Get a Lovely Tan with Maui Babe Browning Lotion [Review]

Interested in the Maui Babe Browning lotion?

After 26 hours of intensive research, I’ve carefully ANALYZED the features of this lotion compared to its competitors and 100s of Maui Babe Browning Lotion reviews.

We’ll let you know this lotion’s most significant drawback and how Maui Babe recently solved it, and help you decide if this tanning accelerator is right for you!

Keep reading for an in-depth review of the pros and the cons, the customer feedback, and some Maui Babe alternatives!

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Key Takeaways

  • The Maui Babe Browning Lotion contains natural ingredients such as Kona Coffee plant extract and aloe vera to moisturize and hydrate the skin
  • Some customers apply the lotion on their face, but this lotion can be oily and may clog pores, so the coconut oil version or sunbed version may be better
  • This lotion acts as a brilliant enhancer that speeds up the natural tanning process, even on fair skin tones, and does not contain any self-tan or bronzer

In A hurry? Check Out The Maui Babe Browning Lotion (8 ounces) On Amazon Here!

Maui Babe Original Browning Lotion

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Key Stats:

  • Product Dimensions: 2 x 2 x 6 inches (8 oz version)
  • Contents: Sun Tan Accelerator (Not a Self Tan or Bronzer)
  • Size: Available in 4-ounce or 8-ounce bottles (multipacks and bundles available)
  • Variants: Maui Babe Browning lotion with coconut oil; Tanning Salon Formula
  • Best Seller + Affordable Option
  • Imported from Hawaii
  • Cruelty-free
  • Water-resistant

Maui Babe in a NUTSHELL

Did you know that a significant percentage of women in both Europe and the United States deliberately engage in tanning?

According to a study, “Deliberate tanning is a common practice since 37–49% of women and 17–29% engage in deliberate tanning in both Europe and the United States.” (1)

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Kona Coffee Plant Extract and Aloe Vera: 2 Magic bullets

For a SUPERB tanning experience, here is a Browning Lotion that contains natural ingredients like Kona Coffee plant extract and aloe vera, which help to keep skin moisturized and hydrated.

This is especially important when spending long hours in the sun, as the skin can quickly become dehydrated and prone to damage.

Antioxidant properties: The Cream of The Crop

What’s more, the Kona Coffee plant extract has antioxidant properties that can help to protect the skin from free radical damage caused by UV rays.

Different SPF levels for an Angelic Skin

Likewise, Maui Babe’s sun care products are designed with different SPF levels to cater to different skin types and needs.

For example, the SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion is perfect for individuals with fair skin or those prone to sunburns, while the SPF 15 Tanning and Browning Lotion is ideal for those with darker skin tones who want to enhance their tan.

Cruelty-free: Give Peace a Chance

Lastly, Maui Babe is a cruelty-free brand, which means that none of the products are tested on animals.

This is a great feature that many consumers look for when choosing a brand to support.

Overall, Maui Babe’s products are not only effective in achieving a desirable tan but also prioritize skin protection and nourishment.

With natural ingredients and different SPF levels to cater to different skin types, consumers can trust the brand’s commitment to skin health.

Additionally, being a cruelty-free brand adds to the brand’s credibility and appeal to consumers who prioritize ethical and sustainable practices.

Get the perfect summer glow with our article on “Best Tanning Lotion for Outdoors to Get Dark Fast“. We’ve tested and reviewed the best tanning lotions on the market to help you achieve a beautiful and natural-looking tan.

Enhancer To Accelerate The Natural Tanning Process (Even on Pale Skin)

Maui Babe Browning lotion is a best-selling tan accelerator lotion that produces a natural-looking tan – even on fair skin tones and sensitive skin types.

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This lotion does not contain any self-tan or bronzer. Some mistake it for a fake tan because of its brown color.

Rest assured – Maui Babe will not turn you orange! It’s designed to speed up the natural tanning process under the sun to save you valuable time.

