A tan extender (UK: tan extender or aftercare) is the lotion you use after a tanning bed session, not in it. Its job is to keep the skin hydrated so the tan fades evenly and slowly, and many extenders add a low dose of DHA to top up the color between sessions.
This is the family most people skip, and the one that makes the biggest difference to how long a tan lasts.
Tan extenders in stock now
2bTanned
2bTanned Almond Butter Tan Prolonger
2bTanned
2bTanned Coconut Cooling Aftersun (200ml)
2bTanned
2bTanned Moisture Locking Lip Balm
2bTanned
2bTanned Travel Size Coconut After Sun
Australian Gold
Australian Gold Aloe Freeze Gel Spray
Australian Gold
Australian Gold Hemp Nation Aloe and Ocean Water
Australian Gold
Australian Gold HN Cocoa Dreams Tan Extender
Australian Gold
Australian Gold Men's Body Lotion Coastal Breeze
Australian Gold
Australian Gold Moisture Lock Tan Extender 237ml Enriched with Vitamin E
Australian Gold
Australian Gold Moisture Lock Tan Extender 473ml
Australian Gold
Australian Gold Softening & Soothing Aloe Gel
BWL
BWL Red Light Facial Serum
A sample of what is in stock. Browse the full range: Tan extenders · Aftercare · Hempz.
Extender, after-tan or moisturizer?
An after-tan moisturizer is a rich body lotion, often with aloe and vitamin E, designed for skin that has just been exposed to UV. A tan extender is that plus a gradual self-tan ingredient, usually DHA at a lower level than a bronzer, so the color builds slightly with daily use. Hempz's hemp seed oil moisturizers are the best-known US example; the UK adds lines from Devoted Creations, Australian Gold and Tan Incorporated.
None of these are indoor tanning lotions. Do not use an extender in the bed; use your accelerator or bronzer in the bed and the extender at home, daily.
Key ingredients
Each link is an ingredient page built from manufacturers' own ingredient declarations.
Glossary
Guides
US and UK tanning words
| In the USA | In the UK (and on this site) |
|---|---|
| Tanning bed | Sunbed |
| Indoor tanning lotion / tanning bed lotion | Sunbed cream / sunbed lotion |
| Intensifier / accelerator | Accelerator |
| Bronzer (DHA or natural) | Bronzer |
| Tingle lotion | Tingle |
| Tan extender / after-tan | Tan extender / aftercare |
| Tanning lotion packet | Sachet |
| Tanning salon | Tanning shop / studio |