10 Best Sunscreens for Tanning: Top-Rated Low-SPF Picks

Lounging by the pool on a weekend or going to the beach is a fun and relaxing way to get a tan.

But getting that bronzed golden glow needs the right preparation and protection!

Suntan lotion is formulated with low SPF to withstand harsh sunlight while still giving you a healthy golden tan. These tanning sunscreens also provide added moisture for healthier skin with their formulas infused with different oils and minerals.

I rounded up the 10 best sunscreens for tanning on the market you can get your hands on today!

Best Sunscreens for Tanning	Check Price
1. Hawaiian Tropic Protective Tanning Oil Spray (SPF 30)	Check Price on Amazon
2. Bain de Soleil Mega Tanning Lotion (SPF 4)	Check Price on Amazon
3. Caribbean Sol 100% Sol Natural Guard (SPF 15)	Check Price on Amazon
4. Australian Gold Sunscreen Lotion with Kona Coffee (SPF 30)	Check Price on Amazon
5. Banana Boat Deep Tanning Oil (SPF 4)	Check Price on Amazon
6. Neutrogena Beach Defense Sunscreen Lotion (SPF 30)	Check Price on Amazon
7. Panama Jack Sunscreen Tanning Lotion (SPF 4)	Check Price on Amazon
8. Coppertone Tanning Lotion Broad Spectrum (SPF 8)	Check Price on Amazon
9. Ocean Potion Suncare Dark Tanning Lotion (SPF 4)	Check Price on Amazon
10. NO-AD Protective Tanning Lotion (SPF 8)	Check Price on Amazon

1. Hawaiian Tropic Protective Tanning Oil Spray (SPF 30)

Our Pick

This spray-on sunscreen by Hawaiian Tropic features oil that can draw in the sun without skipping skin protection. It’s infused with antioxidants to nourish your skin while tanning.

The spray bottle makes application easier and mess-free. Tanning will be easy even with this sunscreen!

Its high SPF will keep you protected against harmful radiation. It’s a great option for those who want to darken their color without compromising on being protected from the sun.

2. Bain de Soleil Mega Tanning Lotion (SPF 4)

Best for a Dark Tan

Get an even darker tan with Bain de Soleil’s Mega Tanning Lotion. This sunscreen includes a self-tanner to enhance the color of your skin for an intense and even tan.

Added moisturizers keep your skin soft and smooth. It’s paraben-free and dermatologist-tested, making it the best for sensitive skin types.

Plus, the color stays on fairly well. It won’t fade away too fast.

3. Caribbean Sol 100% Sol Natural Guard (SPF 15)

All-Natural Formula

This SPF 15 sunscreen by Caribbean Sol is all-natural and features zinc oxide for protection against UVA and UVB rays. It’s fully biodegradable down to its packaging.

The formula itself features cooling extracts and is water-resistant. It’s the best option for those who need to shower after a tan or a day at the beach.

It’s also cruelty-free and paraben-free. I particularly love this for lying down in a tanning bed.

4. Australian Gold Sunscreen Lotion with Kona Coffee (SPF 30)

Australian Gold formulated this lotion to give you an instant bronze glow.

It’s infused with Sunflower Seed Oil and Cocoa Seed Butter that moisturizes your skin while tanning. This sunscreen also claims to be water-resistant for up to 80 minutes after application.

You can stay under the sun a little bit longer with this sunscreen. Use it during beach activities for maximum use!

5. Banana Boat Deep Tanning Oil (SPF 4)

Get yourself a darker tan when you apply this deep tanning oil by Banana Boat.

It’s infused with cocoa butter and banana extract for a smooth feel on your skin.

This tanning oil can last up to 80 minutes in water and is reef-safe, too. The spritz bottle makes for easy and mess-free application.

6. Neutrogena Beach Defense Sunscreen Lotion (SPF 30)

Neutrogena’s higher SPF is a great defense against skin cancer from prolonged sun exposure.

If you’re going to be at the beach for a longer time, this sunscreen is easily absorbed without leaving a sticky feeling.

This sunscreen is waterproof and can be reapplied every 2 hours.

7. Panama Jack Sunscreen Tanning Lotion (SPF 4)

This sunscreen from Panama Jack is designed for people who have a hard time getting a tan.

It’s best for those who want a quick visit to the beach for a healthy glow.

Even if you go for a swim, the sunscreen is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and is safe for reefs and marine life.

