Let's start with the secondary reason tanning lotions cost so much. These types of lotions have very special ingredients and their formulas take time to be developed by chemists and scientists. Some of these ingredients include hemp seed oil, tinglers and more commonly added skin bronzers. The use of such unique ingredients in the formulas is one of the reasons why the price jumps to a level that seems very high to most.

The main reason indoor tanning bed lotions are as expensive as they are is... well there isn't really any good reason. The profit margin on lotions is extraordinarily high, much more than most consumer products. The sale of indoor tanning products is a big part of a salon's business model when it comes to the bottom line. However, some tanners dislike the idea of having to pay that much for a consumable product that they'll need to buy again in 2 months. Add that on to the price of tanning itself and you have a pretty decent monthly expense. The good news is that if you have some negotiation skills you can usually become friendly with the salon operator and they'll start giving you nice discounts on bottles of lotion.

Even though it may be very costly we still recommend that you stay away from cheap tanning lotion. This is something you spread over your entire body so it's a good idea to make sure you're using a very high quality product.

One of the all-time best selling tanning lotions is Black 20x by Designer Skin. This is an awesome bronzer tanning lotion that is so good most people don't even try anything else after using it. It applies evenly, smells great and gives you a deep, dark tan within only a few sessions. Many swear by it and it shows by how many bottles are sold every day. If you're a frequent tanner there is a very high chance you've heard of Black 20x. The only thing that sucks a little bit is that salons charge upwards of $110 for it which is insane. But if you shop online you can get it for around $40 bucks.

Designer Skin also came out with Luminary tanning lotion in 2010 which is a 25x bronzer. This one is even more expensive than Black 20x, at $120 retail price, but technically has more bronzer ingredients in it so could be even better. Even though it just came out recently it is topping the charts in sales and the reviews that come back are almost all positive. I mean how could it not be a good lotion at such a high cost right? **Update 2011: Luminary now exceeds Black 20X in popularity and sales - if you haven't tried this lotion you are missing out!!

An oldie but goodie is Smoke Black tanning lotion by Supre. This has been out for years but it continues to sell like crazy and it's hard to find a bad review of this product. It is much cheaper than the other lotions mentioned above which makes it more appealing to those on a budget. The retail price is only around $60 (yes, we said only lol) but you can also get it for about one-third the price online. There are a few different varieties of Supre Smoke but Black is the best one that contains bronzer ingredients in the formula. We recommend this lotion highly for beginners as well as seasoned tanners.

Australian Gold also makes some fantastic indoor tanning bed lotions. Their Crystal line of lotions is probably the most popular and those have also been out for quite some time but continue to sell and get good reviews. Crystal X and Crystal XII are top-of-the-line and can be a little expensive but they really work incredibly. It also has added bronzer in it and has a high retail price but go on eBay or Amazon and you'll find it much cheaper.

Always remember that with bronzer tanning lotions you should wash your hands right away after you leave the tanning bed so that they don't get those orange streaks. You should also wait a few hours before showering to let the bronzer do their job fully, you'll get darker faster if you do this.

This ingredient, when used in an indoor tanning lotion, moisturizes your skin better than anything else. There is something about this oil that leaves your skin smooth, soft and comfortable without making you feel greasy or oily. There are also many after-tan moisturizers that are highly acclaimed and contain hemp seed oil. One of the most famous body lotions with this oil is Hempz Herbal Moisturizer by Supre.

Some popular tanning bed lotions that contain hemp seed oil are Millennium Paint It Black, Designer Skin Hemphatic, Australian Gold Sinfully Black and Supre Hooked 8X Bronzer.

You don't have to take our word for it, give one of these lotions a try and you'll absolutely fall in love with it. You'll leave your tanning session with your body feeling better than it ever did before.

Leave a comment below and let us know what you think of hemp tanning lotions and which one may be your favorite.

Think about it, an indoor tanning lotion is something you apply to your skin, usually your entire body and face, so it doesn't really make a lot of sense to go the cheap route with this type of product. The cheapies just don't have all of the high quality ingredients that the good lotions have, and whatever substances are in their formulas are generally sub-par.

We know how tempting it is to only want an inexpensive, basic lotion, but the fact is this is really something you need to spend a little m0ney on, I mean it's your own body we're talking about here right? The main problem is that tanning salons charge an exorbitant amount of money for the good tanning bed lotions, which puts them out of the reach of most consumers. For the really great top-of-the-line lotions salons can charge upwards of $100 or more, which most people think is just ridiculous. In summary, stay away from the cheap tanning lotions. You only get one body and you need to pamper it if you want the best results and you want the most protection for your skin.

Types of Indoor Tanning Lotions

Tingling and Hot Action Lotions: These products can be fun to try in your search for the ultimate tan. Hot action lotions contain an active ingredient like benzyl or methyl nicotinate, which promotes micro-circulation. More plainly, it increases blood flow and brings oxygen to the cells in your skin. This process of oxygenation will improve your tanning results. When you use these products you will experience a mild tingling, reddening and warming sensation on the skin’s surface. You might want to test these tanning lotions on a small area at first, because they can cause reactions for people with delicate or highly sensitive skin.

Bronzer Lotions: Some people are confused by indoor tanning lotions and self-tanning products. What’s the difference? Self-tanners contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a chemical that changes the cells of the skin.

This chemical is found in bronzing lotions. The nice thing about a bronzer is it gives you an instant tan, so you achieve that sun-kissed look immediately. As the lower layers of skin brown and catch up, you might find you no longer need a bronzing product.

Accelerator Lotions: Accelerators are great for beginning indoor tanners. They are formulated to helpy you quickly achieve a base tan. They usually contain a large amount of moisturizers that allow the skin to tan more quickly and retain your tan for a longer time.

