Summer is here and many of us are looking to get that perfect tan—one that will last the entire season. While many people are simply heading outside to get their tans, many more know that the best way to get a consistent, beautiful, and long-lasting tan is to use tanning beds. But using a tanning bed isn’t enough. You will also need to pick the right tanning lotions for tanning beds for the perfect tan.

But what makes a tanning lotion specific for tanning beds? What do they use for ingredients? How do you pick the right lotion for your tan? Today, we walk through the basics of tanning lotions for tanning beds to help you understand them, and your tan, better.

Tanning Lotions for Tanning Beds – The Basics

While we all know what tanning lotions do, many people don’t understand what makes tanning lotions for tanning beds different from standard tanning lotions. Specialized indoor tanning lotions are designed only for the indoor experience, not the natural sun. That means the ingredients are built around deepening your tan while protecting your skin from otherwise harmful rays that come from tanning beds. Indoor tanning lotions also avoid natural oils and mineral oils, common in outdoor tanning lotions, because they can harm the acrylic of the tanning bed.

Common Ingredients in Tanning Lotions for Tanning Beds

Ingredients in tanning lotions for tanning beds vary quite widely, and many of the top brands are starting to include unique ingredients that offer something extra. By and large, however, tanning lotions include three broad categories of ingredients: bronzers, moisturizers, and tinglers.

Bronzers help your skin darken, usually using a combination of melanin and a compound called “L-Tyrosine.” Moisturizers come in all forms and quantities in tanning lotions for tanning beds, but all are focused on helping your skin retain its moisture under the UV light of tanning beds. Finally, tingle refers to the ingredients that help blood rush to the surface of the skin, causing a tingling sensation, which helps keep its elasticity.

How to Pick the Perfect Tanning Lotions for Tanning Beds

Here are just a few tips for picking the perfect tanning lotion for your needs.

1. Think about your skin: is your skin darker or lighter? Does it tend to be fairly dry? How’s its elasticity? Finally, how old are you? All of these factors are important considerations when looking at tanning lotions for tanning beds. Be sure to think about your skin type when choosing a lotion. One with extra moisturizers, for example, is perfect for people who have dry skin. Going easy on the bronzers is ideal for people who get an olive complexion when tanning.

2. Consider your tanning time: Sometimes, we want that perfect tan in a short amount of time. Other times, we like the routine of heading to the tanning salon on a regular basis. Either way, it’s important to look for tanning lotions for tanning beds that match your routine. Consider one with extra moisturizers, for example, if you are doing a lot of tanning. Your skin will need the extra help to keep it from getting too dry.

3. Lock in on a look: Compared to your non-tanned skin color, what look are you going for? Did you want a deep, dark tan? Or would you rather have a lighter, more natural-looking shade? Whatever the look you want, keep it in mind when searching through tanning lotions for tanning beds. Get ones with more bronzer for darker looks while using ones with more UV protection if you want something less intense.

Are you on the hunt for that perfect tan? One that suits your natural skin color, is even, and lasts? Then you will likely need to head to a tanning salon. But a tanning bed alone isn’t enough. You will also need to consider which tanning lotions for tanning beds fit your needs. When looking for the perfect lotion, be sure to consider the time you’ll be tanning, the needs of your skin, and the look you want. With that in mind, plus your new knowledge of tanning lotions and their ingredients, you will be able to get the look you love in the best way possible.