Best Bronzing Accelerator Lotion: Top 5 Picks

Ever step out of a tanning bed wishing your glow was just a little deeper, a little faster? Many tanners chase that perfect, sun-kissed look, but finding the right lotion can feel like a guessing game. You see bottles boasting “bronzer” and “accelerator,” but what do those words really mean for your skin and your tan results?

Choosing the perfect Tanning Bed Lotion with both a bronzer and an accelerator presents a real challenge. You want quick color, but you also want to avoid streaks or an orange tint. Understanding how these key ingredients work together is crucial to avoiding wasted time and money on products that just don’t deliver. It’s frustrating when you invest in a top-tier lotion only to end up with disappointing results.

This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what bronzers do and how accelerators speed up your natural tanning process. By the end of this post, you will know precisely what to look for on the ingredient list so you can confidently choose a lotion that maximizes your session. Get ready to unlock your best tan yet!

Top Tanning Bed Lotion With Bronzer And Accelerator Recommendations

No. 1
Tanning Paradise Black Coconut Love Tanning Lotion | Coconut Oil | Age-Defying | Tattoo Protecting Formula | Ultra Hydrating Dark Tanning Lotion, 13.5oz
  • ✅ Dark tanning activators deliver golden results without the use of DHA or bronzing agents.
  • ✅ Multiple Tan Intensifier + Melanin Stimulators - Stimulate and increase melanin formation to accelerate the tanning process.
  • ✅ Ultra-tan Activator - Stimulates tyrosine activity and promotes even and long lasting color production. Skin Tightening - Reduces the appearance of cellulite and promotes firmness.
  • ✅ Coconut Milk, Coconut Butter & Cocoa Oil - Provide intense, deep skin hydration.
  • ✅ Tattoo & Color Fade Protector - Prolongs the life and radiance of your tattoos and tanning results.
No. 2
Millennium Tanning SOLID BLACK 100X Dark Tanning Lotion Indoor Outdoor Tan Enhancing Silicone Bronzer Tanning Bed Lotion 13.5 Fl oz (400 ml)
  • 100X BRONZING POWER - Get a deep, dark and long-lasting tan with this dark tanning accelerator. This powerful formula is designed to enhance your natural tan and give you 100 times more bronzing power. Say goodbye to pale skin and hello to a gorgeous, sun-kissed glow!
  • ULTRA-DARK INDOOR/OUTDOOR TANNING LOTION - Achieve a deep, natural tan with this powerful tan oil. Formulated for use both indoors and outdoors, this lotion contains a silicone bronzer to enhance your tan and leave your skin glowing. Experience 100X dark results with this easy-to-use tanning lotion.
  • INTENSE, DEEP, AND LONG-LASTING TAN RESULTS - Achieve the ultimate bronzed glow with our Indoor-Outdoor Tanning Accelerator. This powerful lotion will enhance and extend your tan for a darker, richer, and longer-lasting result. Perfect for those seeking intense and deep tanning results.
  • SUITABLE FOR USE IN TANNING BEDS AND OUTDOORS - Achieve a deep, dark tan both indoors and outdoors with this specially formulated lotion. Its silicone bronzer and Tan Enhancing properties make it the perfect choice for those seeking a dark tanning bed lotion.
  • ENHANCED WITH SKIN-NOURISHING VITAMINS - This Tan lotion is infused with vitamins to nourish your skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth while achieving a deep, dark tan.
No. 3
European Gold Flash Black 4000X Indoor Tanning Lotion with Time-Release DHA Bronzers, 12 oz
  • Specially formulated for indoor tanning use, this powerful lotion helps maximize your tanning bed sessions by enhancing your skin's ability to darken quickly and evenly.
  • Infused with nourishing ingredients, this lotion conditions and softens your skin, allowing it to radiate a rich, golden-bronze glow with a healthy-looking finish.
  • Features time-release DHA bronzers and an ultra-dark Glow Matrix that continues to develop and intensify your color for hours, giving you a deeper, darker tan.
  • This tanning lotion does not contain sunscreen and will not protect against sunburn; always use appropriate sun protection when exposed to natural sunlight.
  • Includes a Tiger Grass tattoo-enhancing complex that helps maintain the brightness and clarity of your body art, ensuring tattoos stay vibrant and well-defined.
No. 4
That’s What Sea Said Tanning Bed Lotion Accelerator for Indoor & Outdoors, Fast Dark Tan Enhancer with Coconut Oil & Aloe, Moisturizing Indoor Tanning Lotion for Face & Body, Tattoo-Safe, No Bronzer
