The Ultimate Guide to Sunbed Creams: What’s the Best Sunbed Cream in 2025?

If you’ve ever hopped on a sunbed and walked off thinking, “Why isn’t my tan popping like hers?”, this blog is for you. Let’s talk sunbed cream — the secret sauce that can make or break your bronze. Whether you’re new to indoor tanning or a seasoned pro, the best sunbed cream will literally change the game.

Here’s everything you need to know about sunbed creams, what makes a good sunbed cream, and how to pick the perfect one for your skin and goals. Spoiler: not all tanning creams are created equal.

What Is Sunbed Cream?

Sunbed cream (aka indoor tanning lotion) is a specially formulated product designed to accelerate your tan while using a sunbed. Unlike normal moisturisers or body lotions, these bad boys are packed with ingredients that boost melanin production, hydrate your skin, and help you tan faster — without frying your skin.

Some have bronzers, some are tingle creams, some are all-natural. The point is: if you’re tanning without one, you’re wasting time (and coins).

Why You Should Never Skip Sunbed Cream

Going on a sunbed without cream is like trying to fry chips in a cold pan — it just doesn’t work properly. Here’s why you need a good sunbed cream:

• 🧴 Boosts tanning: Speeds up melanin production for faster, deeper tans.
• 💧 Hydrates skin: Prevents dryness and flaking, making your tan last longer.
• 🔥 Enhances colour: Adds glow and depth, no more patchy tans.
• ⏳ Speeds things up: Tan darker in fewer sessions (save that money).
• 😍 Smells lush: No more walking around smelling like burnt biscuits.

Key Ingredients in a Good Sunbed Cream

The best sunbed creams aren’t just slathered together — they’re packed with skin-loving ingredients that support a deeper, longer-lasting tan. Here’s what to look for:

• Peptides: Like Hexapeptide-11 and Octapeptide-5 to firm skin and boost melanin.
• Aloe Vera: Calms and cools your skin during and after tanning.
• Coconut Oil or Shea Butter: For deep moisture.
• Natural Bronzers: Like caramel or walnut extract for instant colour.
• Tyrosine: An amino acid that helps your body produce melanin.
• Caffeine: Tightens skin and fights puffiness.

Different Types of Sunbed Creams (And Which One You Need)

1. Accelerator Creams

Perfect for beginners or anyone who wants to tan gradually without bronzers. These boost your natural melanin levels.

➡️ Try this: Life’s A Beach Coconut Tanning Cream – peptide-infused and coconut scented, it’s a lush way to start tanning.

2. Bronzing Creams

These contain instant or delayed bronzers for that deeper, richer colour straight away. Great if you want results fast.

➡️ Best pick: Cherry Good UV Cherry Tanning Lotion – has everything you want in a tanning lotion with a cheeky cherry scent.

3. Tingle Creams

For experienced tanners only! These increase blood flow to the skin, creating a warming sensation to speed up your tan.

➡️ Note: Not for sensitive skin, but great for that deep “just got back from holiday” look.

4. Natural/Peptide-Infused Creams

The future of tanning — creams that support your skin health while helping you go darker. These are perfect if you want anti-aging benefits while still getting golden.

➡️ Must-have: Shea Gold Peptide Cream – full of shea butter and peptides for glowing, healthy skin.

What’s the Best Sunbed Cream in 2025?

Here’s our official ranking of the best sunbed creams right now — based on ingredients, scent, price, and results:

Do You Really Need the “Best” Sunbed Cream?

Short answer: YES. Long answer: If you want your tan to actually do something, stop grabbing random lotions off the shelf.

A good sunbed cream does more than help you tan — it looks after your skin, gives you better results in fewer sessions, and honestly just makes the whole experience feel lush.

And let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to come out of the salon glowing like they’ve been in Mykonos for two weeks?

Pro Tips for Using Sunbed Creams

If you’re serious about your tan, don’t just slap it on and hope for the best. Here’s how to use your cream like a pro:

1. Apply before each session – Use a generous amount and rub it in evenly.
2. Focus on dry areas – Knees, elbows, hands — they absorb more product.
3. Wait before dressing – Let it settle for a minute to avoid staining clothes.
4. Stick to the same cream – Swapping constantly = inconsistent results.
5. Hydrate after – Drink water and use a good after-tan moisturiser.

The Truth About Cheap Sunbed Creams

You can get cheap sunbed creams — but most are full of alcohol, low-quality ingredients, and artificial dyes that don’t actually help your skin. You’ll get patchy results, irritation, or just no colour change at all.

It’s like comparing fake tan mousse from the pound shop to So Damn Tanned’s peptide-rich formulas — no contest.

Ingredients to Avoid in Sunbed Creams

🔴 Mineral oil
🔴 Heavy silicones
🔴 Parabens
🔴 Synthetic dyes
🔴 Alcohol (dries the skin)

These clog pores, strip moisture, and block your skin from absorbing UV properly — basically the opposite of what you want.

How Often Should You Use Sunbed Cream?

Every. Single. Time.

Even if it’s just a 6-minute session. Using sunbed cream consistently builds your base tan faster and helps it last longer. Plus, your skin stays smooth and glowy — no crusty elbows here.

Final Thoughts: The Best Tanning Results Start With Good Sunbed Cream

So babes, if you’re serious about tanning this summer (and we know you are), don’t skip the cream. Picking a good sunbed cream is the difference between a dull tan and that “who is she?” glow.

If you’re not sure where to start, here’s our top pick again:

👉 Velvet Vibes 200ml Tanning Lotion – rich, hydrating, and peptide-infused for max results.

Shop the Best Sunbed Creams Now

• Velvet Vibes Tanning Lotion
• Cherry Good UV Cherry Lotion
• Shea Gold Peptide Cream
• Life’s a Beach Coconut Cream
• CocoLoco Peptide Lotion

Ready to glow? Lets Go!!