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The chemicals used in the tan spray are what make the skin darker when it reacts with the skin. This means that there is a limited time that it will stay on your skin before it goes away. If you want it to look better and make your tan last longer, then a lotion is a must to use over your tan! That is why I have reviewed and categorized the best lotion you can use after a tan spray.
Top 10 Best Lotion To Use After A Spray Tan
| Image | Product Name | Price On Amazon |
|---|---|---|
 | Best Overall HEMPZ Body Lotion Original | Check Price |
 | Best for Nourish Skin Australian Gold Moisture Lock Tan Extender Lotion | Check Price |
 | Best for Glowing Skin Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk | Check Price |
 | Best for Hydrating Jergens Natural Glow Self Tanner | Check Price |
 | Best for Healing Action for Soft Skin Maui Babe After Browning Lotion | Check Price |
 | Best for Daily Moisturizer Golden Star Beauty Tan Extender Lotion | Check Price |
 | Best Long-Lasting Moisturizer Millennium Tanning Solid Black Tan Extender Lotion | Check Price |
 | Best for All Skin Types St. Tropez Prep & Maintain Tan Enhancing Moisturizer | Check Price |
 | Best for Pure Vegan Yum’e Tan Therepe Spray Tan Extender Lotion | Check Price |
 | Best for Dry Dull Skin DHI Beauty Post Self Tan Routine Daily Body Lotion | Check Price |
1. Best Overall – HEMPZ Body Lotion Original
Specification
- Skin Type: All
- Material Type Free: Gluten and paraben-free
- Liquid Volume: 17 fl oz. (500 ml)
- Scent: Flowery scent with a shea butter smell
Description
Experience the natural goodness of hemp seed oil from HEMPZ Body Lotion Original! Keeps your skin looking healthy and your tan even better!
Features
Natural hemp seed oil: soothe any inflammation and get the benefits of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids
Shea instant hydration: with the shea butter in the formula, get instant hydration over your tan
Vitamin skin barrier: get the benefits of vitamins in protecting your skin from environmental damages
How to use
Lotions are pretty easy to use. Take a pump of the product and spread it over the area where you want. Make sure to pay special attention to joints like the elbow and back of the knees. If you think you over-applied, then take a dry towel and pat the excess off.
Expert Verdict
If you need lotion after tan spray, there are three things that you need to watch out for. One that can moisturize your skin over a spray tan, nourish your skin to make your tan look better, and benefit your tan by making it last longer. All three of these factors are superbly dealt with in the HEMPZ Body Lotion Original! Not only is it nourishing, but it also creates a skin barrier that makes your tan last longer too! It will instantly moisturize your skin thanks to the shea formula and hemp oil too! My only problem with the overall product is the pump. The pump seems to be for thinner consistency lotion which this is not. After a while, it will feel like you need to pump a lot more and get a very inconsistent amount. Luckily, you can always transfer the product inside to another large pump lotion bottle and be completely fine!
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Nourishes skin with hemp oil | Pump too small; inconsistent amount given |
| Moisturizes with shea | |
| Vitamin skin barrier protection |
2. Best for Nourish Skin – Australian Gold Moisture Lock Tan Extender Lotion
Specification
- Skin Type: All
- Material Type Free: Paraben and gluten-free
- Liquid Volume: 16 fl oz. (437 ml)
- Scent: Aloe vera smell
Description
Help to lock in your tan for longer with the Australian Gold Moisture Lock Tan Extender Lotion! Nourish your skin with the help of vitamin E and panthenol after a spray tan!
Features
Panthenol: makes sure your skin doesn’t lose its hydration
Vitamin E nourishing: extend your tan and nourish your skin with vitamin E properties
Aloe soothing: soothe your skin even while you are out in the sun
How to use
Take a pump of the product and spread it over the area where you want. Make sure to pay special attention to joints like the elbow and back of the knees. If you think you over-applied, then take a dry towel and pat the excess off. As this is a bit thinner, make sure to use a little to spread evenly over your skin. Make sure to let it dry before wearing clothes and wash your hands after using the product.