8. Coppertone Tanning Lotion Broad Spectrum (SPF 8)

Coppertone has established itself as a trusted brand for sun protection. This sunscreen is no exception.

It has enough SPF for a few minutes of tanning without accidentally burning your skin.

It contains antioxidants and Vitamin E to nourish your skin after tanning.

9. Ocean Potion Suncare Dark Tanning Lotion (SPF 4)

This sunscreen from Ocean Potion is infused with Aloe Vera and Vitamin E for anti-aging and skin protection.

The formula glides smoothly on your skin and doesn’t leave a sticky residue. Best of all, it’s paraben and cruelty-free!

10. NO-AD Protective Tanning Lotion (SPF 8)

This NO-AD Sunscreen Lotion SPF 8 provides you with added tanning time with higher SPF than other sunblocks.

Its water-resistant feature lasts for up to 80 minutes and is paraben-free. It’s even infused with aloe vera extract to help moisturize your skin under the sun.

Why Do I Need Sunscreen for Tanning?

Whenever we get exposed to the sun, there’s ultraviolet radiation that is absorbed by our skin. These UV rays can be classified through a spectrum, but here are the two that we know about the most: UVA and UVB rays:

• UVB rays burn the upper and outer layers of our skin, and this is what mostly causes sunburns and redness.
• UVA rays, on the other hand, can penetrate deeper into our epidermis.

Melanin is produced when this happens, and it’s what gives our skin pigment and makes it tan. The tanning process helps protect our skin from burning from these UVA rays.

We can control how much we tan by using protective sunscreen whenever we go out or head to the beach. Understanding sunscreens and what makes them up can help you decide on what will work best for your needs.

TAKE NOTE: Even if you’re a guy, wear sunscreen! Tanning for men is just the same as it is for women.

What to Consider Before Buying the Best Sunscreens for Tanning?

We’re used to preparing our skin by slathering on goops of sunscreen, and the best sunscreens are aimed to give us the most protection that will last for a couple of hours. This is great for general exposure to the sun, but not when you want to get a tan.

There’s a way to pick out the best sunscreens for tanning that can give your skin a deep color while still protecting it from sunburn or excessive damage. Especially when you’re using tan accelerators!

You need to consider the following factors when buying the best sun tanning lotion.

• SPF
• Chemical vs. Physical
• Broad-spectrum

I’ll go through each of these factors below.

1. Sun Protection Factor (SPF)

Sun Protection Factor, or SPF factor, is a measuring gauge to know how much a sunscreen can protect against UV rays. The higher the sunscreen SPF, the longer it works to protect your skin.

If a bottle says it has SPF 15, it ideally means you can be exposed to the sun 15 TIMES LONGER than it would without wearing sunscreen. It can also mean how much of the sun’s UV rays the sunscreen can block. Sunscreens can reach up to 97% of sunray protection.

Sunscreens for tanning have a lower SPF to help you tan faster. This means that you have to be more careful to avoid getting sunburned.

Always be mindful of how much time you will spend under the sun, and use sunscreen that can last the amount of time you’ll be there, if not longer.

2. Chemical vs. Physical Sunscreens

Sunscreen is formulated differently by brand, and its effects vary upon application. When it comes to sun ray protection, sunscreens can be classified as Chemical or Physical.

• Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing UV radiation into the skin. It’s converted into heat and released from your body which prevents skin damage. This kind of sunscreen needs time to be fully absorbed by your skin. Most brands will recommend that you wait at least 20 minutes after application before sun ray exposure.
• Physical sunscreens, on the other hand, stay on the outer layer of the skin. They’re commonly infused with zinc oxide as its main ingredient. The zinc oxide acts as a barrier that reflects the sun’s radiation. This type leaves a white cast when applied correctly. Frequent and liberal reapplication is needed since it wears off quickly during sun ray exposure.

3. Broad-Spectrum SPF

Not all sunscreens are formulated to protect against the same kind of ultraviolet rays.

Some sunscreens are only meant to protect against UVB radiation, the kind that causes sunburns. Sunscreens that are labeled broad-spectrum can guard against both UVA and UVB radiation.

While SPF that covers the broad spectrum is better for general use, it’s not always advisable for tanning. If you find it hard to get a tan, you can choose SPF with minimal or no UVA protection. You can also opt for sunscreens with lower SPF for faster results.

What to Remember Before Sun Tanning With Sunscreen?

