The best tan accelerators for sunbeds (Top 6)

Published by Finn Hayden

We all know that getting a good tan in the UK is bloody impossible. There are basically only 3 months of the year where it is summer, and maybe 4 or 5 weeks (if you're lucky and live in the south) are tanning days. Then throw in the fact that sods law dictates that you will be working on those days.

Well, if you want to make the most of those precious days there are loads of brands of Tan Accelerators in the UK. They can be used while in the sun, on holiday or in the sunbed.

Let us run down the best Tan accelerators and sunbed cream we have tried!

Quick overview of top choices

1 What is a Tan Accelerator (Sunbed Cream)?
2 BYROKKO Shine Brown - Best For The Sun
3 Tan Junkie - Best Scent
4 Power Tan Dark Start - Best Tanning Lotion for Sunbeds
5 Piz Buin - Tan & Protect
6 Good Sun Delicious Gummies
7 Green People Edelweiss Sun Cream with Tan booster

What is a Tan Accelerator (Sunbed Cream)?

If you're unaware, then you may be interested to know what exactly is a tan accelerator. Other than doing exactly what it says on the tin, the accelerator can come in the form of a tablet, injection, oil or lotion and claims to speed up the natural tanning process by promoting the production of melanin in the skin.

Some products are completely natural (like carrot oil, believe it or not), and others use synthetic chemicals. We'd be doing a disservice not to say that using tan accelerators, and exposing your skin to the sun, over a long time has been associated with an increased risk of skin cancer.

BYROKKO Shine Brown - Best For The Sun

One of the highest-rated accelerators for sunbeds on Amazon is the Byrokko shine brown cream. Over 6000 people have left a review and the vast majority of them (64%) are 5 stars. There aren't any others that seem like they can compare.

So, that is why we gave it a go.

The cream is made using all-natural ingredients, including carrot, olive and walnut oils and essential oils to give it a wonderful tropical scent. So not only will you get a glowing tan, you'll smell delicious too.

One of the drawbacks is that the cream is very thick, oily and greasy. This is absolutely fine if you're going to be spending all day in the sun, but it can get all over your clothes, and make you feel slimy. For this reason, it is not ideal for use in a sunbed. Unless you don't mind annoying the person that is cleaning the bed - or that person is you.

You can find the Byrokko cream on Amazon UK.

Tan Junkie - Best Scent

Although a little more on the pricy side, Tan junkie caught my attention because it was promoted online with bright and colourful branding. It also came in Watermelon which is one of my favourite scents for my cosmetics.

There are a few considerations that made me reconsider the purchase, and that was the fact that the base of the product is Petrolatum (Petroleum Jelly - basically vaseline). While it is a fantastic product for your skin, it can be very greasy and makes it a messy product.

To add to this the ingredients on the Tan Junkie Tan Accelerator are fairly standard. It uses a few essential oils (like carrot) and cocoa butter for moisture, and essential oils for the scent.

Otherwise, I think Tan Junkie is a good purchase if you don't mind the price. You can find it on Amazon here.

Power Tan Dark Start - Best Tanning Lotion for Sunbeds

While there may be better creams for being out in the sun, this is by far the best sunbed cream and Tan Accelerator for sunbeds that I have come across.

The reason is that it is quick-drying, a nice soft texture and has a beautiful citrus scent that is not too overpowering. I did not think it was possible to get a beautiful glowing tan, and supple skin, without a nighttime routine that made me look like a glazed doughnut.

The cream also contains vitamin E which is a well-known antioxidant, and protector of your skin - alongside vitamins C and A. Every little helps when exposing your skin to massive amounts of radiation.

The ingredients are not 100% natural but do contain L-Tyrosine for better tanning results, and Pycnogenal to fight free-radical skin damage. All things that I can assure you are good to have in a tan intensifier for sunbeds.

Power Tan is actually specifically recommended as a sunbed cream - so that is where to use it. You can find it on Amazon.co.uk

Piz Buin - Tan & Protect

If you're using a sunbed to tan, the idea that the tan accelerator has SPF15 protection may make no sense at all. Understandable.

However, I do follow the train of thought that suggests protecting your skin while tanning is a smarter thing to do. It prevents you from burning, and can slowly provide sun exposure over a whole day. There is nothing worse than burning in the first 15 minutes and being forced to hide in the shade for the next 3 days.

So, if you are travelling to a sunny beach, then the Piz Buin should be your choice of the tan enhancer. It contains a few (not natural) ingredients which help your skin produce melanin and UV protection that lasts a number of hours.

You can pick this product up in Boots - either on their website or in the shops.

Good Sun Delicious Gummies

Gummies? Can be Tan intensifiers?

Yes, strangely enough, they can be. The whole idea behind the gummies is to supply your body with everything it needs to promote melanin, protect your skin from the sun and help it repair after sun exposure.

Lycopene for repair, Lutein for anti-inflammation, Beta-Carotene for skin health and vitamin E to prevent radical damage.

All in all, gummies may not give you a perfect tan on their own, but it is possible that they can provide your body with everything it needs while being exposed to the sun.

They are available in many places on the internet, but most notably in-store with Holland and Barrett.

Green People Edelweiss Sun Cream with Tan booster

Again, Holland & Barrett has the goods.

This is the Edelweiss Sun cream with a tan booster. It may not be the best tan accelerator for a sunbed, but great if you're heading to a warm country, you need a good bit of protection, but also want a glowing tan.

It being vegan-friendly and 86% organic may explain its absurdly high price tag (£24). For 200mls, that is an extremely high price.

Regardless, this is another alternative for a tan booster that has UV

Best Tan Accelerator for Sunbeds (& Sunbed Cream) that you can buy in the UK