A tanning bed lotion is a moisturizer formulated for indoor UV sessions. The better ones hydrate the skin so it absorbs UV more evenly, and many add bronzers, either DHA, which develops a temporary color over hours, or cosmetic tints that wash off. Accelerators focus on moisture without bronzer; tingle lotions add circulation-boosting agents that some find uncomfortable.
Nothing in a bottle makes UV tanning safe. Tanning beds emit UV radiation that damages skin and raises the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma, and they accelerate skin aging. Health agencies such as the FDA warn that UV tanning devices pose serious health risks, the WHO’s cancer agency IARC classifies UV-emitting tanning devices as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1), and many states ban indoor tanning for minors. If you choose to tan indoors anyway, lotions can improve moisture and evenness, but they do not reduce the UV risk, and most provide no sun protection at all.
What is the best tanning bed lotion? For most indoor tanners, the Millennium Tanning Solid Black 100X is the best bronzer-type lotion for a deeper look from each session, the Australian Gold Dark Tanning Accelerator is the pick if you want moisture and no bronzer, and Devoted Creations Dark AF is a strong dark bronzer alternative with modern skincare ingredients.
In short: match the lotion to your goal, with accelerators for base building, bronzers for immediate color and tingle formulas only if you know you tolerate them. Patch test first, apply evenly with clean hands, wash palms afterward, and never use outdoor sunscreen or oils in a bed.
This guide was written by researching product listings and ingredient information, not by testing each lotion. It is not medical advice. Below: our top three, how we chose, a comparison table, ten picks with pros and cons, a buying guide, care tips and FAQs.
Recommended Tanning Bed Lotions
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. These are research-based picks, not products we have tested. How we choose.
Our Top 3 Picks
BEST OVERALL Millennium Tanning Solid Black 100X Indoor Tanning Lotion. The best-known dark bronzer lotion for tanning beds, built around a high-strength bronzer blend and a silicone-based moisturizing feel.
BEST ACCELERATOR Australian Gold Dark Tanning Accelerator Lotion, 8.5 oz. A classic bronzer-free accelerator that focuses on moisture and native Australian botanicals rather than instant color.
BEST DARK BRONZER Devoted Creations Dark AF Dark Tanning Lotion, 12.25 oz. A modern dark bronzer from Devoted Creations with skincare-style ingredients in a 12.25 oz bottle.
How We Chose These Products
We started from Amazon listings for tanning bed lotions and kept products labeled for indoor UV use, excluding outdoor sunscreens, sunless self-tanners and tanning oils. We favored listings that state the lotion type, bronzer level and bottle size, and allowed no more than two products per brand across the Australian Gold family.
We included accelerators, intensifiers, light bronzers and dark bronzers so there is a pick for every stage. Nothing here was tested on our own skin, and nothing here changes the health risks of UV tanning.
Comparison Table
| Pick | Type and bronzer | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Millennium Tanning Solid Black 100X Indoor Tanning Lotion | Dark bronzer, 100X | Deep bronzer color |
| Australian Gold Dark Tanning Accelerator Lotion, 8.5 oz | Accelerator, no bronzer | Base building without bronzer |
| Devoted Creations Dark AF Dark Tanning Lotion, 12.25 oz | Dark bronzer | Dark color with skincare feel |
| Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning Lotion, 13.5 oz | Light bronzer | Golden, lighter color |
| Jwoww Shore Love Intensifier Tanning Lotion | Intensifier, no dark bronzer | Bronzer-free intensifier |
| Tan Asz U Midnight Maui 400X Bronzer Indoor Tanning Lotion, 13.5 oz | Dark bronzer, 400X | Maximum bronzer strength |
| Onyx HE Tanning Bed Lotion for Men, Indoor Tanning Accelerator | Accelerator for men, no bronzer | Men who dislike sweet scents |
| b.tan UV Tanning Bed Lotion, Extreme Dark Tinted Tan Accelerator | Tinted accelerator with bronzer | Visible guide tint |
| European Gold Flash Black 4000X Indoor Tanning Lotion, Time-Release | Time-release dark bronzer, 4000X | Experienced tanners pushing darker |
| Hempz Hydromax Maximizer Herbal Moisturizing Tanning Lotion | Moisturizing maximizer, no dark bronzer | Dry skin and hydration |
The 10 Best Tanning Bed Lotions
1. Millennium Tanning Solid Black 100X Indoor Tanning Lotion
BEST OVERALL
Solid Black is the best tanning bed lotion for dark bronzing and the product that defined that category. The listing describes it as a 100X bronzer, a high concentration of bronzing agents that give immediate cosmetic color plus a DHA tan that develops after the session. The silicone emulsion applies smoothly and feels less greasy than older formulas. Beginners should patch test and expect some transfer onto light clothing at first.
