Oil nourishes and moisturizes the skin. Therefore, it is a vital ingredient in many skin care and make-up products. Different types of tanning oil are available commercially. Some have anti-aging properties and contain sunscreen material to protect the skin from the ultraviolet rays of the sun; others come without sunscreen and are meant only to enhance suntans.

Tanning oils that contain a mixture of grape seed, coconut, and sesame oils, among other ingredients, have revitalizing, anti-aging, and sun protection properties. They can be applied liberally on the skin, including the scalp, to filter out ultraviolet rays when basking in the sun for a few minutes. However, doctors advise that it is best to stay indoors when the suns rays are harshest, that is, between 10 am and 4 pm. In addition, it is harmful to bask in the sun for hours at a time.

Tanning is often associated with good health and vitality, as vitamin D is obtained through exposure to sunlight. However, contrary to popular belief, only a small amount of sunlight is required by the human body to obtain vitamin D. In fact, dermatologists suggest obtaining vitamin D from food rather than from sunlight. Milk, other dairy products, cereals, and fish are important in this context. Unlike sunlight, they do not adversely affect the immune system or cause premature aging, eye problems, or skin cancer while providing vitamin D. Some of these products are also rich in calcium.

Doctors state that tanning, whether light or dark, indicates a skin problem. They say that a majority of new cancer cases detected in the United States are skin cancers, and could have been prevented by adopting protective measures against the suns rays. Dermatologists recommend the use of sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher, broad-brimmed hats, protective clothing, and sunglasses as shields. They also suggest faking a tan by using commercially available tanning lotions and sprays.