jj1984

ya its def better to get a low priced indoor tanning lotion using anything else wont be the same. if not just for the color, tanning dehydrates your skin and not using lotion is going to ruin your tan and your skin faster. california tan has a lower priced lotion line called emarld bay. using a good moisturizer after helps a lot but nothing can replace the lotion in the bed/booth. also dont get a lotion from walmart, target etc. like tan max is one i see some people with, it dehydrates your skin really bad. its not worth paying to tan without lotion.
some other help with finding other products...
the ingredients you need are mostly only found in indoor tanning lotion, but something with vitamin e, lutein, caffeine, any antioxidants are good for moisturizing the skin,and preventing uva and free radical damage, and copper dioxide aka cu02 and sweet gum extract are good for bronzing. most lotions have a combination of nutrients, the nutrients are delivered to help you produce melanin and then your body uses oxygen to give a bronze color thats a the two step tanning process. so maybe you could find something with those ingredients, like i know estee lauder has similar ingredients in their face lotions, but anything with the nutrients you need is probably going to be just as expensive oh and also indoor tanning lotions have biosaccharide which cuts down on the after tan odor.