Best Tanning Accelerator: Top Picks for Faster Color Without Wrecking Your Skin

If you are hunting for the best tanning accelerator, you probably want three things: faster color, less time lying in the sun, and a formula that does not leave you sticky, streaky, or smelling like a chemical spill. The right product can help your skin respond more quickly to UV exposure so you build a tan faster, while the wrong one is just an oily mess that trashes your towels.

This guide focuses on proven, widely loved tanning accelerators for both outdoor and indoor tanning. You will also see exactly how to use them with sunscreen, which skin types they suit best, and when you are better off skipping a tanning accelerator entirely.

Quick picks

• Australian Gold Rapid Tanning Intensifier Lotion, best overall beach tanning accelerator. A classic lotion that helps most skin tones build color a bit faster while keeping skin soft and not too greasy, as long as you layer it with real SPF.
• Maui Babe Browning Lotion, best for fast deep color on already tanned or medium skin. Famous for delivering a quick, rich brown tone, but it is heavy, messy, and best reserved for people who already tolerate strong sun.
• Sun Bum Browning Lotion, best tropical-scented option for casual beach days. Lighter than Maui Babe, with a coffee coconut scent and fewer staining issues, great if you want a nudge toward bronze rather than an instant dark look.
• Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning Lotion, best indoor tanning accelerator lotion. Designed for tanning beds, it feels like a hydrating body lotion while helping frequent tanners reach their color faster with less post-session dryness.

In-depth reviews

Australian Gold Rapid Tanning Intensifier Lotion review

Best for: Most skin types who want a balanced, buildable outdoor tan without a ton of mess.

Australian Gold Rapid Tanning Intensifier is a workhorse beach accelerator that shows up in a lot of seasoned tanners’ bags. It is a lotion rather than a heavy oil, which makes it easier to spread evenly and more comfortable if you hate feeling slick. The texture is light to medium, sinks in fairly quickly, and leaves a soft sheen rather than a thick film.

This formula leans on a mix of plant oils and extracts, such as carrot and banana extracts, along with moisturizing ingredients like aloe. These help condition the skin and may support melanin production so your skin responds a bit more efficiently to sun. It does not contain self-tanner, so any color you see comes from your own melanin, not added dye.

It has a sweet, classic “tanning lotion” scent that some people love and others find a bit strong. If you are very scent sensitive, Sun Bum Browning Lotion is the gentler-smelling option, though it is oilier. Compared with Maui Babe Browning Lotion, Australian Gold is far less sticky and stains fabrics less, which makes it more practical for everyday beach or pool use.

Key drawbacks: There is no meaningful SPF here, so you must apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen underneath or over it. If you are very fair or burn easily, this accelerator can still help deepen your color, but only if you are strict with SPF and shade breaks.

Maui Babe Browning Lotion review

Best for: Medium to deep skin tones or already tanned skin that wants dramatic color quickly.

Maui Babe Browning Lotion has a devoted following because it can produce a deep-looking tan in a very short time. It uses a blend of kukui nut oil, mineral oil, Kona coffee plant extract, and other emollients to pull moisture into the skin and give it an immediate brown sheen. On the skin it looks almost like a dark glaze, which visually amplifies your tan even before you have had much sun.

The texture is thick and oily. It spreads best on slightly damp skin or over a light lotion. Expect it to feel slick for quite a while after application, and to transfer onto lighter swimwear, towels, and car seats. For that reason, it is better for dedicated sunbathing sessions where you are mostly on a lounge chair, not for all-day wear while running errands.

Because it can encourage fast color, Maui Babe is not ideal for very fair or burn-prone skin. You can still use it, but only with a high SPF layer underneath and very short sun intervals. If you have sensitive or acne-prone skin on your back or chest, patch test first, since the heavy oils may clog pores. Australian Gold Rapid Tanning Intensifier is the safer, more forgiving choice for lighter or fussier skin types.

Key drawbacks: Very messy, can stain fabrics, and provides zero sun protection. It is also strongly scented, which some people experience as “coffee-caramel” and others find cloying.

Sun Bum Browning Lotion review

Best for: Casual tanners who want a pleasant, beachy experience and a gentle boost in color without going full-on oil slick.

