Best After Sun Lotion To Keep Your Tan Fresh in 2025 - SimplySunSafe (2025)

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You’ve done it – you’ve achieved that perfect golden tan you were aiming for! But now, how do you make it LAST?

Thankfully, we’ve got the ANSWER!

Here at SimplySunSafe, we’ve compared a multitude of products to find the best after sun lotion to prolong your tan, ensuring you can purchase with ease.

So what are the most important things to look for in a good after tanning product? The moisturizing properties.

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And although some people use standard moisturizers, products designed specifically for after sun needs are much more effective. Specialized after sun products have tan enhancing ingredients that offer a fresh touch of artificial color. Alternatively, they stimulate melanin production, which in turn extends the glow. Many products also have ingredients like aloe vera, which are soothing and beneficial for the skin. It’s a win-win!

Don’t let that sun-kissed hue fade prematurely.

Read on for the comparison table, detailed buyer’s guide and in-depth reviews of five after sun lotions that will keep your tan fresh!

Best After Sun Lotion To Keep Your Tan Comparison

	Lancaster Tan Maximizer	Golden Star Tan Extender	Maui Babe After Browning	Garnier Ambre Solaire	Piz Buin After Sun
Color Additives?	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Scent	Light, floral	Light, natural	Light, floral	Light, slightly “biscuity”	Light, summery
	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price

Buyer’s Guide

To make sure that you get the most out of your tan enhancing lotion, here are a few factors that you should consider when buying a product:

To Add Color or Not to Add Color – That is the Question

If Hamlet had been a tanning enthusiast, surely this would have been his most pressing question.

When looking for a tan enhancing product, one of the factors you want to consider is if you would like to add a bit of extra color to your tan, or if you would just like to extend the natural tan you already have.

Extra color is often added using ingredients such as DHA (Dihydroxyacetone) or tanimel which work to reduce tan break-up, extend the life of a tan, and improve fade.

DHA is naturally derived from sugar beets or cane sugar and interacts non-toxically with amino acids on the skin’s surface, browning the skin. Tanimel comes from a plant extract and works to increase skin’s natural melanin production. However, caution must be taken to wash lotion with DHA or tanimel or other color additives off hands after application, since they can darken palms.

For this reason, it is important to know if your product does indeed contain a color additive so that you can avoid streaking surprises or orange palms.

Look at the Ingredients List

Cosmetic products often have a long list of ingredients that we can hardly pronounce. SimplySunSafe particularly loves products that have shorter lists with very natural ingredients, but I acknowledge that some of the best products out there also include some unknown ingredients.

This is not necessarily a bad thing! After all, we can’t live our lives studying every single ingredient out there. But, you can use an ingredients analyzer, such as this one provided by SkinCarisma. Just copy and paste the list and you will get an analysis of each component’s benefits and/or faults!

Get Something that Smells Good

Another very important factor to keep in mind is the scent of the product. Make sure to look for a product that has a smell that you think would appeal to you. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter how great a product works or how many other people love the smell; if you can’t stand how it smells, it won’t be of any use to you!

Also keep in mind that many products contain added fragrances that may irritate sensitive skin so if you’re not sure if fragrances are for you, make sure to test it on a small section of skin first.

And of course, if you don’t like scents at all or are sensitive to them, then make sure to look for a scentless or very neutral product that won’t cause you any discomfort.

5 Best After Sun Lotions To Keep Your Tan

After thorough research into the different after sun products on the market, which included analyzing product reviews, examining manufacturing details, and participating in skin care forums, SimplySunSafe has chosen the top option.

Each recommended product moisturizes very well, works in some way to enhance your tan, and each one also has very high customer approval ratings.

1. Lancaster Tan Maximizer Soothing Moisturizer

Last update on 2025-03-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

This luxurious Lancaster’s product is SimplySunSafe’s pick for the best after sun lotion to keep a tan. It provides relief for skin that’s been out in the sun and also prolongs tans for up to one month! It has no added color, but it’s specially formulated Tan Activator Complex (T.A.C.) increases melanin production for a long-lasting, quicker, deeper, beautiful tan.

Between deepening and darkening your natural tan, it keeps skin feeling soft and moisturized and also has a delicious light scent. It’s no wonder why it’s been described as “miracle juice” for your skin!

Additionally, it is free of parabens and sulfates and has anti-aging and acne-fighting properties. The only downside to Lancaster’s Tan Maximizer is that it is quite pricey. However, if price is not an issue, I recommend this product wholeheartedly for it is very high quality.

2. Golden Star Beauty Tan Extender Body Lotion

Last update on 2025-03-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Golden Star Beauty’s Tan Extender Body Lotion comes a close second to the Lancaster product. We love it because it’s made with pure, organic, natural ingredients and is curated specifically to extend the life of your tan. It has all that you could want in a after-tanning lotion while also being ethically responsible! This lotion extends tans at least three days longer, and skin is left silky smooth.

