The best tanning lotions are always the ones that work for your skin type. If you are a person who enjoys self-tanning, it is important to take note of a few important things regarding your skin type in order to be able to safely use these products. Knowing your skin type is the first thing to consider. This information will help you determine the amount of time you will have to spend on a tanning bed and the type of tanning bed lotion that is safe to use.

Basically, there are six skin types when we talk about tanning. These are actually based on skin tone. They are:

1. Lightest – Very pale skin and appears translucent or almost white. People with this skin tone are usually with light colored eyes, too. The lightest skin tone is the hardest to tan naturally since it burns easily when exposed to heat. If you are among those with the lightest skin tone, take extra caution in using a tanning bed lotion.
2. Light – If your skin type falls under this category, you are likely to get a tan sometimes without burning your skin if you are careful with using an outdoor tanning bed lotion. You are only allowed a limited time under the sun, too.
3. Light brown – This skin type will benefit greatly from indoor tanning. People with this skin type usually get burned when they are outdoors but when they use the correct tanning product, they can avoid the burn and get the desired tan.
4. Light Olive – This is the skin tone that tans easily but gets burned when outdoors or under the sun too long. However, even if people with light olive skin tone burn, the burn turns into a nice color after it fades.
5. Dark Brown – People with dark brown skin will tan easily indoors and outdoors. They rarely burn from inside or outside tanning, thereby getting very good results with either tanning methods.
6. Black Skin – Black skin tone rarely burns and uses less tanning products. However, people with this skin type are advised to use tanning lotions that contain moisturizers to even out the tan and improve their glow.

Determining your skin type and the compatible self tanners or tanning lotions will help you achieve the perfect tan you desire when you hit the outdoors. However, whatever your skin type is, always use an after-tan moisturizer to keep your skin healthy and glowing continuously.