A Guide to the Best Tanning Lotions for Men – Reviews and Buyer’s Guide
Everyone wants to look good when they’re showing off some skin.
For many men out there, that usually means spending some extra time at the gym to tone and shape those muscles. The beauty regimen may also involve getting a fresh haircut and some new threads for the beach.
Doing all of those things will certainly help, but they may not be enough if you really want to look your best.
If the goal is to bring out your best possible look, investing in some tanning lotion is a good idea.
In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the best fake tan for men that are currently available and also highlight factors you need to mindful of when trying to select a specific product.
The Reviews (Best Fake Tan For Men)
1. Beauty By Earth Self-Tanning Lotion
If you’re new to using tanning lotions, you may not know right away how much you need to apply or what’s best for your skin tone. Even if you follow the instructions perfectly, you may not necessarily achieve the type of tan you want right away.
The great thing about Beauty By Earth’s Self-Tanning Lotion is that it offers you more control over what kind of tan you ultimately end up with.
This product offers what is known as a buildable tan. You can start off with a single application, see how that looks and then decide if you need more applications.
Many other tanning lotions work that way, but from using this product, I can vouch for it being more precise in that regard. Since this lotion is easy to apply, starting and stopping the process is not that big of a deal.
You also don’t have to be hesitant to use this product if you’re a vegan as it’s made using natural products that have never been tested on animals.
The main concern with this lotion is its smell. It can sneak up on you because it doesn’t really emerge until after some time has passed following application. As long as you’re careful with the smell, you should be pleased with this product.
PROS
- Makes it easy for you to get your shade of tan right
- Vegan product
CON
- Strong smell emerges after a while
2. Botanic Tree Sunless Tanning Lotion
Some may not find the product highlighted above to their liking. If you are still seeking a vegan-friendly option though, the Sunless Tanning Lotion from Botanic Tree is a good product to consider. This product is made with similarly vegan-friendly ingredients, although their contents do not perfectly align.
What you’ll find more of in this Botanic tree offering are ingredients that are capable of properly moisturizing your skin. Ingredients such as apricot and avocado do a great job of leaving your skin feel hydrated even hours after using this lotion.
This is the kind of tanning lotion that you will want to use on those days when the sun is particularly bright.Because of its ingredient list, this lotion has a thicker texture. That’s worth mentioning because the texture makes application more difficult.It’s not a serious knock against the product, but when you’re in a rush and need to re-apply, the process can be bothersome.Beyond that, there’s not much else to dislike about this tanning lotion and it even stands out as one of the more pleasant-smelling options currently available.
PROS
- Contains ingredients that excel at moisturizing the skin
- Vegan product
CON
- Thicker texture makes quick application difficult
3. Sun Laboratories Self-Tanning Lotion
The reason why many people have not abandoned the practice of tanning using the rays of the sun is because they feel that they aren’t getting the same quality of tan from lotions and other similar products. More than a few self-tanning products have been said to offer tans that are too dark while others are not dark enough.Sun Laboratories’ Self-Tanning Lotion stands out from the pack because it excels at creating that picture-perfect complexion.
It enables you to achieve that quintessential sun-kissed appearance without bordering on being orange-y.
You may have to apply this lotion a few times to get the shading right, but the look is worth aiming for.Do note though that you will have to re-apply this tanning lotion more than a few times not just because you are attempting to achieve your target complexion. Compared to the alternatives available, Sun Laboratories’ Self-Tanning Lotion washes off pretty easily.In some cases, having a tan that can be washed off with relatively no trouble is helpful. You don’t want that if you intend to spend a day at the beach though.
PROS
- Creates a gorgeous sun-kissed complexion
- Easy to apply
CON
- Can be washed off easily
4. Ocean Potion Dark Tanning Intensifier Lotion
The Dark Tanning Intensifier Lotion from Ocean Potion is a good choice if you want to achieve a deep and long-lasting tan without having to spend too much. Priced at under $10, this is easily among the more affordable tanning products you’ll see on the market.Despite it being an intensifier, this product actually possesses bronzing capabilities of its own. The tan it produces independently is not very dark however.
