Best After Tan Moisturizer Lotions: Reviews & Buying Guide

Last Updated on Jul 2, 2020

What should you put on your skin after tanning? The simple answer is a moisturizer.

But what makes a moisturizer one of the best after tan lotions?

That’s the question will answer with our reviews today. We’ll discuss tan extenders plus the best lotions to use after tanning.

Best After Tanning Lotions to Keep Your Tan

Now let’s look at the top after tan lotions so that you can find what you need.

1. Australian Gold Moisture Lock Tan Extender Moisturizer Lotion

Australian Gold makes indoor tanning lotions and tan-extending moisturizers like this one. The first ingredients will help your skin recover moisture. They include water, sunflower seed oil, and glycerin.

There’s also plenty of Vitamin E, panthenol, and aloe. These conditioners prevent premature aging.

Users say the lotion has a mild tropical citrus fragrance.

2. Australian Gold Hemp Nation Pomaberry Tan Extender

This after tan moisturizer contains lots of nourishing ingredients to keep your skin in top condition. For example, there are essential moisturizers like glycerin, jojoba, and shea butter.

Next, goji berry, pomegranate, and açai are rich in the antioxidants you need to guard against signs of aging.

Meanwhile, hemp seed oil provides fatty and amino acids that strengthen the skin and keep it smooth and soft.

3. Australian Gold Hemp Nation Moisturizing Tan Extender

The formula of this moisturizer is similar to the one above. But instead of a fruity fragrance, it smells like pineapple vanilla.

4. Hempz Fresh Coconut & Watermelon Moisturizing Skin Lotion

The Hemp Nation moisturizer has a delicious fragrance. It also makes the skin delightfully smooth and soft. You’ll never look dry and flaky again once you begin using it.

A few of the key components include chamomile, hemp seed, avocado extract, and coconut oil. Moreover, this lotion is free of parabens.

5. Maui Babe After Browning Tanning Lotion

Maui Babe started their business by selling a tanning lotion in Hawaii. They’ve since expanded to include other items like this tan extender.

You don’t have to use their tanning lotion to reap the benefits of this product. It will heal skin that’s been exposed to salt, sun, and wind. Plus, it will keep your tan from peeling.

Two of the main ingredients are aloe and macadamia nut oil.

6. European Gold Tan Extender Moisturizer

European Gold sells a wide range of tanning lotions. Therefore, it’s no surprise they also have after tan lotions, too.

One of the key components is silicone which creates a barrier to seal in moisture. At the same time, argan oil and acai berry extract tighten and firm the skin.

Users say it has a floral fragrance.

7. Ink By Ed Hardy Tattoo & Color Fade Moisturizer Tan Extender

If you have tattoos, keep them bright and clear with this tan extender. The UV radiation from the sun can fade ink. But this lotion has a proprietary Tattoo and Color Fade Protector formula.

The non-greasy texture sinks in fast and perfumes your skin with bourbon and honey. It’s rich in shea butter, lotus extract, and Vitamin C and E. But there are no oils or wheat in it.

8. Devoted Creations So Naughty Nude Tan Extending Moisturizers

Devoted Creations is another well-known manufacturer of quality tanning lotions. But even if you have a spray tan, try this tan extender to keep your skin looking great.

The caramel bronzer and powdered diamond boost color. At the same time, aloe, hemp seed oil, and wheat protein make your skin look and feel supremely touchable.

9. Devoted Creations PLATINUM INDULGENCE Tan Extending Moisturizer

Like many tanning lotions, this moisturizer has silicone. Silicone locks in moisture and makes the skin feel smooth. But you might not get the same amount of hydration as you would from non-silicone formulas.

Users say that the fragrance is similar to Bombshell from Victoria’s Secret.

10. Golden Star Beauty Tan Extender Daily Moisturizer 

Users who try this moisturizer sometimes end up addicted to the sweet amber and vanilla fragrance. But there’s more to love besides the scent.

The formula helps your skin recover after tanning with Vitamins B2, B5 and B12 plus organic oils. Avocado oil and aloe vera to restore moisture, too.

11. Forever After All Day Moisturizer by Australian Gold

You’d never know that a vanilla-scented lotion was as powerful. It minimizes the appearance of saggy skin, wrinkles, and cellulite. Also, it firms and moisturizes for twenty-four hours after you apply it.

Some people report that lotions based on hemp seed oil like this one help them recover quickly from sunburn. They say that the redness fades overnight into a golden bronze. That’s no surprise as cannabinoids are known to reduce inflammation.

12. Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Weightless After Sun Gel Lotion

Hawaiian Tropic is a trusted name in tanning lotions and sunscreens. Consequently, their gel lotion is worth experiencing. It delivers twenty-four-hour moisturization but feels very lightweight and non-greasy.

Some of the important components are shea butter, aloe, and papaya extract.

The reef-safe ingredients won’t harm corals or ocean wildlife if you head back to the water when the sun goes down. And the coconut papaya scent will keep you dreaming of the beach long after you’ve gone home.

13. Hawaiian Tropic Lime Coolada After Sun Moisturizer

For a thicker lotion, try the Tropical Lime Coolada. It has aloe, cocoa butter, and vitamins A and E plus exotic botanicals to help you recover from too much fun in the sun.

14. Hawaiian Tropic After Sun Hydrating Body Butter

Then, the richest moisturizer offered by Hawaiian Tropic is their body butter. It makes sure your body stays hydrated for twelve hours.

Potent moisturizers like avocado oil, shea butter, and coconut oil prevent your tan from peeling. And the exotic coconut fragrance will perfume your silky soft skin.

