How long does tanning lotion last before it expires?

It depends on the ingredients and how you store it. Paraben-free lotion is very marketable right now for Skin Care lines and tanning salons, but lotions with parabens often extend the shelf life of indoor tanning lotions. Make sure the lotion you buy wasn't sitting on a shelf for years. Most tanning salons offer higher end lotions with higher quality ingredients than a lotion you could could buy at a supermarket. They contain things like dihydroxyacetone, natural bronzers, silicones, caffeine, tingles, coolants, blushes, vitamins, firming and toning formulas, anti-oxidants, after tan odor minimizers, etc to help nourish your skin, optimize your tanning capability, and overall enhance your tanning experience. Also, storing your indoor tanning lotion is important. Keep your bottle somewhere at room temperature. Don't leave it in a freezing cold car or a steaming hot garage when you are not using it. The temperature change can damage ingredients in the lotions. Also, never buy indoor tanning lotions online. You would never know what it really is or how it was stored.