Expert Verdict
With the help of vitamin E, you can be sure that the Australian Gold Moisture Lock Tan Extender Lotion will work to nourish your skin that has gone through a spray tan! The aloe and panthenol are really good at soothing your skin down and are safe to wear out in the sun too. The Panthenol does the extra heavy lifting of locking in the moisture and giving your tan a little time extension. However, the smell can be rough on people with sensitive nose. The smell does go away after a bit but you will still have a hint of an antiseptic smell that comes from aloe vera.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Nourishes skin really well | Smell not for everyone |
| Panthenol locks in moisture and tan | |
| Aloe for the soothing |
3. Best for Glowing Skin – Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk
Specification
- Skin Type: Normal
- Material Type Free: Alcohol-free
- Liquid Volume: 12.68 fl oz. (375 ml)
- Scent: Cocoa butter smell
Description
Have wonderful glowing skin with the Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk! Extend your tan with a bit of gradual tanning!
Features
Tanning properties: helps to give you a nice tan over your existing tan
Skin glow: makes your skin glow with a radiant tan
Quick drying: instantly dries up on your skin
How to use
As this does have a bit of a tanning property, make sure to exfoliate your skin with a body scrub to get the best out of the product. This is mostly for those who are in the last stages of their spray tan when your skin will need another exfoliation. After that, apply the lotion generously over your skin, making sure to get the ankles, fingers, elbows, and knees. It will dry quickly so wait about a minute or two before you wear clothes again.
Expert Verdict
Sometimes with a spray tan in the end stages, you need a tanning product that can help keep it going for a bit longer. That is why the Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk is exactly the gradual tanning that you need to help your tan last a bit longer! Not only that, but it will also make your skin a bronzed tan glow too! Another good factor about the product is that it will instantly dry up so you have none of that greasy feeling that thicker lotions might have. However, this is by no means a miracle worker. It will give only a very light tan so if your spray tan is fading, it can give it a nice glow for a while before the tan looks lighter and lighter.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Makes your skin a nice glow | Only a light tan |
| Instantly starts to dry | |
| Gives your spray tan a bit more lasting effect |
4. Best for Hydrating – Jergens Natural Glow Self Tanner
Specification
- Skin Type: All; best for dry skin
- Material Type Free: Alcohol-free
- Liquid Volume: 10 fl oz. (295 ml)
- Scent: Slight aromatic smell
Description
Giving your skin a flawless, natural-looking sunless tan can be as easy as applying your daily body lotion with the Jergens Natural Glow Self Tanner!
Features
Daily skin hydration: can be used daily for skin hydration
Sunless tan: rejuvenate your tan with sunless tanning from this
Natural tan: get a natural fake tan
How to use
Another tanning product so you know what to do. Exfoliate your skin if you haven’t done already and apply generously on your skin. For this one especially, make sure that you apply a thick even layer across every part of your body. Wash your hands afterward and pat your skin if you have excess lotion on.
Expert Verdict
When you need something that works as both a self-tanner and a hydrating lotion, then the Jergens Natural Glow Self Tanner is exactly what you are looking for! It provides an ample amount of hydration that you need for your tanned skin to look gorgeous. Not only that but because it tans as well, it will give your skin even more tanning over your spray tan to make it last longer with a natural fake tan that looks like a spray tan! My only concern with this product is that you have to get the application right. Otherwise, the tan looks spotty in some areas, where some have more tan than others. This is the case for tan on smaller areas like the stomach and joints.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Great hydration | Uneven tan if not applied correctly |
| Natural fake tan | |
| Extends existing spray tan |
5. Best for Healing Action for Soft Skin – Maui Babe After Browning Lotion
Specification
- Skin Type: Sensitive and dry skin
- Material Type Free: Alcohol-free
- Liquid Volume: 8 fl oz. (236 ml)
- Scent: Sweet coconut smell
Description
Get the healing benefits and softer skin with the Maui Babe After Browning Lotion which will also help with locking in your tan!