Sun Bum Browning Lotion aims to split the difference between a traditional tanning oil and a modern body lotion. The texture is a loose, silky lotion that rubs in more cleanly than Maui Babe yet still leaves a noticeable sheen and slightly deeper tone on the skin. The signature coffee coconut scent feels very “vacation” but is not as intense as some old-school tanning products.

The formula leans on natural oils like coconut and argan along with Kona coffee plant extract. These hydrate and give a temporary warm tint that makes your existing color pop. It does not contain DHA self-tanner, so you will not wake up noticeably darker the next day from the product alone, but many users find that it helps them build a tan in fewer sessions.

Compared with Australian Gold Rapid Tanning Intensifier, Sun Bum is a bit richer and more dewy. If your body skin is dry or you love a glowy, oiled look on the beach, this can be a plus. If you hate any hint of residue or are prone to body acne, Australian Gold is lighter and less likely to feel heavy in hot weather.

Key drawbacks: Still quite slick, so it can transfer to fabrics. Like all accelerators, it does not replace sunscreen; Sun Bum makes great SPFs, but this is not one of them. People with fragrance sensitivities should steer toward fragrance-free SPF plus a gradual self-tanner instead of this product.

Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning Lotion review

Best for: Indoor tanners who use tanning beds regularly and want a hydrating, low-mess accelerator.

Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses is one of the most popular indoor tanning accelerators used in salons. It is designed for use in tanning beds, where you want something that will absorb quickly and not feel greasy against the acrylic surface. The texture is a true lotion, creamy but not heavy, and it sinks in nicely, leaving a soft, almost powdery finish.

The formula includes ingredients often labeled as “tyrosine boosters” that may encourage melanin production, plus a mix of coconut milk and coconut oil for moisture. There is no DHA in the original version, so your color develops from UV exposure rather than from a self-tanning chemical. Many people notice that they reach their desired shade in fewer sessions while using it, and their skin feels less dry afterward compared with going bare.

If you mostly tan outdoors, this product is less practical than the others because it is not water resistant and does nothing to protect you from sunlight. For beach tanning, Australian Gold Rapid Tanning Intensifier or Sun Bum Browning Lotion will perform better and feel more at home on wet or sandy skin.

Key drawbacks: The scent is a strong, sweet coconut that can linger, which you will love or hate. As with all indoor tanning products, the bigger concern is cumulative UV exposure from tanning beds, which carries real long-term skin damage and skin cancer risks. No accelerator makes indoor tanning safe, so use sparingly and consider more skin-friendly options if you tan year-round.

How tanning accelerators work (and what they cannot do)

Tanning accelerators are designed to encourage your skin to produce melanin more efficiently when exposed to UV light. Many use ingredients such as tyrosine or tyrosine derivatives, plant extracts, and rich emollients that support the tanning process and keep the skin from drying out. Others include cosmetic bronzers or dark pigments that give instant visual color while your tan develops underneath.

What they do not do is protect you from UV damage. Most contain little or no SPF, and even if a bottle lists a very low SPF number, that is not enough for safe sun exposure. An accelerator simply helps your skin respond faster to UV, which can mean you burn faster if you are not protected. They also cannot change your natural tanning ceiling: if you are very fair and usually freckle more than tan, an accelerator will not turn you into someone who can safely achieve a deep brown color.

It is also important to distinguish accelerators from self-tanners. Self-tanners use DHA or similar ingredients that react with the top layer of your skin to create a tan-like color without UV exposure. Accelerators, by contrast, are only active when you are in the sun or under a tanning bed; they do nothing for color on their own.

How to choose and use a tanning accelerator safely

Your skin type, tanning history, and comfort with sun exposure should drive your choice of accelerator. If you are fair, burn easily, or have a history of sun damage, the safest route is usually to skip accelerators and rely on self-tanner plus diligent SPF instead. If you still decide to use one, pick a lighter, lotion-based option like Australian Gold Rapid Tanning Intensifier and absolutely pair it with a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30.

For medium to deep skin tones that already tan relatively easily, richer formulas like Maui Babe Browning Lotion or Sun Bum Browning Lotion can help deepen color quickly. Just remember that more melanin does not mean zero risk. Keep sessions shorter, seek shade in the middle of the day, and hydrate your skin afterward with a soothing body lotion.

