Indoor Tanning Lotion

What an indoor tanning lotion does

An indoor tanning lotion is formulated for the UV output of a tanning bed rather than the sun. It keeps skin hydrated during the session, because dry skin reflects UV instead of absorbing it, and it carries ingredients that support your skin's own color: tyrosine and acetyl tyrosine, amino acids involved in melanin production, plus moisturizers such as aloe, coconut oil and shea butter.

Beyond that base, lotions split into four families: accelerators (no bronzer), bronzers (DHA, natural or a hybrid of both), tingles (a warming, circulation-boosting effect for experienced tanners only) and after-tan extenders you use once you are out of the bed.

• Accelerators — The starting point: hydration and tyrosine, no added color.
• DHA bronzers — Color that develops over hours and lasts days.
• Natural bronzers (DHA-free) — Instant cosmetic color that washes off.
• Hybrid bronzers — Instant plus delayed color in one bottle.
• Tingle lotions — For experienced tanners only.
• Tan extenders — After the session, to keep the color.

How to choose your first bottle

Start with your experience level, not with the darkest bottle on the shelf. New to tanning beds: pick an accelerator or a light natural bronzer with no tingle. Tanning regularly with a base already built: a DHA or hybrid bronzer will take you deeper. Only move to a tingle once your skin is used to sessions and you know how it reacts.

Then check the format. Lotions and creams suit most people, gels and oil-gelées are lighter and quicker to absorb, and sachets (US: packets) let you try a formula for a few pounds before committing to a bottle.

• How to choose the right tanning accelerator
• DHA bronzers vs natural bronzers
• Sunbed (tanning bed) tanning for beginners
• How to apply an indoor tanning lotion properly

Why buy indoor tanning lotion from the UK?

Two reasons. First, range: MEGATAN carries brands and formulas that are hard to find in the USA, including European lines such as Power Tan, SuperTan, 7Suns, Fiesta Sun and Golden Tanning alongside the US majors. Second, the sachet range: hundreds of single-use packets so you can trial a lotion before buying a 250 ml bottle.

Prices are in British pounds. Your card is charged in pounds and your bank converts at its own rate. Shipping to the USA is by tracked FedEx, and any US duties or taxes are calculated and shown at checkout before you pay, so there is nothing to settle on delivery.