While this lotion does not contain any SPF protection, it can be used with any sunscreen.

Using sunscreen is safer for your skin and lets you stay sunbathing longer.

Maui Babe even promises this browning lotion will retain its tanning effect no matter how strong your SPF protection is! Multiple reviews confirm that it still works even with the added SPF.

Tip: Wrap the lotion in a towel at the beach to prevent it from liquifying in the heat!

How Does Maui Babe Work? How Do You Use It?

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This lotion is easy to use. Be sure to follow the correct order of application: SPF first – then the browning lotion – for best results.

  • Apply your favorite sunscreen protection first to avoid a sunburn
  • Wait 10 minutes for the sunscreen to soak in
  • Shake the bottle well before use
  • Apply a generous amount of Maui Babe Bronzing Lotion (to dry skin) 15 minutes before you sunbathe (use your hands – it should easily wash away from your palms)

Note: Beginners should not spend more than one hour in the sun.

For best results, follow our sun tanning tips. Keep your skin moisturized to prolong your tan and nourish any dry skin.

Maui Babe claims only one application of the lotion is required per sunbathing session. It is water-resistant but not waterproof.

They recommend reapplying if you swim for a long period (15 minutes plus).

Can I Use It On My Face?

While some customers do apply this lotion to their faces, others don’t recommend it.

This lotion has an oily consistency (mainly made for drier skin on your body), so it can feel greasy on your skin.

Plus, because it contains mineral oil, there’s a chance it will clog your pores.

Apply a small amount in a test patch to see if you break out. Concerned about breakouts? Try the coconut oil version or the sunbed version instead!

If you do choose to use it on your face, be careful to apply sunscreen, so you don’t burn!

How Fast Does It Work? How Long Does The Tan Last?

Results can appear in just fifteen minutes.

To prove that this lotion really does work, Maui Babe recommends the bandaid test:

  1. Apply a bandaid to a patch of your arm.
  2. Then use the browning lotion all over that arm.
  3. After 15 minutes in the sun, remove the bandaid.

You should notice a big difference in color between the skin under the bandaid and the rest of your arm!

Because it enhances (and quickens) the tan you would normally achieve in the sun, it’s hard to predict how long your tan will last.

Results will vary from person to person. Lotion your skin after you shower for longer-lasting results.

While those with tattoos can use it, it does not seem to provide anti-fade protection.

If you’re a little skeptical and in need of a visual review, please don’t miss this video:

How Long Does A Bottle Last?

Customers give mixed reviews on the longevity of the bottle. Some say they’ve used the same bottle for three years, and it still works perfectly. Maui Babe claims the shelf life of each product is 5 years.

Natural & Hydrating Ingredients

Despite the affordable price tag, this accelerator lotion contains quality, moisturizing ingredients. The natural ingredients in this family-secret formula are sourced from Maui, Hawaii.

The ingredients include:

  • Light mineral oil
  • Kukui nut oil
  • Antioxidant Vitamins E, C, and A
  • Kona coffee plant extract
  • Aloe: a well-known skin healer, aloe provides some sun protection and moisturizes
  • Potassium iodide

If you’re thinking of using baby oil to help you tan, check out our article on “How Long Should You Tan with Baby Oil” for tips and advice on how to do it safely and effectively.

Love-It-Or-Hate-It Coffee Scent

One of the most divisive aspects of this lotion is the smell. Unlike many other tanning lotions, the Maui Babe Browning lotion does not have that typical coconut scent.

The Kona coffee plant extract ingredient produces a coffee-like scent. Some describe it as a mixture of coffee and soy sauce; others say it’s a little similar to the scent of sweet teriyaki sauce.

Did you know?: A 2007 study found that 81% of people think others look more attractive with tanned skin.

A lot of customers love the smell of this product. Others hate it.

Some found the scent pleasant initially, but it can change into an unappealing after-tan odor. For some customers, the scent doesn’t seem to linger for long.

Does It Stain Your Clothes?

