Top 10 Best Tanning Lotion For Tattoos In 2023

You know the sun is the biggest enemy of your tattoo. Even an indoor tan can fade your tattoo. And if you go for a tan by applying sunscreen to protect your tattoo, you won’t be getting much of a tan. Does that mean you can’t get a tan if you have tattoos? Of course, you can! I have personally tested various tanning lotions for tattoos and picked the top 10 lotions that will protect your tattoo while ensuring optimum tanning.

Image	Product Name	Price On Amazon
	Best Overall Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden	####
	Best for Tattoo Protecting Formula Tanning Paradise Black Coconut Love	####
	Best for Indoor Tanning That’s What Sea Said	####
	Best for Color Fade Protection Dolce Black Bronzer	####
	Best for Instant Dark Color Tanning Ed Hardy BLACK XXX Instant Dark Color	####
	Best for Ultra-Rich Black Bronzing Formula Millennium Tanning Solid Black	####
	Best for Anti-Aging and Skin-Firming Benefits Devoted Creations CAMO KING	####
	Best for All Skin Types Onyx Tattoo Tanning Lotion	####
	Best for Dark Tanning Intensifier Ed Hardy Tanning Destination Darkness	####
	Best for Natural Bronzer Australian Gold G GENTLEMEN	####

1. Best Overall – Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning Lotion

Specification

Description

Soften your skin and enjoy an enticing coconut fragrance while tanning with the Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning Lotion to keep your tattoo away from harm while getting the perfect tan.

Features

• Dark golden tan: This gives you a dark golden tan without risking your health as it does not have bronzing agents.
• Softening: Contain coconut oil, cocoa butter, and coconut milk not only keep the skin hydrated for a long time but also softens it.
• Coconut fragrance: The strong scent of coconut will put your mind at ease when you get into a tanning bed.
• Nouritan: Gives you a long-lasting and even tan.

How to use

First, exfoliate your skin to get rid of any dead skin. Then take a moderate amount of lotion in your palm and rub them together. Now that you have an even amount of lotion on both of your hands, start applying the lotion on your body by doing a gentle circular motion. Make sure you don’t miss a spot and the lotion is being applied evenly all over your body. When you’re done applying wash your hands.

Expert Verdict

Trust me, the enticing coconut scent is a huge plus. It keeps your mind at ease and makes you feel you are in a tropical area getting your tan, while in reality, you are just laying in your tanning bed. The Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning Lotion does not contain a bronzing agent which is a harmful component for your health. It contains melactiva and nouritan that gives increased melanin, makes the tan long-lasting, and helps you get an even tan. It also has many natural ingredients such as coconut milk, cocoa butter, and coconut oil that hydrate your skin for a long time and keeps the skin nice and soft. I really loved that it gives your skin a nice dark golden tan within a short time.

Pros and Cons

2. Best for Tattoo Protecting Formula – Tanning Paradise Black Coconut Love Tanning Lotion

Specification

Description

 The Tanning Paradise Black Coconut Love Tanning Lotion not only gives a nice black tan in a short time but also keeps your skin moisturized, young and tight.

Features

• Dark tanning: This will give you a dark tan without any use of bronzing or DHA.
• Tan intensifier: It has tan intensifier components that will give a tan within a very short period of time.
• Hydrating: It has coconut oil, coconut milk, and cocoa butter that hydrates even the driest skin.
• Anti-aging: It prevents premature aging of your skin and keeps it tight.
• Tattoo protector: It protects your tattoo and prevents any possible fading.

How to use

Even though the Tanning Paradise Black Coconut Love Tanning Lotion is in oil form you can apply it the same way you apply tan lotion. First, take a few drops of the product on your palm and evenly apply it all over your body. When it comes to the face area, use a very small amount of the product as the area is sensitive. As it is in oil form, it should be easier to apply evenly, and try not to use too much product as it can lead to a very oily texture on your skin.

