How to Tan Faster: Natural Sun, Self-Tanner, & More

Your guide to getting a sun-kissed glow as quickly as possible

Co-authored by Barbie Ritzman and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: January 23, 2023 References Approved

Natural Sun Tan

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Tanning Lotion

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Spray Tan

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Video

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

ARTICLE

VIDEO

Ready to get glowing, bronzed skin, but don’t want to spend days in the sun? That sun-kissed look is what everyone’s after in the summer, and we’re here to help you get it. Read through our article to learn how you can speed up the tanning process while staying safe in the sun. And if that’s not fast enough for you, we’ll also give you tips on applying self-tanner and getting a spray tan for instant results.

Things You Should Know

Tan quickly in the sun without getting burnt by wearing sunscreen with SPF 30.
Turn your body frequently, and make sure you stay in direct sunlight.
Eat foods with beta carotene and lycopene to naturally protect your skin from the sun while getting a tan.
To tan without harmful UV rays, try applying tanning lotion or getting a spray tan.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Natural Sun Tan

1
Choose a base lotion or oil with SPF 15 or 30. To get tan quickly, you'll need to apply a lotion or oil with a low SPF, but you still want to make sure you have some protection from the sun's powerful rays. Choose between rub-on lotions, aerosol sprays, and oil rubs that all contain some SPF.^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source
American Cancer Society
Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
Go to source}
- Ideally, choose an SPF 30 for a good balance of protection and sun exposure.
- Wear a lip balm with at least SPF 15. You don't need your lips to be tan, and getting a sunburn on your lips is downright painful.
- Put on sunscreen at least 20 minutes before you lay out to give it time to soak in.^{[2]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Margareth Pierre-Louis, MD
  Board Certified Dermatologist
  Expert Interview. 15 May 2020.}
2
Turn your body over frequently. Like a chicken roasting in a rotisserie, you need to turn your body over frequently to get an even tan. A good rule of thumb is to turn in 1/4 revolutions every half hour. Start on your back, then turn to your left side, then your stomach, and lastly your right side.^{[3]
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- Make sure to change the position of your arms and legs frequently to avoid awkward tan lines.
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3
Position yourself in direct sunlight. As the sun moves across the sky, move your towel or lounge chair so that you can always be in direct sunlight. If you don't want to lay around all day, you can also do something active outside, wearing as little clothing as possible to allow the sun to hit your skin.^{[4]
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- You can get tan in the shade, but it may take longer.
- To target areas on your body even more, use a tanning reflector (basically a shiny piece of fabric) to point the sun at specific parts of your body.
4
Lay out in the middle of the day between 10am and 4pm. Though dermatologists usually tell you to avoid the sun during peak hours, if you're trying to get tan quickly, hit the tanning grind when the sun is strongest. Just be sure to apply SPF consistently to avoid burning your skin.^{[5]
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Research source}
5
Take off as much clothing as possible. If you are trying to get tan all over, then there's really no other option than to put on your birthday suit and soak up the sun. Find a nude beach or a private (fenced) area of your backyard and let the sun work its magic!^{[6]
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Research source}
- If you can’t strip down all the way, consider wearing a strapless top or bathing suit. This will help you avoid pesky tan lines while getting an all-over glow.
6
Lay on a floatation device in the water. Because water attracts and reflects sunlight, laying on or near a body of water will help you absorb as much sunlight as possible.^{[7]
X
Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} Get some floaties, lay on a raft, or sit in an inner tube on the water to tan in the sun.
- The sun is always more intense when it reflects off the water. Be very careful about how long you lay out here to avoid burning.
7
Tan every other day. Studies show that exposing your skin to UV rays every other day actually increases your pigmentation more than tanning every day.^{[8]
X
Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source} As you get on the road to your tanned journey, try to lay out in the sun at least 3 to 4 times per week to get a great tan going.
- Giving yourself a day in between tanning sessions will also let your skin recover and repair itself.
8
Exfoliate gently once a week. Exfoliating removes dead skin to give you a brighter, more even tan.^{[9]
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Research source} Before you head outside, hop in the shower and use an exfoliating product to gently slough off dead skin. Rub the product in circular motions, then rinse off and apply sunscreen.
- You can safely exfoliate about once a week. Any more than that, and you might irritate your skin.
9
Eat foods with beta carotene and lycopene in them. While more research is needed, studies have shown that beta carotene can reduce sun sensitivity in people, leading to longer periods without burning.^{[10]
X
Research source} Similarly, other studies show that lycopene helps naturally protect the skin from UV rays.^{[11]
X
Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source} Before you have fun in the sun, try eating foods with these naturally-occurring chemicals, like:
- Carrots
- Sweet potatoes
- Kale
- Tomatoes
- Guava
- Watermelon