In contrast to Lancaster’s Tan Maximizer, this product contains DHA, so it also adds a bit of extra color to your tan. In fact, this is probably the best after sun with self tan, If that is what you are looking for.

A non-comedogenic and non-sticky product, it works for all skin types and all kinds of tans, even the most sensitive ones. It’s also made with no chemicals, parabens, or formaldehyde, and is gluten-free, cruelty-free, and vegan. Its natural ingredients will not only extend your tan, but will make sure it fades evenly.

Some of the ingredients you can find in a bottle are the following:

• Organic Aloe Vera
• Organic Oils (Avocado, Coconut, Jojoba, Olive, Argan oils)
• Hyaluronic Acid
• Vitamins B2, B5, and B12
• Coffee Seed Extract

Just remember that since it contains DHA, caution should be taken to wash the lotion off of hands immediately after application. Unless you want your palms to turn a few shades darker, that is!

3. Maui Babe After Browning Lotion

Last update on 2025-03-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Maui Babe After Browning Lotion is a classic after tanning product from Maui, Hawaii. The special formula works to heal dry skin that’s been damaged by the sun, salt, and wind. It does not have any added color, but it prevents peeling and flaking after tanning or burning, and also locks in tans and prevents them from fading.

Additionally, it is appropriate for all-year usage as a general skin moisturizer for softer, smoother skin, especially for people living in very dry conditions.

Its most active natural ingredients are Macadamia Nut Oil and Aloe Vera, which work to soothe and moisturize skin after tanning.

The main downsides to this product are that it contains parabens, and that it is quite expensive.

4. Garnier Ambre Solaire After Sun Tan Maintainer

Last update on 2025-03-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Ambre Solaire After Sun by Garnier is another great product for prolonging your tan! Enriched with glycerol and vitamin E, it is a very soothing and hydrating cream that rebalances dehydrated skin after sun exposure to prevent dryness. The moisture-rich formula leaves skin soft, supple, and glowing.

It contains a small amount of self-tanning ingredient, which subtly enhances and deepens the tan you already have. It is therefore important to be careful when applying it to ensure you spread it sparsely and carefully. However, since it is a low level, you do not need to worry about the product rubbing off and staining your clothes.

It is paraben-free and sulfate-free too, dermatologically tested for all skin types, and it has anti-aging properties.

Some customers complain about the lotion being a bit runny, however.

5. Piz Buin After Sun Tan Intensifying Lotion

Last update on 2025-03-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

This is a very popular product with British sunbathers and tanners. It is a high-quality after sun lotion that revitalizes and hydrates skin to help restore its natural moisture balance. Its intense moisturization complex also helps protect skin from peeling and dehydration and makes your tan last longer and stay beautiful. Fast-absorbing, it provides 24 hour moisturization!

It also contains Vitamin E which protects against premature skin aging often linked to sun exposure, and is also enriched with Shea butter, which has powerful moisturizing and protective properties.

Additionally, it contains Tanimel to make your natural tan last longer and intensify its color.

Conclusion

I wrote this guide for people looking for the best after sun lotion to keep a tan. Hopefully you have gained more knowledge about different products on the market by reading this article, as well as some tricks! I trust that you are now equipped with the tools to make a decision on which is the best after sun lotion for your tan’s needs.

While all listed products are great for different purposes, SimplySunSafe recommends Lancaster Tan Maximizer Soothing Moisturizer as the overall best option for its long-lasting results and high quality formula.

Other options listed are also great for other needs. If you are looking for a product that will add color with DHA or tanimel or other color ingredients, Golden Star Beauty Tan Extender, Garnier Ambre Solaire, or Piz Buin After Sun are all great color-enhancing lotions. Maui Babe After Browning Lotion is another classic option that has many natural ingredients and proven results, without the extra color.

I always love to learn about other new products and to hear about your experiences with the ones listed so if you have any feedback or a suggestion of another great lotion to keep a tan fresh, please leave me a comment below and I will see about featuring it in another article!

FAQs

Q: Does after sun lotion help you tan?

A: An after sun lotion will help in preserving your tan by preventing peeling and dryness. Moreover, it will make your tan appear richer and soothe any redness that may appear after tanning in the sun.

Q: How do I get tan without damaging my pale skin if I burn really easily?

A: One of the most important things to do is to protect your skin while you’re outside. Wear sunscreen with 30 or more SPF to protect your pale skin from dangerous UV rays and avoid the risk of burning or damaging it in any way. Wait until after 4 pm for bearable sun exposure while protecting against too much harshness.

Q: What to do after tanning in the sun?

A: After tanning, it is important to take care of your skin to keep it looking radiant and healthy. Your first step should be cleaning off any salt residue or dry sweat on the skin surface with water, cool cream, or a lotion that feels cool. Apply a moisturizing and soothing product to help protect against dehydration of the tissue underneath. Also, don’t forget to have lots of fluids to hydrate yourself.