Maximizing Lotions: Once you have achieved a base level tan, you might want to switch to a maximizing lotion. Maximizers generally contain fewer moisturizing ingredients, so it’s best to make sure you apply them right before you begin your tanning session.

What’s In Your Tanning Lotion?

With so many options available, carefully read product labels to find the lotion that’s right for your skin type and your level of tanning. Knowing the following terms will give you an advantage:

• Hemp Seed Oil: Its nourishing and moisturizing properties make it a popular ingredient.

 

• Body Blush: A type of product made for those who want a tingling effect but have sensitive skin.

 

• Anti Aging: These lotions contain added vitamins that help protect against premature signs of aging.

 

• Shimmer: Glimmering additives in these projects have reflective properties that give your skin an added glow.

 

• Caffeine: Caffeine is often added to reduce puffiness and energize your skin Caffeine will absorb into the body, so if you are sensitive to caffeine or have eliminated it from your diet, steer clear of these lotions.

 

• Silicon: Silicon is a mineral with moisturizing benefits. It’s used to help condition your skin.

 

• Beta Carotene: Also called vitamin A. It enhances pigment coloration in your skin.

 

• Vitamin E: Makes skin softer and reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

If you are new to indoor tanning, you probably have a lot of questions about getting started. How long should my first session be? What should I wear? Will I burn? Does it matter what tanning bed I use? How soon will I notice a change in skin tone? Will tanning lighten my hair? It’s a lot to think about. In your quest for the best tan, don’t forget to research tanning lotions, and find the one that’s right for you. If you’re a veteran tanner, and you’re not using a lotion – you are missing out.

The Benefits:

Rev Up Your Tan. Unlike sun block, which filters the sun’s rays, specially formulated lotions can help you tan better and faster. They are great for helping you reveal a deeper, darker tone. Working with the skin, lotions increase the rate at which you brown, helping you get the most out of every tanning session. Using an indoor lotion will get you ready for swimsuit season in no time.

Moisturize. Tanning lotions include moisturizers that keep your skin soft and smooth. Dry skin looks unhealthy, old, and dull. Moisturizing your skin while you tan will help you maintain a healthy glow. Look for items that contain aloe or hemp seed oil.

Feel Great. It can get hot under those tanning bulbs. To keep you feeling cool, you should find lotions containing elements that offer a slight cooling effect and a tingling sensation. Other formulas contain “sizzling” ingredients. These types of lotion help to color the skin, and their effects can last an hour or even longer, depending on your complexion.

Nourish. Indoor tanning can take a toll on your skin. Look for lotions with skin-nourishing ingredients designed to slow down aging.  There are many options formulated with skin firming compounds and vitamins.

Prevent Burns and Uneven Tanning. Let’s face it, the whole reason you are tanning in the first place is because you want to look and feel better about yourself. Without the aid of tanning lotion, you may be at risk of burning or peeling. Uneven tans don’t look natural, and it can take a long time to fix the damage once it’s done.

A Word of Caution:

You can expose yourself to health risks if you don’t tan responsibly and take steps to protect the health of your skin. There are tons of products on the market for you to consider. If you are not sure about the quality of a product, ask a tanning salon representative or check for consumer reviews. Read labels carefully. Special lotions are available to protect your face, but they may be sold separately. Protect your skin and your image.

My tanning salon says beds are safer than the sun. Is that true?
Perhaps the greatest danger associated with indoor tanning is that people exceed approved limits and tan with the highest level beds from the very beginning. Tanning beds actually emit 3-15 times more ultraviolet (UV) rays than the sun does in summer.

Tanning lotions protect my skin, right?
The lotions sold in tanning salons do not filter the sun’s rays. In fact, just the opposite is true. Indoor tanning lotions are designed to accelerate your skin’s browning process. They contain moisturizers and colorants like, carrot oil and DHA (the active ingredient in self-tanners). Using a tanning lotion under the assumption that it will block harmful UV radiation or protect you from developing skin cancer can be very dangerous.

Can I get an STD from a tanning bed?
No. Bacteria and viruses cannot survive on tanning beds. The UV rays are effective at killing them; however, some people might develop a rash from the chemicals used to clean the beds. Also, certain medications are known to be affected by UV light, and this reaction may result in skin irritation.

Can a healthy tan protect me?
When your skin produces melanin, the cells are actually attempting to block damaging ultraviolet rays. Your skin type determines how deeply you can tan, but most tans only equate to a level 2 or 3 sun protectant factor. To put that in perspective, the FDA recommends no less than an SPF 15. If your goal is total protection, do not rely on merely a suntan.

I hardly ever burn. That means I won’t get skin cancer, right?
You may tan easily, but UV rays can still damage your skin. The changes to your skin add up over your lifetime, so it can be hard to detect damage until it’s already too late. Ease of tanning isn’t the only thing to consider. The number of moles or dark freckles you develop can also increase your risk for melanoma. Your family history should also be accounted for in your tanning regimen.

Are sunless tanning lotions really safe?
Yes. Sunless tanning products are a safe alternative. They contain DHA (dihydroxyacetone), which colors the top layer of skin. This layer is made up of mostly dead cells that you shed every four or five days.

My friend says her doctor told her to go to a tanning salon. Is she lying?
Some medical conditions like eczema and psoriasis can be treated with UV rays. The treatment is completely controlled by a doctor or trained technician and exposure is limited by the doctor’s orders. Most indoor tanning not monitored this strictly, so be careful.

If I tan in a bed before my beach vacation, will I burn?
Even if you already have a tan, you can still burn. People with lighter skin, hair and eyes have fewer natural defenses against the sun’s rays.