Subtle Tan: Best Tanning Lotion For Fair Skin
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Spending time outdoors in the sun or at the tanning bed is something that many people enjoy.
If you have a fair complexion, however, burning is probably a constant worry. Fair skin is the skin type most at risk of sun damage.
And it’s not just the pain in the moment. The long term effects of sunbeds include skin cancer.
There is no safe tanning bed. UV rays from the sun and tanning equipment are classified as known carcinogens, and indoor tanning can more than double your risk of melanoma, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
If you have fair skin, the safest way to get color is a sunless self-tanner. If you still choose a tanning bed, know that even the best tanning lotion for fair skin won’t make it safe.
While there are many lotions on the market, you’re going to want the highest-quality product to address your unique needs.
Read on for my complete review to find out the exact product you need.
Why A Dedicated Lotion For Fair Skin?
Some people with fair skin get a base tan in a tanning bed before summer, believing it will protect them from sunburn.
It won’t. The AAD says a base tan cannot prevent sunburn, and a tan itself is a sign of skin damage.
Outdoors, you still need a broad spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
Another concern that many people with fair skin worry about is turning orange during tanning sessions.
While the tanning bed itself won’t cause this, it’s possible when using the wrong lotions or using too many bronzers.
A lotion made for beginners or fair skin is your best bet to avoid an orange tint.
SunGodZ Apollo/Artemis 375X Bronzer Tanning Lotion
SunGodZ Apollo/Artemis is a silicone tanning lotion with a bronzer that’s marketed to beginners.
The brand says its shower-proof formula keeps the moisturizer from washing away.
Argan and coconut oil with agave add moisture.
The brand markets it as tattoo-safe, but UV light from the bed itself can fade tattoo ink, according to the AAD.
The brand also says it won’t turn your skin orange, and it has a unisex scent.
Like other indoor tanning lotions, it contains no sunscreen and offers no UV protection.
Pros
- Great for beginner and fair skin
- Shower-proof technology
- High-quality moisturizers
- Marketed as tattoo-safe
- Fantastic unisex fragrance
Cons
It contains no sunscreen, so it does nothing to protect your skin from UV damage.
Conclusion
If you have fair skin, a sunless self-tanner gives you color without UV damage. The AAD notes a self-tanner doesn’t protect you from the sun, so keep wearing SPF 30+ outdoors.
If you do use a tanning bed, follow the salon’s time limits, wear eye protection and see a dermatologist about any new or changing spots.
Sources
- 10 surprising facts about indoor tanning, American Academy of Dermatology
- Indoor tanning, American Academy of Dermatology
- Caring for tattooed skin, American Academy of Dermatology