  • Get Darker, Faster: Get your most glowing tan yet with this advanced tanning bed lotion, made to help boost your skin’s natural melanin production, delivering a deeper, richer bronze quickly - whether you tan indoors or outdoors
  • Deeply Hydrating, Never Sticky: Enriched with aloe vera, coconut, and passionfruit, the indoor tanning bed lotion nourishes and hydrates skin while you tan, leaving it beautifully soft, smooth, and glowing - not greasy or heavy
  • No Bronzers, No Stains: Pure white sun tanning lotion formula means no orange tones, streaks, or stains on clothes, towels, or sheets. Plus, the tan lotion leaves skin lightly fragranced with a clean, tropical summer breeze
  • Indoor & Outdoor Ready: Perfect tanning lotion for tanning beds and outdoor sun use - whether it be beach days, poolside lounging, or backyard sun sessions for flawless golden results. Great for those who want color and radiance that gets noticed
  • Tattoo-Friendly & Cruelty-Free: The tanning bed face lotion helps protect tattoo vibrancy while tanning, is vegan-friendly and cruelty-free, Plus, the tanner supports healthier-looking skin by helping combat visible signs of skin aging
No. 5
Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning Lotion Cruelty Free, Gluten Free, Mineral Oil Free, DHA Free for All skin type, 13.5oz
  • · Tattoo Fade Protecting Formula: Helps prolong the life and radiance of your tattoos and tanning results.
  • · Quad Tyrosine Blend & Melano Bronze: Stimulates and increases melanin formation to accelerate the tanning process.
  • · Ultra-Darkening Skin Hydrating Intensifier: Contains coconut milk, coconut oil, and cocoa butter to improve skin hydration. Delivers a dark golden tan without the use of bronzing agents.
  • · Coconut Paradise Fragrance: An intoxicating light coconut fragrance with a faint scent of vanilla will make you dream of a day in paradise.
  • · Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses is part of the Tanovations company. The Ed Hardy logo was replaced by the Tanovations logo, which has a palm tree.
No. 6
European Gold Dark Star 6000X Ultra-Dark Tanning Lotion with Triple - Bronze Formula for Deep, Long-Lasting Tan and Skin-Nourishing Ingredients - 12 oz
  • European Gold's professional salon formula. ULTRA DARK FORMULA: Premium indoor tanning lotion with Elite Dark Triple Bronzer complex for achieving the darkest possible tan results
  • Elite Dark Bronzers offer instant, natural, and flawless DHA bronzing for your darkest tan yet. TIME-RELEASE TECHNOLOGY: Advanced bronzing formula gradually develops and intensifies over time for long-lasting, natural-looking color
  • Time-release bronzers continue to darken your tan after your session. TATTOO ENHANCEMENT: Special complex helps maintain tattoo vibrancy and clarity while developing your desired tan shade
  • Coconut, Watermelon, Raspberry, & Avocado extracts nourish skin for a beautiful radiance. SKIN CONDITIONING: Tones and enhances skin appearance while tanning, suitable for all tanning bed types
  • Skin-firming ingredients tone the appearance of skin CLEAN BEAUTY: Vegan, cruelty-free formula without parabens or sulfates, available in a convenient 12 FL OZ bottle
No. 7
Ed Hardy UPGRADE TO BLACK Triple Black Bronzer - 13.5 oz.
  • High amounts of DHA, Natural and Cosmetic Bronzers produce seriously dark immediate and progressive bronzing results for an instant pop of color
  • Melactiva - Melanin synthesizer for darker, longer lasting results
  • Nouritan - Stimulates tyrosine activity and promotes an even and long lasting tan
  • Quad Tyrosine Blend + MelanoBronze - Stimulate and increase melanin formation to accelerate the tanning process
No. 8
TAN ASZ U Midnight Maui Double Shot 400X Bronzer - 13.5 oz
  • Double Shot 400X bronzing evokes a bronze worthy of an island goddess
  • Black Pearl and Peptide Illuminator bestows skin an exotic island glow that gets your tan noticed
  • “Inktuition” tattoo enhancing complex helps your favorite body art shine bright and colorful.
  • Fragrance: Mandarin Maui Colada
  • Black Pearl & Peptide Illuminator

Your Guide to Amazing Tan: Choosing Tanning Bed Lotion with Bronzer and Accelerator

Want a deep, fast tan from your tanning bed session? You need the right lotion! Tanning bed lotions with bronzers and accelerators are popular. They help you get color quickly. This guide will help you pick the best one for your skin.

Key Features to Look For

The best lotions have a few special ingredients working together. Look closely at the label.

