At Home Tanning Oil – How To Make Tanning Oil - Talking Tan (2023)

The markets today are brimming with all kinds of tanning products to help you achieve that perfectly tanned skin. Many people use tanning oils to achieve a glowing and vibrant tan.

But can you make tanning oil at home? Can it give you the same results as the ones you can buy from the market? A majority of people are under the impression that homemade tanning oil will not be able to give the desired results.

However, if you use the right ingredients, you can create a perfect tanning oil at home to achieve an impressive tan. Read on to find out everything about at home tanning oil, its benefits, and how you can make it.

What Is Tanning Oil?

Tanning oil is a basic product that can help a user develop a dark tan in less time. The oil works by attracting the ultraviolet rays of the sun and focusing it on your skin. When your skin receives more sunlight than usual, it intensifies the rays to expedite the tanning process.

As the UV radiation of the sun penetrates deep into your skin to the last layer of the epidermis, it communicates with cells known as melanocytes. Upon this communication, the cells are triggered to produce melanin, a chemical that is responsible for giving your skin color. The higher the presence of melanin, the darker your skin will be.

What Are the Benefits of Homemade Tanning Oil?

Now that you know what tanning oils are and how they work, it is imperative to understand the benefits of homemade oils. Here are 4 best ways in which you can benefit from using tanning oils made at home:

Healthier Alternative:

Over-the-counter tanning products like oils may contain a series of artificial chemicals. It can have paraben, petroleum, and even artificial coloring or fragrance, which can prove troublesome for your skin.

DIY tanning oils prove to be a healthier alternative. They can moisturize your skin, offer skin protection, and amplify the absorption of sunlight to achieve a darker tan more quickly. For more on tanning more quickly check out our article – how to tan darker and faster.

Highly Effective:

A majority of tanning products claim to be beneficial and can boost the absorption of sunlight. However, the results might not be the same as the claims.

On the other hand, a homemade natural oil can work wonders without having any unnecessary ingredients. The luster of the oils can attract sunlight to your skin and speed up the tanning process. It will help reduce the time you need to spend under the sun, thus protecting your skin from the risk of overexposure.

More Affordable:

When it comes to DIY tanning oil, the investment involved is minimal. You can simply use the ingredients easily available for you at home to make it. Making a tanning oil at home will help you save up a few dollars you spend on buying overpriced products from the market.

Uses Natural Ingredients:

The process of making tanning oil is quite simple. All you can do here is search your pantry for the required ingredients. You have complete control over what you want to put into it and can make it depending on your skin type and needs.

How to Make Tanning Oil at Home?

From natural oils to DIY ones, you can use a wide range of products to get a dark and deep tan faster. If you’re looking for easy yet effective ways on how to make tanning oil, dive right in to learn:

All Natural Tanning Oil:

The all-natural tanning oil made from carrot seed oil and raspberry seed oil has skin-protecting properties. If you want to achieve a darker and deeper tan, this oil can help you achieve that. It will help you add a glow to your skin.

What You Need:

· 1/2 tablespoon raspberry oil

· 1/2 tablespoon carrot oil

· 2 tablespoon avocado oil

· 1/4 cup olive oil

· 1 teaspoon bronze mica powder (optional)

· 10 drops lavender oil

· 10 drops sandalwood oil

· Glass bowl

· Dark glass container

Steps To Follow:

1. Pour all the oil into any glass bowl.

2. Keep stirring it until you get a homogenous mixture.

3. Add mica powder at the end for a divine glow.

4. Transfer the oil to a dark glass container and store it away from light.

Tropical Tanning Oil:

While you can’t go to a beach, you can enjoy the feel of tanning on a beach with this tropical oil. It evokes a tropical scent with the coconuts, while the sesame seeds give you a natural dark tint. You can get immediate results, although temporary, by using this homemade tanning oil for tanning sessions.

What You Need:

· 1 cup coconut oil

· 8 teaspoon avocado oil

· 8 teaspoon walnut oil

· 8 teaspoon sesame oil

· Essential oil of your choice

· Glass bowl

· Dark glass container

Steps To Follow:

1. Take 16 teaspoons or 1 cup of coconut oil in a bowl.

2. If the oil is not liquid enough or the consistency is more like a gel, you must heat it for a few seconds.

3. Once the consistency of the oil is even, add sesame oil, avocado oil, and walnut oil to it and mix well.

4. Add 4 to 5 drops of an essential oil of your choice.

5. Keep stirring until you get a homogenous mixture.

6. Pour this mixture in an airtight container and store.

Hydrating Tanning Oil:

If you have dry and flaking skin, tanning can bring you uneven and patchy results. Prolonged exposure to the sun might also crack your skin and make it immensely dry. You must hydrate and nourish your skin to achieve flawlessly tanned skin.

This oil can help you with dryness since it contains organic ingredients that penetrate deep into your skin to offer nourishment. The ingredients can also boost the skin barrier and increase the production of collagen.

What You Need:

· 8 teaspoon walnut oil

· 8 teaspoon avocado oil

· 8 teaspoon wheat germ oil

· 8 teaspoon sesame oil

· Essential oil of your choice (optional)

· Glass bowl

· Dark glass container

Steps To Follow:

1. Take a glass bowl and put all the oil in it.

2. Mix it thoroughly to get a homogenous mixture.

3. If you prefer scented oil, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.

4. Pour it into a glass container in dark shade to protect it from light.

Sun Tan Oil:

For someone with fair or light skin tone, getting a tan can be a challenging task. You are more prone to the risk of skin damage like sunburns and signs of premature aging like wrinkles, crow feet, and even red spots.

