6 Truly The Best Sunscreens For Tanning Like A Bronzed Goddess

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Get your bronze on without the burn with these best lotions for tanning!

Now who does not love that golden glow on their skin after enjoying their beach time?

However, it is quite impossible to ignore the risks related to sun exposure, such as fine lines, pigmentation and skin cancer.

So is there no way we can protect our skin and yet enjoy those sunbathing sessions? Heck yeah! Just get yourself the best sunscreen for tanning, and you are sorted.

Yes, you read that right.

Getting sun protection will not just protect your skin against sun damage but also help you get that dreamy beach tan. Just slather on your favorite sunscreen tanning oil and soak in some vitamin D.

If you are planning for your beach vacay and are in search of the best sunscreen for tanning, you have arrived at the right place.

Your girl will help you with the best sunscreens for tanning so that you can achieve that bronzed look without giving a damn about harsh sun rays.

Keep scrolling to get to the juicy details!

6 Best Sunscreen for Tanning You Should Add to Your Skincare Kit NOW!

1. Australian Gold Spray Gel Sunscreen With Instant Bronzer

This undoubtedly has to be one of my favorites when it comes to the best sunscreens for tanning!

First off, it’s a gel sunscreen for tanning, which is like the perfect lovechild of a continuous spray and traditional lotion, giving you total control over the application. And it’s a gel, so it absorbs in just a few seconds and does not feel greasy or sticky AT ALL.

And let’s not forget the Australian Naturals. Packed with Vitamin C, the Kakadu Plum promotes collagen production and protects your skin from damage. And the Tea Tree Oil gently cleanses and leaves you with smooth, refreshed skin.

But wait, there’s more! This sunscreen won’t dry you out. Sunflower Seed Oil and Olive Fruit Oil moisturize deep down, while Aloe Vera soothes and conditions naturally.

Known for its broad spectrum protection, the tanning sun lotion has an oil-free, dye-free, alcohol-free, and gluten-free formula, and making it exceptionally good for oily and combination skin types.

Oh, and did I mention the amazing Cocoa Dreams fragrance? It’s an instant vacation in a bottle, with a delightful blend of Coconut, Orange, and Vanilla.

I personally LOVE LOVE LOVE the fact that this sunscreen does not stain your outfits. This tanning sun lotion, too, has a water-resistant formula of whopping 80 minutes!

2. Sun Bum Browning Lotion

Looking for the best tanning sun lotion that gives you that natural bronzed look without exposing you to much-dreaded skin cancer?

Sun bum Browning Lotion is my secret weapon for achieving a gorgeous sun-kissed look without having to spend hours baking in the sun. It helps accelerate the tanning process, so you don’t have to stay on the beach the whole day. And that is exactly why I *invested* my money in it!

Fortunately, this baby is suitable for all skin types. Oh, did I mention that it is infused with vitamin E, which means a little higher protection against skin aging?

Plus, the texture of this stuff is perrrrfectttt. It goes on smoothly and has a delicious coconut-y, tropical, and maybe chocolatey scent that just screams “beach day.” All in all, it’s an amalgamation of a beautiful tan AND healthy skin. Now who would say no to that?!

4. Hawaiian Tropic Protective Tanning sunscreen

Lover everything plush? Then you are surely gonna fall for this exotic sunscreen oil.

This spray sunscreen is infused with the goodness of exotic island botanicals. And it smells HEAVENLY! The tropical coconut scent will give you the exact beach vibes you need!

One of the best SPF for tanning, it leaves your skin supple and glowing. This lightweight sunscreen is specially designed for dry skin types.

The smart formulation includes antioxidants, which means your skin will stay protected against signs of premature aging. Also, sun protection offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays.

The best thing about this sunscreen for tanning is that it accelerates the tanning process, thereby giving you that perfect sunkissed look while protecting you from sun damage.

5. Panama Jack sunscreen suntan lotion

Quite a popular pick among beach enthusiasts, Panama Jack is a broad-spectrum suntan cream that comes equipped with multi-action formula.

Basically, this sun lotion for tanning is the ultimate blend of hydrating oils and antioxidants. To notch things up, it has a dreamy fragrance as well. Plus, it is a water-resistant sunscreen that you can easily use on your beach vacation for radiant skin.

Also, you will be glad to know that the product is cruelty-free, oxybenzone-free, paraben-free, gluten-free, and does not contain any artificial dye.

6. Neutrogena sensitive skin sunscreen spf 60

Neutrogena has been a blessing in disguise for those with sensitive skin types. And its sensitive skin Lotion offers an SPF rating of 60. Now that’s a lot of protection!

This oil-free formula is perfect for oily and combination skin types as well. You can slather this sunscreen lotion conveniently on your face and body without worrying about heaviness or stickiness.

In fact, I prefer using the product as a face and body cream as well!

Water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, this sun protection comes with a Purescreen formula that offers extra protection again sun rays.

The sunscreen does not have any fragrance at all. So, if you are smell sensitive, this can be your best pick!

How to Use a Sunscreen for Tanning?

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how I use my favorite sunscreen to get that gorgeous tanning while protecting myself against skin damage:

• Slather yourself with sunscreen at least 10 to 15 minutes before stepping out in the sun.
• Apply sunscreen generously on your face and body. Do not ignore areas like ears, neck, around eyes, and so on.
• Do not forget to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours or so.
• Use sunscreen even if your entire body is covered in clothes, as sun rays can penetrate through fabrics, thereby causing skin damage.
• Avoid sun basking when sun rays are way too strong, i.e., between 12 pm to 4 pm.

