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20 Best Tanning Lotions Without Bronzer (Tanning Lotions That Highlight Your Natural Color)

by  Doris Harris -  Last Updated On 27th December 2020
Best Tanning Lotions Without Bronzer

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Do bronzers help you tan? No.

The best tanning lotions without bronzer will help you achieve an all-natural color.

Dyes or chemical processes won’t alter your skin tone.

But do tanning lotions really work?

Ask the hundreds of thousands who tan with them all over the world.

The answer seems to be yes; tanning lotions are vital to getting a healthy bronze.

Although you can sunbathe without any lotion at all, you’re exposing yourself to unnecessary risks.

What Tanning Lotions Without Bronzer Can Do for You

First, tanning lotions are moisturizers.

Exposure to UV radiation dries out the skin. It’s important to counteract this problem with plenty of hydration.

Second, tanning lotions are basically tanning intensifiers. They accelerate the tanning process by stimulating pigment production (1).

Third, tanning lotions counteract damage inflicted by the sun’s UV rays.

With healing ingredients like Vitamin A and E and other antioxidants, lotions protect your skin cells’ DNA against premature aging.

They also encourage your skin to make more collagen to keep it firm and young-looking.

Meanwhile, a bronzer alters your skin’s color temporarily.

Quick Comparison

If you don’t have time to read the complete article, here are our top picks.

What Are the Most Common Bronzers in Tanning Lotions?

As you shop for a tanning lotion without bronzer, it’s smart to understand what you’re trying to avoid.

For instance, if the label says something like “100 X,” then the lotion usually has a bronzer in it. The number indicates how intensely dark the color goes.

Some lotions feature cosmetic bronzers like henna, walnut extract, or caramel. These act as a stain and usually wash off during the first shower.

Others have DHA or erythrulose that interact with the sugar in your skin to darken its color. Their effects last for a few days.

Now that you have some insight into tanning lotions let’s look at the top tanning accelerators without bronzer.

Indoor Tanning Lotions Without Bronzer

Indoor lotions are formulated without mineral oil that could damage the acrylic of a sun or tanning bed.

Some are okay to use outdoors but remember they don’t offer any sunscreen at all.

1. Devoted Creations Blonde Obsession Lotion

One of the best tanning lotions for people with fair skin is Blond Obsession. It’s a tanning maximizer with a variety of skin-enhancing ingredients.

For example, it contains BodyFit, RevitaFit, and IdealLift, making cellulite less noticeable and firm saggy skin. They correct dark spots, too.

A final benefit is that deodorizer that eliminates the after tanning odor.

2. SUPRE Snooki Get Real Tanning Lotion

Snooki’s Get Real is a tanning lotion with bronzer that contains tyrosine to ramp up melanin production and get you tan ASAP. As a result, the rich, golden color you develop is all your own.

Moreover, there are both vitamins and botanical extracts to protect your skin. Antioxidants battle environmental stress while rose, gardenia, and passionflower leave your body velvety smooth.

3. Ed Hardy #Beachtime Dark Indoor Outdoor Tanning Lotion

#Beachtime is packed with coconut milk and coconut oil. These are natural conditioners that make your body deliciously soft.

Next, while seaweed draws toxins out of the skin, the Tattoo and Color Fade Protector keeps your ink bright and clear.

At the same time, hibiscus, passion fruit, and vitamins keep wrinkles away.

4. Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning Lotion

One of the most popular indoor tanning lotions without bronzer or tingling effect is Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses (AKA Tanovations). It’s a favorite of novice and advanced tanners alike.

One point in its favor is the Body Fit Blend that disguises cellulite.

Also, it has something called MelanoBronze tan technology; it’s all about increasing your body’s own melanin production. It has nothing to do with instant bronzers.

Some of the other ingredients include Nouritan and the Quad Tyrosine Blend that also create more pigment.

Finally, the tattoo and color fade protector keeps the ink vibrant.

5. Devoted Creations #TANLIFE Hydrating Tanning Butter

#TANLIFE is one of the best tanning lotions for sensitive skin. It’s based on shea butter, an excellent moisturizer that melts right into the skin. It won’t clog pores and doesn’t feel greasy.

