Image Name Best Natural Tanning Lotions - 2024 Reviews

The Best Natural Tanning Lotions

Summer may have gone and passed (well, that depends on the hemisphere you live in), but a tan can live on! Getting that perfect summer-ish color isn’t always a walk in the park, especially when you don’t have time to lie in the sun every day for two weeks. Thankfully, there are body lotions that can get your tan on, and we’re going to see which ones are your best option.

5 Best Natural Tanning Lotions Comparisons

IMAGE LOTION DETAILS
byb2-table__image Beauty by Earth
  • Product quantity: 7.5 ounces/15 ounces
  • Key ingredients: coconut pulp extract, aloe vera leaf juice, organic pomegranate extract
  • Type: sunless tanner
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byb2-table__image True Natural
  • Product quantity: 3.4 ounces
  • Key ingredients: coconut oil, grapefruit seed extract, aloe vera leaf juice
  • Type: self-tanner
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byb2-table__image Just Natural Products
  • Product quantity: 8 oz.
  • Key ingredients: hazelnut seed oil, apricot kernel oil, lavender oil, vitamin E
  • Type: intensifying tanning serum
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byb2-table__image Botanic Tree
  • Product quantity: 6 oz.
  • Key ingredients: rosemary leaf, aloe vera leaf juice, coconut oil, avocado extract
  • Type: bronzer with self-tanner
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byb2-table__image Golden Star Beauty
  • Product quantity: 2 oz.
  • Key ingredients: organic rosehip oil, primrose oil, macadamia oil, hyaluronic acid
  • Type: facial tanning serum
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Types of Tanning Lotions

If you thought that buying a tanning lotion was as simple as going to the store and adding one to your cart, think again. There are different types of tanning lotions, each one with specific benefits and properties.

Bronzers

Woman apply cream on her smooth tanned legs

Bronzers are the most common type of tanning lotion. They are generally made with natural pigments or dihydroxyacetone, which are approved by the FDA as an ingredient for tanning lotions. These products will help enhance a natural tan, making your skin appear darker, but also making sure there are no tan patches (skin that’s unevenly tanned) while giving you that natural looking glow.

You can currently buy moisturizers that contain bronzers, which promise to give your skin glow when applied every day. Long story short, what bronzers do is make your skin appear darker. They are beneficial for people who don’t have that much time to spend in the sun, and the upside is that you are less exposed to UV radiation because you can get a nice tan a lot faster.

Good bronzers should have SPF protection, although even top of the line products aren’t that rich in SPF to fully keep your skin protected and ready for a long day in the sun. While there aren’t any health risks involved when using bronzers, it’s important to apply and even layer on your skin, to avoid uneven tanning.
The important rule of thumb is to keep the bronzer on your skin a few hours after application, to make sure that the lotion has time to penetrate the skin.

Bronzers with Self-Tanners

woman's legs showing the difference of legs applied with tan lotion and not

Self-tanners are similar to bronzers, only they have a much stronger formula. They are designed to be used twice per week, but the main advantage is that they are effective way faster compared to a simple bronzer. Self-tanning lotions are also richer in moisturizers that leave your skin glowing and feeling much more refreshed.

Intensifiers

An intensifier doesn’t contain any bronzers, but instead has a formula that works together with your skin’s melanin to help get a faster tan. The color that you get is actually the one produced by your melanin. Think of it as a natural accelerating lotion that doesn’t have any coloring pigments, but rather helps you get a nice natural tan.

Tinglers

Close up of woman squeezing lotion in hand isolated on white

Tingling lotions have ingredients that promote micro-circulation. This means that blood easily rises to the surface of your skin, causing UV light to reach the blood’s oxygen a lot faster. This helps create a much deeper tan.

These lotions are never to be used on the face, and may cause sensations like tingling, red skin, or the feeling that your skin temperature has risen above average. In order for these effects to be less noticeable, you can combine your tingle lotion with a bronzer or an intensifier.

