The Best Tanning Oil

Buying Guide

As the largest organ in the body, your skin makes an impression. Some spend hours in the sun to get that all-over glow, but the melanin in your skin actually helps protect your cells against harmful ultraviolet rays.

Melanin is produced by melanocites found in your skin. The amount of melanin that melanocites produce varies from one person to another, though. The more melanin found in your skin, the darker you are. You can lounge by the pool or go to a tanning bed to boost your melanin, but how quickly you’re able to achieve the desired shade depends heavily on how your melanocites produce melanin.

There are products that can help level the playing field a little. Tan accelerators have been available for decades, with formulas that boost the amount of melanin those melanocites produce. Obviously, you’ll need UV rays to work with that melanin to make you darker, but with the right formula, you may be able to get a deeper color faster.

The biggest consideration when you’re working on your tan is safety. Although it might seem counterintuitive if you’re trying to get a suntan, SPF protection can keep you safer while you tan. Look for a sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 30, and make sure it offers “broad spectrum UV protection.” This means it protects you against both UVA and UVB rays. Sunscreen of SPF 30 will reduce your exposure to harmful rays without blocking out the sun completely.

You’ll also want to make sure you don’t stay in the sun too long. Melanin production tends to dwindle after a couple of hours, which means you’ll no longer get the benefits but you’ll still put your skin at risk. A tan accelerator can benefit you if it shortens the length of time you spend in the sun, but avoiding excessive sun exposure is best where skin cancer is concerned.

• Tanning is only part of the equation. You’ll also want to nourish and moisturize your skin, particularly if you’ll be out in the sun all day. Look for a tanning oil that softens your skin while it helps you achieve that glow.
• Too much UV exposure can damage the skin. Antioxidants can help offset some of that damage, and some even believe it can help slow down the aging process. You can find plenty of tanning oils that include antioxidants among the ingredients.
• There are plenty of natural oils that are thought to accelerate melanin production without forcing you to rely on chemicals. Oils in themselves stimulate melanin production, but some natural oils not only accelerate tanning but bring moisture to the skin. Olive oil and coconut oil are especially helpful.
• Foods rich in beta carotene can give you a more golden tan than you’d get without them. Consider adding carrot juice to your diet. An added benefit of carrot juice is that over time, it will help you build up a small amount of SPF protection.
• Tanning oils can be much messier than the thicker creams found with sunscreens. For that reason, many of today’s most popular oils come in a spray bottle format, making application a breeze.
• Chances are, you’ll want to take your tanning oil on the go with you. Look for a bottle you can easily slide into your beach bag or tote. Also consider where you’ll store it between uses.
• Some tanning oils can be greasy, taking a while to dry and leaving behind an unpleasant greasy film. Look for a spray tanning oil that dries quickly, allowing you to apply and immediately resume your activities.
• If you’re wearing your tanning oil while sweating or hopping in the water, look for a formula with some water and sweat resistance. Even if you go for that option, though, make a point of stopping to reapply every so often.