20 Best Tan Accelerators for Sunbeds & Outdoors in 2023

Do you want a deeper, bronzer tan? Then you need a tanning accelerator! Whether you prefer sunbeds to outdoors or vice versa, with a little tanning accelerator, you can get a well-rested beach-bronzed vacation-style bod so much faster.

Unfortunately, so many tanning accelerators provide such lame results. I’ve tried my fair share and have plenty of favorites, so get ready to find out more about the ones I recommend.

Whether I’ve tried them myself or have a someone close to me who I’ve seen the results on, I can assure you that these best tan accelerators are the ones to nab for that perfect speedy and bronzed look.

Best Tan Accelerators for Sunbed & Outdoor

If you have like zero time to get bronzed before a big event, a hot date, a vacation, or just to look hot while it’s freezing outside, these are the best tan accelerators to look for.

Some are best for the sunbed while others are best for outdoors, and there are also some that you can use anywhere you choose, so come find your new bestie in bronzing!

1. Onyx Magnifique Sunbed Dark Tanning Lotion Bronzing Accelerating Dark Tan
2. Australian Gold Sinfully Black 15x Deep Dark Bronzing Tanning Lotion
3. Designer Skin Escapade Dark Tan Intensifer
4. COCOSOLIS CHOCO Sun Tan & Body Oil
5. Snooki Ultra Dark Leg Bronzer
6. Australian Gold JWOWW ONE and DONE INTENSIFIER
7. 7. SunGodZ Artemis/Apollo Sun Tanning
8. The Fox Tan Jet Setter Pack
9. Sun Bum Original Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 30 Lotion
10. Snooki Ultra Dark 70X Black Bronzer
11. Millennium Tanning Lotion
12. Millennium Tanning Paint It Black 50X
13. VITA LIBERATA Advanced Organics Fabulous Self-Tanning Gradual Lotion
14. Hawaiian Tropic Dark Tanning Oil
15. Maui Babe Browning Lotion
16. Devoted Creations Hydrating Tanning Butter
17. Hempz Dark Tan Maximizer
18. Australian Gold: CHEEKY BROWN Accelerator
19. Supre Smoke Black Bronzer Tanning Lotion
20. Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning Lotion

1. Onyx Magnifique Sunbed Dark Tanning Lotion Bronzing Accelerating Dark Tan

This is a great find! Onyx Magnifique sounded super-enticing to me when I checked it out. I took a chance and was definitely thrilled by the experience.

It definitely gives you a sweet tan, and all without streaks or any weird random darkening that gives away that your tan basically came out of a bottle and sunbed.

There are some fantastic ingredients in here, like walnut extract and sesame oil that will help you to get rid of dead skin while improving your complexion!

And the smell is great too, it’s more like a jasmine scent than ordinary coconut. It’s not overpowering, but leaves you smelling fresh all day long.

It’s nice and rich so a little goes a long way, and it’s affordable without sacrificing quality.

Definitely worth considering if you want an affordable, quality fake tan next time you’re stocking up on beauty supplies!

2. Australian Gold Sinfully Black 15x Deep Dark Bronzing Tanning Lotion

Great smell? Check! Great tan? Check and check! Australian Gold Sinfully Black 15x Deep Dark Bronzing Tanning Lotion is really a solid choice. And I do mean that.

It’s very thick coming out the bottle, but it applies well and will give you a deep, dark, bronzed tan. I happen to tan easily, but I let my friend Kat try it, and she has a hard time tanning.

Needless to say, she looked like she just spent a week in Hawaii after one use.

You can use it indoors and outdoors, but do be cautious since it doesn’t have SPF. Kat didn’t spend much time under the lamp, and despite her proneness to burning, she didn’t have trouble with this.

3. Designer Skin Escapade Dark Tan Intensifer

Not one I’ve tried myself, but my friend Jana got Designer Skin Escapade Dark Tan Intensifier for her husband Eddie, who sung its praises.

He said it was the best tan intensifier he’s ever used. He has very light skin, and I remember we were at a backyard barbecue, and he turned lobster-red with a sunburn even though we hadn’t been outdoors for long.

This stuff made him look nice and naturally tanned without looking burnt.

It has a really manly smell, according to Jana, but she says she likes it and he does too. So, definitely one for the fellas here, but it’s a great choice for sure!