Features
Healing effect: get the healing benefits of aloe
Skin softening: skin will feel softer to the touch after using this product
Tan locker: lock in your tan to make it last a bit longer
How to use
Squeeze an amount that will cover the middle of your palm. Make sure to pay special attention to joints like the elbow and back of the knees. If you think you over-applied, then take a dry towel and pat the excess off.
Expert Verdict
The DHA (or docosahexaenoic acid) that darkens your skin after a spray tan dries up your skin really fast. This can cause a lot of issues for people with sensitive skin as they will have dry and peeling skin after getting the spray tan. Worry not, because the Maui Babe After Browning Lotion will both heal your skin and make it soft to the touch! Any inflammation you might have is gone with the help of the aloe healing effect. It will also enhance and lock your tan to make it last a bit longer as well. However, while it does soften the skin, it certainly lacks in the hydration department. Don’t get me wrong, it does hydrate the skin but it is just enough to soothe the skin. That is why you might notice that your skin is peeling after using it, as you need to combine it with a moisturizer to get the best out of this product!
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Great for healing skin | Not as moisturizing as I would have hoped |
| Tan extender | |
| Soft skin |
6. Best for Daily Moisturizer – Golden Star Beauty Tan Extender Lotion
Specification
- Skin Type: All
- Material Type Free: Paraben and gluten-free
- Liquid Volume: 8 fl oz. (236 ml)
- Scent: Light essential oil smell
Description
Moisturize your tan daily with the help of the Golden Star Beauty Tan Extender Lotion! Extend your tan while also making it look even better!
Features
Fade stopper: makes your tan not fade as fast
No fake tan smell: worry not about the fake tan smell other products have
Non-comedogenic: does not block your pores
How to use
As a tan extender lotion, make sure to wash your skin off any dirt to get the best effect. After drying your skin, apply the lotion liberally over your tanned skin, making sure to create an even layer. Apply to joints and fingers as well. If you notice too much of it on your skin, make sure to pat it off your body. Wait about 10 minutes for the lotion to completely dry on your skin.
Expert Verdict
When you need a daily moisturizer for your spray tan skin, then look no further than the Golden Star Beauty Tan Extender Lotion! It works great to stop the fading of your tan and gives off no fake tan smell. Some tan extender lotion leaves behind a bit of a white streak on your skin but thankfully this will not do that (if you apply it properly and not in excess). It is also non-comedogenic so you wouldn’t have to worry about your pores being blocked. However, it takes a while for the lotion to properly dry on your skin, taking up to 10 minutes! So be sure to have time on your hand after applying the product so you don’t stain your clothes with the lotion.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Non-comedogenic | Takes too long to dry |
| Great for daily moisturization | |
| No fake tan smell |
7. Best Long-Lasting Moisturizer – Millennium Tanning Solid Black Tan Extender Lotion
Specification
- Skin Type: Best for sensitive skin
- Material Type Free: Alcohol-free
- Liquid Volume: 18.25 fl oz. (540 ml)
- Scent: Men’s cologne
Description
Get a lasting moisturization on your skin with the help of Millennium Tanning Solid Black Tan Extender Lotion!
Features
Deep layer moisturization: get extra hydration underneath your skin
Improve skin: get healthier skin with more skin elasticity
Longer tan: keep your spray tan protected with the help of essential oil, shea, and cocoa butter
How to use
Apply a generous amount on the skin that you have washed and dried. Make sure to apply an even layer on your skin and focus especially on your joints, ankles, and hands. After you are done, wait for it to dry in a few minutes before wearing your clothes and wash your hands afterward.
