Guide To Summer Sun: The Best Sun Tanning Lotions To Get A Tan
This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s summer editorial intern Grier Calagione. Find her on Instagram at @g_fac. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
It’s officially summer, sunny days are filled with soaking up sunshine. Nothing is better than laying out in the sun, whether it’s with a good book in hand, listening to a fun podcast or hanging with friends. Everyone wants to achieve a bronzy glow, but what is the best sun tanning lotion to get it with? In today’s article, we are going to be looking at the 5 most popular tanning products comparing reviews, ingredients and feel.
Hawaiian Tropics
4.5/ 5 stars
5,000 reviews
SPF Options
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Hawaiian Tropic tanning oil is one of the most popular oils, easily found in any pharmacy or sun care aisle. They cover a wide range of SPF coverage and both lotion and oil tanners. This used to be my go-to oil, it’s effective and easy to love. There is SPF coverage so you only have one product to haul to the beach, it smells good and isn’t too sticky. Hawaiian Tropics is the staple sun tanning oil.
Sun Bum
4.6/ 5 stars
6,000 reviews
15 SPF
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Sun Bum products have a cult following, people really love them. Whether it’s the perfect summer scent of SPF coverage that draws people in, this is the most popular sun tanning oil on Amazon. One consistent problem I’ve had with the product is the function of the bottle, eventually, the sprayer stops working. The reviews agree with me, lots mention a broken pump or malfunctioning bottle. But, this often does not take away from the raving reviews of the actual tanning results. Sun Bum works well and is reef-compliant, using ingredients like Aloe Vera, Green Tea Butter, Marula, Argan, Coconut and Avocado Oil.
Maui Babe
4.4/5 stars
11,000 reviews
No SPF
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And now for TikTok’s favorite tanner, Maui Babe. This product is often sold with their after-sun lotion, one of my favorite summer products. The lotion is made to lock in your tan, it’s lightweight, moisturizing and smells like a coconut dream. However, the tanner itself, while effective, has some cons. First of all, it does not share the coconut scent of its lotion counterpart. It smells ok at best. But my real issue is the staining. If you get this lotion on a nice towel or swimsuit, it will eventually come out, but only after a great deal of effort and immediate action. I’ve found this tanner gives amazing results so wearing a black bikini and using a crappy towel can be worth it, but you have been warned.
Tanned AF
4.4/ 5 stars
2,300 reviews
SPF Options
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Tanned AF, from the company B.Tan, is an Amazon launchpad tanner that boasts being vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free and sustainably sourced. Because of its affiliation with Amazon, it’s the “Amazon’s Choice” tanner. Despite having significantly fewer reviews, the positive ones rave about the effectiveness and feel. B.Tan does make two tanners with SPF, Tropic Like It’s Hot and Beach… Please. I’m not exactly sure how to feel about this product, but they definitely won the name creativity award.
Carroten
4.4 /5 Stars
2,800 reviews
No SPF
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This is another viral TikTok recommendation, but the results speak for themselves. Every 5-star review was a rave, including before and after photos. Most customers were shocked by the efficiency of this tanner and I’m right there with them. This stuff works. Made of Carrot and Coconut Oils, this product feels great on the skin and works fast. The negative of this product is staining, but unlike MauiBabe the stains are a bit less serious (just don’t wear white). Most of the other negative reviews reference burning, there is no SPF with this tanner so it should be paired with sunscreen for safe use. Without any sun protection you will burn, this product locks in the UV rays like no other.
When it comes to the business of tanning, you’ve got options. Each of these products fits different preference niches and satisfies different needs. As long as you’ve got sun protection, a good book and a sunny day, nothing is stopping that bronze.
In your opinion, what is the best sun tanning lotion? Which tanner will you be using this summer? Let us know in the comments!