When to apply tanning accelerator, and how to use it for a faster tan

Should you apply your tanning accelerator an hour before your session, or at the last minute? How much should you use? And how do you use it in the sun? If you want a faster tan, the answer fits in one sentence: just before your session, in a thin, even layer.

When to apply tanning accelerator, and how does it work?

Whichever tanning accelerator (or tan activator) you’ve chosen, apply it just before your session, on a sunbed or in the sun. There’s no point putting it on half an hour or an hour ahead: a few minutes beforehand is enough. Its active ingredients, such as tyrosine, a precursor of melanin (the pigment that colours your skin), boost your tan while you’re exposed to UV rays, so that’s when they need to be on your skin. Find out more: what is a tanning accelerator?

Preparing your skin before you tan

A great tan starts with good preparation. The day before, or a few days before you tan, an exfoliating scrub removes dead skin cells and helps your skin’s natural renewal along: your colour comes out more even, and the accelerator absorbs better. For your first sessions, a base tan accelerator (a cream or a tanning supplement) helps your skin get started.

How to apply tanning accelerator for an even tan

• Clean, dry skin: with no cream or perfume underneath, the accelerator absorbs better. The same goes for every formula: lotions, creams and tanning oils.
• A thin layer, massaged in until fully absorbed: a little product spread well is better than a thick layer.
• Everywhere, in the same way: arms, legs, stomach, and your back if you can. A missed area tans more slowly than the rest.
• Wash your hands straight afterwards, especially with a product that contains bronzers: it’s the best way to avoid stained palms. A cleansing wipe does the job at the salon.

For your face, a dedicated face product is better suited than a body accelerator, as the skin there is thinner. For example, the Soleo Beauty Face Accelerator, with collagen and bronzer-free. You’ll find the full selection in our face tanning lotions.

On a sunbed or in the sun: which sun protection?

Tanning accelerators for sunbeds contain no SPF: they’re made for tanning sessions and don’t replace sun cream. On sunny days outdoors, the easiest option is a product that does both: That'so Pure Sun SPF 20/30/50 is both sun protection and a tyrosine tanning accelerator, enriched with vitamin E. One application gives SPF 20, two give SPF 30 and three give SPF 50+, against UVA and UVB: you adapt the protection to your skin type and to the strength of the sun. For swimming and sport, choose the Australian Gold SPF 50 lotion with bronzing agents, water-resistant for 80 minutes. More details: can you use tanning accelerator at the beach?

Which tanning accelerator for your skin?

Bronzer-free for your first sessions and for fair skin, which is building its natural tan: Soleo’s Mango Tango, ideal for sensitive skin. On a budget, Wild Tan’s Wild Accelerator, with hyaluronic acid. With bronzers for olive or already tanned skin, for a deeper, more natural bronze colour: Soleo’s Bronze Satisfaction. To boost a tan that has stalled: a tingle accelerator, with a warming sensation. Bronzers don’t create the colour, they transform it: they give your tan its depth and its coppery glow (see self tan (DHA) in tanning accelerators).

After your session: making your tan last

After your session, moisturise your skin with an after-tan moisturiser: well-hydrated skin holds on to its tan for longer and keeps it even from one session to the next. Soleo’s So Moist is a tan extender, Supertan’s Aftertan an anti-ageing after-tan moisturiser; you’ll find our full selection in our after-tan care.

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

Frequently asked questions

Does a tan activator really work?

Yes, when it’s used properly: a tanning accelerator (or tan activator) boosts melanin production while you tan and hydrates your skin, for a faster, more even tan. Applied just before every session, it works to its full effect.

Should tanning accelerator go on before or after sun cream?

The simplest answer is to use just one product: That'so Pure Sun SPF 20/30/50 protects your skin and speeds up your tan at the same time, with no need to layer two products.

Can you apply tanning accelerator several days before tanning?

What you prepare a few days ahead is your skin. The accelerator itself goes on the same day, just before you tan.

In short

Tanning accelerator goes on a few minutes before your session, in a thin, even layer massaged into clean, exfoliated skin. In the sun, combine tanning and sun protection with That'so Pure Sun. Not chosen yours yet? The whole range is in our tanning accelerators category.