Expert Verdict
When you need a product that not only hydrates but keeps the hydration on your spray tan, the Millennium Tanning Solid Black Tan Extender Lotion is exactly that! It works by penetrating the skin layers to make sure that it is not just the epidermis that is losing moisture. When it does, the deeper skin layer will help keep your skin moisturized for longer! Add to that how much your tanned skin will benefit by looking healthier and making your tanned skin look better too. The smell can be very overpowering as it smells like men’s cologne so be warned about that.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Deep moisturization | Smells overpowering; men’s cologne type |
| Healthy skin | |
| Tanned skin for longer |
8. Best for All Skin Types – St. Tropez Prep & Maintain Tan Enhancing Moisturizer
Specification
- Skin Type: All
- Material Type Free: Paraben, sulfate, and phthalate-free
- Liquid Volume: 6.7 fl oz. (200 ml)
- Scent: Fresh coconut smell
Description
Maintain an even fade of your tan with the St. Tropez Prep & Maintain Tan Enhancing Moisturizer that works for all skin types!
Features
All skin types and tones: great for all skin types, even sensitive skin
Moisturizing: gives a great moisturizing effect on dry areas like the elbows and knees
Tan maintainer: gives your tan an even fade over the skin
How to use
For this product, take an amount that will cover the middle of your palm. Apply all over your body in an even layer, focusing mostly on dry areas like hands, feet, elbows, and back of the knees. After using, leave it to dry for a few minutes and wash your hand. In case of excess, pat off any lotion that remains after most of it has dried. For the face, make sure you apply pea-sized amounts by dotting your face and then spreading it in a circular motion across.
Expert Verdict
A tan extender or maintainer can be hard to find that works for all skin types, especially the face. But the St. Tropez Prep & Maintain Tan Enhancing Moisturizer does exactly that without any problems! It is quick-absorbing so you can be sure that you can apply it and dry it very quickly. It also has no greasy feeling attached to most lotions. It also works great on the face, gliding easily across without any problem whatsoever! However, if you have a deep tan, you might have to consider another product as this does not provide much of a tan at all. It can keep the look of your tan but not much else.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Quick absorbing | No tanning effect; not great for darker tans |
| Non-greasy | |
| Can be applied to the face |
9. Best for Pure Vegan – Yum’e Tan Therepe Spray Tan Extender Lotion
Specification
- Skin Type: All
- Material Type Free: Paraben and sulfate-free
- Liquid Volume: 8 fl oz. (236 ml)
- Scent: Mango and pineapple smell
Description
Get the best out of the all-vegan ingredients in the Yum’e Tan Therepe Spray Tan Extender Lotion!
Features
Pure vegan: all natural and vegan ingredients were used in making this product
Added DHA: for the extension of the tan, just enough to not dry your skin
Smooth and radiant skin: keeps your skin smooth and glowing
How to use
For this product, you can liberally apply it all over your body. Make sure to pat off any excess lotion after it has dried. For best application, apply it over slightly damp skin.
Expert Verdict
For anyone that is vegan and has gotten a spray tan, the Yum’e Tan Therepe Spray Tan Extender Lotion is your go-to tan extender! It works by adding a tiny amount of DHA to your skin to give it just a bit more tan when it becomes faded. It leaves the skin feeling soft to the touch and silky smooth. Not to mention the all-natural ingredients will help to not irritate your skin one bit while also being conscious of the environment! My only gripe with the product is it can be a bit drying on the skin, probably because of the DHA added. So make sure to apply it damp on your skin and use a moisturizer after using the lotion for the best effect.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Vegan goodness | Dries the skin a bit |
| Smooth skin | |
| Non-irritating |
10. Best for Dry Dull Skin – DHI Beauty Post Self Tan Routine Daily Body Lotion
Specification
- Skin Type: All; best for dry and dull skin
- Material Type Free: Paraben, sulfate, and phthalate-free
- Liquid Volume: 16 fl oz. (473 ml)
- Scent: Mango
Description
Rejuvenate your dry and dull skin with the help of the mango-scented DHI Beauty Post Self Tan Routine Daily Body Lotion!
