Best Gradual Tanning Lotions in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update January 11, 2024
Would you like to have nicely-glowing bronze skin all year long? If so, you're in the right place. Our selection of the best tanning ...Read more
PROS

Olive oil has excellent antibacterial properties, so it accelerates the healing of small scars and promotes the regeneration of skin cells. Panthenol relieves redness and irritation.

CONS

Contains parabens (Methylparaben and Propylparaben).

OUR VERDICT

If you want a good lotion from the famous manufacturer, we recommend going with this. This Tanning Accelerator allows you to achieve a natural dark tan as quickly as possible. Formulated with vitamins A and E, it will also make your skin look younger.

detailed parameters
Best For

Indoor tanning (0 SPF), Outdoor (only with sunscreen)

Volume

8.5 fl. oz.

Shade

Dark

Active Ingredients

Seed oil, Dimethicone, Aloe Vera, Tea Tree oil, Olive oil, Panthenol

Safety

Sulphate-free, Cruelty-free

Scent

"Classic Cocoa Dreams" fragrance

PROS

Moisture Locking system brings an excellent moisturising effect that lasts for 72 hours after application. And 100% Natural formula minimises the risk of allergic reactions.

CONS

It’s a little bit messy.

OUR VERDICT

If you are looking for a good self-tanner that can be used both on your face and body, the Organic Gradual Tan Lotion by VITA LIBERATA is a stellar offering. Thanks to the unique Odour Remove ™ technology, it has zero smells and is absolutely safe for sensitive skin.

detailed parameters
Best For

Indoor tanning (0 SPF), Outdoor (only with sunscreen)

Volume

6.76 fl. oz.

Shade

Medium

Active Ingredients

Aloe Vera, Shea butter, Marula Seed oil, Raspberry extract, Pomegranate extract, Cucumber extract, Ginkgo biloba extract, Licorice extract, Witch Hazel extract, Bladderwrack extract

Safety

Sulphate-free, Paraben-free, Cruelty-free

Scent

Fragrance-free

PROS

The cream absorbs almost immediately after application, leaving no greasy spots or traces on your clothes. Hence, you can safely use the lotion right before leaving home.

CONS

Some users dislike the sweet smell. 

OUR VERDICT

The folks behind L'Oréal have done their best to create a good self-tan body lotion that promotes intensive production of melanin. Hence, even the very fair skin will get a natural bronze tan after several applications. Suitable for daily use.

detailed parameters
Best For

Indoor tanning (0 SPF), Outdoor (only with sunscreen)

Volume

6.76 fl. oz.

Shade

Medium

Active Ingredients

Castor oil, Shea butter, Beeswax, Soybean oil

Safety

Sulphate-free, Paraben-free, Cruelty-free

Scent

Light sweet fragrance

PROS

It's formulated with the Coffee Plant Extract - a strong natural antioxidant that improves blood circulation, promotes the process of the cell rejuvenation and makes the skin more elastic.

CONS

Doesn't work well on exfoliated skin.

OUR VERDICT

This tanner is produced by a leading manufacturer and is available in two hues - Light/Medium and Medium/Dark. Also, you can choose between the body lotion, mousse, and face cream. Each of the products can be re-applied daily.

detailed parameters
Best For

Indoor tanning (0 SPF), Outdoor (only with sunscreen)

Volume

6.76 fl. oz.

Shade

Medium / Dark

Active Ingredients

Coffee plant extract

Safety

Sulphate-free, Paraben-free, Cruelty-free

Scent

Slight coffee scent

PROS

One of the key ingredients, Seed oil, prevents the formation of wrinkles and brings a toning effect to your skin. Also, it stimulates the reduction of body fat and effectively fights cellulite.

CONS

Tends to build up on certain areas (wrists, elbows, between fingers).

OUR VERDICT

The Dove Summer Revived lotion not only effectively darkens the skin. It combines the luxurious experience of a spa with the expertise of dermatological care to moisturise the deeper layers of your skin and prevent moisture loss.

detailed parameters
Best For

Indoor tanning (0 SPF), Outdoor (only with sunscreen)

Volume

6.76 fl. oz.

Shade

Light / Medium

Active Ingredients

Seed oil

Safety

Sulphate-free, Paraben-free, Cruelty-free

Scent

Very slight scent

Moisturises and Accelerates

Australian Gold is an iconic company that has been at the forefront of the tanning lotion market for more than 28 years now. It produces a vast variety of products to fit every need, lifestyle, budget and personal predilection. Yet, they are all made with nature-based ingredients that promote the dark tan and healthy-looking skin. And the Dark Tanning Accelerator Lotion is a great proof.

The lotion can become a real catch for people who prefer visiting solariums rather than spending hours under the boiling sun. The advanced formula of the product allows your natural pigmentation properties to brown you faster and darker. With no bronzers but with an exotic blend of Native Australian oils, Olive oil, Tea Tree oil, and Panthenol, it gets absorbed incredibly quickly, leaving no greasy or tingly feeling afterwards.

Being rich in vitamins A and E, this tanning accelerator can also improve the natural colour of your skin and give it a more youthful look. With that, the lotion perfectly moisturises your skin and makes it smell divine.

Long story short, Australian Gold offers a very good moisturiser that accelerates the tanning process quite a lot. It rubs in well, is not sticky, and seems to deeply nourish the skin. It won’t take you long to see the amazing results of your tanning sessions.

Last updated price £17.03
Stock In stock
ASIN B0010GYSLA

Plenty of Organic Extracts

It doesn't matter if you're one of those who believe that UV rays are harmful to your skin or you just lead a busy life and have no time for solarium sessions or visits to the beach, the VITA LIBERATA Self Tanning Lotion will get you covered.