4. COCOSOLIS CHOCO Sun Tan & Body Oil

I love chocolate. There. I just had to say that. But seriously, now that you know that, you’ll probably understand why it was hard for me to not lick this off my arms.

COCOSOLIS CHOCO Sun Tan & Body Oil is like a choco-dream come true with its rich and lasting delicious chocolate scent.

It left my skin smelling yummy and nicely moisturized too.

Since it’s an oil though, I have to warn you that it will definitely attract the sun so watch yourself. Go slow and ease into it. Without sun protection factor included, you can certainly get burned if you’re too eager.

That advice goes for everything on this list, but this is one to get if you want to get your tan fast.

5. Snooki Ultra Dark Leg Bronzer

The legs have it! So, I have this one friend Clare who has the palest legs on the planet. I’m fairly certain. She lives in London and has always complained about them as long as I can recall.

She loves this stuff because even when it’s chilly and unpleasant there, her legs look bronzed and beautiful.

Snooki Ultra Dark Leg Bronzer has hair growth inhibitors thrown in there for good measure, and Clare told me her legs not only look naturally beach-bronzed when she uses this stuff before the sunbed but also that she hasn’t had to shave so much.

Less stubbly legs and a bronzed appearance makes for a great way to get that beach babe look even if you’re stuck in winter or at the office or both.

6. Australian Gold JWOWW ONE and DONE INTENSIFIER

Use the power of tyrosine to your advantage. Australian Gold JWOWW ONE and DONE Intensifer isn’t exactly a bronzer but an intensifier.

So you get a really nice, realistic color using it. No orange, just a nice tanned look as though you sat out on the lido deck for the entire cruise journey.

The smell is pretty good too, a little hard to describe, but pleasing to the nose. My friend Jess has gobs of tattoos and uses this to protect her ink while working on his her and just loves it.

7. SunGodZ Artemis/Apollo Sun Tanning

Here’s another indoor option for you to enhance your tan. Made by SunGodz, it doesn’t give off that gross fake tan sunbed smell.

In fact, it has a really pleasing fragrance that is kind of good for everyone, like CK1, but not smelling like that, of course (but the same idea of being a pleasing smell for men and women).

The texture is really lightweight and non-greasy. So you can hit the tanning bed on lunch, grab a sandwich and latte and snarf it all down and still get back to your desk in time without reeking of the evidence.

8. The Fox Tan Jet Setter Pack

This is a fun one! So, I got The Fox Tan Jet Setter Pack as a gift. It comes with 3 products – an elixir, a tanning mist, and a shimmer.

You’re supposed to use the elixir daily to help boost melanin production in your skin and then the tanning mist when you’re in the sun. And the other one is for keeping your tan base golden when you’re not able to go tanning (indoors or out).

I loved that I got a lovely trio of products. And the scent! Watermelon-y! I really was pleased with this and enjoyed it. I had one friend who was surprised I got such good results because she didn’t.

Then, I found out she wasn’t using the trio properly. Read the directions, and you will see the results!

9. Sun Bum Original Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 30 Lotion

This is what I use when I plan on being outdoors for a while. Like when we go boating.

My friend Carrie let me use hers when we went out boating for the day because I’d stupidly forgotten my own sunscreen.

When I’m staying outside for a long time, I definitely want SPF protection, and on a boat, there are few ways to hide from the sun.

Sun Bum Original Moisturizing Sunscreen has the smell of fresh bananas, so that’s nice, but I loved how it kept me protected out there.

I reapplied it as you should for anything to protect your skin, and I had a lovely tan by the end of the day without any hint of burning.

The texture is really lightweight and nice too, so I was convinced enough to buy my own. Great stuff that happens to be reef-safe as well!

10. Snooki Ultra Dark 70X Black Bronzer

With a fragrance that just screams “vacation,” Snooki Ultra Dark 70X Black Bronzer is the real deal. It has a fantastic smooth, and silky appeal, and it really gives you such a great tan.

Bronzers can sometimes transfer, and you’ll be glad to know I had no troubles with this.

My skin not only looked nice and dark, but it felt better, too, texture-wise. I ran into a friend I hadn’t seen in a few weeks, and she thought for sure I’d gone on a vacation and just didn’t tell her.