One of the biggest concerns people have is that this brown-colored browning lotion will stain their clothes.

It contains multiple oil-based ingredients and coffee: well-known culprits for staining certain fabrics.

While it can cling to your beach towel or swimsuit, many reviewers reassure you that it comes out in the wash.

This product is brown, so be careful when applying it. Take similar precautions as you would when you get a spray tan.

Try to avoid wearing light-colored clothing. It could stain light hair. Be sure to carefully thread around your hairline if you apply this lotion to your face.

Tip: Maui Babe specifically recommends Oxy Clean to remove deep stains.

The Biggest Maui Babe Flaw And How To Overcome It

A lot of customers are not happy that this tanning lotion contains light mineral oil. A lot claim this ingredient is the source of the greasy feel this lotion leaves on the skin.

Others are concerned that the mineral oil will break them out or accelerate the aging process.

Plus, a lot of sunbed salons do not allow any lotion or any product that contains mineral oil to protect their tanning beds!

Maui Babe listened to these criticisms in recent years and gave their customers what they want.

They developed Maui Babe Browning Lotion made with Coconut Oil and the Maui Babe Browning Tanning Salon Formula – both free from mineral oil! 

Other Maui Babe Formulas | Sunbed Safe / Mineral Oil-Free

Maui Babe With Coconut Oil

This version contains the exact same Hawaiian ingredients as the regular Maui Babe Browning lotion, with the exception of adding mineral oil.

Instead, this product is made with coconut oil and sunflower seed oil. Worried about harmful chemicals and other unknown stuff floating in your products?

This tanning lotion is also made gluten, paraben, and sulfate-free!

As you may have guessed, this version of Maui Babe has a little bit of a coconut-y scent – great to try if you don’t love the coffee scent of the original formula.

Maui Babe Tanning Salon Formula

Developed especially for sunbeds, this version of Maui Babe Browning lotion does not contain any mineral oil. It also does not contain coconut oil.

Instead, it uses a combination of safflower oil and sunflower seed oil as replacements for mineral oil – much more suitable for tanning beds!

Loyal fans of the brand love that they can now use their favorite outdoor tanning lotion indoors.

Maui Babe After Browning Lotion

Nothing is worse than when you want to show off your deep sun tan but don’t feel confident because of peeling or flaky skin.

Unlike a lot of other lotions and general body stuff, Maui Babe After Browning Lotion helps prevent extreme dryness! It also prolongs the life of your tan – saving you time otherwise spent sunbathing.

Wondering if you can tan in your backyard? Check out our article for answers and advice on “Can I Tan in My Backyard“. We’ll guide you through everything you need to know about outdoor tanning, from selecting the right sunscreen to getting the perfect tan safely and effectively.

Maui Babe Browning Lotion Customer Reviews

Overall, Customers Tend To Be Really Impressed With This Maui Babe Accelerator Lotion, Judging By The High Ratings Online

Many reviewers love it. They say it’s incredible, and the best tanning lotion they’ve ever used! Some say this product has been their favorite sun tan lotion for years!

One customer said the only tan lotion better than Maui Babe is the Ban De Soleil Orange Gel (sadly discontinued).

Customers are impressed that it really works to accelerate and enhance the color of a natural tan. Multiple reviews found it makes a huge difference in hard-to-tan areas.

A lot of people love the Hawaii-based ingredients – it’s not packed full of harmful chemicals and other nasty stuff.

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The biggest ingredient concern is the mineral oil, however, you can avoid that ingredient completely – just use the coconut oil or sunbed versions.

It really works – this lotion drastically changes even the fair skin of those who find it difficult to tan in the sun.

No need to spend hours and hours in the hot sun. One customer in a review said she turned 4 shades darker after just 2 uses!

Many said they achieved their darkest tan ever when they used this browning tan lotion. Reviewers like their tan last long, so they do not have to stay in the sun constantly.

This lotion is excellent if you need to get a tan last minute – most found their skin turned brown super fast!

