What is a tanning accelerator? Does it work, is it safe, how to use it

What does a tanning accelerator do? Do you really tan faster with one? Is it bad for your skin? And is it worth the money? These are the questions we’re asked most often. Above all, they show that few people really know what a tanning accelerator is, and why it belongs in every UV session. Let us explain.

Why your tan is never as dark as you’d like

The main reason is simple: your skin is constantly renewing itself. Desquamation is the natural shedding of cells from the outer layer of the epidermis. And it’s precisely these melanin-laden cells that carry your tan: when they go, part of your tan goes with them.

This renewal speeds up when your skin is dehydrated or naturally dry. Skin that lacks moisture peels faster, and your tan fades faster. That’s why the first job of a tanning accelerator is to deeply hydrate your skin, so it holds on for longer to the cells you’ve tanned.

What is a tanning accelerator, and what’s in it?

A tanning accelerator, also called a tan activator, is a product you apply before UV exposure, on a sunbed or in the sun, to intensify and speed up your natural tan. It comes as a lotion, cream, oil or spray. It contains:

• tyrosine, an amino acid that is a precursor of melanin, the tanning pigment (it’s all explained in tyrosine and tanning);
• moisturising agents, plant oils and butters, for supple skin that holds on to its tan;
• vitamins and antioxidants, often vitamin E, to care for your skin;
• depending on the product, a little self tan for a deeper colour (see self tan in tanning accelerators), or a tingle effect that stimulates micro-circulation.

For tanning supplements that support your tan from the inside, see the Your Sun range.

Does tanning accelerator work?

Yes: you really do tan faster, for three reasons. Tyrosine helps boost melanin production during your session. Hydration gives a more even, longer-lasting tan, since your skin renews itself more slowly. And bronzers, when the product contains them, deepen the colour from your very first sessions. The result: a deeper tan in fewer sessions.

Is tanning accelerator bad for your skin?

A tanning accelerator is a safe cosmetic, subject to European regulations and formulated to be used under UV. We’ve been told for years that UV is bad for the skin, and that message leads people to think adding a product would be one more stress. It’s the opposite: well hydrated and nourished, your skin copes better with a session than dry, bare skin. Do beware, however, of homemade recipes and udder cream, which aren’t made for this.

An accelerator contains no SPF. In the sun, keep it for the morning and late in the day, and use a product with SPF in the hottest hours, such as That'so Pure Sun SPF 20/30/50, sun protection and tanning accelerator in one: our advice is in the article tanning accelerator for the beach. And don’t layer an accelerator and sun cream on top of each other: the mix gives an uneven tan.

Always follow the session time recommended by your tanning salon to avoid burning.

How to use a tanning accelerator

Apply it just before tanning, in a thin, even layer, on clean, dry skin, then wash your hands. On a sunbed, use it at every session. In the sun, keep it for the morning and late in the day. After your session, an after-tan moisturiser hydrates your skin and makes your tan last. All the details are in when to apply tanning accelerator.

Is it worth the money?

Yes, especially on a sunbed. With an accelerator, you get a more even, deeper tan in fewer sessions: as sessions are expensive, the bottle soon pays for itself. And today there are ranges that put the money into the formula rather than the packaging, with excellent products at low prices: Soleo Basic first and foremost, and Wild Tan for smaller budgets.

How to choose your tanning accelerator

Bronzer-free for your first sessions and for fair skin, with bronzers for olive or already tanned skin, tingle to go further when nothing else is enough: the three families are explained in which tanning lotion is the strongest. A few safe bets: Soleo’s Hello Sun, Soleo’s Collagen Accelerator, Supertan’s Palm Beach.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a natural tanning accelerator?

Plant oils, such as carrot oil, contain carotenoids that give a lovely golden sheen, but they’re never as effective as when they work together in an accelerator: see our article on carrot oil for tanning. Bronzer-free Soleo Mango Tango, for example, combines mango extract and carrot seed oil.

What’s the best tan activator?

The one that suits your skin. DHA-free to prepare your skin in your first sessions and for fair skin; with DHA for olive or already tanned skin, because bronzers don’t create the colour, they transform it. The Soleo and Supertan ranges are our safe bets, from the first hint of colour right through to extending your tan at the end of the season.

Can you use tanning accelerator in the sun?

Yes, when the sun is gentle. In the hottest hours, switch to sun protection that also speeds up your tan, such as That'so Pure Sun: one application gives SPF 20, two give SPF 30, three give SPF 50+. For swimming, Australian Gold SPF 50 lotion with bronzing agents is water-resistant for 80 minutes.

In short

A tanning accelerator hydrates your skin so it holds on to its tan, provides tyrosine to support melanin production, and makes every session more effective. The full selection is in our tanning accelerators category.