It’s mid-August, and we’re reluctant to say that the summer is starting to sizzle down. So, keeping that in mind- us tan freaks know that this is crunch time for getting enough color to last for the colder months. Anyways, it feels like the sun cures all. Acne, vitamin loading, good feelings, curing boredom, etc. Here are some favorite outdoor tan accelerators. No, this does not mean smear baby oil allover yourself but rather to keep your skin hydrated and darken quicker. Some of these oils and lotions contain some degree of SPF.

Our favorite tanning lotion is the amazing Maui Babe Browning Lotion. It is made from an old “top secret” Hawaiian family recipe using natural ingredients. It is known to be safe for all skin types AND can be mixed with your sunscreen for coverage as well as mineral oil hydration. Upon applying, you will discover that the lotion comes out looking exactly like dulce de leche. And did we mention that it smells so good that you could practically eat it. Ingredients: Light Mineral Oil, Kukui Nut Oil, Antioxidant Vitamins E, C & A, Kona Coffee Plant Extract, Aloe, Potassium Iodide. (these are all Hawaiian as well)

Buy it: Ulta beauty ($13.99)

Tip: Be very careful if you are wearing a light colored suit, it will stain it brown. And watch those hands! They’ll be brown too!

The runner up is still keeping the Hawaiian theme going. The most popular among long time tanners is the Hawaiian Tropic Dark Tanning Oil. Different from the lotion above, this oil is composed of Mineral Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Lanolin, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Amyl Acetate, Aleurites Moluccana Seed Extract, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Colocasia Antiquorum Root Extract, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Fruit Extract, Passiflora Incarnata Fruit Extract, Plumeria Acutifolia Flower Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Oil, Fragrance. Which in essence means tons of fruity stuff and leafy stuff. This will definitely give you that pictureperfect shine for strolling down the beach while still keeping your skin moist and sucking up those rays.

Buy it: Walmart ($7.92) and basically any other mass retailer. 

Tip: Exfoliate before heading to the beach! This way, all those dead skin cells will come off in the shower and your new fresh skin will get the tan it deserves!