When you have pale skin, it can be difficult to achieve that golden summer glow that everyone wants to imitate.
You might not catch the sun well and will end up burning your skin and putting yourself at risk of UV exposure. Maybe you have tried some fake tan products that were too dark for you and left your skin orange instead of bronze?
There are some excellent tanning lotions for people with pale skin. We have put together a list of the best ones for you to choose from.
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We have also gathered some information on how to choose the right product, how to prepare your skin before use, and how to apply the lotion correctly.
Best Tanning Lotion For Pale Skin Product Reviews
Bondi Sands Self Tanning Lotion
The Bondi Sands self tanning lotion in light/medium is perfect for people with pale skin. It is a salon quality formula enriched with aloe vera to keep your skin hydrated.
This product is made in Australia and is cruelty free and vegan friendly. It dries in seconds to prevent smudges and streaks.
The tanning lotion will develop within 6-8 hours of application. You can wash the lotion off after one hour or leave it on for up to 6 hours for a deeper color. This tanning lotion will leave your skin a beautiful golden brown, not orange. The coconut scent of this lotion is lovely and smells just like a nice moisturizer.
Sun Laboratories Sunless Overnight Self Tanning Lotion
The Sun Laboratories overnight tanning lotion comes in a medium color which is an ideal shade for pale skin.
This natural, paraben-free bronzing cream is enriched with aloe vera for hydration, vitamin E for an antioxidant boost and vitamin C to stimulate collagen growth.
These special ingredients will keep your skin healthy and glowing. It dries quickly for a streak free finish and develops within 3 hours, but can be left on longer for a deeper color.
This product smells delightful and doesn’t have the unpleasant aroma that sometimes comes with tanning products.
Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning Lotion
The Ed Hardy coconut kisses golden tanning lotion accelerates the natural tanning process for a deeper color. It works by stimulating and increasing the formation of melanin.
This lotion is perfect for people with pale skin who like to be out in the sun but do not naturally develop a golden color.
The ingredients in this product not only smell fantastic but will leave your skin feeling super smooth. With coconut milk, coconut oil, cocoa butter and vanilla, you will smell like you just stepped off a tropical island.
It also has a unique tattoo protection formula to prevent your tattoos from fading in the sun and keep them looking vibrant. This product also firms skin and reduces the appearance of cellulite.
Jergens Natural Glow +FIRMING Self Tanner Lotion
The Jergens natural glow self-tanning lotion comes in a fair to medium shade which will compliment people with a pale complexion.
This is a gradual tanning product, so for best results use it once a day for 7 days and watch your skin develop a wonderful golden glow.
This streak free lotion soaks into your skin quickly and leaves it feeling soft. It is lightly scented for a fresh finish. This tanning lotion is infused with collagen, elastin, and green tea to reduce the appearance of cellulite.
It is also enriched with vitamin E antioxidants and coconut water to firm the skin and keep it hydrated.
COCOSOLIS Choco Suntan & Body Oil – Organic Tanning Bed Lotion
This tanning lotion helps to accelerate the natural tanning process during sunbathing or sun bedding. This is great for people with pale skin who don’t want to spend as much time being exposed to UV light.
Apply the lotion 10 minutes after you apply your sunscreen.
This unique product solidifies at cooler temperatures due to the natural ingredients and cold-pressed oils. Warm it up in a steam bath to turn it back into a liquid.
This lotion is made from coconut oil, cocoa butter, almond oil, and avocado oil and vitamin E. These enriching ingredients keep your skin soft and have anti-aging properties.
It smells amazing and will leave you with a lovely color on your skin.
That’s What Sea Said Tanning Lotion
This coconut and passion fruit scented tanning lotion can be used before sunbathing or sun bedding to enhance and speed up your natural tan.
This lotion is white in color and contains no bronzer, so will leave you with an entirely natural glow. The fruity and tropical smell will give you that holiday feeling.
This lotion is enriched with hibiscus due to its anti-aging properties and coconut to keep your skin hydrated. It is also infused with seaweed which firms up your skin and fills it with antioxidants.
It will help to protect your tattoos and stop them from fading in the sun.
Tanning Paradise Black Coconut Love Tanning Lotion
The Tanning Paradise black coconut love tanning lotion intensifies your tan and increases melanin formation with natural ingredients.
It has a delicious coconut scent which will keep you smelling tropical and fresh. It has been formulated to be suitable for people with sensitive skin and can be used both in and outdoors.
The natural ingredients of coconut milk, coconut butter and cocoa oil will keep your skin ultra soft and in great condition whilst you develop your golden glow.
The skin tightening formula will also reduce the appearance of cellulite. This lotion will protect your tattoos from fading in the sun so they will still look striking.