For that reason, it would be best to use this tanning lotion as an additional layer on top of your skin before you go under the sun.
You should know that this product on its own will not be enough if you intend to spend some time tanning using the rays of the sun. It does not work as a sunscreen, meaning that you will be left vulnerable to sunburns and other types of more serious skin damage if you apply only this product prior to tanning.Make sure to pair it with a sunscreen before heading out to ensure that you get the look you want while effectively protecting your skin.
PROS
- One of the more affordable tanning products
- Can extend the life of your tan
CON
- Does not work as a sunscreen
5. Devoted Creations Camo King Black Bronzing Lotion
There’s a reason why many people don’t mind spending a lot of time on tanning. A darker tan can sometimes be difficult to pull off, but in the right settings, it can look spectacular.Not all products specialize in achieving that darker tan, but this offering from Devoted Creations certainly does. Even without applying a thick layer of this Bronzing Lotion on to your skin, you should be able to feature a noticeably darker complexion.
It’s also easy to apply evenly because you can just stick to using smaller amounts.This tanning lotion also provides protection for your tattoos. Since the rays emanating from the sun and tanning beds can have an adverse impact on the appearance of your tattoos, you can make use of this lotion to protect your precious ink.It would be best if you limited your usage of this tanning lotion. The lotion has a very distinct aroma that can take a turn for the unpleasant if you apply too much of it.Less is more when it comes to this particular tanning lotion.
PROS
- Great for achieving darker tans
- Provides additional protection for tattoos
CON
- Lotion produces a very strong aroma when too much of it is used
6. Skinerals Self-Tanner Extender Lotion
Longevity is the main selling point of the Self-Tanner Extender Lotion from Skinerals. This product can last on your skin for up to a week, provided that you follow the correct procedure for application.The manufacturers urge users to first exfoliate and follow that up by drying their skin completely before applying the lotion. You’re not done there though as you’ll have to continue moisturizing, showering, and using products to preserve the life of this tanning lotion.
Is all that effort worth it? That’s a question only you can answer yourself, but I will say that the complexion produced by this product fits right into that tanning sweetspot. It’s also nice to know that your tan can stay on for a week.Once it does start to wear off, you may notice that it fades faster on your extremities than it does on the rest of your body. You may want to keep a shirt on to conceal that uneven fading.This is also a vegan tanning lotion that has a pleasant, gentle aroma you do not need to shy away from.
PROS
- Will last for a week if proper application steps are followed
- Vegan product
CON
- Tends to fade unevenly
7. Gentlemen G Men’s Tanning Lotion
You can save a few bucks by borrowing some tanning lotion from your wife or girlfriend instead of purchasing something new. For the most part, borrowing some tanning lotion is not a bad idea as their benefits are made available to both men and women.However, many tanning lotions do possess this floral or perfume-y quality that men may not like that much. If you want a product with a more masculine scent, you should look into getting Gentlemen G’s Tanning Lotion.
Used in the creation of this tanning lotion are ingredients such as cedarwood, moss, and patchouli. These are fragrant ingredients that excel at producing a type of aroma that will suit men very well.You may even be able to get away with not using any cologne if you opt to apply this tanning lotion.Men with tattoos will also appreciate the additional protection this product offers.My only real complaint with this tanning lotion is that it is not dark enough. You will probably have to apply it a few times if you want a deeper tan.
PROS
- Features a very masculine aroma
- Will work to protect any tattoos you may have
CON
- Has to be applied many times to produce a dark tan
8. Millennium Tanning Products Dark Tanning Lotion
Impromptu trips to the beach can be tons of fun, but if you haven’t tanned recently, you may be hesitant to strut your stuff. With only a few hours remaining before your trip, many tanning items may no longer be able to help out, but that’s not the case with this offering from Millennium Tanning Products.Wait an hour or two after applying this tan and you should notice a significant change in your complexion.