This lotion seems to work well on most people with fair/pale skin, but maybe not porcelain skin that never tans.

Maui Babe works great to get a dark warm caramel color tan on fair skin tones. A lot of people found it works better when you use it over an existing base tan.

Customers are impressed with how moisturizing this lotion is. Most like that it does not cause flaking or patchiness. While it can get greasy, many reviewers like that it feels buttery when you apply it.

While not every customer is a huge fan of the smell, some think it’s great and reminds them of coffee beans. One review even described the scent as amazing!

Many mention buying another bottle once their current one runs out.

Probably the biggest customer complaint is that this lotion can feel greasy on the skin. It’s easy to fix this issue by using a smaller amount of product and taking some extra time to rub the lotion in.

A lot of the more negative reviews did not like that this product contains mineral oil.

An easy fix for this is just to get the coconut version (discussed above) instead! Plus, the tanning bed version (which also contains no mineral oil) is great for sunbeds.

Some people note that the lotion can shoot out of the bottle when it is still really full. One customer found wrapping the lid in plastic wrap really helped to avoid any mess.

Because the lotion is dark brown in color, it can stain your towel and clothing, and it can streak on the skin if you are not careful.

Is The Maui Babe Browning Lotion For Me?

On a budget and want an effective, fast, good-quality sun tan accelerator lotion? Maui Babe Browning Lotion is an amazing option for your needs!

A total fan favorite for years, it’s not surprising that this tanning lotion is so popular.

Maui Babe significantly speeds up the tanning process (even on fair and sensitive skin), can be used with any sunscreen, and moisturizes your skin while you tan!

However, it can feel greasy and stain your clothes, and the coffee-based scent receives mixed reviews.

The addition of mineral oil to the ingredients list is concerning for some customers (2).

We recommend Maui Babe with Coconut Oil or the Tanning Salon Formula (both made without mineral oil) for those who prefer to always avoid acnegenic ingredients.

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FAQs

1. How long does the Maui Babe Browning Lotion take to work?

The Maui Babe Browning Lotion starts working immediately upon application, and you can see noticeable results within a few hours.

2. Is the Maui Babe Browning Lotion safe for all skin types?

Yes, the Maui Babe Browning Lotion is safe for all skin types, but it’s always recommended to do a patch test before using it all over your body.

3. Can I use Maui Babe Browning Lotion with sunscreen?

Yes, you can use Maui Babe Browning Lotion with sunscreen, but it’s recommended to apply sunscreen after the lotion has been absorbed into your skin.

Conclusion

Don’t stay in the sun for hours wondering about your next tanning magic bullet!

Here it is: Maui Babe Browning Lotion is an effective tanning accelerator that prioritizes natural skin protection and nourishment.

While it does have some drawbacks, such as its oily consistency and lack of SPF protection, it is a best-selling product that produces natural-looking tans.

Now that you know a bit about this amazing product after reading the product details, I’m sure you’re now convinced to give it a go.

I mean, what can you lose? A tan!

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Please send me your comments and feedback. I’d love to hear from you!

glowing legs with maui babe browning lotion

Resources

1. Sivamani RK, Crane LA, Dellavalle RP. The Benefits and Risks of Ultraviolet Tanning and Its Alternatives: The Role of Prudent Sun Exposure. Dermatologic Clinics [Internet]. 2009;27:149–54. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0733863508001071?via%3Dihub

2. Howard K, Rud M. Mineral Oil Can Be Controversial—Here’s What Derms Really Think [Internet]. Byrdie. 2023 [cited 2023 Mar 1]. Available from: https://www.byrdie.com/mineral-oil-for-skin-4776816

About Edith Russo

Edith is a self-made entrepreneur with a keen business sense that others admire and a total “can-do” attitude. She’s always coming up with new ideas to anticipate her readers’ needs and help solve all their toughest beauty and skincare problems. READ HER LATEST ARTICLES. FOLLOW HER on Linkedin and Twitter. Learn more about her HERE.

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