Tanning Lotion - Tanning 101: Know The Different Types Of Tanning Lotions

If you have taken a look around the beauty section of your favorite store lately, you have probably noticed that there are many different types of tanning lotions currently available on the market. Not only are there dozens of different brands and lines of tanning lotions to choose from, each is made with different ingredients and promises to provide you with different results. How are you ever supposed to decide which lotion is right for you?

The first thing you need to do when selecting a tanning lotion is to narrow down your choices according to how you plan on getting your tan. In short, you have three choices:

- Indoor tanning
- Outdoor tanning
- Self-tanning

If you plan on visiting a tanning salon and getting your tan with the help of a tanning bed, you will need to direct your attention toward indoor tanning lotions. While it is possible to use outdoor tanning lotions while indoor tanning, you are taking a risk at harming the tanning bed and reducing the effects of your tanning session. This is because outdoor tanning lotions contain oils that can rub off on the tanning bed and will block out the UV rays. For this reason, most tanning salons won't allow customers to use anything other than indoor tanning lotions in their tanning beds.

If you plan on getting your tan outside, on the other hand, you should select only from those lotions made specifically for outdoor tanning. Although it won't harm you to use an indoor tanning lotion when tanning outdoors, you simply won't get as good of an effect if you don't use an outdoor lotion. You might also want to consider looking at lotions that are referred to as tan extenders if you plan to spend time in the outdoor sun. These lotions help to extend the effects of your tan after your skin has been exposed to the sun. So, if you plan on being in the sun for a long time, this type of lotion can work wonders toward helping you achieve a deep, dark tan.

Your third option is to use a self-tanner. With self-tanners, you don't have to spend any time outside or under lamps in order to achieve a perfect tan. In addition, you can enjoy your tan immediately rather than building one up naturally. Each time you apply a self-tanner, however, you will achieve a darker tan. Therefore, you can enjoy 100% control over how dark you want your tan to be when you use tanning lotions.

Although tanning lotions are a safe alternative to getting a tan in the sun or at a tanning bed, it does take some practice to learn how to apply these lotions properly. If poorly applied, self-tanners can create a very unnatural look. If applied properly, however, no one will be able to tell the difference.