After that, it has anti-aging components like Advanced Matrixyl Synthe 6, ReviteFit, and Body Fit. AcquaCell comes into play to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Like many of the top tanning lotions for tattoos, it has an ink color fade protector.

6. Australian Gold Hot! Tanning Lotion

Australian Gold’s Hot! It sounds like it would be a tingle tanning lotion, but it’s not. It’s an intensifier with rich moisturizers and nutrients.

Some of the highlights include aloe vera, omega oils, and vitamins A, C, and E.

7. Australian Gold DARK TANNING ACCELERATOR Lotion

It does just what its name says – this lotion accelerates the tanning process to get you dark fast.

The classic Cocoa Dreams fragrance will trigger memories of happy vacations. Simultaneously, sunflower seed oil, aloe vera, tea tree oil, and vitamins protect and condition your skin.

8. Hempz Dark Tan Maximizer, Hypoallergenic

Hempz promotes the Dark Tan Maximizer as a solution for sensitive skin. It’s hypoallergenic because it lacks gluten, nuts, and parabens.

The non-greasy formula is based on mango seed butter that sinks into your skin to keep it well-hydrated. Additionally, oatmeal calms irritation.

9. Hempz, Hydro Max, Ultra Dark Maximizer

The Hempz Hydro Max is a lightweight whipped cream that absorbs quickly. Its effects are long-lasting.

Some of the highlights include a Triple Moisture Complex with hemp seed oil and apple fruit extract. These are ideal for reviving mature skin.

Furthermore, it has Yanggu oil with plenty of antioxidants and fatty acids to tighten and condition your body.

10. Hempz Golden Beach Tan Maximizer

The Golden Beach Tan Maximizer will keep you smelling fresh after you tan. It has odor-eliminator technology.

There’s also Tanozine with a blend of tanning enhancers like tyrosine and riboflavin. And vanilla bean and carob extracts help your skin cope with longer periods under the lights.

11. Naturally Hempz, Natural Maximizer

If you prefer organic and sustainably-produced ingredients, try this tanning maximizer. It’s based on hemp seed oil and has only vegan and natural ingredients. There are no parabens or gluten.

While it deepens your tan with Ecobronze Technology, botanical extracts keep your skin healthy. It has green tea, carrot seed oil, and pomegranate to protect against premature aging.

12. Maui Babe – Tanning Bed/ Salon Formula

Maui Babe makes both outdoor and indoor tanning lotions. The indoor formula has no mineral oil. It’s based on safflower and sunflower oil instead.

They don’t have bronzers, per se. But they do have a little color from potassium iodide. This helps you see where you’ve applied them.

The water-resistant formula moisturizes your skin throughout the day, in the interim, Kona coffee extract and vitamins battle free radicals that could cause wrinkles.

13. The It List, Hypoallergenic and Vegan Tanning Lotion

The It List tanning lotion is a popular choice for sunbathers with sensitive skin. It doesn’t have gluten, wheat, nuts, parabens, or oils in it. It’s a silicone emulsion with a variety of benefits.

While aloe, caffeine, and ginger hydrate and tone, cotton and rice extracts reduce irritation.

Also, tyrosine and adenosine triphosphate increases melanin formation and production so that the tan you develop is all your own.

On the downside, this tanning lotion without bronzer does list a synthetic perfume and the preservative phenoxyethanol.

14. Supre Cherry Bomb Red Hot Dark Accelerator

Take note: this is a tingle lotion. When you apply it, you’re going to feel the heat on your skin.

Why would you want to make your skin tingle and burn while you tan? That’s because it increases blood flow to the surface. The more blood flow, the better you tan (2).

You might even feel more energized after you’ve used a tingler.

The melanin, or pigment, will get more oxygen, and your skin will darken to a deeper color more quickly.

Tingle lotions are best for intermediate and advanced tanners. Test it on a small area of your skin before you apply it all over your body. And remember to avoid picking up children and pets until after you’ve had a shower.

