For a natural, safe tan, it is best to sun tan before 10 am or after 4 pm. This is because the sun is at its hottest between 10 am and 4 pm and you can easily get sunburn due to the intensity of UVB rays. If you are using a proper outdoor tanning lotion with a high SPF level, the ideal time to achieve results with tanning lotions is between 10 am and 4 pm. The lotion’s SPF will mostly protect your skin from damage during this time and accelerators in the lotion will turn your skin much darker in less time. It is not recommended to spend more than 10-30 minutes in the direct sun while tanning. Sunbed tanning can be enjoyed at any time of the day or even at night because you are tanning in a controlled environment. The tanning bed can be switched on and off at any time, the intensity levels of the UV light can often be adjusted, and specific tanning bed lotions can be applied to protect your skin and speed up your tanning results. Self-tanners or bronzing lotions can also be applied at any time of the day or night. But with these products, you need to know that they do not always offer UV protection. If you are using a tanning bed or getting a sun tan, you should keep sessions brief and apply an SPF blocker along with the lotion.