Quick answer
An accelerator is a moisturising lotion with no added colour, usually the gentlest choice for beginners. A bronzer adds cosmetic colour you can see straight after your session. A tingle lotion contains ingredients that make your skin feel warm and flushed, and is usually aimed at experienced tanners. Many lotions combine these, for example a tingle with bronzer.
Accelerators
Moisturising lotions designed for sunbed use, with no added colour. They're usually the simplest place to start because there's no bronzer to streak and no tingle sensation. Shop accelerator lotions.
Bronzers
These add cosmetic colour to the surface of your skin, so you see a deeper shade straight after your session while your tan develops. Things to know:
- Apply evenly and wash your hands straight after, or your palms can stain.
- The cosmetic colour washes away gradually, so it can look streaky if applied unevenly.
- Some bronzers develop over a few hours: see should you shower after a sunbed?
Shop bronzer lotions.
Tingles
Tingle lotions contain ingredients that boost blood flow to the skin, causing warmth, redness and a tingling or prickling feeling. They're usually aimed at people who already tan regularly. Always patch test first. Read what does a tingle lotion do? and shop tingle lotions.
Which should you choose?
- New to sunbeds, or sensitive skin: a non-tingle lotion, with or without a light bronzer.
- Want visible colour straight away: a bronzer.
- Experienced tanner who likes a warm feeling: a tingle, after a patch test.
Whatever you choose, it won't change how long you should be on the sunbed: see do sunbed lotions really work?