The thought of stepping out in your swimwear should no longer scare you because you can feature that bronzed look.
Just be sure to wash your hands after using this tanning lotion. It tends to leave orange-tinged residue on your hands and you should take the time to wash them carefully before heading out.You may end up staining something if you forget to wash your hands.The aroma that accompanies this tanning lotion is also quite pleasant. It’s not quite on the same level as the aroma that Gentlemen G’s lotion features, but it’s still more than welcome.
PROS
- Will take effect not long after application
- One of the better-smelling tanning lotions
CON
- Leaves behind an orange-y residue on your hands following application
Buyer’s Guide
Let’s now take a closer look at the factors that differentiate tanning lotions from one another. These potential points of difference can significantly impact whether or not a specific product will work for you or not.
SPF Content
The biggest advantage to using self-tanners or tanning lotions is that they can help you obtain that complexion you want without you having to expose your skin to the potentially harmful UV rays that come from the sun and tanning beds.
Still, some people do prefer to use their tanning lotions in conjunction with natural tanning or going under the tanning bed. It’s up to you if you want to go down that route, but know that you cannot just use any type of tanning lotion if you are also about to expose yourself to UV rays.
As noted by How Stuff Works, not all tanning lotions contain ingredients that are designed to provide protection against UV rays. Make it a point to look for lotions that can also work as sunscreens if you are planning to spend additional time tanning.
Types of Tanning Lotions
This may come as a bit of a surprise, but there’s actually more than one type of tanning lotion.The first type of tanning lotion is known as a bronzer. Bronzers are the products that will change your complexion even without the help from UV rays.Bronzers also vary in terms of intensity. According to Family Leisure, the number written right before the word “bronzer” usually indicates what kind of tanning experience you will receive from the product in question.The thing to remember here is that the speed at which the bronzer takes effect increases as the number goes up. An “X” mark located next to the number also indicates that the bronzer will work for an extended period of time.You may also find tanning lotions that are labeled as accelerators or intensifiers. Most accelerators/intensifiers are not intended to work as the tanning agent. Instead, they work with additional products you may use to create a more eye-catching complexion.Think of accelerators/intensifiers as base tans that also do a great job of hydrating your skin.There are also products known as tingle tanning lotions. Tingle tanning lotions are best used to prep your skin for UV exposure, but they can be uncomfortable because they also irritate your skin.
Allergy Considerations
Similar to any product that is intended to be consumed or applied to the skin, you also have to be aware of the ingredients used in tanning lotions to ensure that you don’t trigger any of your allergies.
Some tanning lotions may not be suitable for people with gluten allergies for instance.
Err on the side of caution by seeking out the tanning lotions that are labeled hypoallergenic. It would be even better if you could take the time to examine the ingredient list closely to see if there are any items that are not good for you or your skin.
Vegan Qualities
If you’ve chosen to take up the vegan lifestyle, you obviously won’t want to find any animal or animal-based products in your tanning lotion. The good news is that you don’t have to search for a long time just to find products that will work for you. Many manufacturers have come out with vegan tanning lotions that are as just as good or even better than their more conventional counterparts.
Additional Benefits
The primary reason you’re getting a tanning lotion may be to change your skin’s complexion, but that doesn’t mean that the product can’t do anything else for you. There are tanning lotions that feature moisturizing capabilities and even anti-aging properties.
Some will even work to protect any tattoos you have from fading.
If you’re going to use something on your skin, you might as well purchase something that can be helpful in more ways than one.
Conclusion
Tanning lotions provide people with a way to get their beach bod in gear without having to expose themselves to UV rays. Find a good one, and you may even be able to enjoy some extra benefits that will improve the health of your skin.
Looking your best at the beach does not have to require taking on risk and tanning lotions make that possible.
