Bronzers Vs Intensifiers: What’s The Difference Between These Tanning Lotions?
During the winter and fall seasons, it’s a must to seek other ways besides the sun to keep yourself tan. Even if you live near the beach, tanning outside is pointless since the sun’s UV rays are less intense during the colder months.
Another option is to go to the tanning salon, but of course, there are downsides to this choice. For one, it can become costly. In addition, too much UV light can harm your skin.
So what’s the next best option when you can’t squeeze in a tanning session or get outside to soak up the sun?
The answer is indoor tanning lotions, with a specific focus on intensifiers and bronzers.
The products you choose will always depend on your tanning goals, so in order to figure out which product is the right choice, you need to decide what you want your final result to be.
Not only are indoor tanning lotions a natural way to help you stay tan all year, but they’re often comprised of ingredients that can help to boost your skin’s health. Win-win.
And don’t sweat it if this is the first time you’ve heard of tanning lotions and/or bronzers and intensifiers, I’m going to share all the details you need to know about not just the products, but also the tanning process.
Before we get into all the different yypes of tanning lotions, let’s first chat about the differences between intensifiers and bronzers.
Intensifier Vs Bronzer – What’s The Difference?
What is a Bronzer?
While bronzer might be familiar to you in cosmetic form, it is also a very common tanning product.
A tanning bronzer is usually found in accelerators and other tanning products. Bronzer lotions are what give you instant color and usually provide a more natural tan.
Typically, bronzer levels are described as 10x or 30x on the lotion’s bottle. A bronzing lotion with higher numbers contains more bronzer. Therefore, you can achieve a darker color by opting for a lotion with a higher number.
The best thing about bronzers is that you can use them without spending time in the sun. This is because these products contain docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
DHA is a special ingredient that’s already found within your body that repairs cells and promotes skin hydration. So, if you can’t tan outside or at a salon, your best option is to use a bronzer.
However, ensure you don’t get bronzer near your clothes or other important items. It can be hard to get the product out of most fabrics and has a tendency to stain.
What is An Intensifier?
An intensifier is a color-inducing product that works with the melanin already in your skin. An intensifier does not contain bronzer and it does require UV rays for the best results.
If it’s cold outside, it can be hard to achieve this. For those that live in colder climates year round or have colder/gloomier seasons, an intesifier will likely not be the tanning product of choice.
While intensifier will also produce good results with a tanning bed, tanning beds are something that many people try to avoid.
So what’s the main difference between a bronzer and an intensifier?
A bronzer is going to give you a deeper, dark color, and it’s also going to do it much quicker than any results you would see from an intensifier. In short, if you’re looking for that deep, dark, California tan, opt for the bronzer.
Not only will bronzer give you a quicker, faster tan, but it will also do so without the need for UV rays or a tanning bed.
While both products are great to have, there are many more tanning lotions you may also want to consider using, either solo or in conjunction with your bronzer/intensifier.
Let’s go over some of those below.
Additional Tanning Products
Tanning lotions are not easy to understand at first since there are over so many options available. However, before you can buy the right product for yourself, you must understand the differences from one to the next.
Additionally, some tanning products work best when used together and in a certain order. Below are some details about the tanning lotions you may find in stores.
Tanning Accelerator
Starting with an accelerator is the best choice for a tanning beginner. These lotions are the best way to achieve a base tan.
Accelerator lotions often have moisturizing ingredients to help prevent your skin from drying out. As a result, your skin will have less streaking and blotches, and it will get darker without being ashy and dry.
Cooling Lotions
Cooling lotions usually have an ingredient that “soothes” the skin when the product is applied. It’s relaxing and beneficial for those who go a long period without tanning.
Some people tend to get sticky after using tanning products if they go through extended periods with no tanning. The cooling sensation of these lotions can offer some relief.
Shimmering Lotion
You will see a slight shine when you apply shimmering lotion to your skin after tanning. Many people enjoy this product because it gives an instant glow.
However, these lotions may appear toog littery glittery for some. If this is not what you want, it’s a good idea to test a few brands before landing on the own you plan to use going forward.
Tingle Lotions
Because tingle lotions contain intense chemicals, most people only use them when tanning for a long time. The ingredients in tingle lotions cause reddening and increase blood flow to the skin. Maximizers usually produce a tingling effect.
These products come in heated and cooled forms and speed up the skin’s repair process, allowing it to tan faster. For many people, the tingling sensation can be highly uncomfortable. However, with constant use, your tolerance to this feeling will build up.
Lastly, some people cannot tolerate these lotions due to sensitive skin and should avoid them at all costs. Instead, opt for a body blush product if your skin is too sensitive for a tingle lotion. It provides the same effects but is better suited for sensitive skin.
Tan Extender
A tan extender prolongs the life of your tan while also providing moisture. This should be used daily after you use your self-tanning products to retain a longer-lasting tan.
What Ingredients Should Your Tanning Lotion Have in Them for Healthy Skin?
Choosing a tanning lotion requires certain ingredients to ensure the safety of your skin. Below are some of the ingredients you should look for:
- Vitamin E
- Hemp Seed Oil
- Coco or Shea Butter
- Avocado Oil
- Anti-Aging
- Kukui nut Oil
- Caffeine
- Beta Carotene
- Retinyl Palmitate
- Unipertan
These active ingredients will help you achieve glowing skin. For example, hemp seed oil and shea butter are known to hydrate and protect the skin, which leads to a uniform and streak-free finish.
In addition, another ingredient you should look for is tyrosine. It’s an amino-acid derivative found in most lotions to help increase melanin production. As a bonus, it releases mood-enhancing chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin.
Researchers found that those who suffer from depression have low levels of tyrosine. The tyrosine found in most tanning lotions may help your body produce more happy hormones which is a nice little bonus.
Of course, there’s more research needed to confirm this, but it’s a great way to up your tyrosine levels.
The 4 Best Tanning Lotions on Amazon
I went one step further and researched the best tanning lotions on Amazon. These lotions are great for beginners and help achieve the perfect tan.
Millennium Tanning: Solid Black
The millennium tanning solid black edition is a great lotion when tanning at a salon or outside. It contains essential oils and moisturizing ingredients to help keep your skin from becoming too dry.
You may also see results within one hour after being in the tanning bed. The formulation is non-sticky and non-greasy, providing an excellent smooth glide.
Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning Lotion
If you’re looking for an indoor option, try using the Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning Lotion. It provides fast results and it glides on smoothly.
The smell is also heavenly compared to many other tanning lotions. It has a light vanilla and coconut scent, unlike the unpleasant smell you often get from a spray tan.
Lastly, this tanning lotion has a unique tattoo-fading protection formula that’ll keep your tattos looking brand new.
Tanning Paradise Black Coconut Love Tanning Lotion
This tanning lotion is great for indoor or outdoor tanning. The best thing about this tanning lotion is its anti-aging ingredients. If keeping fine lines at bay is something that interests you, this might be the right tanning lotion for you.
This lotion claims to help tighten and promote firmness and is also another product that offers fade protection for tattoos.
Australian Gold Intensifier Bronzing Dry Oil
If you’re looking for a spray-on option, the Australian Gold Intensifier will provide a sun-kissed tan without getting your hands messy.
It contains enhancing ingredients such as Sunflower oil and olive oil, which will nourish your skin. Self-tanners will enjoy using it due to the non-sticky formula.
Conclusion
There are many self tanners and sunless products on the market today that will give you a long-lasting tan. When it comes to intensifier vs bronzer, the most important thing is choosing the one that will work best with your skin tone to give you a natural color and flawless finish.
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