Achieving the perfect tan requires more than just laying out in the sun. Tanning oils are essential products that can help enhance and accelerate the tanning process, leaving you with a beautiful, bronzed glow.
Summer is a time when many actively seek the sun, and to optimize its impact on our skin, certain skin care products like tanning oil come into play.
Tanning oil is widely embraced as a go-to choice for achieving an even tan in the sun or under UV rays. It’s not just about basking in sunlight; tanning oils can expedite and elevate the tanning experience, giving your skin the desired sun-kissed radiance.
As colder regions thaw out and summer approaches, many are eager to reconnect with the sun after months of indoor hibernation.
If the winter season has left your skin paler than usual and you’re craving a quick glow-up, turning to a tanning oil can be your summer savior. Unlike sunscreen, which shields against UV damage, tanning oils are specially designed to attract and enhance the sun’s rays, facilitating a swifter and deeper tan.
Choosing the right tanning oil entails assessing key factors such as SPF level, ingredients, and suitability for your skin type.
These oils often feature natural ingredients like coconut oil, argan oil, botanical extracts, and vitamins, alongside SPF protection, to enhance a smooth, golden tan while nourishing and moisturizing the skin. Apply before sun exposure and reapply as needed for optimal tanning results.
For optimal results with tanning oils, generously apply them to freshly cleansed and exfoliated skin before stepping out into the sun. Be sure to reapply at regular intervals, particularly after swimming or sweating, and never forget to use sunscreen with a sufficient SPF level to shield your skin from harmful UV rays.
Are you ready to amp up your summer glow? Here are 11 tanning oils guaranteed to help you achieve that flawless body tan.
Vacation Baby Oil SPF 30
Vacation sunscreen is like a fun treat for your skin. It smells like sweet baby oil but isn’t as greasy or slippery. When you put it on, it disappears into your skin smoothly and leaves no oily feeling behind.
CAY SKIN Isle Body Oil
Cay Skin’s Body Oil is a great choice because it has squalane and sea moss that make your skin soft and hydrated even when you’re sunbathing. It also has SPF 30 to protect your skin from the sun, so you can stay outside longer without getting burnt and feeling uncomfortable.
Hawaiian Tropic Tanning Oil Spray
People have loved using this tanning oil for ages because it has SPF 15 to protect your skin and vitamins A, E, and C to keep your skin healthy. Plus, it smells like coconut, which is a timeless favorite scent.
Australian Gold Spray Gel Sunscreen with Instant Bronzer
This amazing oil is like three things in one! First, it gives you a tan as soon as you apply it on. Plus, it has SPF and antioxidants from Kakadu plum and tea tree oil, which keep your skin safe from the sun and bad stuff like free radicals. And it makes your tan stick around longer because it keeps your skin nice and moisturized.
Sun Bum Tanning Oil
Using sprays makes it simple to cover your whole body evenly. This spray is safe for reefs and has aloe vera, green tea butter, and four different types of oils (argan, marula, coconut, and avocado) that deeply moisturize and nourish your skin.
Coppertone Tanning Sunscreen Spray
Even if you’re relaxing on vacation, your tanning oil doesn’t need to slow you down. Coopertone’s Tanning Dry Oil Sunscreen dries fast, so you won’t have to fret about it smudging onto your clothes or swimwear.
Supergoop! Glow Oil SPF 50 Dry Body Oil Sunscreen
This glow oil is perfect for tanning while staying protected from the sun because it has SPF 50.
It makes your skin glow without feeling oily due to its special mix of grapeseed, jojoba, and meadowfoam seed oils that nourish your skin well. Plus, it stays effective even if you go swimming for up to 80 minutes, making it a great choice to pack in your beach bag.
Kopari Beauty Sun Shield Body Glow Gel
Kopari tanning oil not only gives your skin a shiny glow but protects it from the sun. It comes in three colors — gold, rose gold, and amber — to match any skin tone.
Avocado, coconut, hibiscus, and macadamia oils keep your skin moisturized, and the mica used is sourced responsibly to leave a pearly shine.
Goccia di Sole Hydrating Self-Tanning Serum Drops
To get a tan without risking sun damage, add a few drops of these drops to your favorite oil with SPF. This formula is light, hydrating, and mixes well with body oils, moisturizers, or serums. It contains natural keto sugars that make your tan even and golden.
Rio Radiance SPF 50 Shimmering Body Oil
Sol de Janeiro has a new body oil that absorbs quickly into your skin once you rub it in. It smells like their popular Cheirosa 87 scent, which has hints of solar tuberose and coconut milk. Plus, it leaves a gentle shimmer on your skin because of the golden mica it contains.
L’OREAL Paris Sublime Sun Sheer Protect Oil Spray
Using tanning oil can be scary because it might burn your skin or cause lasting sun damage. But this one has SPF 30 to keep your skin safe. Plus, it’s not greasy and lasts in water for 80 minutes. So, you can focus on having fun in the sun without worrying about your skin.
How to Use a Tanning Oil
Using a tanning oil is quite simple. Here are the basic steps:
- Start with clean, exfoliated skin. This helps the tanning oil absorb better and prevents uneven tanning.
- Pour a generous amount of tanning oil into your palms or directly onto your skin. Begin applying it evenly all over your body, massaging it in gently. Make sure to cover all areas you want to tan.
- Depending on the product’s instructions, reapply the tanning oil every few hours, especially after swimming, sweating, or towel-drying.
- Head out into the sun or use a tanning bed if you’re indoors. Follow safety guidelines, such as avoiding peak sun hours and wearing sunglasses and protective clothing.
- Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out.
- After tanning, moisturize your skin to maintain its hydration and prolong your tan.
Photo: Jakob Owens/Unsplash