For regular sunbed users, the right sunbed cream can help enhance the look of your tan while keeping skin feeling hydrated. This guide breaks down tanning accelerators, bronzing creams, non-sticky formulas and tingle lotions by formula type, experience level and skin tone.

What Are Sunbed Creams?

Sunbed creams are tanning products designed to be applied before indoor tanning sessions. They may include hydrating ingredients, tan-enhancing complexes, bronzers or warming actives, depending on the formula.

They are not SPF or outdoor sun protection, so always follow professional salon guidance and use products as directed.

What Is The Best Indoor Tanning Lotion For Your Routine?

The best indoor tanning lotion depends on your skin tone, tanning experience and the finish you want. Beginners may prefer a gentle tanning accelerator, while more experienced tanners may choose a bronzing lotion or tingle cream for a deeper-looking result.

If you are new to sunbed creams, start with a hydrating accelerator before moving on to stronger bronzing or tingle formulas.

What Are The Different Types Of Sunbed Cream?

Sunbed creams usually fall into three main categories: regular tanning accelerators, bronzing creams and tingle creams.

Regular Sunbed Creams And Tan Accelerators

Regular sunbed creams, often called tanning accelerators, are usually bronzer-free formulas that focus on hydration and gradual colour development. They are ideal for beginners, maintaining an existing tan or achieving a natural-looking glow.

Best for: A natural-looking glow, gradual colour and hydrated skin.

Skin tone recommendations:

Fair skin: ProTan Radically Hemp Gelee Tanning Accelerator is a gentle, hydrating option that helps enhance the look of your natural tan.

Light to medium skin: Australian Gold Dark Tanning Accelerator is a classic choice for building a warm, natural-looking glow over time.

Olive skin: Devoted Creations White2Bronze Pure Pomegranate Dark Intensifier Tanning Accelerator helps maintain warmth and radiance, especially if you already have a base tan.

Deep skin: Malibu Fast Tanning Bronzing Butter helps keep skin looking radiant and nourished, with a focus on glow rather than dramatic colour change.

Bronzing Sunbed Creams

Bronzing sunbed creams help create a deeper-looking tan and are often best suited to those with a base tan or anyone wanting a golden, holiday-style finish.

Best for: A deeper-looking tan, instant-looking warmth and a bronzed finish.

Skin tone recommendations:

Fair skin: ProTan Beaches & Creme Dark Tanning Accelerator Butter is a good option for subtle warmth without going too deep too quickly.

Light to medium skin: ProTan Incredibly Black Bronzing Tanning Accelerator Lotion helps create a sun-kissed finish while still looking natural.

Olive skin: Supre Tan Go To Black Maximiser Tanning Accelerator Lotion is ideal for enhancing a richer-looking glow.

Deep skin: Tan Incorporated Special Dark Brown Sugar Tanning Accelerator Lotion helps boost radiance, evenness and a glossy-looking finish.

Tingle Sunbed Creams

Tingle sunbed creams create a warming or tingling sensation and are best suited to experienced users. They are not usually recommended for beginners or sensitive skin, so patch test first and avoid the face unless the product says otherwise.

Best for: Experienced sunbed users and advanced tanning routines.

Skin tone recommendations:

Fair skin: Tingle creams are usually not the best starting point, but Emerald Bay Dark Mojo Tingle Tanning Accelerator Lotion is a popular option for experienced users.

Light to medium skin: ProTan Fashionably Hot Tanning Accelerator Lotion is a good choice if you know your skin reacts well to tingle creams.

Olive skin: Fiesta Sun Mango Melt Dark Tanning Accelerator Lotion suits established tanning routines looking for a more intense formula.

Deep skin: Rapid Tan Hot As Hell Hot Tingle Dark Tanning Accelerator Lotion is best for advanced users who want a stronger tingle cream.

What Is The Best Sunbed Cream For Beginners?

The best sunbed cream for beginners is usually a hydrating tanning accelerator that feels comfortable, supports gradual-looking colour and helps keep skin moisturised.

If you are fair, sensitive or new to sunbed creams, start with a gentler formula and avoid tingle creams until you know how your skin reacts.

How Do You Use Sunbed Cream?

Using sunbed cream correctly can help your tan look smoother and more even. Always follow the product directions and professional salon guidance.

Step 1: Choose The Right Formula

Pick your sunbed cream based on your skin tone, experience level and desired finish. Choose an accelerator for a gradual glow, a bronzer for deeper-looking colour or a tingle cream only if you are an experienced user.

Step 2: Apply Evenly Before Your Session

Apply evenly before your session, blending across dry areas such as elbows, knees, ankles and feet. Even application helps avoid patchiness and supports a smoother-looking result.

Step 3: Wash Your Hands After Bronzing Formulas

If using a bronzing sunbed cream, wash your hands after application to help avoid staining. You can also use a tanning mitt if preferred.

Step 4: Use Tingle Creams Carefully

Avoid using tingle creams on sensitive areas or on the face, unless the product says it is suitable. Patch test first and stop using the product if your skin feels uncomfortable.

Step 5: Moisturise After Tanning

After your session, moisturise to help skin feel soft, smooth and hydrated. Keeping skin nourished can also help your tan look fresher and fade more evenly.

What Should You Put On Skin After A Sunbed?

After a sunbed, apply a hydrating body moisturiser or after sun to keep skin feeling soft and nourished, helping your tan look smoother and fresher for longer.

A great option is the Garnier Ambre Solaire Soothing Aloe Vera After Sun Lotion, a lightweight, non-sticky lotion that helps cool, hydrate and comfort skin after UV exposure.

What Is The Best Non-Sticky Sunbed Cream?

Australian Gold Dark Tanning Accelerator is a great option if you want a lightweight, easy-to-apply sunbed cream that feels comfortable on the skin while supporting a natural-looking glow.

Sunbed Cream FAQs

What is the difference between a tanning accelerator and a bronzer?

A tanning accelerator is designed to help enhance the look of your natural tan over time, often with hydrating ingredients. A bronzer gives the skin a deeper, warmer-looking colour, either instantly or gradually.

Are tingle sunbed creams suitable for beginners?

Tingle sunbed creams are usually best suited to experienced tanners. They create a warming or tingling sensation, so they are not typically recommended for beginners or sensitive skin.

Which sunbed cream is best for fair skin?

Fair skin is usually best suited to gentle, hydrating tanning accelerators or gradual formulas. These can help enhance the look of your natural tan without adding too much instant colour.

Which sunbed cream gives the darkest-looking tan?

Bronzing sunbed creams and dark tanning accelerators are often chosen for a deeper-looking tan. If you already have a base tan, these formulas can help boost the appearance of colour.

Can you use sunbed cream outdoors?

Only use a sunbed cream outdoors if the product specifically says it is suitable for outdoor use. Even then, it does not replace SPF.

Do sunbed creams contain SPF?

Most sunbed creams do not contain SPF and should not be treated as sun protection. Always check the product packaging and use SPF when needed.

What is the best smelling sunbed cream?

The best smelling sunbed cream depends on the fragrance notes you enjoy. Popular tanning lotion scents often include coconut, vanilla, caramel, tropical fruits and soft florals, making them a good choice if you want your sunbed cream to feel more enjoyable to apply.

What should I use after a sunbed?

After a sunbed, use a body moisturiser or after sun to keep skin feeling hydrated and comfortable. This can help your tan look smoother and more even.

Shop Sunbed Creams At Justmylook

Shop sunbed creams at Justmylook and find the formula that fits your tanning routine, whether you’re after a gradual glow, a deeper-looking bronze, a non-sticky tanning lotion or an advanced tingle cream.