15. Sun Bum Cool Down Hydrating After Sun Lotion

Sun Bum’s after tan lotion is gentle enough for children and powerful enough for adults. The combination of aloe, tea tree oil, cocoa butter, and Vitamin E speed up healing and protect against flaking and peeling.

Moreover, the lightweight formula is gluten-free, vegan, and reef-friendly.

We’ve had a positive experience with Sun Bum’s products. This one’s a good value for the price.

–The Team’s take

16. Banana Boat Aloe Vera Sun Burn Relief Sun Care After Sun Lotion

Banana Boat’s after sun lotion is inexpensive compared to some of the other products we reviewed for this article. On the downside, it has mineral oil, lanolin, an artificial fragrance, dyes, and parabens.

Even though it has Vitamin E, coconut oil, and aloe, you might be better off looking elsewhere if you have sensitive skin.

17. Coola Suncare Environmental Repair Plus Fresh

Coola’s lotion is a better option for allergy-prone skin. It relies on organic agave to activate the skin’s natural defenses against a harsh environment. Agave also promotes collagen formation while it provides relief from sunburn.

Other ingredients include sunflower oil, lavender oil, and rosemary extract. They help soothe and repair, reduce inflammation and moisturize.

If you tend to react badly to skin care products, this moisturizer is one to try. The EWG Skin Deep database gives it a low hazard rating. The natural ingredients are a big attraction.

— The Team’s take

18. Burt’s Bees Aloe and Coconut Oil After Sun Soother

Burt’s Bees is another good choice for tanners with sensitive skin. It sinks in fast and provides deep hydration to reduce redness and irritation.

Also important, it’s free of petrolatum, parabens, and phthalates. Instead, it relies on natural healing ingredients like honey, aloe, chamomile, and coconut oil.

19. Ocean Potion After Sun Lotion with Aloe Tan Extender

Ocean Potion includes tea tree oil and antioxidants in their tan extender. But you aren’t limited to using it after tanning. It’s useful for moisturizing year-round.

The formula keeps dryness away with sunflower seed oil, glycerin, aloe, and cocoa seed butter.

20. Maui Island Secret After Sun Tan Sealer

Keep your vacation tan for as long as possible with the Sun Tan Sealer from Maui Island Secret. It has a light coconut floral fragrance. Additionally, the ingredients make it sound good enough to eat. Maui coffee extract, Hawaiian ginger, and passion flower oil provide nourishment your skin needs to recover from sun, wind, and salty sea air.

21. Jergens Natural Glow Tan Extender Daily Moisturizer

Jergens adds bronzer to their tan extender. In this way it not only moisturizes, but it also maintains your color for up to a week. The secret ingredients include caramel and erythrulose.

Please take note that it has mineral oil and petrolatum thus avoid using it on sunburned skin.

22. Maui Vera Organic Sunburn Relief & After Sun Moisturizer

This after tan lotion soothes sunburn with lavender, peppermint, and aloe. It cools down the skin while it moisturizes with Noni fruit juice. Furthermore, you can apply it up to five times a day to alleviate symptoms.

Reasons Why You Need a Moisturizer After Tanning

The time you spent outdoors in the sun or indoors in a tanning bed has dehydrated your skin. It may not look like it now, but the effects will show up soon enough.

Dehydrated skin leads to two consequences.

• First, dry skin doesn’t keep its bronze color as well or for as long. That’s a shame since you’ve just spent all that time (and maybe money) getting a tan.
• Second, parched skin is prone to lines and wrinkles. It will make you look older than you are.

Now, if those two results aren’t enough to convince you, think about the next two.

• A moisturizer will cool down your skin and lessen the side effects of sunburn.
• Plus, an after tan lotion will make your skin feel smooth comfortable.

If you want to look and feel your best after tanning, it’s definitely worth it to take a minute to apply lotion (1).

The Difference Between Regular Moisturizers and after Tan Lotions

You might be wondering if it matters whether you use your regular lotion or something recommended for after tanning. That’s a valid question because not all moisturizers are created equal.

Ingredients that help your skin recover from tanning include Vitamin C and E, aloe vera, and plant-based moisturizers like shea butter, hemp, and jojoba oil.

Some experts recommend avoiding petrolatum and mineral oil as they may retain heat (2).

Tan extender lotions provide deep hydration and plenty of antioxidants to prevent fine lines and wrinkles from forming.

Other Ways to Care for Your Skin after Tanning

While moisturizers help your skin recover from the outside in, drinking water will improve it from the inside out (3).

Take a bottle of water with you when you go tanning. Then be sure to finish it after your session. Also, stay hydrated at the beach and the pool by taking breaks and sipping.

Give yourself a break from tanning by waiting at least a day before you go back out into the sun. If you’re on vacation and want to make the most of your time, you can still go to the beach while wearing sunscreen.

Conclusion

Slather on the moisturizer because after tan lotions and tan extenders will help you look and feel better. They prevent your skin from peeling, protect your bronze, and defend against wrinkles.

Have you found a lotion that you love to use after tanning? Leave us a comment to tell us about it.

Resources:

1. https://www.livestrong.com/article/176199-how-to-care-for-skin-after-tanning/ by Kay Ireland, accessed 10 May 2019
2. https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-Your-Skin-After-Using-a-Tanning-Bed by Chris M. Matsko, M.D., published 29 March 2019, accessed 10 May 2019
3. https://www.leaf.tv/articles/how-to-care-for-skin-after-tanning/ accessed 10 May 2019