*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure to learn more.
Have you been tanning for some time now? Are you starting to notice that your skin is no longer becoming darker after each tanning session?
If you answered ‘yes’ to these questions, it probably means you’ve reached what’s known as a ‘tanning plateau.’
Not being able to get any darker can be frustrating, especially when you don’t know why. The good news is that there’s a simple and effective solution: tanning lotions.
However, you can’t use just any tanning lotions. You have to find the right kind to help get your tan back on track.
Here, we put together five of the best indoor tanning lotions to use when you hit your plateau. Let’s check them out.
While annoying, plateaus are a normal part of the tanning process for many people.
Take a look at these top pick indoor tanning lotions to help you bypass your plateau.
They’ll help moisturize and nurture your skin, leaving it soft, smooth, and help you break through the plateau.
✅ Unique blend that stimulates melanin production
✅ Isn’t patchy or streaky
✅ Hydrating formula
✅ Doesn’t smell of tanning lotion
The ultimate in tanning intensifiers and accelerators, this tanning lotion has it all.
It doesn’t even need a bronzer to give you a deep, golden tan.
It’s all in the unique blend of top-quality ingredients that work to stimulate your melanin production, which, in turn, speeds up your tanning process.
The main ingredient, melactiva, is responsible for giving a long-lasting, deep tan. Then, there’s nouritan, which removes any streaks or patchy areas.
We especially like the coconut oil and milk that hydrate your skin and keep it smooth and soft.
Plus, gone are the days of walking around with that ‘tanning salon’ smell. With Coconut Kisses, you’ll smell amazing all day long.
- Coconut oil provides intense skin nourishment
- Absorbs quickly without leaving any residue
- Protects tattoos against fading
- Has a light coconut scent
Check the price on Amazon here.
✅ Bronzer + accelerator
✅ Contains black walnut, henna, and DHA for a super dark tan
✅ Paraben-free
✅ Contains nourishing oils to keep your skin soft and hydrated
Supre Snookis is both a bronzer and an accelerator that will help you break through a tanning plateau.
It contains black walnut, henna, and dihydroxyacetone (DHA). Together, they work to give you a dark tan.
DHA is a natural ingredient made from sugar cane. It’s a non-toxic, semi-thick liquid used in many self-tanning lotions to help your skin get that sexy, bronzed pigmentation.
After applying, it’s recommended you avoid coming in contact with water for about four hours. This ensures that the DHA has had enough time to prep your skin to develop that deep tan.
Other natural ingredients include coconut and sweet almond oils. They provide your skin with the vitamins and minerals it needs to look healthy and feel super soft.
- Applies evenly
- Doesn’t stain
- Paraben-free
- The vitamin-enriched formula nourishes your skin
Check the price on Amazon here.
✅ Boosts melanin production
✅ Rich in anti-oxidants
✅ Has anti-aging and skin firming properties
✅ Safe for use on tattoos
The Camo King Black Bronzing Lotion from Devoted Creations is a fast-acting bronzer that works by boosting melanin production in your skin cells, allowing you to get a smooth, even-out pigmentation.
Not only that, but it’s rich in antioxidants and other anti-aging elements. They work together to firm up your skin, as well as minimize dark spots and reduce signs of aging.
We like that it’s suitable for sensitive skin. You can also use it if you have tattoos.
Thanks to the blend of natural and cosmetic bronzers, you can apply Camo Queen without worrying about tattoos losing their color or fading away.
- Contains dark DHA for instant color
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Non-greasy
- Helps fight off signs of aging
- Prevents tattoos from fading
Check the price on Amazon here.
✅ All-natural ingredients
✅ Contains white tea extract
✅ Kiwi watermelon fragrance
✅ For experienced tanners
If you already have a good base tan, then BombShell Tanning Lotion is for you! It’s perfect for getting you past those annoying tanning plateaus.
In just a couple of sessions, you’ll be on your way to getting that darker, deeper tan.
We like that it contains a long list of all-natural ingredients.
You’ll find white tea extract, soy, and sweet almond oil—just to name a few.
Yet, what really impressed us was its kiwi watermelon fragrance. It’s not too intense or overwhelming, and it lasts long after your tanning session.