Nope! Just cheated and used this stuff to keep my limbs from going pale!

11. Millennium Tanning Lotion

If you tan really well but don’t have the time right now, try Millennium Tanning Lotion.

This stuff shouldn’t be taken lightly though. Only do about 10 minutes in the tanning bed and be careful.

The bronzer self-tans too, so you do not want to forget about it and leave it on for too long.

The smells is super-nice too. I really liked this tanning lotion for the tanning bed. I didn’t have to waste time working on my tan and looked like I’d been living on an island for a year after using it just once.

12. Millennium Tanning Paint It Black 50X

Just a warning that this one has silicone in it, but that is great for smoothing and conditioning your skin.

Still, I know a lot of people, especially those with blemish-prone skin that could use that info because you don’t want to get all nice and tan to only have a breakout.

Anyway, Millennium Tanning Paint It Black 50X is great for a bronzed look right out of the tanning bed. It doesn’t stain your hands or leave you looking like a streaky freaky mess either.

With a decent scent, you’ll be happy to have this one in your bag when you pop by the sunbed for a quick bronzing session.

13. VITA LIBERATA Advanced Organics Fabulous Self-Tanning Gradual Lotion

Rub this lotion in and what you’ll get is excellent moisturization along with your tan. VITA LIBERATA is a self-tanner that smooths on with an even elegance.

It’s very subtle, so this is what I recommend for someone easing into a tan or going for a hint of a glow.

I love that it leaves you looking natural, as if you got this tan by being casually outdoors. Because it’s so hydrating, you won’t get a flaky feeling later on either.

If you want to go darker, you can always apply more. It might not get some of you as dark as you want to go, but it will make those of you that are super-pale get gradual color built up without looking fake.

14. Hawaiian Tropic Dark Tanning Oil

I have to admit, Hawaiian Tropic Dark Tanning Oil has ALWAYS smelled like vacation time to me.

As if that isn’t invigorating enough, it really leaves you dark all over.

Like the kind of deep, dark tan you’d get from being out on the pier fishing all day. You’ll have a natural sun-bunny look to you and super-hydrated skin.

15. Maui Babe Browning Lotion

Spoiler alert: if you want to get a tan like you were on one of the Hawaiian islands, perhaps you should use something that’s made there.

After all, the islanders would know best. Maui Babe Browning Lotion gives you that richly-tanned look in no time at all.

It’s a bit thick, but the results you’ll get will be worth it.

My bestie doesn’t tan as well as I do, and when she put this on, we were both amazed at how much color she got.

She looked excellent, nice, and golden without any orange. I, of course, enjoyed my tan as well, but I don’t struggle to tan in the first place.

This is a great product for those of you that never get as dark as you’d like without having to sit in the sun for hours to get it.

Do be sure you use darker colors for your towel and swimsuit though since this can leave a little discoloration!

16. Devoted Creations Hydrating Tanning Butter

With a name that includes “butter,” you know it’s rich! Devoted Creations has an excellent hydrating tanning butter that really delivers.

I was inspired by a friend of mine who’d been using it a while. I’d been cooped up indoors and decided to give it a whirl. I tanned for 2 hours and loved how I looked.

There’s no bronzer, so I don’t have to remember to watch out for my hands or clothes. Really great stuff with a nice, buttery texture that melts into your skin and leaves you with a fabulous tan!

17. Hempz Dark Tan Maximizer

If keeping with a vegan lifestyle is important to you, try Hempz Dark Tan Maximizer.

This terrific little hemp seed oil and vegan creation is so great for easily-irritated skin.

My friend Selma has trouble with everything on the planet, and this didn’t irritate her skin at all.

I tried it out too, and the texture is really smooth and absorbent. My skin was a little on the dry side, and Hempz helped it feel hydrated all over again.

It’s really lightweight and gentle. I also like that it has hemp seed oil, which is a really nourishing and vitamin-rich natural botanical.

18. Australian Gold: CHEEKY BROWN Accelerator

Ok, let’s go wild in the Outback. Like as if we got lost in the desert. Because that’s how Australian Gold’s Cheeky Brown Accelerator will do you.

I’m not complaining either. As I mentioned before, I dig Australian Gold, so trying this one only made my life difficult because I like their other stuff too.