Coolants

These lotions have the exact opposite sensation of tinglers. They leave your skin feeling refreshed and give it a cooling sensation. They are great to use after basking in the sun or after an indoor salon tanning bed session. They normally have cooling agents that leave a very pleasant sensation on the skin

Top 5 Natural Tanning Lotions Reviews

Without further ado, let’s talk about the best natural tanning lotions that money can buy right now, so stick with us as we take you through the features, benefits, ups and downs of each of them.

Beauty by Earth

Self Tanner with Organic & Natural Ingredients, Tanning Lotion, Sunless Tanning Lotion for Flawless Darker Bronzer Skin, Self Tanning Lotion - Self Tanners Best Sellers, Fake Tan in white background
  • Product quantity: 7.5 ounces/15 ounces
  • Key ingredients: coconut pulp extract, aloe vera leaf juice, organic pomegranate extract
  • Type: sunless tanner
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Efficient for every skin type, the Beauty by Earth sunless tanner is the perfect way to get your suntan going without having to spend too much time in the sun. It is a natural lotion that’s based on ingredients that will give your skin a nice color without using any chemicals or putting your skin at risk in any way.

It’s made with ingredients such as coconut oil, organic green tea extract and shea butter, to make sure that your skin is also nourished and hydrated even when your main goal is a nice tan. The ingredient list is free of any parabens or other chemicals.

By applying it as per the manufacturer’s instructions, you will benefit from a beautiful tan that doesn’t expose you to the same risks as UV rays do, such as skin cancer. Please be patient, as this is not an over-night magic formula: you will gradually begin to see the results.

Who Should Purchase This?

If you want a sunless tanning product that’s also an organic body lotion that helps your skin get a nice and crispy color without having to expose yourself too much to UV light, this is the ideal product for you.

Pros:
  • Organic ingredients.
  • Pleasant scent.
  • Can be used at night.
  • Doesn’t stain.
  • FDA-approved ingredient list.
Cons:
  • Not quickly absorbed by skin.

True Natural

True Natural Organic Self Tanner, Light-Medium Tan 3.4 fl.oz. in white background
  • Product quantity: 3.4 ounces
  • Key ingredients: coconut oil, grapefruit seed extract, aloe vera leaf juice
  • Type: self-tanner
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This self-tanning lotion is made with sugars that are extracted from different fruits and vegetables, leading to a nourishing formula that’s organic and cruelty-free. True Natural has created a line of tanners that’s available in a light, medium, and dark version, so that you can have better control over what your skin looks like.

This lotion has an almost immediate effect, with a color that can last up to three days after application. The tricky part to keep in mind is that the amount of lotion and the body part where you apply it will have a direct influence over the end result.

The formula contains natural ingredients that are designed to protect the skin, and the non-greasy end result gives you a product that’s quickly absorbed by the skin. True Natural is more than just an organic lotion: it’s a way to get that beautiful tan on your skin super-fast.

Who Should Purchase This?

If you’re looking for a natural self-tanner with immediate results, this True Natural product is safe to use every day and will give you a tanning result in maximum of four hours after application.

Pros:
  • No orange skin.
  • 100 percent natural ingredients.
  • Three tan intensities.
  • Quick skin absorption.
  • Natural-looking tan.
  • Fast effect.
Cons:
  • Low product quantity.

Just Natural Products

Just Natural Skin Care Body Lotion in white background
  • Product quantity: 8 oz.
  • Product dimensions: N/A
  • Key ingredients: hazelnut seed oil, apricot kernel oil, lavender oil, vitamin E
  • Type: intensifying tanning serum
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The first thing that we have to mention is that this is not a self-tanning lotion. If you want a product that you can apply on the skin and get an instant tan without leaving the house, this is not the right product for you. However, if you want a natural serum that will nourish and protect your skin, while making it easier for the sun’s light to be absorbed, this might just be what you’re looking for.

What does this serum do, specifically? It combines several natural ingredients that your skin needs in order to avoid dehydration from being overexposed to the sun. It features a series of antioxidants and vitamins that can protect the skin, all in a serum that’s very lightweight.

It’s made with 13 natural ingredients that will leave the skin looking smooth and soft, while also accelerating your tan and giving your skin that beautiful glow. The formula is free of any chemicals, mineral oils, parabens, or alcohol, so it’s the perfect blend for people with sensitive skin.