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Tanning Lotion

1
Exfoliate your skin. Exfoliating gets rid of dead skin cells that can make your tan look uneven. Hop into the shower and use an exfoliating product in a circular motion all over your body. Then, rinse it off.^{[12]
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Expert Source

Barbie Ritzman
Beauty & Skincare Specialist
Expert Interview. 23 August 2021.}
- You can safely exfoliate about once a week.
2
Wear gloves while applying the self-tanner. Since you'll be spreading the lotion all around your body with your hands, they will absorb much more of the lotion or oil than the rest of your body. Buy disposable gloves and wear them when applying self-tanner to avoid having hands darker than the rest of your body.^{[13]
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- Throw the gloves away after use and use a new pair each time you apply.
- Make sure to rub some lotion or oil into your hands after you finish applying it to the rest of your body. You want them to be the same color of the rest of your body, just not darker.
3
Spread the self tanner on in sections. One of the biggest challenges posed by self-tanning lotion is the ability to spread it evenly around your body. Break your body up into chunks, then go section by section: arms, legs, torso, and back. When you reach your wrists and ankles, blend the self-tanner down to your hands and feet.^{[14]
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Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- Move your hand in a circular motion when applying self-tanner to avoid a streaky appearance.
- Take it slow. Don't rush to put on self-tanner, or odds are you will end up with blotchy areas or you'll miss areas altogether. Take the time to rub it in completely.
- Don't forget those areas that are normally hidden from public view, including your armpits.
4
Give the self-tanner 10 minutes to dry. Putting your clothes on too fast could cause the self-tanner to rub off. Hang out for about 10 minutes, giving the self-tanner time to soak in.^{[15]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- Try to stay inside for the next 6 to 8 hours as the self-tanner develops. Rain and sweat can streak the self-tanner as it soaks into your skin.^{[16]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Barbie Ritzman
  Beauty & Skincare Specialist
  Expert Interview. 23 August 2021.}
- Self-tanning lotions contain the compound dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which is approved by the Food and Drug Administration to add pigment to the skin.^{[17]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH
  Board Certified Dermatologist
  Expert Interview. 19 February 2021.}
- Remember to always apply SPF when you go outside, even if you’ve used self-tanner. Self-tanner is a pigment, but it doesn’t protect your skin from the sun.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Spray Tan

1
Exfoliate your skin before getting sprayed. Make sure to get rid of all of the dead and rough skin on the outer layer of your body before getting sprayed. Choose an exfoliating scrub that is oil-free and contains some sort of rough beads or granules that will polish your skin. Use a loofah or a washcloth in the shower to scrub your body.^{[18]
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Research source}
- If you have any body hair, consider trimming it short before your spray tan. Spray tan gets everywhere (and we mean everywhere), so it may stick to those hairs that you haven’t shaved.
2
Visit a spray tan salon or hire a professional to your home. Unlike self-tanning lotions, you really need a professional to perform a spray tan on your body. You can either visit a tanning salon with a spray machine or hire a private professional to come to your home and spray you in your shower.^{[19]
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Research source}
- When you go in, talk with your consultant about how dark you’d like to be. That will help determine how many layers of spray tan you need.
3
Touch up your tan every 1 to 2 weeks. Depending on the strength of the tan and your original skin tone, a spray tan can last anywhere between 5 and 10 days. Moisturize with lotion every day to make your tan last longer. To keep a golden glow, touch up your tan as it begins to fade.^{[20]
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Research source}

Community Q&A

Question

Whats the best way to tan if I'm really pale and usually just burn?

Community Answer

Use a 30 spf sunscreen and then tanning oil on top, and then use a bronzer. Don’t stay out for too long.
Question

Witch will give you a better tan? Tanning in your backyard or at the beach?

Community Answer

Tanning at the beach lets the sunlight reflect from the water and attracts the sunlight, therefore, it would be a better and faster tan.
Question

Is 14 okay to get a tan in a tanning salon or is that too young?

Community Answer

You are too young to go to a tanning salon. It's safest for you to apply a lotion or spray tan, so that you don't expose yourself to harmful ultraviolet light and risk getting cancer.

Warnings

Tanning beds are known to heighten your risk of skin cancer.^{[21]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source} Avoid harmful UV rays if possible.

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