Blog · Buyer's guide
Best Tan Accelerators UK 2026: Honest Buyer's Guide
A good tan accelerator can take your sunbed results from "meh" to "where have you been on holiday?" in 3–4 sessions. We've ranked the 5 that consistently perform with home sunbeds — no affiliate links, no sponsored picks, just what works.
Quick answer
For most people, Australian Gold Cheeky Brown is the best all-round tan accelerator — fast results, kind on skin, widely available. Apply 15–20 minutes before your sunbed session, and follow up with Hempz on non-session days to extend the tan.
What is a tan accelerator?
A tan accelerator is a lotion designed to help your skin tan faster and deeper under UV. The active ingredient is usually tyrosine — an amino acid that fuels melanin production — often combined with moisturisers, bronzers and skin-nourishing oils.
They work alongside a sunbed, not instead of one. The UV does the tanning; the accelerator just helps your skin respond more efficiently and stay hydrated so the tan lasts longer.
The 5 best tan accelerators, ranked
#1 · Best overall
Australian Gold Cheeky Brown
The most consistently recommended bronzer accelerator in the UK. Uses natural bronzers plus tyrosine to deepen your tan quickly, with a coconut-vanilla scent that doesn't linger.
- Visible results in 2–3 sessions
- Doesn't dry the skin
- Widely available
- –Bronzer can transfer to light fabric for a few hours
#2 · Best for sensitive skin
Bali Body Tanning Accelerator Lotion
A clean, paraben-free formula with no bronzer. Works by stimulating your skin's natural tanning response rather than adding colour. Great if you've reacted to heavily-fragranced lotions before.
- No bronzer = no fabric staining
- Suits sensitive skin
- Natural ingredients
- –Slower visible results (3–4 sessions)
- –Pricier per ml
#3 · Best for fast results
Power Tan Voodoo Black
A strong DHA-bronzer accelerator built for people who want maximum colour fast. Popular with bridal-prep tanners and anyone with a deadline.
- Fastest visible colour
- Long-lasting tan
- Good value
- –Strong tingle in the first few sessions
- –Heavy bronzer — wash hands after applying
#4 · Best after-tan / hydrator
Devoted Creations Hempz Original
Technically a daily moisturiser but the cult favourite for keeping a sunbed tan looking fresh between sessions. Hemp seed oil rebuilds dry skin without clogging pores.
- Extends tan life by days
- Non-greasy
- Affordable
- –Not an accelerator — use alongside one
#5 · Best for darker skin tones
Supre Snooki Ultra Dark
A maximiser designed for tanners who already have a base. If pale or sensitive, start with Australian Gold and graduate to this once you've built a baseline.
- Deepest results on existing tans
- Long-wear bronzer
- –Too intense for pale skin
- –Strong scent
How to use a tan accelerator properly
- 1. Shower and exfoliate first. Clean, smooth skin absorbs the lotion evenly and tans uniformly.
- 2. Apply 15–20 minutes before your session. Long enough to absorb, short enough that it's still active.
- 3. Cover everywhere you want to tan. Don't skip elbows, knees and ankles — they need it most.
- 4. Wash your hands. Especially with bronzer products, or your palms will tell on you.
- 5. Moisturise daily between sessions. Dry skin sheds faster — and takes your tan with it.
Common mistakes that ruin results
- – Using cheap body lotion instead of a real accelerator (oily moisturisers can damage sunbed acrylics).
- – Applying right before lying down — it marks the bed and doesn't absorb.
- – Skipping moisturiser on non-session days, then wondering why the tan faded in a week.
- – Hot showers and harsh soaps — both strip the tan fast.
- – Tanning on an empty stomach or dehydrated — your skin needs water to produce melanin.
Got the lotion. Now you need the sunbed.
A great accelerator is wasted without a great sunbed. Home sunbeds you can buy second-hand are often under-powered, out of compliance, or running tired tubes that simply won't deliver the UV your accelerator needs to work.
We hire out commercial-grade, 0.3 EU-compliant sunbeds across the West Midlands — freshly serviced and re-tubed before every hire so you get salon-strength results at home. From £175 for 4 weeks, delivered, installed, and collected.
Hire a sunbed and put your accelerator to work
£10 deposit · Free delivery & collection · Fresh tubes every hire
Frequently asked questions
Do tan accelerators actually work?
Yes — a good accelerator can help your skin tan faster and deeper on a sunbed by stimulating melanin production. They don't replace the UV — they help your skin respond to it more efficiently. Expect a noticeably darker result in 3–4 sessions versus going without.
Can I use a normal moisturiser instead?
No. Standard moisturisers don't contain the tyrosine, melanin-boosters or bronzers that accelerators do. Worse, oily moisturisers can damage sunbed acrylics. Always use a product made specifically for sunbed use.
How long before a sunbed session should I apply it?
Apply 15–20 minutes before your session so it absorbs into the skin rather than sitting on top. Don't apply right before lying down — it can mark the acrylic and reduce effectiveness.
Do I need a separate after-tan lotion?
It helps. After-tan or 'tan extender' lotions keep skin hydrated, which is the single biggest factor in how long your tan lasts. Dry skin sheds faster, taking your tan with it.
Will it stain my sheets?
Bronzer accelerators (the ones with instant colour) can transfer to fabric for the first 4–6 hours. If you're worried, use a non-bronzer accelerator (sometimes labelled 'clear' or 'intensifier') instead.
Related guides
- → How long should your sunbed session be?
- → Hiring vs buying a sunbed — which is cheaper?
- → Lie-down vs stand-up sunbeds compared
- → Sunbed safety: the honest guide
Last updated: June 2026. We don't sell tan accelerators and we don't earn commission on the products above — these are honest picks based on what consistently works for our hire customers.