It’s easy to go under the sun, but getting your golden glow takes more preparation for your safety.

For optimal sun safety when sun-tanning, you need to remember the following points below.

• Skin risks
• Reapplication
• Face application

As long as you remember these three points, you’ll be able to tan under the sun comfortably with your chosen sun tan lotion!

Skin Risks

Sunscreen SPF is not guaranteed to fully protect against harmful radiation from the sun. Prolonged exposure can lead to an increased risk of skin cancer and other diseases. Broad-spectrum sunscreen is still the best option to protect your skin from added risks.

Be mindful of the weather and temperature forecasts for the day. Try not to expose yourself to sunlight between 11am – 3pm, since heat is the strongest during these hours.

Radiation can also penetrate through clouds if you’re tanning on a cloudy day, so don’t skimp on sunscreen even if the sky looks dim or cloudy.

Reapplication

The best sun protection measures you can do to keep your skin safe is to always reapply sunscreen while you’re outside. Sunscreen SPF can’t fully block radiation, and most claims of 80 minutes of water resistance wear off before that time is filled.

Always make sure you use the right amount of sunscreen that’s recommended by dermatologists. The usual amount of sunscreen should be enough to fill a shot glass to cover your whole body.

Try to apply sunscreen as evenly as you can to avoid patches and an uneven tan. Don’t forget your back and undersides, too!

Face Application

Our faces are VERY sensitive, so you need to find a sunscreen your face won’t react to. Find skin care products and formulations that are non-comedogenic and won’t block your pores.

It’s important that you wear sunscreen whenever you go out, and yes, even if you’ll just be driving. When the sun hits your skin through your car window, you can still experience the effects of sun damage even if you won’t tan.

Stay blemish-free and reduce the forming of fine lines by finding a sunscreen that won’t irritate your face. You might need to find a separate sunscreen for this purpose.

Always do a patch test near your jawline to find one that will work for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Tanning Sunscreen Lotion?

Tanning sunscreen lotion is a topical product that protects the skin against sunburn and skin cancer while still providing the skin with tanning benefits. Most tanning sunscreen products have a very low SPF, with some only having a maximum SPF of 30. This ensures that the product can still protect the skin for a short amount of time during a tanning session.

What SPF to Use for Tanning?

The best sunscreen SPF you can use and still get a tan is an SPF of 15-30. Low SPF sun tanning lotions allow you to get a tan but still provide enough protection against the sun’s harmful rays.

Is SPF 15 Good for Tanning?

SPF 15 is ideal for tanning. This SPF level provides you with sufficient protection from the sun while still giving you your desired tan.

Is SPF 8 Good for Tanning?

SPF 8 is great for tanning because of its low SPF, but it will not protect your skin from UV rays for a prolonged period.

Can You Tan With SPF 70?

Sun tan lotions don’t protect your skin 100%, no matter how high the SPF is. Therefore, you can still get a tan with SPF 70 sunscreen, but it won’t be as effective, and you might need to spend more time under the sun to achieve desired tanning results.

Summary of Top Picks

Based on ease of application and benefits, our best sunscreen from the list is Hawaiian Tropic’s Protective Tanning Oil Spray:

• Its oil form is the best for tanning on the beach.
• Its high SPF also means that you will still be protected from harmful UV radiation in case you need to stay under the sun for a bit longer.
• The spray bottle also gives a useful and mess-free application. You just need to put it inside your bag, and you can be on your way!

If you want to be more conscious and environmentally friendly, go with Caribbean Sol’s 100% Natural Guard:

• Its fully biodegradable packaging and formula make it a sustainable option if you’re going to tan frequently.
• Its cooling effect can be relaxing under the sun and prevents you from feeling sticky in the long run.

For those who are really aiming for that dark golden tan, pick up Bain de Soleil’s Dark Tanning Lotion:

• This sunscreen includes a self-tanner that can instantly enhance the color that you want.
• It’s dermatologist-tested, so you can be sure that it’s safe even for those who are sensitive and prone to reactions.

Final Words

The best sunscreens for tanning should provide a good amount of protection while allowing your skin to tan effectively.

Make sure to always bring your chosen sun tan lotion during your sun tanning session and apply it liberally before you expose yourself to the sun!

FINAL TIP: If you’re looking for a self-tanner that will you a LONG time, I have a guide on the longest-lasting self-tanners for you to choose from!