Best for: Deep bronzer color
2. Australian Gold Dark Tanning Accelerator Lotion, 8.5 oz
BEST ACCELERATOR
Australian Gold’s Dark Tanning Accelerator is the standard bronzer-free option. The listing describes native Australian oils that moisturize skin for a more even result, with no DHA or tint, so there is no streaking or transfer. It suits people building a base, those who react to bronzers, and fans of the brand’s signature scent.
Best for: Base building without bronzer
3. Devoted Creations Dark AF Dark Tanning Lotion, 12.25 oz
BEST DARK BRONZER
Dark AF is Devoted Creations’ answer to the dark bronzer market, a 12.25-ounce dark tanning lotion from a brand known for layering hydrators and anti-aging additives into its bronzers. The result aims for color while feeling more like a daily moisturizer. Apply evenly and avoid the palms, knees and elbows.
Best for: Dark color with skincare feel
4. Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning Lotion, 13.5 oz
Coconut Kisses is a long-running favorite tanning bed lotion for people who want a lighter, golden result rather than a deep bronzer. The listing describes a golden tanning lotion in a 13.5-ounce bottle with a coconut scent. Its gentler bronzer level makes it a good first step from an accelerator to color, with less streaking than high-X dark formulas.
Best for: Golden, lighter color
5. Jwoww Shore Love Intensifier Tanning Lotion
Shore Love is the intensifier in the Jwoww line from Australian Gold, focused on moisture and tan enhancement rather than heavy bronzer. It suits someone who wants a boost beyond a basic accelerator but is not ready for dark bronzer transfer. The line is known for strong scents and black-tea extracts.
Best for: Bronzer-free intensifier
6. Tan Asz U Midnight Maui 400X Bronzer Indoor Tanning Lotion, 13.5 oz
Midnight Maui is a 400X bronzer from Tan Asz U, one of the highest bronzer ratings here, in a 13.5-ounce bottle with a tropical scent. A number that high means a heavy load of DHA and cosmetic bronzers, which looks dramatic but is unforgiving of uneven application, so exfoliate first and wash hands immediately.
Best for: Maximum bronzer strength
7. Onyx HE Tanning Bed Lotion for Men, Indoor Tanning Accelerator
Onyx HE is a men’s accelerator tanning bed lotion formulated for body hair and thicker skin, with a masculine scent rather than the sweet fragrances typical of the category. The listing describes it as an indoor tanning accelerator, so it is bronzer-free and focuses on hydration and even absorption. It is the obvious choice for men who found most tanning lotions too perfumed or sticky.
Best for: Men who dislike sweet scents
8. b.tan UV Tanning Bed Lotion, Extreme Dark Tinted Tan Accelerator
b.tan is best known for self-tanners, and this UV bed lotion brings the same approach: a tinted accelerator that gives visible guide color while a DHA tan develops. The tint shows where you have applied, which reduces missed patches, and the brand’s vegan, cruelty-free positioning appeals to ingredient-conscious buyers.
Best for: Visible guide tint
9. European Gold Flash Black 4000X Indoor Tanning Lotion, Time-Release
Flash Black 4000X is the most aggressively numbered bronzer on this list, and the listing highlights a time-release bronzer system, meaning the color is designed to continue developing for hours after the session. It is intended for experienced tanners who already have a base and want to push darker. Fair-skinned or first-time users should start with a lighter bronzer instead.
Best for: Experienced tanners pushing darker
10. Hempz Hydromax Maximizer Herbal Moisturizing Tanning Lotion
The Hempz Hydromax Maximizer is a hemp-seed-oil moisturizer built for tanning beds, placing it in the accelerator category with an emphasis on hydration. Hempz is popular with people who have dry skin or want the same brand for after-tan care, and the formula avoids heavy bronzers.
Best for: Dry skin and hydration
How to Choose a Tanning Bed Lotion
Choose by goal first, then by skin type and tolerance for scent and transfer.
| Factor | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Lotion type | Accelerators and intensifiers moisturize without bronzer. Bronzers add DHA or tint for faster visible color. Tingle lotions boost circulation and can sting. |
| Bronzer strength | The X rating is a marketing scale, not a standard. Higher numbers mean more bronzer, more color and more risk of streaks and transfer. |
| Skin type | Fair or sensitive skin should start with an accelerator or light bronzer. Dark bronzers suit people with an existing base. |
| Ingredients | Look for hydrators such as hemp seed oil, shea or aloe. Avoid mineral oil and outdoor products, which can damage acrylic beds. |
| Scent | Most lotions are heavily fragranced. Check the listing if you are sensitive to perfume. |
| Bottle size | 8 to 13.5 ounces is typical. Larger bottles are cheaper per use but lotions do expire. |
If you have never tanned indoors, speak with a dermatologist first, especially with fair skin, many moles, a family history of skin cancer or photosensitizing medication.