Expert Verdict

I have tested quite a few tanning lotions and Tanning Paradise Black Coconut Love Tanning Lotion is number one when it comes to getting results faster. It hydrates my skin so well and gives off a nice smell that is not too strong that would bother anyone. It has melanin stimulators and tan intensifiers that help you get the perfect tan without delay. Applying this product will ensure an even tan all over your body. It tightens your skin and the anti-aging components keep your skin young and healthy. I love this product for its fast result and the extra anti-aging effect it provides.

Pros and Cons

3. Best for Indoor Tanning – That’s What Sea Said Tanning Lotion

Specification

Description

The That’s What Sea Said Tanning Lotion is a quality tanning location that also works as an anti-aging and skin-tightening lotion. It is a vegan-based formula that does not leave stains on your bedsheet or cloth.

Features

• Anti-aging: Botanical extract helps prevent premature aging of your skin.
• Tyrosine: It helps you to achieve a dark and deep tan.
• Vigan formula: It uses a vegan formula that does not include any sort of animal cruelty.
• Tropical infusion: It infuses passion fruits and coconut extract which makes it an amazing hydrating lotion that also fights against free radicals.
• Tattoo anti-fading: It prevents your tattoo from fading and prolongs the vibrant nature of your tattoo.

How to use

It is a light lotion so it is much easier to apply. Take a decent amount of product on your palm and rub them together. Now, gently apply it to your body. Make sure to apply using a circular motion so the lotion spreads evenly on your skin.

Expert Verdict

The That’s What Sea Said Tanning Lotion is a hydrating lotion that I use indoors and outdoors without any issues. It is based on vegan formula so no animal cruelty is in involved making this product. Some other tanning lotion leaves a yellow mark if not applied properly, I never face that issue using That’s What Sea Said Tanning Lotion. It does not leave any stain on bedsheets or cloth and after tanning, it does not feel greasy a all. I love its anti-aging and tattoo anti-fading properties of it. The coconut and passion fruit extract fusion keeps the skin hydrated and fights free radicals. Because the lotion is light it is easy to apply and easily absorb by the skin. This is one of my favorite tanning lotions.

Pros and Cons

4. Best for Color Fade Protection – Dolce Black Bronzer Tanning Lotion

Specification

Description

The Dolce Black Bronzer Tanning Lotion gives a perfect bronze tan instantly and for a longer period of time. Not to mention is a great anti-aging and anti-wrinkle tanning lotion.

Features

• Bronze tan: It has cosmetic and natural bronzers and a high level of DHA that gives an instant and long-lasting bronze tan.
• Detoxify: The lotion detoxifies the skin, soaks excess oil from the skin, and gives you clear-looking skin.
• Anti-aging: It has anti-aging peptides that reduce your wrinkles and gives you long-lasting effect.

How to use

This product may stain your cloth or bedsheet. So be sure to wear something that you wouldn’t mind getting stained on. Then take a decent amount of lotion on your hand and rub. After rubbing both hands, you can apply the lotion evenly on your body in a circular motion. Make sure to wash your hand properly after applying, as it tends to stick on your palms.

Expert Verdict

TheDolce Black Bronzer Tanning Lotion is definitely one of the most effective tanning lotions. I love that it gives you an immediate bronze tan result and a long time result as well. So if you are in a hurry to get a tan you can go for this product it will also give you a long-lasting tan. They use quality and high level of DHA and cosmetic and natural bronzers which is safe for your health. It is quite light so a bit easier to apply and easily absorbed by the skin. After using it for some time I noticed it reduced my wrinkles by a lot, so the anti-aging peptide definitely works. And I feel my skin has become more clear and bright thanks to the detoxifying components. The only thing I didn’t like was that it gives a burned skin smell after tanning, even though it smells nice when applied.

Pros and Cons

5. Best for Instant Dark Color Tanning – Ed Hardy BLACK XXX Instant Dark Color Tanning Lotion

Specification

Description

The Ed Hardy BLACK XXX Instant Dark Color Tanning Lotion gives a perfect dark tan while protecting your tattoo, hydrating your skin, and giving antioxidant benefits.

