When you hit the beach, one of the things you’d like to achieve is a perfect tan. This is where tanning bed lotion become the top item on your list of beach items. However, choosing the right one can be very confusing since there are hundreds of brands and types of lotion which promise to help you get the tan you want. With a variety of formulations and ingredients, how will you actually know which one you need and which one will work for your skin type?

In choosing the correct tanning bed lotion for your skin, one of the things you need consider is its moisturizing ingredients and capabilities. As many experts advise, moisture is an important factor in tanning, most especially with the use of tanning beds. When your skin is moisturized well, it tans much more easily. Dry skin tends to tan longer and does not hold the tan for a long time. Moisturizers will also help protect and replenish your skin cells. The most common moisturizing ingredients in tanning lotions are hempseed oil, vitamin E and shea butter.  Look for aloe vera extract content in your lotion that can help soothe and heal burned skin. Bronzers, on the other hand, are self-tanners that darken your skin on top of your sun tan. They help in giving you a darker tan. Bronzer tanners usually contain vitamin A, DHA and beta-carotene. Tingling lotions trigger a chemical skin reaction and increases your blood flow to speed up the skin’s natural repair process, thus giving you a quicker deep tan while protecting your skin.

Tanning lotions that are known to have accelerators or maximizers help build your base tan in a shorter amount of time. They have amino acids and vitamin A that speed up melanin reaction in your body. When you have more melanin, you will get a darker tan. Accelerators also have moisturizers that prevent the skin from becoming dry while getting a great base tan. Finally, check out the additives like caffeine and anti-aging ingredients that help tighten your skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. A shimmering additive will also give you the sparkle or glow that enhances your tanned skin. There are also lotions that are scented and with different variants. You may also want to look for after-tan moisture ingredients that are not mineral oil based in your tanning bed lotion to make sure that your skin stays healthy even after the tan wears off.