As the name suggests, it's the self-tanner that can help you develop a beautiful sun-kissed glow at the comfort of your own home. It applies like a moisturiser and develops in around 5-6 hours. After one application, it lasts from 4 to 6 days. And if you would like to prolong the effect or make your tan deeper, you can safely use it on a daily basis.

Formulated only with organic ingredients with zero chemicals, this lotion is gentle even for very sensitive, dry, and mature skin. Moreover, it has absolutely no smell and tint, meaning no tan or scent will transfer on to your sheets or clothes. For this reason, you can put this tanning cream on before you go to bed.

Since it's packed full of hydrating, organic ingredients, you'll wake up not only with a natural glow but with a nourished and soft skin as well. The lotion dries quickly and leaves no marks on the sheets or pyjamas.

To conclude, being a bit more expensive than other fake tans, the VITA LIBERATA lotion gives a very good deep colour and builds up ultimately evenly. It provides a very good moisturising effect and doesn't have any irritating smell to it.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B010NL93PI

By a Trustworthy Manufacturer

L'Oréal Paris needs no presentation. It's the world's largest cosmetics company that has won the hearts of customers all across the globe with their hair care, skin care, sun protection, make-up, and perfume products. With more than 100 years of heritage, the brand produces high-quality products for very fair price tags. And no wonder we consider the L'Oréal Sublime Self-Tan Body Lotion as the most reasonable choice on our shortlist. It surely boasts the best price/quality ratio.

Being the part of L'Oreal superb self-tan range, this lotion can gradually give you a warm, sun-kissed glow with daily use. It's made with a low concentration of Dihydroxyacetone - the strong ingredient usually used in sunless tanners. So, if you're new to self-tanning, you'll be able to quickly build up a substantial, streak-free tan with this lotion.

The self-tanner has a velvety, delicate texture that is lightweight and fast drying. The cream is easy to layer, so you can build a good coverage.

Unlike most other tanning products that usually have a burnt smell, this lotion is perfumed nicely. The smell is soft, subtle, and a little sweet. However, it doesn't seem to linger for very long.

In all, the L'Oréal Sublime lotion is a perfect choice for people who need a moderately-priced body tanner by a trustworthy manufacturer. It goes nicely, dries quickly, and has a lovely smell.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B007FRNWCY

Like After a Month in Saint Tropez

The USA's leader in self-tanning is now in the UK! Being the top choice of professionals, celebrities, and beauty editors worldwide, the St.Tropez Gradual Tan definitely falls into the premium category.

This luxury product not only eventually delivers you a nice natural-looking tan but also deeply nourishes your skin and makes it silkier and smoother. That's largely achieved owing to the Coffee plant extract in its composition. Being a strong natural antioxidant, it improves blood circulation and delivers better flow to skin cells. In other words, the Coffee plant extract promotes the process of cell rejuvenation and makes your skin more elastic. With that, it brings a light coffee scent that can give you an instant refreshing effect.

This way, this tanning lotion can help you kick start your day with an energy boost and lock in moisture in your skin for 48 hours. It goes without saying, you can also apply it in the evening and wake up with a good hint of colour in the morning.

As a nice touch, the tanner is available in two hues - Light/Medium and Medium/Dark. Also, you can choose between the body lotion, mousse, and face cream. Any of the aforementioned products can be re-applied daily to let you achieve your desired depth of tan.

All things considered, the St.Tropez premium line-up can help you build a full-body glow. It suits all skin tones and brings additional skincare benefits.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £21.50
Stock In stock
ASIN B003CFB39C

Great Value

Would you like to get a lot of product without shelling out a dozen pounds? If yes, you should seriously consider the Dove DermaSpa Summer Revived Body Lotion. For less than £2, you'll get as much as 200 ml of tanning body oil.

Like all other products from the Dove's DermaSpa lineup, this tanning lotion is created with the Cell MoisturisersTM - the key moisturising actives that work at the skin cell level to leave your skin full of moisture. Compressed from Seed oils and enriched with natural tanners, this body lotion ensures healthy-looking tan that can stay all year round. Just use the lotion regularly and don't forget to exfoliate your skin before re-applying it.

We would admit that the first application will make you look a little sunkissed. However, you can gradually build it up to a really deep tan that looks very natural without that nasty orange hue. That's why you can use it even on your face. It'll certainly give your face a lovely added boost of colour without leaving it streaky. It's very gentle and odourless, so it won't irritate your eyes. Plus, it won't stain towels or clothing.

To summarise everything said above, the Dove lotion a great value for the money. With spa-like formula and self-tanners, it will leave your skin well-moisturised and glowing perfectly. Best suitable for fair to medium skin. Medium to dark lotion is also available.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £4.35
Stock In stock
ASIN B0152X4G5E

What Is a Tanning Lotion?

Do you agree that exposing your skin to harmful UV rays and risking premature skin ageing isn't worth the effort? Would you like to give yourself a golden allover tan effect in a matter of a few hours? If you have two 'yes', tanning lotion is a must-have thing in your bathroom. It'll let you skip the damaging boiling sun or sunbed to get a sexy, dark glow.

For this review, we have selected the best self-tanning lotions, creams, sprays, and mousses that will help you achieve a nice tan in moments. These are the best tanning products from top brands that are made with natural, botanical ingredients and pose absolutely no risks to your skin.

Moreover, most of them double as good moisturisers, nourishing your skin and making it smoother and silkier. Also, some lotions include body bronzers that can bring your body an instant glow. And totally all of them can brown your skin to perfection.

However, take note that this type of product doesn't contain SPF and is suitable for indoor use only. That being said, all of the reviewed products can be used with sunscreens to protect your skin from ageing and sunburns. So, choose one of the best sunscreens for face to make sure you're ready for summer completely.

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