Features
Anti-aging benefits: great for mature skin
Calming skin: best for dry skin that started to peel so that it can be calmed
Lightweight: does not feel whatsoever
How to use
Apply a generous amount all over your skin, especially on the large surface area like the biceps and thighs. Make sure to also apply an even layer across your hands and feet, elbows, knees, and other joints. If you applied too much, pat it off with a dry towel after most of it has been absorbed into the skin.
Expert Verdict
Spray tans sometimes look dull and will dry up due to the DHA. That is why the DHI Beauty Post Self Tan Routine Daily Body Lotion works its magic by rejuvenating the skin and giving back the tan shine that you are looking for! It can also be used on the face to return back glowing skin too! It glides across the skin really well, making applying an even layer very easily. However, it does have comedogenic properties to it if you aren’t careful with applying a thin layer on your skin so do be careful about that!
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Glowing skin | Comedogenic ingredients |
| Safe to use on the face | |
| Easy to apply |
Can I Use Lotion After a Spray Tan?
Not only can you use lotion after a spray tan, but it is also important that you use a moisturizing lotion afterward! This is because the DHA that is used in spray tans reacts with the skin to give the dark bronze color tan. This reaction leads to the skin becoming dry so you definitely need to apply a moisturizing lotion on your tan.
Ultimately, what you would want to avoid in lotions are surfactants like sulfates. These remove any impurity on your skin and that include your spray tan. Parabens and comedogenic ingredients are also to be avoided in lotions after a spray tan as they can cause adverse effects with the DHA in the tan.
Some tan extender lotions and self-tanning lotions do have essential oils and other types of natural oils in them which should be avoided. But if the amount that they are in the lotion is extremely diluted so you won’t have to worry about them in your lotions. In fact, they are very good at hydrating your skin and making your tan look better!
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When Can You Put Lotion On After a Spray Tan?
You can definitely use lotion after a spray tan, it will just depend on how long after can you use the lotion on yourself. The main substance in spray tans is DHA, a chemical that reacts with the skin to give it a browning effect which is the tan you get on the skin. It is a colorless liquid but it reacts with the skin to give the bronzing tan of fake tans.
For a light spray tan, you can easily wait about 6 to 8 hours after the spray tanning session to get a tan on yourself. However, if you have a darker tan, you will need to give the DHA time to act on your skin. The darkening properties do not occur instantly, it will take a bit of time for it to react. For those types of darker tans, you will need to probably wait anywhere between 12 to 24 hours for the DHA to fully bronze your skin.
Any time after the first 24 hours is your best bet to use a lotion on your newly done spray tan. By then, all the DHA will have reacted with the skin and tanned your skin evenly. Do it before that and you risk making your tan uneven!
FAQs
1. What kind of lotion can you use after a spray tan?
Make sure that your lotion has a moisturizing effect so that you can benefit from hydrated skin that will make your spray tan look better!
2. What lotions not to use after spray tan?
Make sure to use a lotion that does not have sulfates and other types of surfactants. Parabens have comedogenic properties which could be bad for newer spray-tanned skin but it’s okay for mostly faded tans.
3. Do you put lotion on after a shower before spray tan?
You should avoid putting any product on your skin before a spray tan. Take a shower and remove any body hair and exfoliate your skin to make the spray tan application even better.
4. Can you use lotion with oil after spray tan?
If the lotion with oil has self-tanning abilities like Jergens Natural Glow Self Tanner, then the oil in it has no problems. Otherwise, some essential oil can break down the tan on your skin right after a spray tan.
5. Can I use baby lotion after a spray tan?
Most baby lotion makes the skin softer which makes stripping away the tan easier, so you should avoid it for at least a week after getting the spray tan.
Final Thoughts
These are the best lotions I have used after getting a bit of light spray tan! It was interesting to see that some of the products made my tan not only look good but also made it last an extra few days too. I really liked the HEMPZ and Jergens product on the list because they were absolutely fantastic. I wish I could put them both as the best overall, but only one could take that crown. I hope that you can see these products and figure out which is the best lotion for you. As always, stay classy and do your best to take care of your tan!
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