What Are the Benefits of Sun Tanning Oil?

Using tanning oil to obtain a deep, dark, rich-looking suntan has been proven to be potentially detrimental to your long-term health. Skin cancer claimed about 9,000 Americans each year as of 2077. The American Cancer Society attributes the majority of skin cancer incidents to unprotected sun exposure. Suntan oils seldom contain any sunscreen or protection from ultra-violet light, thus may play a role in increasing skin cancer risks. The Huffington Post reports that tanning oil is essentially a mix of coconut oil, sesame oil and lanolin; used in non-traditional ways, tanning oil can give you a number of health and comfort benefits.

Coconut Oil

• Long a dietary staple of tropical cultures, coconuts and the oil they produce is thought by these communities to have healing properties. Most commercially produced suntan oils have a coconut oil base that may help skin abscesses and burns heal, soothe itchy rashes and generally be beneficial to wound treatment regimens. Topically applied, coconut oil-based suntan oils may kill harmful skin-borne bacteria, excessive skin yeast and protect the skin from free radicals---unstable atom clusters that can damage cells--effectively slowing visible signs of aging.

Sesame Oil

• Sesame oil, also called teel and benne oil, has been used by many cultures as a skin softener for centuries. It is a fine, odorless oil that blends easily with water and doesn't leave a heavy oily coating on the skin. One of its components, myristic acid, is a common component of makeup, and it is considered an antioxidant which may slow the aging of skin and help sores to heal. In 2001, scientists determined that sesame oil is helpful in preventing dryness in the nostrils and nasal passages. This doesn't mean you want to put suntan oil inside your nose, but suntan oils containing sesame oil may slow skin aging and help heal dry, chapped exterior nose tissue.

Lanolin

• Lanolin is an oily, waxy substance that is harvested from the wool of sheep. It is one of the traditional ingredients in cosmetics because it has natural moisturizing properties. Lanolin helps the skin maintain its hydration thus preventing the wrinkling effects of dry skin. It also allows water to penetrate it to some degree, replenishing the skin while protecting it. Scientists surmise that the lipids, or fats, in lanolin may be the closest in composition to those lipids that are naturally occurring in human skin. Lanolin is also widely used in soaps, shampoos and conditioners because it allows the cleaning products to work without drying the skin or hair shaft. Suntan oil containing lanolin can be used as an all-over moisturizer offering many of the benefits of the ingredient lanolin.