Norvell Tanning Review: Products, Spray Tan Equipment, Pros, and Cons

Norvell Tanning is a professional sunless tanning brand specializing in spray tan formulas, self-tanning products, application equipment, and training programs for both salon professionals and at-home use. Its lineup features tanners and equipment suited to diverse skin tones, including fair, light, medium, deeply pigmented, and dark.

This review examines the brand’s product range, formulation standards, manufacturing transparency, and real user experiences. It also explores the advantages and potential limitations associated with the brand.

About Norvell Tanning

Founded by Rick Norvell in 1983, Norvell Tanning organizes its portfolio across professional spray tan formulas, self-tanning retail products, spray tan machines, portable systems, overspray reduction equipment, accessories, and bundled kits.

The brand also offers access to digital tools, including a mobile app for account management and color selection resources based on the Fitzpatrick skin type scale to help you choose appropriate tanning shades. According to its official website, the brand formulates and manufactures its products at its own production facility in Ohio, allowing it to oversee all stages of production.

The brand also extends into professional education through Norvell University, offering self-paced online certification courses alongside one-day live training classes held in multiple US cities. Its curriculum covers spray tanning fundamentals, color theory, skin type assessment, equipment maintenance, and advanced application techniques.

Bestsellers

1. Venetian Rapid Solution

   Venetian Rapid Solution is intended for salon use with airbrush and HVLP spray systems. The formula features a cool brown cosmetic bronzer with violet undertones and the brand’s VIO-7™ technology to help fade the appearance of orange tones while delivering a natural-looking tan.

   Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is the primary self-tanning ingredient that reacts with amino acids in the outermost layer of your skin through the Maillard reaction, producing temporary brown pigments called melanoidins that gradually develop over several hours. The makers added erythrulose as a naturally derived keto sugar that develops color more slowly than DHA, which could help create a more even, longer-lasting tan while reducing the likelihood of uneven fading.

2. Venetian Handheld Solution

   Venetian Handheld Solution may help minimize the appearance of orange tones while providing cosmetic bronzer guidance during application. Dimethyl isosorbide functions as a solvent and penetration enhancer in the formula, helping improve the delivery and uniform distribution of active ingredients across the skin surface, contributing to more consistent tanning outcomes.

   The makers added propanediol as both a solvent and a humectant, which could help retain moisture while improving the formula’s spreadability and overall feel during application. Aloe vera leaf juice in the product supplies naturally occurring polysaccharides, vitamins, and antioxidants that help soothe the skin, strengthen the moisture barrier, and reduce dryness after tanning.

3. Double Dark Handheld Solution

   Double Dark Handheld Solution is formulated to provide an ultra-dark, natural-looking sunless tan while maintaining an even finish across the skin. It features a warm brown bronzer, a raspberry-almond scent, and an anti-orange formula to help produce a rich, balanced tan that may last up to one week. The product primarily develops its color through dihydroxyacetone (DHA) and erythrulose, two sunless tanning agents.

   The manufacturer added glycerin to the formula, which binds water within the skin’s outer layers, helping maintain hydration and supporting a smoother skin surface for more even color development. Polysorbate 20 in the product acts as a solubilizer, evenly dispersing ingredients throughout the formula and promoting consistent spray distribution.

4. Cosmo Handheld Solution

   Cosmo Handheld Solution may provide a rich, natural-looking tan by combining the brand’s Dark and Venetian shades into one versatile formula. It is also infused with the brand’s Natural Color Complex™, formulated to help smooth, hydrate, tighten, and protect your skin as the tan develops.

   The manufacturer also included dimethyl isosorbide, a penetration-enhancing solvent that improves the uniform distribution of active ingredients across the skin surface, helping promote more consistent color development. It also features vitamin C with antioxidant properties that may help decrease free radicals generated by environmental exposure while supporting normal collagen synthesis involved in maintaining skin structure.

   Cosmo Handheld Solution also contains caprylyl glycol, which is a humectant and a skin-conditioning agent. It may work by attracting moisture to the outer skin layers, supporting a smoother surface that may contribute to more even tanning results.

5. Barrier Blending Cream

   Barrier Blending Cream creates a smoother, more natural-looking spray tan. You can apply the cream before a spray tan to dry or rough areas, such as the cuticles, elbows, knees, hands, feet, wrists, fingernails, and toenails. It works by forming a protective, moisturizing barrier that may help minimize or block DHA absorption, thereby reducing the risk of overly dark patches, streaks, and uneven color.

   The manufacturer included stearic acid in the formula, a fatty acid that strengthens the cream’s protective film while helping minimize surface water loss to maintain hydration. Isopropyl palmitate functions as an emollient that could smooth the skin surface, soften rough patches, and improve the even spread of the barrier cream across the skin.