After that side note, let’s get back to the Cherry Bomb Accelerator. Of course, it has a cherry vanilla fragrance and cherry extracts plus vitamins to tone and condition your skin.

15. Supre Snooki Hot Skinny Sizzling Super Dark Maximizer

The Hot Skinny Sizzling Maximizer is also a tingle tanning lotion. Not only will it help you break the tanning plateau, but it also improves the appearance of your body.

It has tattoo color shield technology with minerals, algae, and aloe. Plus, the Fit and Firm Complex smooths the skin and hides cellulite.

What’s more, this is another tanning lotion that’s gluten, nuts, and paraben-free.

Outdoor Tanning Lotions Without Bronzer

While you can use any of the above indoor tanning lotions outside, you might prefer one of the best outdoor tanning oils instead.

If you have naturally pale skin, try tanning with sunscreen to protect against burning.

16. Sun Bum Natural Browning Lotion

Sun Bum recommends applying sunscreen first, then waiting 15 minutes before slathering on their Browning Lotion. The combination is more effective at protecting you against sunburn outdoors.

The hypoallergenic formula contains vegan ingredients, and it’s free of parabens and gluten.

Highlights include certified organic coconut oil, green tea butter, and Kona coffee extract. You also get exotic ingredients like Kukui nut, marula, and argan oil.

While the lotion doesn’t have bronzers, it has a brown color that could stain your clothes.

17. Hawaiian Tropic Dark Tanning Oil

Hawaiian Tropic’s Dark Tanning Oil is based on mineral oil, so please don’t try to use it in a tanning bed. It could damage the acrylic by causing it to become cloudy.

The delicious fragrance will lead you to believe that it’s pure coconut oil. But it also contains papaya, mango, Plumeria, and guava extracts.

The oil makes dry skin feel silky soft. It also protects against her radicals with vitamins A, C, and E.

18. Hawaiian Tropic Royal Tanning Blend Spray

For easy application, you can’t beat Hawaiian Tropic’s Royal Tanning Spray. It may not be as thick and moisturizing as lotion, but if you hate feeling sticky and greasy, it’s ideal.

Again, this is a product based on mineral oil and not suitable for indoor tanning.

It has cocoa seed butter, vitamin E, and tropical extracts that condition and defend the skin.

19. Australian Gold Dark Tanning Accelerator Lotion

The Australian Gold Dark Tanning Accelerator has no mineral oil, so that you could use it in a sunbed/ tanning bed. On the other hand, the company recommends it for outdoor tanning. They also package it in recyclable materials to make it more eco-friendly.

It contains exotic, natural oils plus aloe, Vitamin E, and panthenol. These ingredients make up the Biosine Complex to keep your skin in top condition.

20. Bain de Soleil Orange Gelee Sunscreen

Bain de Soleil’s SPF 4 sunscreen is more like a gel than a lotion. It’s easy to apply and leaves the skin smooth, not tacky.

This is a product from a company that’s been around for a century. They still package in metal tubes, not plastic.

21. Piz Buin Tan and Protect Oil Spray SPF 6

Piz Buin is a respected brand in Europe. They offer this solution to help you deep tan outdoors without burning.

Their protective spray contains a small amount of broad-spectrum sunscreen. It extends your time in the sun for up to six times longer than you could stay without any protection.

Next, it has plenty of Vitamin E. This is a natural antioxidant that repairs damage to skin cells caused by exposure to the sun.

There’s also a proprietary blend called Illumitone. Clinical studies show that Illumitone enhances melanin production up to 70% over normal. It also won’t stain towels or swimsuits.

Conclusion

When you tan without a bronzer, you’ll see lovely natural colors develop in your skin.

You won’t have to worry about the color rubbing off or washing off unexpectedly.

Which is your favorite tanning lotion without bronzer? Let me know in the comments below.

Resources:

1. https://www.livestrong.com/article/71789-tanning-oil-works/ by Chris Sherwood, accessed August 7, 2019

2. https://ezinearticles.com/?Tanning-Lotions-With-Tingle,-Are-They-Safe?&id=6350509 by Goran Olsson, published June 14, 2011, accessed August 7, 2019

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