Summertime is the perfect time to enjoy the sun’s rays and work on getting a nice glowing tan.
One of the best ways to ensure that you get a perfect bronze glow is to make sure you slather on a nice layer of tanning product before enjoying a day at the beach or spending an afternoon lounging poolside.
Tanning oil is a great product to use if you want a lightweight, easy-to-apply beauty product that can help you maximize your time under the sun. It can help you tan quicker while ensuring that your skin stays hydrated and nourished.
While many tanning oils are available, the best sun tan oils to use are those with SPF. SPF, or sun protection factor, is a measure of how well a product can protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun.
A good tanning oil will have a level of SPF that can protect you from the damaging and dangerous effects of UVA and UVB rays, which can cause sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. The SPF level of a product allows you to get a healthy, all-over tan safely.
To help you get the best of your tanning session, we’ve compiled a guide to sun tan oil, what to look for in a good tanning oil, and how to use it properly. We’re also going to include a list of products to help you decide which is the best tanning oil with SPF for you.
What is tanning oil with SPF?
Tanning oil with SPF is a tanning product that helps you develop a bronze, sun-kissed glow quickly but safely. As you probably know, tanning yourself naturally under the sun has its advantages and disadvantages; chief among the disadvantages is the fact that unprotected sun exposure could lead to sunburn, premature aging, and even sun cancer.
To get around the adverse effects of sun exposure, dermatologists recommend that you use products containing SPF; this is especially important if you intend to use sun tan oil.
Tanning oils speed up the tanning process by attracting more of the sun’s UV rays, increasing your skin’s production of melanin; this naturally gives you a deeper tan – but also exposes your skin to harm. This is why, if you choose to use tanning oil, make sure that you select a product with at least an SPF 15 or 30. SPF 15 is the minimum recommended level to protect against sunburn and skin cancer.
What else should you look for in a tanning oil with SPF?
Some tanning oils contain bronzers, which can help speed up the tanning process. Using a sun tan oil that has bronzer gives your skin an instant healthy glow, speeds up the tanning process, and helps your tan last longer.
DHA or dihydroxyacetone is an excellent bronzer to look out for in your tanning oil. This is a relatively common bronzing agent that you will find in good tanning oils. DHA is a colorless natural sugar that reacts to the amino acids on your skin, giving a natural bronzing effect.
Remember, sitting out in the sun can dehydrate your skin, so choosing a tanning oil with moisturizing ingredients such as vitamin E and glycerin can be beneficial. Keeping your skin nourished and moisturized can also help your tan last longer.
If you are planning to tan poolside or on the beach, and you intend to spend some time in the water as well, it’s also a good idea to use a tanning oil that is water resistant.
Tips on how to use the best tanning oils
- Read the directions. Some tanning oils will have a recommended period between when you apply the oil and when you should go under the sun. This is usually 15 to 30 minutes; you should follow these instructions to ensure the product’s effectiveness.
- Different tanning oil products will also have different recommended periods before you need to reapply the product. This is usually around two hours; even if your particular tanning oil doesn’t have specific instructions for reapplication, it’s a good rule of thumb to reapply any sun protection product every two hours. If the product is not water resistant, it’s also a good idea to reapply a layer after getting out of the water.
- Clean and exfoliate your skin before applying a good tanning oil. This will eliminate dead skin cells and give you a smoother, longer-lasting tan.
- Choose the right time to tan safely. The sun tends to be strongest from 10 am to 2 pm, try to avoid staying too long in direct sunlight during these times, especially if the SPF of your tanning oil is low.
- Shower and moisturize after tanning. Make sure you get all the oil off and use a hydrating and moisturizing moisturizer. Avoid heavily fragranced products.
11 Best Tanning Oils With SPF
1. Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen Protective Tanning Oil
Pro
- Moisturizing
- Lightweight and non-greasy
- Suitable for those with sensitive skin
Con
- Only SPF 15
- Some people find the scent overpowering
This tanning oil doesn’t just offer your skin some protection from UVA and UVB rays; it also contains coconut oil and cocoa butter, which moisturizes your skin.
This is a dry tanning oil, which means it goes on lightly and doesn’t leave you feeling greasy. It’s also water resistant for up to 80 minutes.
It is dermatologist-tested and deemed suitable for sensitive skin. It’s also reef-friendly and cruelty-free.
2. Banana Boat Protective Dry Oil
Pro
- SPF 25
- It goes on evenly and dries quickly
- Reef-friendly and waterproof
Con
- Some people find the spray application process difficult to control
- Some reviewers found it left them feeling greasy
This is a spray-on tanning oil that offers you some sun protection, with an SPF of 15. It’s a good tanning oil to use if you intend to spend an entire day on the beach or poolside as it’s waterproof, so you can spend time in the water without worrying that you’re washing away your sun protection.
This tanning oil dries quickly, so it will not leave any residue on your skin or clothing. However, some reviewers found that it still left them feeling a little greasy or sticky.
Since this tanning spray dries quickly, it won’t pollute the water. It’s also reef friendly.