St Tropez Instant Tan Face & Body Lotion
This instant tan is perfect for a last minute golden glow that lasts 24 hours. It soaks in quickly and has immediate effect. It won’t streak, run in the rain or transfer onto your clothes.
This product is paraben free and dermatologically tested. It is a straightforward lotion that does what it says on the bottle – a fast action tan that lasts for 24 hours rather than a regular use tan to build into your skincare routine.
Vita Liberata Fabulous Self Tanning Gradual Lotion
This gradual tanning lotion should be used daily to slowly build a natural looking tan which is very complimentary to pale complexions.
Once you stop using the lotion, the tan will fade within 4 to 7 days. The lotion glides smoothly over the skin and is absorbed quickly for a streak free finish that won’t stain your clothes.
It will keep your skin soft for 72 hours, and additional ingredients like shea butter, aloe vera, panthenol and hyaluronic acid provide continual moisture.
The odor resistant technology stops your skin from taking on the unpleasant smell that some tanning products have.
Hempz Hempz Yuzu & Starfruit Touch Of Summer Moisturizing Gradual Self-Tanning Creme
This gradual self-tanning moisturizing lotion is paraben-free, 100% vegan and enriched with natural hemp oil. Over time it builds up a subtle and natural looking glow which is perfect for people with pale skin.
It is SPF30 so provides protection from the sun whilst turning your skin golden without UV damage. Use it every day for a deeper color, or every other day for a less obvious change to your usual skin tone.
The starfruit gives this lotion a delightful zingy smell and it will leave your skin feeling super soft and smooth. This product is ideal to build into your daily skincare routine.
Buyer’s Guide
Now that you know which tanning lotions are the best for pale skin, how do you know which one is best for you?
The first thing to decide is whether you want a product that will speed up and enhance the natural tanning process, either by sunbathing or on a sunbed.
If you enjoy being out in the sun or want to cut down your time on the sunbeds but get the same bronze result then a tanning accelerator oil or lotion is a good option for you.
If you don’t want to be exposed to any UV light but you still want a nice tan, then you should consider a standard tanning lotion.
You can apply the lotion and let it develop overnight if you prefer, and then wash it off. The tan will usually last between 7 and 10 days, depending on the product.
The downside to these products is that while the tan is developing it might transfer onto clothes or bed sheets, and you might have to stand around and wait for it to dry.
The other option is to use a gradual tanning lotion which also acts as a daily moisturizer for your whole body. The result won’t be as instant, as the color will build gradually over several days, but it will leave your skin very soft.
These products soak in quickly and don’t stain or transfer onto clothes. They also tend to create a more even color, so it is a great option for beginners.
You can use the product on alternate days to make the color more subtle to suit your complexion.
Another thing to consider is what additional ingredients could benefit you. If you are concerned about cellulite, then look for a tanning lotion with firming ingredients like seaweed.
If your skin is dry, aloe vera and cocoa butter will hydrate it. Other products are enriched with vitamin E, C, seaweed, hibiscus, hemp and many other natural ingredients which can be beneficial for your skin.
Have a think about which nutrients your skin lacks and choose a product that will meet your individual needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Should I Prepare My Skin Before Applying Tanning Lotion?
It is important to prepare your skin correctly to get the best result out of your tanning lotion. You should have a bath or a shower and exfoliate thoroughly to remove any dry skin.
Patches of dry skin will stop your tan from developing evenly. If you want to shave before you apply the tan, then it is recommended to run an ice pack or frozen peas over your skin afterwards.
This will close the follicles and reduce the size of your spores, to stop the lotion from gathering in those areas and creating dark spots on your skin. The lotion should be applied to clean, dry skin, so ensure you have towel dried your skin to prevent streaks.
How Do I Apply Tanning Lotion?
There are different methods for applying tanning lotion, but this is a good one to try if you are a beginner. Stand on an old towel to catch any spills.
Apply the lotion in small amounts with a tanning mitt. Move the mitt across your skin in smooth, sweeping motions to blend the lotion evenly. Work from the floor upwards methodically to ensure you don’t miss any areas.
Pay extra attention to places where the skin creases, like the back of your knees, the creases of your arms and in between folds of skin.
You will need to make sure the lotion is rubbed in and blended and there is product in all of the creases. When it comes to your face and the back of the hands, use the leftover product on the mitt rather than adding more.
You don’t want those areas to be too dark. It is very important to wash your hands immediately after applying the lotion, as some of the product will have seeped through the mitt onto your skin.
Remember to wash your knuckles and in between your fingers to make sure you don’t get patches of darker skin there!