People often associate tans with healthy, attractive skin, and search for methods in order to successfully produce a rich, browned tone. Studies on the effects of sun exposure to the skin may reveal that tanned skin is ultimately damaged skin, and therefore exposure to the sun should remain somewhat limited. Before choosing a tanning lotion product, it may be beneficial to look into the alternatives to tanning.

The cosmetics industry, intent on supplying alternative products that result in healthy-looking, glowing skin, have introduced a wide range of sunless tanning products. These lotions typically work by applying dihydroxyacetone (DHA) to the skin. DHA reacts to skin, changing its chemical composition to a sugar, then combines with the amino acids to form melaninoids that are rich in tone and brown in color. The result often gives skin the same appearance as skin exposed to direct sunlight.

An alternative to tanning lotion is bronzer. Bronzers typically come in a gel form applied directly to the skin, much like sunless tanning lotions. Bronzers may contain water-soluble enzymes that color the skin upon contact, leaving behind a dark, tanned effect. You may need to reapply bronzers frequently in order to maintain this effect, as some bronzers typically fade after one wash.

There are countless tanning lotion products available to help accentuate or create a tanned look. For the sun worshipper, it may be advisable to find a tanning lotion which, when applied, will also fulfill some level of protection with a sunscreen agent. Manufacturers caution that sunless tanning lotions are not capable of protecting the skin from exposure to direct sunlight, and that only a sunscreen can lessen the possibly damaging side effects of sun exposure.