Tanning accelerator for the beach: sun cream, SPF and a faster tan

Tanning accelerators are designed first and foremost for sunbeds. But can you take them to the beach or the pool? Or do you need a sun cream with tanning accelerator instead? Yes to both, on one condition: knowing when in the day to use each one. Here’s how to tan faster in the sun, without burning.

Tanning accelerator or tan activator: how does it work?

A tanning accelerator, also called a tan activator, helps your skin produce melanin faster: the pigment that colours your skin when it’s exposed to UV rays. Its main active ingredient is tyrosine, the amino acid that is a precursor of melanin: it boosts melanin production while you tan. The plant oils and butters that go with it hydrate your skin and help your tan last. The result: a natural tan, faster, and golden skin for longer. To find out more, read what is a tanning accelerator? and our article on tyrosine and tanning.

Yes, tanning accelerator works in the sun too

Although they were originally designed for sunbeds, tanning accelerators can be used in the sun. Their active ingredients help your skin tan, whether the UV comes from a sunbed or from the sky. Supertan’s Golden Paradise, for example, is designed for sunbeds and can be used outdoors when the sun is weaker: tyrosine, Tahitian monoi, aloe vera and fine gold particles for a shimmering golden tan.

The key point: no SPF

An accelerator contains no UV filter, and that makes sense: a filter blocks some of the UV, whereas a tan activator is made to get the most out of it. It would be like wearing earplugs to the opera. In the sun, keep it for when the sun is weaker: in the morning and late in the day.

In the hottest hours, a tanning lotion with SPF

From late morning to mid-afternoon, switch to sun protection with an SPF. The good news: some tanning sun creams combine UV filters with tanning actives. You protect your skin from sun damage without giving up a lovely tan. Our favourites:

• That'so Pure Sun SPF 20/30/50, a face and body sun spray with build-up protection: one application gives SPF 20, two give SPF 30, three give SPF 50+. You adapt the SPF to the sun and to your skin, without changing bottles. Its broad-spectrum filters protect against UVA and UVB, and its tyrosine tanning actives keep helping your tan along. It’s our favourite sun cream with tanning accelerator.
• For swimming and sport, Australian Gold SPF 50 sun lotion with bronzing agents, water-resistant for 80 minutes, whose natural bronzing agents (including Hawaiian Kona coffee) help you tan faster. It also comes in SPF 30.

Don’t forget your tattoos: they need their own protection, covered in our article on sun cream for tattoos.

How to use tanning accelerator at the beach

To tan faster without burning, plan your day in three stages:

1. In the morning, apply your tanning accelerator in a thin layer on clean skin, a few minutes before going out in the sun, to prepare your skin.
2. In the hottest hours, switch to your sun cream, and reapply it after every swim.
3. Late in the day, go back to your accelerator to make the most of your tan while the sun is gentler.

The best time to apply it is explained in when to apply tanning accelerator. Follow the exposure times recommended by your tanning salon to avoid burning, and build up your time in the sun gradually: your skin builds its melanin day by day.

Don’t combine the beach and a sunbed on the same day

If you’re tanning at the beach or by the pool, don’t have a tanning session the same day. Our other rules for a successful tan help you get the balance right.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the best sun cream for tanning?

A sun cream that protects you without holding your tan back: broad-spectrum filters and tanning actives. That'so Pure Sun SPF 20/30/50 combines both, with the tyrosine found in tanning accelerators. For water and sport, Australian Gold SPF 50 lotion with bronzing agents.

How can I speed up my tan?

Prepare your skin with a tyrosine tanning accelerator, build up your time in the sun gradually, moisturise every evening and never let your skin burn: sunburn makes your skin peel and takes your tan with it.

What’s the best tan booster?

For the morning and late-afternoon sun, a bronzer-free accelerator such as Golden Paradise. In the hottest hours, That'so Pure Sun, sun protection and tanning accelerator in one.

Can you put tanning accelerator under sun cream?

There’s no need: That'so Pure Sun already contains tanning actives. The easiest way is to alternate: accelerator when the sun is gentle, a sun cream that helps you tan when it’s strong.

In short

At the beach, tanning accelerator goes on in the morning and late in the day; in the hottest hours, a sun cream that helps you tan takes over. In the evening, an after-sun hydrates your skin and makes your tan last, such as That'so All In One After Sun: see our after-tan care selection, and all our tanning accelerators.