Finding the right indoor tanning lotion can be a little difficult especially for someone who has little or no experience in this whole tanning business. A trip to the cosmetic section of any retail shop would reveal the plethora of tanning lotion brands. To make matters worse the formula of the lotion and how it reacts to an individual's skin is almost unpredictable. What might work for one person might not work for another. With so many to choose from, how is anyone to decide what brand would be the best indoor tanning lotion for them.

The good news for particularly fortunate individuals is that the price of a bottle is hardly an indication of the quality of results that can be expected. Popular and expensive brands don't always work as well as a generic and cheap tanning lotion. Since the slight differences in formula and how that formula reactions with the individual wearer's skin is all that matters, those who have the skin for the discount indoor tanning lotion brands are fortunate to save some money.

There is a reason why indoor tanning lotion is distinguished from outdoor tanning lotion. It is a combination of the conditions the tanner will expose his or herself and the protection they might require as well as the environment that they will be tanning in. Outdoor tanning lotions contain mineral oils and other ingredients that could potentially cause damage to the acrylic used to line the inside of a tanning bed. Just to be on the safe side, use indoor lotions for indoor tanning and outdoor lotions for outdoor tanning.

Unfortunately the only way to really find what works best for you is by sampling a huge quantity of different brands and types of lotion. This can become expensive if you purchase every bottle just to sample a small amount and toss the rest because it didn't produce the results you were looking for. A better way is to strategically accumulate free or low cost samples.

There are usually new promotional brands that are being distributed at any given time through beauty shops, cosmetic counters of department stores, and tanning salons. So pay each of these places a visit every so often to check on the latest free sample offerings. There are also usually advertisements in beauty related magazines, some newspapers as well as online at the manufacturer's website. Once you have exhausted your free resources it is time to visit eBay. There are sampler packages available for a little money. This gives you a way to acquire a wide variety of samples at a very low cost.

Before dunking yourself into a tub of the lotion, it is important that you test for any allergic reactions or skin irritations. Begin by applying the new lotion to a small area of skin. Let the area sit for 24 hours and if nothing bad happens then go ahead and try it on a larger area. If you do get some kind of reaction, treat the irritant and make note to stay away from that particular formula.

Finding the right indoor tanning lotion is a simple matter for trial and error. It can be a pain to go through so many brands but if achieving the right tone is your goal then by all means go for it. Just remember to practice safe tanning and always veer on the side of caution. Take it slow and build up the base tan before trying anything advanced to avoid burning, and worse, potential long term health problems such as skin cancers. Tanning can be a positive experience for many as long as the right precautions are taken.