Best Tan Accelerators 2023 To Enhance Sun-kissed Skin

In the pursuit of a golden, natural-looking and speedy bronze, we've chosen the best tan accelerators and enhancers 2023 to soothe and moisturise as you glow. How do they work? Well, tan boosters use ingredients that speed up your skin’s melanin production (which is the pigment that makes your skin appear darker). This ensures a tan that’s both deeper and more long-lasting. Available in a variety of finishes - lotions, creams and oils - tan accelerators work equally well on fair skin that struggles to tan naturally as well as adding extra depth to deeper skin tones.

Remember: if you’re heading out and about, sun cream is a must. There’s no such thing as a ‘healthy tan’ unless it comes from the bottle, so make sure you never leave home without applying SPF.

How we choose our best tan accelerators

To bring you our round-up of the best tan accelerators, we looked for the key elements of a great booster: moisturising and hydrating ingredients (to soften skin and avoid peeling), ease of application, non-greasy and quick-absorbing textures and, of course, formulas that enhance and prolong your natural tan. We also review the experts’ opinions as well as your customer reviews - when a product racks up a lot of praise, we pay attention. Ahead, you’ll find plenty of options, from gentle and fragrance-free to rich and nourishing.

What is a tan accelerator and how does it work?

Put simply, tan accelerators help speed up your skin’s natural tanning process. Made with active ingredients that encourage your skin cells to produce melanin, they usually come in the form of a hydrating after sun lotion or are built into an SPF formula. Although suitable for all skin types, they work particularly well on fairer skin tones that struggle to tan naturally. Not only do tan accelerators help deepen your tan and give it longevity, but they’re also often enhanced with skin-nourishing and youth-boosting ingredients to keep your limbs looking glowy and supple with a silky-soft feel.

When and how to use a tan accelerator

For best results, it’s recommended that you start using a tan accelerator every day two weeks before your stint in the sunshine. This will help your skin build up its melanin levels and ensure a deeper and longer-lasting bronze. You should also continue to use a tan enhancer after sun exposure to prolong your radiant glow. Most often available in moisturising lotion formulas, all you need to do is massage your chosen booster into skin once a day. If your tan accelerator is combined with an SPF, make sure to regularly re-apply if you’re outside for an extended period of time.

Do tan accelerators really work?

Yes. The results show that tan accelerators effectively deepen your natural tan as well as giving it longevity. Especially when used in the run-up to a sun-soaked holiday, tan boosters are proven to leave skin in peak condition to build a natural, rich and golden glow.