I was wondering if the saltwater from the ocean gives you a tan or a better tan than lotion?

Question

I was wondering if the saltwater from the ocean gives you a tan or a better tan than lotion?

Answer 1

Saltwater, freshwater, or any water of any sort has no effect on your tan.  Tanning happens because of Ultraviolet light in the sun's rays.  At the beach you get additional exposure due to light reflecting off the beach sand.  The water has nothing whatsoever to do with it, except for some reflection which increases your over-all sunlight exposure.

Lotions help keep the moisture in your skin intact and may help counter some effects of sunburn.  However, the deep damage done by UV-a and UV-b radiation is not diminished by lotions and in fact the danger of later having skin cancer is likely increased.  

See the following for additional information:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_tan

Answer 2

I don't know but it kinda seems like it. I think it probably just dries your skin out more so the sun has more of an effect on your skin.

Answer 3

Water has nothing to do with tanning. Wear sunscreen, skin cancer is nasty.