Another good tanning oil for outside and inside tanning is this all-natural oil from Dr. Mercola! It contains only 9 ingredients, including organic oils and extracts, to help deepen and darken your tan while you sit in the sun or inside your favorite tanning bed. It’s safe to use in tanning salons because it doesn’t contain any chemicals that may harm their equipment. This makes it a great 2-in-1 product if you like to tan indoors and outdoors – no need to spend more money on separate products! It doesn’t contain any extra chemicals, parabens, or fragrances, and it’s hypoallergenic, which is great if you have sensitive skin! We also like that it absorbs into the skin quickly and is waterproof, so you can use it while on the beach, riding in a boat, or around rowdy kids at the pool! It’s also biodegradable and eco-friendly, so you can feel good using it in lakes, oceans, and rivers without harming wildlife!
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L’Oreal Paris Sublime Sun Oil

If you have sensitive skin or burn easily, get a tanning oil that contains a bit of sunscreen to ensure you get a natural tan without burning. This tanning oil from L’Oreal Paris contains SPF 15, which helps prevent sunburn while also allowing your skin to tan naturally. It contains nourishing oils like Shea butter oil, grapeseed oil, and Argan oil to moisturize your skin, leaving it looking healthy and smooth during and after you tan. This lightweight oil is a great alternative to sunscreen lotions because it soaks into your skin quickly without leaving any cloudiness or greasy residue on your skin or clothing. It’s also water resistant for up to 80 minutes, so you don’t need to reapply every time you get splashed or want to take a quick dip in the water to cool off! We think this is a great tanning oil to get a base tan, especially if you’re pale or sensitive to the sun!
If you have sensitive skin or burn easily, get a tanning oil that contains a bit of sunscreen to ensure you get a natural tan without burning. This tanning oil from L’Oreal Paris contains SPF 15, which helps prevent sunburn while also allowing your skin to tan naturally. It contains nourishing oils like Shea butter oil, grapeseed oil, and Argan oil to moisturize your skin, leaving it looking healthy and smooth during and after you tan. This lightweight oil is a great alternative to sunscreen lotions because it soaks into your skin quickly without leaving any cloudiness or greasy residue on your skin or clothing. It’s also water resistant for up to 80 minutes, so you don’t need to reapply every time you get splashed or want to take a quick dip in the water to cool off! We think this is a great tanning oil to get a base tan, especially if you’re pale or sensitive to the sun!
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Hawaiian Tropic Tanning Dry Oil

Last up in our tanning oil reviews is this dry tanning oil from Hawaiian Tropic that helps you get a dark, deep tan while still protecting you from sun damage. This outdoor tanning oil uses a blend of natural botanicals and oils to hydrate your skin, which not only helps you tan but also keeps your tan looking healthy long after you’re out of the sun. To protect your skin from overexposure, this oil spray also has SPF 15 to block out some of the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. This is another great product if you’re just starting out on your base tan, or if you’re pale and prone to sunburns. We like that this oil is lightweight and soaks into your skin quickly, so you can wear it at the beach or with your favorite summer outfits without worrying about oily residue. Oh, and we love the coconut scent that reminds us of long summers in paradise!
Last up in our tanning oil reviews is this dry tanning oil from Hawaiian Tropic that helps you get a dark, deep tan while still protecting you from sun damage. This outdoor tanning oil uses a blend of natural botanicals and oils to hydrate your skin, which not only helps you tan but also keeps your tan looking healthy long after you’re out of the sun. To protect your skin from overexposure, this oil spray also has SPF 15 to block out some of the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. This is another great product if you’re just starting out on your base tan, or if you’re pale and prone to sunburns. We like that this oil is lightweight and soaks into your skin quickly, so you can wear it at the beach or with your favorite summer outfits without worrying about oily residue. Oh, and we love the coconut scent that reminds us of long summers in paradise!
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About the Author

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Heather Patton

Expert Researcher and Writer

Heather Patton is a lead researcher and writer at GeekWrapped. She has been creating high-quality content for over a decade and covers home, lifestyle, beauty, fashion products and more.

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Article last updated on:

September 29, 2019

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TOP PICK

Bondi Sands Liquid Gold Dry Oil

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