Why Should You Use Sunscreen for Tanning?

Sunscreen offers you robust protection against harmful UV rays. UVA rays are responsible for premature aging, while UVB rays tan and burn your skin. Also, both UVA and UVB rays are responsible for causing skin problems.

So, you must apply sunscreen whether you are moving outdoors or staying indoors (coz UVA rays can penetrate glass and shades to affect your skin).

Also, sunscreen protects you against wrinkles, pigmentation and dark spots. Another point that is worth mentioning here is the significance of wearing sunscreen even in winter.

UV rays are equally damaging in winter as well. So if you wish to keep brown spots, fine lines, wrinkles and any other skin issues at bay, invest in good quality sun protection.

Tips and Tricks to Choose the Sunscreens for Tanning

Now that you know the significance of applying broad spectrum protection throughout the year (be it a beach vacation or not), you must be wondering how to choose the best sunscreens.

I have already enlisted some of the best sunscreens that you can use to get that gorgeous tanning without exposing yourself to harmful sun rays.

But I am also sharing some factors that you need to consider while choosing sun protection. Have a look!

1. Water resistance

Depending on your usage, you must check how water resistant your sunscreen is.

For instance, if you are planning a day alongside the pool or maybe going for a beach vacay, then you must get yourself highly water-resistant sun protection.

2. Skin Type

You must definitely double-check your skin type before getting yourself sun protection.

If you have oily skin, steer clear of oil-based formulas.

On the other hand, for dry skin types, you must always get oil-based sunscreen.

In case you have a sensitive skin type, invest in a sunscreen that is fragrance-free, made up of natural, hypo-allergenic ingredients.

3. Sun protection factor

Sun Protection Factor, or SPF, is one of the most significant things that you need to consider while buying a sunscreen lotion.

Now you may think that getting sun protection with low SPF will be good to get that instant bronze glow. However, this approach will damage your skin.

So, you need to strike the right balance between SPF and tanning.

I would suggest you go for SPF 10 to 15 to get that natural tan and, at the same time, protect your skin against sun damage.

P.S. Do not forget to reapply sunscreen from time to time.

4. Ingredients

Keep an eye on the label to know the ingredients closely. Avoid any sunscreen that consists of ingredients you are allergic to. Also, it is better to avoid products that contain oxybenzone, PABA and paraben.

What to choose, Spray sunscreen or tanning Cream?

Of course, you are confused between spray and cream sunscreen for tanning. So let’s break it down!

Basis	Spray Sunscreens	Cream Sunscreens
Application	Much easier to apply	Takes a few minutes to put on properly
Tan coverage	Can be difficult to apply the right amount as you tend to miss the spots	Gives a more even coverage of tan
Messy	Chances of creating a mess are quite low	It gets a little messy sometimes
SPF	Generally, they don’t come with SPF higher than 50+	They offer high SPF value and good UV protection too

Spray sunscreen or cream, each one has its own pros & cons associated with them. So, you should go for whichever type works best for your needs.

Physical sunscreens vs. chemical sunscreens

So, there are two types of sunscreens – physical sunscreen (or sunblock) and chemical sunscreen.

I would always opt for physical sunscreens as their job is to provide sun protection by filtering harmful ultraviolet rays. On the other hand, chemical sunscreens simply absorb the UV rays.

Some more frequently asked questions –

Is SPF 30 good for tanning?

No matter how high that SPF number is, those sneaky UVA and UVB rays will still work their magic on your skin. Sure, using an SPF of 30 or higher can help slow down the tanning process, but, it won’t stop it entirely.

Will I tan with 50 SPF?

Of course, you can tan with 50 SPF, but it may take longer than if you were to use a lower SPF. Although it’s true that a higher sun protection factor (SPF) generally offers more protection against ultraviolet rays and sunburn, even with SPF 50, 2% of the sun rays still manage to penetrate the skin, giving you an awesome (and safe) tan.

How much SPF is best for tanning?

Since SPF 30 blocks approximately 97% of the UV rays and SPF 50 blocks 98% of them, the best SPF number for tanning would be anything above 30, as it would give the needed protection, all the while allowing you to soak in the bronze goddess tan!

Is there a sunscreen that helps you tan?

While the concept of a sunscreen that helps you tan may seem like an oxymoron, there is some truth to it.

A low SPF (15 or 30) sunscreen will obviously provide minimal protection and help you get tan faster. At the same time, there are sunscreens with tanning oils and instant bronzers that give you a gorgeous fake tan without frying in the sun the whole day.

How can I tan without burning?

Tanning without burning to a crisp is totally possible. Firstly, exfoliate your skin before hitting the beach to have a more even tone and long-lasting tan. Then, choose a minimum SPF of 30 (higher if your skin is on the sensitive side) and reapply every two hours. Also, you don’t actually have to be in direct sunlight to get a tan. You can easily opt for shady spots or take a quick dip in the water to cool off.

Wrapping Up – best sunscreens for tanning!

Using sun protection is of utmost importance when you are in the mood to spend some quality time on a beach.

So, if you have already booked your tickets to fly down to Maldives, I would suggest that you think about your skin health and get yourself quality sunscreen too.

Investing in the right one will not just keep your skin hydrated and offer sun protection but will also give you that much-coveted sun-kissed glow.

Say yes to healthier skin and sun tanning both by making the right choice and enjoying a carefree beach vacay!

I will be back soon with another banger content.

Until next time! Toodles, my beauties! xo

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best tanning sun lotion or tanning sunscreens