Indoor tanners should prioritize lotions made specifically for tanning beds, such as Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning Lotion. These are formulated not to damage the acrylic and to absorb fast so you are not sliding around. Even so, keep in mind that frequent tanning bed use significantly raises your risk of premature aging and skin cancer. If you find yourself in a bed weekly or year-round, it is worth stepping back and considering self-tanners or spray tans instead.

Regardless of which accelerator you choose, safe use follows the same steps:

• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to exposed skin 15 minutes before sun, letting it absorb fully.
• Layer a thin, even coat of accelerator on top of the SPF just before your sun session.
• Start with short exposure times and increase slowly if your skin tolerates it.
• Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating; reapply accelerator only if you want to maintain that dewy finish.
• At the end of the day, cleanse your skin well and follow with a nourishing, fragrance-free body lotion or after-sun treatment.

Final thoughts

A good tanning accelerator can shave some time off your tanning sessions and help your skin look smoother and more glowy while you build color. For most people, Australian Gold Rapid Tanning Intensifier Lotion is the best starting point because it suits a wide range of skin types, has a comfortable lotion texture, and is less messy than oil-heavy options. If you already tan easily and want faster, deeper color for special beach days, Maui Babe Browning Lotion or Sun Bum Browning Lotion can deliver that dramatic bronze at the cost of a bit more mess.

Indoor tanners who want something salon-friendly should look at Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning Lotion, with the understanding that no product cancels out the risks of tanning beds. Whatever you choose, treat an accelerator as a small boost, not a shield. Make SPF your nonnegotiable, limit your exposure, and you can enjoy a sun-kissed look without sacrificing your skin’s long-term health.

See also

For effective sun protection that complements tanning accelerators, check out our picks for the best tinted sunscreens for natural, no-whitecast coverage. To understand what goes into these products and make informed choices, explore our guide on reading skincare ingredient lists without a chemistry degree. – Discover gentle options with the best mineral face sunscreens for daily wear that pair well under makeup. – Find sun care solutions tailored for deeper skin tones in our review of the best sunscreens for dark skin that don’t leave a cast. – Read more about a popular formula in our detailed Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice SPF 50+ review for lightweight sun protection.

FAQ

Is a tanning accelerator safe to use if I burn easily?

If you burn easily, a tanning accelerator does not make sun exposure safer and may actually lead you to overdo it. You can use one cautiously only if you apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher underneath, limit your sun time, and stop at the first hint of pink. For many fair, burn-prone people, combining diligent sunscreen with a good self-tanner is a far better way to get color.

Should I put a tanning accelerator on before or after sunscreen?

Apply sunscreen first, let it absorb for about 15 minutes, then layer your tanning accelerator on top. Sunscreen needs direct contact with the skin to form an even protective film, while the accelerator can sit above it without interfering much. If you reapply sunscreen later, do a light layer over everything; you do not need to fully re-coat with accelerator each time.

Can I use a tanning accelerator on my face?

Most body-focused tanning accelerators are too heavy or fragranced for facial skin and can clog pores or trigger irritation. If you want your face to match your body tan, it is usually better to rely on a dedicated facial self-tanner or bronzing drops plus daily SPF. If you still decide to try an accelerator on your face, patch test along the jawline first and avoid your eye area.

How long does it take for a tanning accelerator to work?

A tanning accelerator only works while you are getting UV exposure, so there is no “developing” time the way there is with self-tanner. Many people notice slightly faster color within one to three sun sessions compared with tanning bare. Just remember that feeling like you are tanning faster is also a sign you could be edging toward a burn more quickly, so keep your sessions short and protected.

Can I combine a tanning accelerator with a self-tanner or spray tan?

Yes, you can, but you need to be deliberate. A self-tanner or spray tan will give you immediate visible color without extra UV damage, and an accelerator used later in the sun will deepen your real tan beneath that cosmetic color. The risk is overdoing it and becoming much darker than you planned, so start with a light self-tan, use conservative sun exposure, and take breaks to reassess your color in natural light.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on our site.