3. Sun Bum Tanning Oil
Pro
- Moisturizing and hypoallergenic
- Water-resistant and reef friendly
Con
- Only SPF 15
- Some reviewers found it left a little residue
- Spritzer was found to be prone to breaking
Sun Bum uses a mix of natural oils in this sun tan oil: coconut, avocado, argan, and marula. This ensures that your skin is naturally moisturized at the same time it naturally tans. It’s a good tanning oil for all skin types, but it’s particularly good for those with dry skin.
While the SPF of this sun tanning oil is a little low, its water-resistant ensures that this is a good tanning oil for people looking to have a day of fun at the beach or pool. You can go for almost an hour in the water before reapplying.
4. Bum Bum Shimmering Body Oil
Pro
- SPF 30
- Formulated to leave a slight shimmer on your skin
- Nutty, sweet, fragrance
Con
- Rather pricy
This Brazilian tanning oil is a bit expensive, but many reviewers find the results worth it. One particular reason to recommend this tanning oil is the SPF, which is SPF 30, higher than some other tanning oils and usually the level of SPF that dermatologists will recommend from products meant to provide sun protection.
The nutty, sweet smell makes people think of the tropics, and the oil itself goes on smooth and dries quickly, so it won’t leave a residue or have you feeling sticky or greasy.
5. Pacifica Sea & C Glow Bronzing Body Oil
Pro
- SPF 20
- A lightweight, balanced mineral blend applies quickly and evenly on the skin.
- Light citrus smell
Con
- Somewhat pricey
- Some reviewers said it leaves them feeling sticky
This is a good tanning oil for almost all skin types. Its mineral blend is formulated to give your skin a slightly bronzy glow from the moment you spread some on yourself. It’s very lightweight and blends evenly on the skin, though some felt it was rather sticky.
It offers UVA and UVB protection and is also vegan and cruelty-free.
6. Coppertone Tanning Dry Oil Sunscreen Continuous Spray SPF 15
Pro
- Lightweight and quick drying
- Water-resistant
Con
- Only SPF 15
- It can be challenging to apply evenly
This dry tanning oil offers SPF 15 protection to help prevent sunburn while still achieving a good tan. Its lightweight formula is quick to dry, won’t leave any residue, and is water-resistant.
This tanning oil contains vitamin E and is free from oxybenzone, octinoxate, dyes, and PABA, so it is gentle on your skin.
While the spray-on-application process ensures easy application, some reviewers found it hard to spread evenly – especially outside or in windy conditions.
7. Bronzo Sensuale SPF 15 Sunscreen Deep Golden Tanning Organic Carrot Oil
Pro
- Organic and natural ingredients
- Non-greasy and moisturizing
- Hypoallergenic
Con
- Only SPF 15
- Slightly pricy
This tanning oil uses plant-based ingredients to help you achieve a healthy, glowing tan. The main ingredient is organic carrot oil, which moisturizes and nourishes your skin, leaving it feeling smooth and soft.
This tanning oil with SPF is both vegan-certified and cruelty-free. They also contain no parabens, benzophenone, mineral oil, or PABA.
8. Australian Gold Dark Tanning Oil Intensifier
Pro
- Uses natural ingredients such as banana extracts
- Reduces tanning process by 50%
Con
- Only SPF 15
- Some people find it too heavily scented
Australian Gold Dark Tanning Oil Intensifier promises to reduce the tanning time needed by up to 50%. They claim that, when using their product, you will start to tan within 80 minutes.
They use natural ingredients, including banana extracts, to darken your skin tone and keep it moisturized and healthy. It also has vitamin A and E to soften and smoothen your skin, aloe vera to soothe and hydrate, and tea tree oil, an antioxidant.
9. Bali Body Cacao Tanning Oil SPF 15
Pro
- Lightweight and nourishing
- Vegan friendly
Con
- Only SPI 15
- Rather pricy and a small bottle
This tanning oil with SPF 15 is naturally hydrating, using organic cacao to give your skin a soft chocolate tint when you spread it on. Its creamy and lightweight formula is refreshing and light on the skin.
10. Clarins SPF 30 Sunscreen Care Oil Spray
Pro
- SPF 30
- Natural ingredients
- Dermatologist-tested and water-resistant
Con
- Price
This tanning oil provides SPF 30 protection and incorporates natural ingredients to protect your skin from the effects of the sun and keep it nourished and moisturized for a smooth, healthy tan.
It is a quick-drying oil to minimize the greasy feel you sometimes get with other tanning oils. It uses organic Indonesian Nyamplung Oil to protect you from the damaging effects of the sun as well as the drying effects of salt water and chlorine.
It protects you from the harsh effects of the sun with natural sun filters of Gold Cob, Senna Extract, and Sycamore. It also incorporates Aloe Vera to soothe and nourish your skin as you tan.
11. Supergoop! Glow Oil SPF 50
Pro
- SPF 50
- Lightweight and non-greasy
- Water-resistant and reef-friendly
- Contains skin-protecting antioxidants
Con
- Price
- Small bottle
Among the best tanning oils with SPF that we’ve listed here, this is the one that offers the highest level of sun protection with SPF 50. It is also moisturizing and water-resistant.
Supergoop! Tanning oil absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving you with a light glow that doesn’t feel or look greasy. It has Vitamin E and antioxidant-rich marigold, meadowfoam, and grape seed extract to keep your skin nourished and protected.
