What Is a Tanning Accelerator? Sunbed Creams, Gels & Wands Explained

If you are comparing products for your tanning routine, you may keep seeing the term tanning accelerator. It is used across creams, gels and other tanning-product formats, but product names alone do not tell you everything about a particular formula.

What does tanning accelerator mean?

Tanning accelerator is a broad product-category term used for products sold as part of a tanning routine. The range includes creams, gels, wands, drops and sprays, with different textures, scents and formats to explore.

What types of tanning accelerator are available?

Accelerator creams

Cream-format products suit shoppers who prefer a richer lotion or cream texture. Browse the OnlyTans Accelerator Cream range to compare current products.

Accelerator gels

Gel products provide a different texture and format. The OnlyTans Accelerator Gel range brings the current body-gel options together.

Tanning wands

A wand is another application format rather than simply another cream scent. Browse the Tanning Wands collection to see the current range.

Tingle products

Tingle products are associated with a warming or tingling sensation that can vary between people and products. Read our Tingle Cream guide before choosing this format.

Tanning accelerator vs ordinary moisturiser

A tanning accelerator and a general moisturiser are not interchangeable labels. If you are buying a tanning product, use its actual product information rather than assuming directions from another cosmetic product.

How do you choose between cream, gel and wand?

Start with the format and texture you prefer, then compare individual product listings for size, scent, ingredients, price and availability. Our Best Sunbed Cream UK guide compares the main OnlyTans formats in more detail.

Can you use the same accelerator on your face and body?

Explore products in our Face Tanning Gel collection for dedicated facial-format options within the OnlyTans range.

What should you check before buying?

• The product format and texture.
• Ingredients and product details shown on the current listing.
• Product-specific directions.
• Size, scent, price and availability.
• Whether the product is presented for body or facial use.

For a more practical shopping decision, read what cream to use on a sunbed. If you already know your preferred format, continue to our gel buying guide or wand buying guide.

Explore OnlyTans tanning accelerators

Compare our Accelerator Creams, Accelerator Gels and Tanning Wands, or use the sunbed cream buying guide as your starting point.