Who Should Purchase This?

The Just Natural Products tanning serum is a product that should be applied before being exposed to UV rays, as it helps nourish the skin and push that natural tan even further.

Pros:
  • Protects and nourishes the skin.
  • Fast and deep absorption.
  • Non-greasy formula.
  • Can be used after showering.
  • Makes the skin glow.
Cons:
  • Spray nozzle inadequate for serum consistency.
  • Not a tanning lotion per se.

Botanic Tree

Botanic Tree Self Tanner, Sunless Tanner Organic and Natural, Sunless Tanning Lotion for Body and Face- Self Tan for All Skin Types w/100% Organic Extracts in white background
  • Product quantity: 6 oz.
  • Key ingredients: rosemary leaf, aloe vera leaf juice, coconut oil, avocado extract
  • Type: bronzer with self-tanner
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This Botanic Tree lotion is a bronzer with self-tanning properties, which can give you an instant tan that lasts up to seven days. By following the instructions, you can reach the skin tone of your choice throughout the entire year.

The right way to use this lotion to get the very best effects is to exfoliate the skin before applying the product. After that, you can apply a thin layer of the product, rubbing it onto the skin using circular motions, to make sure you distribute the product evenly on the surface of the skin. Reapply the product every day to reach the desired skin tone. If you want to maintain the color, apply it every four to five days. Also, make sure that you don’t sweat or shower eight hours after applying the product.

The product has a natural formula, based on organic extracts like aloe vera leaf juice, linseed oil, passion fruit extract, or coconut oil.

Who Should Purchase This?

The Botanic Tree bronzer is the perfect solution for people who want a tan all throughout the year. When applied correctly and constantly, the tan can last up to seven days.

Pros:
  • Made with organic extracts.
  • Tan lasts up to seven days.
  • Good for sensitive skin.
  • Doesn’t stain.
  • Streak-free.
  • No orange tans.
Cons:
  • Requires exfoliation.
  • Requires avoiding water and sweat for eight hours after applying.

Golden Star Beauty

Self Tanner For Face - Anti Aging Sunless Tanning Serum w/Hyaluronic Acid and Organic Oils - Non Comedogenic Fake Tan Facial Bronzer including Booklet For Sunkissed Glow - 2.0 fl
  • Product quantity: 2 oz.
  • Product dimensions: 1.4 x 1.4 x 4.3 inches
  • Key ingredients: organic rosehip oil, primrose oil, macadamia oil, hyaluronic acid
  • Type: facial tanning serum
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We couldn’t end our series of reviews without talking about a facial tanner. Since not all tanning lotions can be used on your face, you might want to consider one that’s made with carefully selected ingredients that are perfect for facial use.

Unlike some of the other products we’ve reviewed before, this one also contains hyaluronic acid. A key component is plenty of good face creams, but also a potent serum on its own, hyaluronic acid helps the skin absorbs 1,000 more water, helping your face retain moisture on a whole new level. It is THE ingredient to have in a facial product, because it prevents premature aging and keeps the skin hydrated.

The product also contains vitamin B5 and organic oils that will make your skin look amazing. It’s a good product for sensitive skin, because it will not clog pores, nor will it cause any acne problems.

Who Should Purchase This?

Those of you that want a beautiful facial tan and would like a natural product with tested and beneficial ingredients are bound to fall in love with the Golden Star Beauty facial tanning serum.

Pros:
  • No clogged pores.
  • Contains hyaluronic acid.
  • Highly hydrating.
  • Made with vitamin B5.
  • Vegan formula.
  • Good for dry skin.
Cons:
  • Comes off when washing face.

Bottom Line

Regardless of which of these products sparked an interest for you, it’s important to remember to stay in the sun responsibly. Even tanning lotions that have sun protection factor might not have the required amount to keep your skin shielded for a long day in the sun. That makes it super important to combine your tanning lotion with an SPF cream. And for more options, check out more natural tanning lotion reviews here! If you’ve found something on this list that works for you, be sure to comment and share below!

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