Features

• Antioxidant: It contains acai berry extracts which fight free radicals to protect your skin.
• Prevents orange spots: You won’t face any orange spots on your body as this product uses blue tansy which prevents an orange tone.
• Hydrating: It contains natural oil and extracts that hydrates dry skin and keep it firm.

How to use

It is a very strong lotion. So make sure not to get your clothes or bedsheet stained. Take some lotion on the palm of your hand and rub it. Now do a circular motion to apply the lotion evenly throughout the body. After applying quickly wash your hand thoroughly as they tend to stick on your hands and are difficult to wash off.

Expert Verdict

The Ed Hardy BLACK XXX Instant Dark Color Tanning Lotion has skin-farming cosmetics and natural bronzers and dark DHA. It gives you a tan in such a short period of time and thanks to 2 color-prolonging agents the tan stays for a long time. It has quad tyrosine that gives you the darkest tan you can get. Your tattoo will be protected from fading as the product has tattoo & color fade-protecting components. Thanks to the anti-aging peptides my wrinkles have been reduced by a lot. The antioxidant property makes my skin feel fresh and healthy. The only thing I didn’t like was the product tends to stick on your hand and gives you brown hands.

Pros and Cons

6.Best for Ultra-Rich Black Bronzing Formula – Millennium Tanning Solid Black Special Reserve 200X

Specification

Description

 The Millennium Tanning Solid Black Special Reserve 200X is a great choice to get a deep dark tan while protecting your tattoo.

Features

• Skin tightening: It has a skin tightening agent that keeps your skin nice and tight.
• Silicone infused: It protects your tattoo and color by preventing any fading issues.
• Anti-orange: This product ensures you don’t get any orange spots on your body.
• Hydrating: It has oils and extracts that hydrate your skin and makes it feel refreshed.

How to use

Applying the Millennium Tanning Solid Black Special Reserve 200X is very easy. Just take the liquid from your palm and start applying it to your body. To apply evenly you can use a circular motion. Do not worry about not applying evenly to some body parts as this lotion has anti-orange technology. So even if you fail to apply evenly, you won’t face any orange spot issues.

Expert Verdict

The Millennium Tanning Solid Black Special Reserve 200X gives an immediate and long-lasting dark bronze result. It contains essential oils and plant extract that hydrates your skin and helps the product reach deep into your skin. The silicon-based fusion protects your precious tattoo from fading and keeps its color vibrant. It used a rich black bronzing formula which gives a shiny and glowing tan. I use this lotion both outdoors and indoors without any issues. And it uses anti-orange technology so I never had to worry about getting orange sport on my body. If you are looking to get a dark bronze tan with glowing skin, then go for Millennium Tanning Solid Black Special Reserve 200X.

Pros

7. Best for Anti-Aging and Skin-Firming Benefits – Devoted Creations CAMO KING Black Bronzing Lotion

Specification

Description

 The Devoted Creations CAMO KING Black Bronzing Lotion is a rich and powerful tanning lotion with antioxidant and tattoo anti-fading properties.

Features

• Antioxidant: It has antioxidant components that fight free radicals and gives your healthy skin.
• Fights dark spots: It reduces any dark spots on your skin.
• Anti-aging: The product contains an anti-aging formula to help your skin get rid of wrinkles.

How to use

Squeeze some lotion into your hand and apply it to your body. Use circular motions to slowly apply the product as leaving any body part can lead to uneven tanning, which nobody wants. Make sure your skin is completely dry before applying the Devoted Creations CAMO KING Black Bronzing Lotion.

Expert Verdict

The Devoted Creations CAMO KING Black Bronzing Lotion gives you a dark brown tan instantly. If you are in a hurry apply this product and within hours you will see amazing results. It will also give you long-lasting results, don’t worry about it. It uses the BB Crème formula which is amazing. The powerful antioxidant formula gets rid of free radicals for you. I like the anti-aging effect, it reduces wrinkles and keeps the skin fresh and young. I had a few dark spots on my body, after using the Devoted Creations CAMO KING Black Bronzing Lotion the dark spots vanished. I didn’t face any fading of my tattoo, may tattoo is in a vibrant state, thanks to its tattoo & color protecting component.