That said, we have to mention that this is considered a ‘tingle’ lotion. It can feel a bit hot and unbearable on the skin, especially for newbies.
Also, you should avoid using it on your face and other sensitive regions to prevent skin irritations.
- Light, pleasant scent
- Breaks tanning plateaus after just a couple of sessions
- Has the perfect consistency
- Absorbs quickly into the skin
- Not suitable for beginner tanners
Check the price on Amazon here.
✅ Packed with moisturizing agents
✅ Can be used both indoors and outdoors
✅ Reduces signs of aging
✅ Provides a golden-brown tan
This Australian Gold Dark Tanning Accelerator Lotion comes with so many great features.
For starters, it’s loaded with moisturizing agents and antioxidants, like Kakadu Plum extract and Vitamin C. These ingredients moisturize your skin and reduce signs of anti-aging.
Another terrific feature is that it’s multi-purpose. You can use this accelerator lotion as both an outdoor and indoor tanning lotion, which means you get more bang for your buck.
The best part is that it gives you a natural-looking, steak-less tan. The olive and tea tree oils combine with the panthenol to keep your skin looking golden brown without feeling overly dry or flaky.
- Contains a wide selection of natural ingredients that nourish your skin
- Protects the skin against UV damage
- Works both outdoors and indoors
- Doesn’t leave any residue
Check the price on Amazon here.
Have you been tanning for a while? Then, chances are, your skin has probably reached a point where it won’t get any darker. This is what tanning experts call a ‘tanning plateau.’
A tanning plateau occurs when your skin becomes thicker with repeated tanning sessions. As a result, it gets harder for UV rays to penetrate those upper layers of your skin, and you can’t get any darker.
Luckily, there’s a way around it: tan accelerators.
Also known as tan extenders, these products come in handy during plateaus by allowing skin cells to become more receptive to UV rays.
During a tanning plateau, skin cells are generally so thick they stand at an angle of about 45 degrees.
Standing upright like that makes your skin feel tough and almost scaly to the touch. More importantly, it reflects UV rays, which means no more tanning.
Tan accelerators are softening lotions that help skin cells return to being translucent and smooth.
Therefore, they become more receptive to UV rays and start to tan once again.
Tanning lotions help you get that bronzy shade of tan that seems to glow and glisten. They work by opening up your pores and boosting the amounts of UV rays absorbed by your skin.
Besides giving you a deep, dark tan, these lotions are also designed to moisturize and nourish.
This helps balance the drying effect that tanning beds tend to have on your skin.
The best part is that they contain natural ingredients for smooth, supple skin. However, bear in mind that they’re not meant to be used outdoors unless otherwise specified.
Take a look at the three main types of tanning lotions.
Accelerators stimulate melanin production by triggering the melanocytes in your skin cells. As a result, you get a darker tan in less time.
Accelerators also even out tan lines and patchy areas. Plus, they’re great for ending your tanning plateau and helping you move on to the next phase of your tanning process.
Bronzers work better when they’re used over your base tan. They help darken your skin while adding a shimmery glow as well. In addition, almost all high-quality brands contain skin moisturizers for supple skin.
Their one downside is they tend to stain your hands. So, you have to wash your hands thoroughly after each application.
Tingling lotions increase blood flow to the surface of the skin. While this speeds up the tanning process, it may cause a burning feeling if you’re not used to it.
Right after your tanning sessions, your skin may appear red, depending on how sensitive your skin is. Gradually, that redness will be replaced with a deep tan shade.
There you have it: the best indoor tanning lotions to use when you hit your plateau. Have you decided on which one you’re going to buy?
It’s a tough decision, right? After all, they all offer something new and unique to the tanning process.
While we love them all, our top pick has to be the Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning Lotion.
It’s formulated with all the high-quality ingredients you need in a tan accelerator. Some ingredients work to give you a deep, dark tan, while others make sure it stays as long as possible without streaking.
Plus, it smells terrific and makes your skin super soft.
A great runner-up is the Supre Snooki Ultra Dark Black Bronzer. It’s both bronzer and accelerator to give you a sexy, natural-looking, golden brown tan.
It’s also the perfect consistency. So, there are no greasy residues or sticky patches left on your skin. In addition, it’s full of natural ingredients to keep your skin supple and smooth.
You May Also Like: