More and more tanning salons are selling hemp seed oil lately and you may be wondering why this is.
What is so special about this particular type of cream and why is it being thrown around as the miracle that creates the perfect tan? This type of oil provides substantial hydration to the skin because of its fatty acid content.
All the fat in the oil help to lock in moisture and there is even speculation about whether or not it is actually able to extract moisture from the air to help hydrate skin as well.
This is incredibly important because in order to retain a proper tan skin needs to be moisturized to prevent flaking and the shedding of old skin.
Moisturizing on a regular basis can also counteract some of the harmful effects of the tanning bed to keeping skin firm and wrinkle free.
The best thing to look for when selecting a lotion is to be sure you check the list of ingredients, not just the label, for the words hemp seed oil.
Hempz is one of the top brands, making much more than just tanning lotions.
It is an excellent hydrator and should be applied approximately an hour before tanning.
There is a regular and a "hot" version of this product, the hot version creating a warm tingling sensation which may be mildly unpleasant for some people but for most only increases the tanning experience.
One important aspect to look out for is allergies.
Many people have plant allergies and this is no exclusion.
If you are unsure, buying a cheap bottle of moisturizer first and testing on a small patch of skin, like the inside of the ankle, can ease your mind about hemp allergies before applying it to your entire body.
Allergies aside, there really is no downside to using this moisturizer to tan.
It is hydrating and reduces the aging effects of the UV rays, increases the darkness of the tan and leaves the skin soft and moisturized.
Trying out different brands can help you decide which type of lotion works best for your skin and tanning needs.