Tanning Bed Lotion Products

If you are thinking about visiting a tanning salon anytime soon, you should consider purchasing a tanning bed lotion. Using a tanning bed lotion isn't a necessity but your skin will thank you when you're done. There are many different lotions on the market today. How do you know which one is the best? The truth is, there are so many different brands and types of lotion that there is not one that can be described as best for everyone. So what makes one tanning lotion different from another?

Hydration is Key
Let's be honest with each other - tanning is not skin-friendly. You will feel dry when you get out of the bed. The first time or two you may even get a little bit red. If your skin is already even somewhat dry, you may want to look for an extra moisturizing formula. These lotions have been formulated with extra vitamins to help keep your skin nourished and soft. Even if you choose to use a moisturizing lotion, you should still apply regular lotion twice a day while you are tanning. The extra heat from the tanning bed will pull the water out of your body, leaving it tight and itchy. By moisturizing now, you can help to make sure that years from now you will still have supple, pretty looking skin.

Nearly all tanning bed lotion will contain moisturizers, and most brands also offer formulas with "bronzer" or "tingle" or even both. Bronzers are most often formulated with DHA, or dihydroxyacetone. The DHA in the lotion gives your tanning process a boost so you can get the best results in a shorter time frame. Tanning lotions use different agents to achieve the tingle. Keep in mind that if you have sensitive skin, the tingle may actually turn into a burning sensation. It's probably best to stay away from these types of tanning products if you have had reactions to lotions before. As if having the choice of tingle or bronze wasn't enough, you can also choose a "cool tingle" or a "hot tingle." Whichever you choose is a simple personal choice. Neither one will make much difference in the end result of your tan.

Then there are the lotions that combine both tingle and bronzing action. The idea behind combining the two is that the cool tingle will cool you down after the power-tan you get from using the bronzer. Does it work? It has for me. On a warm day I can get chilly after tanning with my tingle/bronzer lotion. It's a pretty odd sensation.

The final thing I'm going to discuss is the smell of tanning bed lotion. Tanning lotions have come a long way as far as the scent is concerned. Now you can find lotions that are considered aroma therapeutic. Turn your tanning time into spa time with a relaxing scent like lavender or vanilla. Energize yourself with citrus-y scents. Tanning lotions still do not compare to some of the scented lotions on the market, but it is possible to find a lotion with a scent that doesn't make people walk wide circles around you.

No matter what kind of tanning bed lotion you ultimately decide to use, you know now what to look out for. The benefits of using a lotion are plenty. Choosing the right formula isn't hard, it's just a matter of what your tanning goals are, coupled with your likes and dislikes. When visiting your tanning salon, ask if they have samples of lotion. This is a great way to try different brands and formulas without spending a ton of money on product that you won't use.