Pros

8. Best for All Skin Types – Onyx Tattoo Tanning Lotion Fade Protection Ink Care Formula

Specification

Description

The Onyx Tattoo Tanning Lotion Fade Protection Ink Care Formula has powerful bronzers that give you a great long-lasting tan while protecting your tattoo.

Features

• Hydrating: It has jasmine and aloe extract which makes the skin hydrated.
• Nourishing: Your skin will be nourished as the lotion has grapes, peach, melon, avocado, and pomegranate fusion in it.
• Ink care formula: Prolongs the life of your tattoo by protecting the tattoo color and by preventing fading.

How to use

Take a moderate amount of Onyx Tattoo Tanning Lotion Fade Protection Ink Care Formula lotion on your palm and start applying it to your body by doing a circular motion. The lotion is not that thick so it should be easy to apply. Make sure to apply evenly, especially on the tattooed area so that the lotion can protect your precious tattoo while tanning.

Expert Verdict

The Onyx Tattoo Tanning Lotion Fade Protection Ink Care Formula is a fine tanning lotion with amazing tattoo protection formula. My tattoo artist recommended this lotion and after using I recommend it to all my tattoo buddies. It has many strong components that enhance tanning and help you get the desired color. Fruit fusion of melon, peach, avocado, grapes, and pomegranate makes it a quality nourishing lotion that helps your skin stay healthy. Aloe, peach, and jasmine extracts keep your skin hydrated and moist. You won’t be feeling any dryness after applying this lotion. It has tamanu and sesame oil and Lawsonia extracts to keep the color of your tattoo protected and sharp. The lotion prevents photochemical oxygenation and fights free radicals which can fade your tattoo. So this lotion makes absolutely sure that your tattoos are protected in every possible way. I really love that it is not greasy at all and easily absorbed by the skin.

Pros and Cons

9. Best for Dark Tanning Intensifier – Ed Hardy Tanning Destination Darkness

Specification

Description

The Ed Hardy Tanning Destination Darkness gives you an instant dark rich bronze tan and also long-lasting results while tightening and detoxifying your skin.

Features

• Anti-orange technology: You will not get orange spots by using this product.
• Melanin stimulating: It has a quad tyrosin blend that stimulates melanin to help you get a long-term result.
• Anti-orange technology: Prevents any orang spot after tanning.
• Skin tightening: It has charcoal extracts that detoxify your skin and tightens the pores.

How to use

First, ensure your skin is dry, then apply the lotion to your body using your palm. You can do a circular motion to evenly apply it all over your body. Failing to apply it all over the body may result in an uneven tan. So take your time applying the product.

Expert Verdict

The Ed Hardy Tanning Destination Darkness has high intensity and rich dark DHA, cosmetic, and natural bronzers that give you a dark golden within an hour of applying. It also gives you a long-term tan. It has a charcoal extract that absorbs excess oil from your skin, detoxifies your skin, and tightens the pores. If you have acne this charcoal extract will help reduce that and also reduce any sort of skin inflammation you may have. It has blue tansy flower extract that heals your skin and prevents any orange sport from occurring. The Ed Hardy Tanning Destination Darkness prolonged the life of your tattoo and prevent the tattoo from fading.

Pros

10. Best for Natural Bronzer – Australian Gold G GENTLEMEN Black Bronzer

Specification

Description

The Australian Gold G GENTLEMEN Black Bronzer tanning lotion gives you your desired black bronze tan while preventing tattoo fading and moisturizing your skin.

Features

• Moisturizing: The lotion is based on coconut water which moisturizes even the driest skin deeply.
• Tattoo anti-fading: It protects your tattoo color and prevents it from fading when you tan.
• Instant and delayed tan: It gives you an instant and long-term tan.

How to use

 After ensuring your skin is dry you can proceed to apply the lotion. Take a decent amount of lotion in your palm and start applying it to your body. Apply evenly so that you get an even tan.