1. Bronzers for Immediate Color
  • What they do: Bronzers give you color right away. They act like makeup for your tan.
  • Look for: Ingredients like DHA (Dihydroxyacetone) or natural bronzers (like Walnut Shell Extract). DHA gives a delayed, deeper tan, while natural bronzers offer instant color that washes off.
2. Accelerators for Deep Tanning
  • What they do: Accelerators help your skin produce melanin faster. Melanin is what makes you tan naturally.
  • Look for: Ingredients like Tyrosine, L-Tyrosine, or Copper Peptides. These speed up the tanning process under the UV light.
3. Moisturizers for Skin Health
  • What they do: Tanning beds dry out your skin. Good lotions keep your skin soft and help the tan last longer.
  • Look for: Aloe Vera, Coconut Oil, Hemp Seed Oil, or Shea Butter.

Important Ingredients: What Makes it Work?

Understanding the ingredients helps you make smart choices. Some ingredients boost the tan, while others protect your skin.

Tanning Boosters

These are the workhorses. They ensure you see results after every session. Accelerators like Tyrosine start the natural tanning process. Bronzers add that instant ‘wow’ factor.

Skin Conditioners

Hydration is very important. Dry skin sheds faster. When skin sheds, your tan fades quickly. Lotions rich in vitamins (like Vitamin E) and natural oils keep your skin supple. This helps your hard-earned color stick around longer.

Quality Factors: Improving or Reducing Your Tan

Not all lotions are created equal. The quality of the ingredients greatly affects your results and experience.

Factors That Improve Quality
  • High-Quality Bronzers: Lotions using high percentages of natural bronzers often give a more even, less streaky look.
  • Advanced Accelerator Blends: Lotions that combine several types of accelerators often work better for all skin types.
  • No Mineral Oil: Mineral oil can sometimes block UV rays, making your tan lighter. Good lotions avoid this.
Factors That Reduce Quality (Red Flags)
  • Too Much Fragrance: Strong perfumes can sometimes irritate sensitive skin during tanning.
  • Cheap Fillers: If the ingredient list is full of basic water and cheap alcohols, the lotion might just sit on top of the skin instead of soaking in to help it tan.

User Experience and Use Cases

Think about when and how you plan to use the lotion.

For the Beginner Tanner

If you are new to tanning beds, choose a lotion labeled “Accelerator Only” or “Low Bronzer.” These offer gentle color development. You avoid over-darkening too fast. Use these for your first few sessions.

For the Experienced Tanner

If you tan regularly, look for a “Maximum Bronzer” or “Dark Tanning Lotion.” These usually have high levels of DHA for a deep, rich color. These lotions are great for quickly deepening an existing base tan.

Application Tips

Always apply tanning lotion evenly before getting into the bed. Rub it in completely. Never use regular body lotion instead of tanning lotion. Regular lotion does not contain the necessary accelerators to stimulate melanin production.


10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the main difference between a bronzer and an accelerator?

A: A bronzer gives you instant color right away. An accelerator works with your skin’s UV exposure to make more natural tan pigment (melanin) over time.

Q: Can I use this lotion when I tan outdoors?

A: Yes, you can. However, these lotions do not contain SPF. You must always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen when tanning outside.

Q: Will the bronzer wash off?

A: Yes, the instant color from DHA or natural bronzers usually starts to fade after your first shower. The deeper tan from the accelerators will last longer.

Q: How often should I apply this lotion?

A: Apply it right before every tanning session. For best results, moisturize with a non-tanning lotion daily between sessions.

Q: Do these lotions help prevent burning?

A: No. These lotions speed up tanning. They do not protect you from UV rays. Never skip your dedicated tanning lotion SPF if you are sunbathing outside.

Q: What if my skin feels tingly after using the lotion?

A: Tingly feelings often mean the lotion contains “warming” or “tingle” ingredients (like Benzyl Nicotinate). These increase blood flow for a deeper tan but can irritate sensitive skin.

Q: Are lotions with high bronzer amounts bad for beginners?

A: They can be. High bronzers can sometimes lead to uneven patches if you do not rub the lotion in perfectly or if you miss a spot.

Q: How long does a bottle of this lotion usually last?

A: This depends on how often you tan. If you tan three times a week, a standard 8-ounce bottle usually lasts about 4 to 6 weeks.

Q: Should I look for lotions that are “Paraben-Free”?

A: Many people prefer paraben-free products for general skincare. Parabens are preservatives, but some consumers choose to avoid them.

Q: Why is my tan streaky after using a bronzing lotion?

A: Streaks usually happen because the lotion was applied too thinly, rubbed in too quickly, or because the bronzer settled on skin folds or dry patches.