But if you’re trying to get tan super-fast, this combination of bronzer and accelerator will grant your tanning wishes.

You can use it indoors and outdoors, and you won’t get it all over your clothes or anything. Skin feels so hydrated and looks so deep and glowing. You’re going to love it!

19. Supre Smoke Black Bronzer Tanning Lotion

You’ve likely seen this one at the tanning salon. I did too, but when I found Supre Smoke Black Bronzer Tanning Lotion online, I got it for less. Salons will always cost you more. So get it online and then get your butt to the sunbed.

With the bronzing, the longer you leave it on, the darker you get.

It is a bit strong in smell, and you’ve got to rub it in evenly, but once you do, you’ll be on your way to a solid tan.

Do watch your hands though, or wear a mitt like I do to keep your palms from giving away your new tanning bed secret!

20. Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning Lotion

Um, the smell. It made me envision myself on a remote island with friendly servers bringing me coconutty pina coladas all day long. Back to reality!

The tan you get from Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses Golden Tanning Lotion is definitely spectacular.

And while that coconut scent will whisk you away, it’s not overpowering, so you won’t have to worry about leaving an aroma in your wake.

This lotion goes on with a rich texture but absorbs very quickly. So you’ll feel hydrated and look tanned without having a greasy appearance.

You’ll have an island tan in no time when you use it!

Are tan accelerators considered safe?

Well, you know what they say about UV rays. You need to be careful when getting your tan.

If you are very pale, you can burn so much more easily. The more you tan, the higher your risk for skin cancer.

When you take precautions to keep yourself safe, you can enjoy those warming UV rays, indoors at a tanning bed or under the sun.

With tanning lotions, particularly those for indoor sunbeds, you will see common ingredients. Things like L-tyrosine, an amino acid that increases the production of melanin, or DHA, which is a bronzer.

Of course, you’ll see other ingredients to nourish your skin along the way.

But if you want to get the best benefits of using these products, I recommend using a sunblock with your accelerator to protect your skin.

Also, I know you want to be tan RIGHT NOW, but please take it slow. You can always tan more, but if you burn, you’ll put yourself at risk, and plus everything will hurt. I once had a sunburn so bad that when my hair touched my bare shoulder, I was in pain.

How to make the most out of your tan accelerator and extend your tan

Yes, you can still use tan accelerators as long as you use them wisely. That being said, you’ll want to prolong your tan as long as possible. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have endless hours to just work on my tan. Here are some tips:

• Be realistic – If you have really fair skin, you might not tan well at all. Meanwhile, others may get golden or even deep and dark. It all depends on your natural skin pigmentation. At a tanning bed, you can set a schedule to help develop one based on your skin though out in the sun; you will need to be more cautious since time escapes us all when the sun is warming our skin.
• Take it slow – Especially in the sun, go easy your first time. Fair-skinned people, you need to limit it to no more than 20 minutes. I’d go before noon and after 3 pm until you build a base, so you don’t burn.
• Try instant – And for you fair-skinned folks, bronzers in your tan accelerator can give you instant gratification. But watch out because you might be tempted to stay out longer, which can lead to a burn.
• Exfoliate first – Before you even head out there, take the time to exfoliate your skin. This gets rid of the dead skin cells so you can get the best tan.
• Shave first too – If you shave after tanning, you won’t give your chosen formula time to darken, so be sure to do it first with your exfoliation.
• Moisturize –  To hold onto that nice tan, make sure you moisturize with a quality lotion every day, especially right after showering. You can also use a tan extending lotion.

But no matter what, your best efforts can’t hold a tan forever without putting more work in. Tans tend to fade within 2 weeks.

How to use a tan accelerator

Once you choose your best tan accelerator, you should read the instructions to see how to use it.

It roughly involves application methods such as using a mitt or making sure to wash your hands promptly after applying.

Each one will tell you how long to leave it on before showering to get your desired results too. Follow what the product says to get the best results.

Conclusion

If you want to get tanner faster, try one of the best tan accelerators. These will help speed things along.

Some have bronzers in them, which can give you an instant glow.

Whether indoors at the tanning bed or outdoors in the sun, make sure you go at a steady pace and remember to protect your skin.

No tan is worth damaging your skin cells, so tan responsibly and enjoy looking like you just came back from an island getaway every day!