When exposed to the UV radiation from the sun, you might end up turning more red rather than brown. If you frequently go through this, you might need a special oil to protect your skin while still being able to get a tan.

The recipe for natural tanning oil is packed with antioxidants to benefit your skin.

What You Need:

· 8 teaspoon avocado oil

· 1 cup or 16 teaspoon olive oil

· 2 teaspoon carrot oil

· 2 teaspoon raspberry seed oil

· Essential oil of your choice (optional)

· Glass bowl

· Dark glass container

Steps To Follow:

1. Take a glass bowl and then pour all the olive oil into it.

2. Add 8 teaspoons of avocado oil to it and mix well until you get a smooth mixture.

3. Add the other two oils one by one to ensure it becomes easy for you to mix them.

4. Stir it well till the point you get a homogenous mixture.

5. Add a few drops of scented essential oil of your choice if need be.

6. Lastly, transfer the mixture into a dark glass container that you can store in a dark place.

What Other Natural Oils Can You Use to Tan?

While coconut oil is a go-to option for many tanning enthusiasts, there is a wide range of other oils that you can use to tan more effectively. If you don’t want to make the oil concoction but use a single oil directly on your skin, here are the top options of tanning oil substitute for you:

Sunflower oil:

Sunflower oil has enriching qualities that can prove immensely beneficial for your skin. Besides that, it can help fasten the tanning process. It works as a natural moisturizer by preventing your skin from drying under harsh sunlight.

It can also boost the elasticity of your skin, making it an ideal choice for tanning sessions.

Olive Oil:

After coconut oil, olive oil is the most preferred choice. It contains an abundance of Vitamin E and antioxidant properties that moisturizes your dry skin and ensures you can tan smoothly. Moreover, olive oil can also help you achieve a darker skin tone while tanning.

A mixture of olive oil with carrot juice will help you get that deep, dark, and smooth tan in no time.

Wheat Germ Oil:

As the name suggests, wheat germ oil is extracted from the kernel of wheat grains. The oil is rich in essential nutrients like Vitamin B and E, magnesium, potassium, among many others. It also has antioxidant properties that can ensure your skin stays healthy, soft, and young for a long time.

Using it while tanning will make the process easier and quicker. You can also add essential oils for tanning to make it more pleasant.

Hazelnut Oil:

Much like other oils, hazelnut oil also proves to be a rich source of Vitamin E, which is good for your skin. A majority of tanning oils you find in the market also contain hazelnut oil.

When your skin gets exposed to UV radiation while tanning, it comes under pressure and can dry out quickly. Hazelnut oil is rich in fatty acids, ensuring your skin absorbs it and offers protection from dryness and damage. You will have dark, nourished, and healthy skin even after tanning if you use hazelnut oil.

Green Tea Extracts:

Green tea extracts are not a popular choice, but they can work wonders. They are enriched with Vitamin E along with an antioxidant that is 20 times more powerful than Vitamin E, known as Epigallocatechin-3-gallate or EGCG.

These antioxidants present in green tea extracts can work as a shield between your delicate skin and UV rays of the sun. If you use it correctly, the extracts from green tea will effectively prevent any cell damage caused by the rays of the sun.

Aloe Vera:

According to Healthline, one plant that is ideal for skincare is aloe vera. Many people use it for its moisturizing qualities, but it can also work as a tanning oil. You can also put aloe vera gel on your skin to treat sunburns.

If you’re someone who is prone to rashes or sunburns after tanning in the sun, you can prevent it using aloe vera. Apply the gel directly onto your skin to prevent skin burning. You can also convert the gel into oil and use it before tanning.

Related Questions:

What Is the Best Homemade Tanning Oil?

There are numerous tanning oils available in the market today, but you can also make your own at home. You can make your tanning oil by using olive oil, avocado oil, carrot seed oil, and raspberry seed oil. Mix all the oils and add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to it, and your tanning oil is ready.

The unique mixture of oils will hydrate your skin and prevent dryness while you are lounging in the sun.

What Can I Use for Tanning Oil at Home?

Tanning oils can improve the tanning process and ensure you get great results. There are numerous oils that you can use before tanning. Coconut oil is the go-to choice for many enthusiasts since it is rich in fatty acid content and ensures your skin can absorb it easily.

Besides that, olive oil can also be used while tanning to get a smoother tan in no time. Extra virgin olive oil is considered best since it is natural and can protect your skin while you are tanning outside.

If not, you can use sesame oil, wheat germ oil, and even sunflower oil to speed up the tanning process.

What Oils Make You Tan Faster?

There are numerous oils that can assist you in the tanning process. You can use coconut oil, virgin olive oil, sunflower oil, sesame oil, and even avocado oil for tanning. The oils can help attract and focus the rays of the sun on your skin to make sure you tan faster without hampering your skin.

Coconut oil comes with a high concentration of fatty acids that are a type of saturated fats. The oil can nourish your skin from within and add a layer of protection that prevents skin damage. You can use the oil all over your skin before stepping out to stay safe while tanning.