Expert Verdict

Considering all the aspects, the Australian Gold G GENTLEMEN Black Bronzer is a decent tanning lotion that also protects your tattoo. It is based on coconut water, which means does not matter how rough or dry your skin is, it will surely get moisturized after applying this lotion. It has essential components to prevent your precious tattoo from fading. The fragrance is a blend of bergamot, orange, geranium, vetiver, and green accord cedarwood. It is quite a masculine scent in my opinion. I never felt shy after applying this lotion thanks to the strong scent it gives off.

Pros

Can I Put Tanning Lotion On My New Tattoo?

The tanning lotions that not only give you a perfect tan but also protects your precious tattoos are awesome! But can you put tanning lotion on your new tattoo? Unfortunately, you can not.

Your new tattoo is like a trauma or wound. It takes at least 14 days to heal the first layer of the skin and around 3-6 months to heal the second layer of the skin. You should not go for tanning until your tattoo is completely healed. So you can not use tanning lotion until your tattoo is completely healed and ready for tanning.

I see many people making the mistake of thinking tanning lotion is similar to sunscreen lotion. So they apply tanning lotion before going into the sun thinking it would protect their tattoo. Tanning lotions in general do not have SPF, so they can not protect your unhealed tattoo from the UV rays of the sun.

If you use tanning lotion on a new tattoo and go for a tan, it can fade the ink rapidly as the skin is not healed yet to create a protective layer against UV rays. How would you feel if your brand new tattoo that you spend a few hundred bucks to get just fades within days after getting it? Not so happy am assuming. So I recommend waiting until your tattoo is completely healed before going for a tan. Even if you go for a tan with a tattoo that is not completely healed instead of applying tanning lotion, use sunscreen on the tattooed area to protect it from sunlight. Make sure you return home or reply sunscreen after 2 hours.

What is the Tattoo Protection in Tanning Lotion?

Many tanning protection claim to protect your tattoo. But how do they do that?

The tanning lotion that can be used outdoors and indoors contains SPF and moisturizing properties. It protects your tattoo from harmful UV rays and keeps the area moisturized. Which prevents tattoo fading and helps to maintain the brightness of your tattoo. That’s not all. Apart from sunlight, there are other factors that can damage your tattoo. Such as free radicals, and photochemical oxygenation.

Free radicals destroy the tattoo ink molecules and fade the tattoo. And photochemical oxygenation can fade the ink as a result your tattoo becomes fade. A good tanning lotion will have tamanu oil, sesame oil, avocado, melon, grape, peach, pomegranate, and Lawsonia extract to protect the tattoo ink and prevent it from fading.

Simply put a tanning lotion may not have SPF as it may be for indoor use, but it must have a moisturizing agent, essential oil and extracts, and an antioxidant agent to keep the tattoo moist, protect the ink and fight free radicals to prevent the tattoo from fading.

FAQs

What is lavender body lotion good for?

The lavender body lotion is full of rich vitamins and moisturizing properties. It is good for softening, moisturizing, and keeping the skin healthy.

Does tanning make tattoos darker?

Spray tan temporarily makes your tattoo darker, and it goes away within a few days.

How long after a tattoo can I tan?

You have to wait until your tattoo is completely healed before you tan, which is around 3-6 months of time.

What effect does tanning have on a tattoo?

Tanning without proper protection can damage the tattoo and make it fade.

What lotion to avoid after tattoo?

Avoid petroleum-based lotions, or lotion that contains bacitracin, Neosporin, Aquaphor, Vaseline, etc.

Is aloe vera OK for tattoos?

Yes, aloe vera is good for your tattoos. As it contains anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, and healing properties which can benefit your healing tattoo.

Final Thoughts

All 10 products that I mentioned here are quality tanning lotions and you won’t find a single one that can be considered bad. For me, the best one is definitely Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning Lotion. It won me over with the scent the moment I applied it. That refreshing coconut smell makes me think am on a heavenly tropical island enjoying my tan! That said the best tanning lotion for tattoos may vary from person to person. It kind of depends on your personal preference as the products have different scents, textures, and other benefits. So go for one that matches your needs and I hope you found the tanning lotion for your tattoo in this list!