Who does not want that enviable sun-kissed skin tone? A great-looking tan can significantly transform your appearance, making you look healthier, happier, and even thinner.
Products such as suntan lotion can give you that perfect bronze look. However, if you have gluten intolerance, you should stick to gluten-free suntan lotion.
Read on to learn more about suntan lotion and our top picks for the best gluten-free suntan. If you prefer getting your tan basking in the sun, take a look at our review of gluten-free sunscreen.
How To Choose Suntan Lotion
While your main aim is to achieve that bronze look, you should also be careful to protect your skin against sun damage. As such, when you are in the market for suntan lotion, look not only for products that do not contain gluten but also for those that contain sunscreen.
Sunscreen will not diminish the effectiveness of your suntan lotion. On the contrary, sunscreen protects your skin against cancer-causing UV rays, sunburns, and premature aging, all of which are possible due to overexposure to direct sunlight.
When choosing a tanning lotion, consider the parts of your body you want to tan, your skin type, your current skin tone, and the level of tanning you desire. This will help you determine the appropriate SPF level as well as the type of bronzers or accelerators that best suit your needs.
Most tanning lotions are available in dark, medium, or fair tones to meet the different tanning needs.
The Difference Between Sunscreen and Suntan Lotion
The terms sunscreen and suntan lotion are commonly used interchangeably even though these are different sun care products.
Sunscreen is a type of lotion that contains ingredients that help to protect the skin from sunburn and other types of sun damage.
Sunscreens essentially cause the sun’s rays to bounce off your skin, therefore, protecting you from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays.
The sun protection factor (SPF) of sunscreen lotions ranges from 5 through to 45 or higher for additional protection against sun damage.
According to the American Cancer Society, sunscreen use can mitigate against skin cancer.
Suntan, on the other hand, does not work to protect against the sun. Rather, suntan lotion helps with tanning whether used in indoor tanning facilities or outdoors under natural sun rays.
Instead of blocking against the effects of ultraviolet rays, suntan lotion enhances the effects of ultraviolet rays on the skin. Suntan does this by increasing blood flow to the surface of the skin or accelerating the production of melanin.
This allows naturally fair skin-toned individuals to spot a darker, more vibrant skin tone instead of the usual pale patina.
Some suntan lotions contain ingredients such as melanin, copper, green tea oil, and tea oil. Others claim to be moisturizing but what this means is the product does not contain alcohol, which tends to dry out the skin.
If you are specifically looking for a tanning product, look for the term ‘tan’ on the product label. Some brands interchange the terms suntan and sunscreen even though, as we have determined, the two are different products.
All sunscreens have an SPF rating on the label but not all suntan lotions will have such a rating. However, more and more suntan lotions are beginning to incorporate sun protection, protecting you from low-level UV rays while allowing you to achieve a tan.
The Best Gluten-Free Suntan Lotion
Now that you know what to look for in a suntan lotion and the difference between a suntan lotion and sunscreen, it is now time to find out about the best gluten-free suntan lotion. If you have celiac disease, thyroid disease, or you are simply intolerant of gluten, a gluten-free suntan lotion is a smart investment.
If you are wondering what is the best gluten free suntan lotion, here are our top three picks.
The It List, Hypoallergenic and Vegan Tanning Lotion
Banana Boat Deep Tanning Oil Spray
Sun Bum Moisturizing Tanning Oil, SPF 15
Are you looking to pamper your skin while you work towards that envious bronze appearance? The IT List tanning lotion might just be your answer to an evenly sun-kissed skin tone.
This tanning lotion has all the right things going. It is free of allergy causing glutens, wheat, nuts, and pore blocking parabens and oils. The IT List tanning lotion contains skin softeners that keep your skin moisturized and allow your tan to last longer.
This hypoallergenic and vegan dark tanning lotion is ideal for all skin types. The ginger and aloe vera will keep your skin hydrated and evenly toned while the caffeine extracts rejuvenate and tighten the skin. The cotton and rice extract soften and soothe the skin and keep irritation at bay.
Banana Boat is known for its popular broad-spectrum sunscreens but their deep tanning lotions are equally a hit.
The Banana Boat Deep Tanning oil does not contain ingredients that cause common allergies including gluten, octinoxate, and oxybenzone.
Instead, this rich tanning oil contains coconut, banana, and carrot oil for a dark and silky skin tone. These nourishing oils also hydrate the skin, allowing you to moisturize while tanning.
The Sun Bum Moisturizing Tanning Oil is more than a suntan lotion. This product not only aids in tanning but also provides SPF 15 broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays and is water resistant for up to 80 minutes.
The tanning oil is packed with nourishing ingredients including Kukui Nut Oil, Coconut Oil, Marula Oil, Aloe Vera, Kona Coffee Plant, Green Tea Butter, and Avocado Oil.
At the same time, the lotion does not contain ingredients that clog the pores, cause allergies, or disrupt hormones. In particular, the Sun Bum Tanning Oil is free of gluten, PABA, Oxybenzone, Parabens, and Phthalate. This dark tanning oil is hypoallergenic and tested by dermatologists.
The Sun Bum tanning oil is the perfect choice for anyone looking for a bronze skin tone without the risks of prolonged sun exposure. This darkening lotion will get you that deep tan fast so you do not have to spend more time than you need to under the sun.
The It List, Hypoallergenic and Vegan Tanning Lotion
Are you looking to pamper your skin while you work towards that envious bronze appearance? The IT List tanning lotion might just be your answer to an evenly sun-kissed skin tone.
This tanning lotion has all the right things going. It is free of allergy causing glutens, wheat, nuts, and pore blocking parabens and oils. The IT List tanning lotion contains skin softeners that keep your skin moisturized and allow your tan to last longer.
This hypoallergenic and vegan dark tanning lotion is ideal for all skin types. The ginger and aloe vera will keep your skin hydrated and evenly toned while the caffeine extracts rejuvenate and tighten the skin. The cotton and rice extract soften and soothe the skin and keep irritation at bay.
Banana Boat Deep Tanning Oil Spray
Banana Boat is known for its popular broad-spectrum sunscreens but their deep tanning lotions are equally a hit.
The Banana Boat Deep Tanning oil does not contain ingredients that cause common allergies including gluten, octinoxate, and oxybenzone.
Instead, this rich tanning oil contains coconut, banana, and carrot oil for a dark and silky skin tone. These nourishing oils also hydrate the skin, allowing you to moisturize while tanning.
Sun Bum Moisturizing Tanning Oil, SPF 15
The Sun Bum Moisturizing Tanning Oil is more than a suntan lotion. This product not only aids in tanning but also provides SPF 15 broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays and is water resistant for up to 80 minutes.
The tanning oil is packed with nourishing ingredients including Kukui Nut Oil, Coconut Oil, Marula Oil, Aloe Vera, Kona Coffee Plant, Green Tea Butter, and Avocado Oil.
At the same time, the lotion does not contain ingredients that clog the pores, cause allergies, or disrupt hormones. In particular, the Sun Bum Tanning Oil is free of gluten, PABA, Oxybenzone, Parabens, and Phthalate. This dark tanning oil is hypoallergenic and tested by dermatologists.
The Sun Bum tanning oil is the perfect choice for anyone looking for a bronze skin tone without the risks of prolonged sun exposure. This darkening lotion will get you that deep tan fast so you do not have to spend more time than you need to under the sun.
Summary
Suntan lotions may not fully protect you against the effects of UV rays. However, a good quality darkening lotion will deliver the bronze skin tone you are desirous of.
Ideally, opt for suntan lotion with some level of broad-spectrum protection. This is better than no sun protection at all and will protect you from low-level UV rays.