Buying and Care Tips
- Exfoliate and shave the day before, not the day of, to avoid irritation.
- Apply a thin, even layer with clean hands and wash palms immediately.
- Keep bronzers off knees, elbows and ankles where skin is thicker.
- Wait before dressing in light clothing after a bronzer session.
Honest Limits
- We did not test these lotions. The notes come from listings and ingredient information.
- This is not medical advice. UV tanning carries real health risks that no lotion reduces.
- Bronzer X ratings are marketing terms with no industry standard, so compare them only within a brand.
- Formulas, scents and bottle sizes change often; confirm details on the current listing.
- We allowed two Australian Gold family products (Australian Gold and Jwoww), within our two-per-brand limit.
Who Should (and Should Not) Use a Tanning Bed Lotion
The best tanning bed lotion suits people who already use a salon bed and want more even color with less dryness, including those who prefer a bronzer over a slow build. Accelerators make the most sense for fair-to-medium skin that tans slowly, while tinglers are only for experienced tanners who understand the heat reaction.
That said, no lotion makes indoor tanning safe. The American Academy of Dermatology reports that indoor tanning can more than double the risk of melanoma and raises the risk of other skin cancers (see AAD indoor tanning statistics). People under 18, anyone with a history of skin cancer, those taking photosensitizing medication and anyone with very fair skin that burns easily should skip the bed entirely. For a bronze look without UV, a self-tanning mousse or a professional spray tan gives color with no exposure.
Common Mistakes Buyers Make
- Using outdoor sunscreen or oil in a bed. SPF products are banned by most salons because they block the lamps and damage acrylic, and oils can ruin the bed surface.
- Starting with a tingle lotion. The heat and redness can be intense on untested skin. Patch test on the forearm first, and begin with a plain accelerator.
- Applying too much DHA bronzer. Heavy coats streak at elbows, knees and ankles. Use a thin, even layer and wash your palms right away.
- Skipping moisturizer between sessions. Dry skin flakes and loses color fast. A fragrance-free daily lotion extends the result more than a stronger bronzer does.
- Ignoring expiry dates. Bronzers oxidize and smell off after about a year once opened. Buy sizes you will finish in a season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best tanning bed lotion?
Millennium Solid Black 100X is our top bronzer pick, Australian Gold Dark Tanning Accelerator the best bronzer-free option, and Devoted Creations Dark AF a strong dark bronzer alternative.
Do tanning bed lotions make tanning safe?
No. They moisturize and may add cosmetic color, but they do not reduce UV damage or skin cancer risk, and most have no SPF.
What is the difference between an accelerator and a bronzer?
An accelerator moisturizes to support even tanning without color. A bronzer adds DHA or tint for faster visible color.
What does 100X or 400X mean?
It is a marketing scale for bronzer strength with no standard definition. Higher usually means more bronzer and more transfer.
Can I use outdoor sunscreen or oil in a tanning bed?
No. Outdoor products and oils can damage acrylic beds and are not designed for indoor exposure.
Why do my palms turn orange?
Bronzer absorbed through the palms. Wash hands right after applying or use an application mitt.
Should fair skin use a dark bronzer?
Start with an accelerator or light bronzer. Dark bronzers can look uneven on skin without a base.
Do tingle lotions work faster?
They increase blood flow and can feel hot or itchy. They are not for sensitive skin or beginners.
How long does bronzer color last?
Cosmetic tint washes off; DHA color fades over several days as skin exfoliates.
Is indoor tanning legal for teenagers?
Many states and countries ban indoor tanning for minors. Check local rules.
The Bottom Line
For indoor tanners who want color from each session, the Millennium Solid Black 100X is the best-equipped buy here, the Australian Gold accelerator is the bronzer-free choice, and Devoted Creations Dark AF is the modern dark bronzer alternative.
Whatever you choose, remember that no lotion changes the UV risk; use eyewear, follow exposure limits and talk to a dermatologist about your skin. Related reading: our guides to the best serums for oily skin, organic castor oil, leave-in conditioners and Black Friday personal care deals.
Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.