   The product also has Theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, which provides lipid-rich fatty acids that may strengthen the skin barrier and moisturize dry areas that commonly overdevelop during spray tanning.

6. Dark Handheld Solution

   Dark Handheld Solution pairs warm brown cosmetic bronzers with an anti-orange complex that may help promote a more natural-looking tan while minimizing unwanted orange undertones. It features cranberry fruit extract, which provides naturally occurring polyphenols, flavonoids, and other antioxidant compounds that might help protect your skin from oxidative stress and free radical damage. Such effects might help reduce the risk of premature signs of skin aging, including wrinkles and fine lines.

   The makers added vitamin C to the product, which complements normal collagen production, thereby contributing to improved skin firmness and elasticity. Vitamin E provides added antioxidant protection by helping stabilize skin lipids, strengthening the moisture barrier, and minimizing moisture loss during wear. The formulation also contains phenoxyethanol, a preservative that helps suppress the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mold, thereby maintaining product stability and extending shelf life.

7. Xlantan PH Balancing Spray

   Xlatan pH Balancing Spray is a skin-preparation mist formulated to optimize your skin before a spray tan or at-home sunless tanning session. The alcohol-free formula may help balance the skin’s surface chemistry, replenish lost moisture, and create a favorable environment for more even DHA color development.

   The manufacturer also included a mix of naturally occurring amino acids, including serine, alanine, glycine, lysine HCl, threonine, arginine, and proline. Such amino acids are important structural components of your skin’s natural moisturizing factor. They help attract and retain water within the stratum corneum, thereby improving skin hydration and supporting the proteins involved in DHA tanning reactions.

   The product also includes watermelon fruit extract, which provides natural sugars, amino acids, and antioxidants that help promote hydration. Green tea leaf extract in the formula can help neutralize free radicals while soothing skin exposed to environmental stressors.

Norvell Tanning Advantage

1. Integrated Professional Product Ecosystem

   Norvell offers a coordinated portfolio that extends beyond self-tanning formulations to include professional spray tanning products, application equipment, accessories, educational resources, and proprietary technologies such as Natural Color Complex™, Ordenone®, and VIO-7™. The brand has developed a product ecosystem that serves both professional salons and retail consumers, with formulations and tools designed to support multiple stages of the tanning process. This integrated portfolio can simplify product selection by providing tanning products, application tools, and educational resources from a single brand, reducing the need to compare products and usage guidance across multiple manufacturers.

Norvell Tanning Limitation

1. Limited Independent Third-Party Certification

   Norvell communicates a range of formulation and ethical standards across its product portfolio, including cruelty-free, vegan, and naturally derived ingredient claims. However, the brand does not prominently display widely recognized third-party certifications to independently verify many of these claims. Norvell University also works as the company’s own professional education platform without any accreditation by an external professional organization. It may have little impact on day-to-day product use. However, there are fewer external certifications or accreditations to reference, so you will have to depend primarily on the brand’s published disclosures when assessing its formulation standards.

Norvell Tanning Alternatives

1. GlowPro Tans

   When comparing the brands, both GlowPro Tans and Norvell offer at-home self-tanning products intended to replicate salon-like results. However, the brands differ in their product ranges, formulation approaches, quality standards, pricing, and accessibility.

   A clear difference between the brands is how they approach shade selection and customization. GlowPro keeps the process straightforward by offering formulas in 6%, 8%, 10%, and 14% DHA strengths to help you choose the depth of color you prefer. It also extends this flexibility with a 40% DHA-customizable formula intended for both face and body applications. Norvell Tanning follows a Colorology system, which matches DHA levels and undertones with the Fitzpatrick skin scale to guide shade selection.

   In terms of formulation approach, there are some differences between the brands. GlowPro centers its formulations on DHA as the primary tanning ingredient, combining it with erythrulose to help minimize streaking, reduce orange tones, and promote a more even fade over time. Meanwhile, Norvell takes a broader formulation approach by pairing naturally derived DHA with antioxidants and moisturizing ingredients. The brand also emphasizes the use of proprietary technologies such as VIO-7™, designed to help reduce orange undertones, and Ordenone®, which targets post-application odor.

   GlowPro primarily focuses on at-home tanning with a relatively compact lineup that includes 10% DHA Universal Dark Tanning Mousse, 6% DHA No-Rinse Tan Boosting Body Lotion. It is further supported by accessories such as tanning mitts, exfoliating gloves, back applicators, and kabuki brushes that complement self-application. Norvell, meanwhile, provides a broader professional ecosystem featuring equipment such as the Z3000 Pro unit, M1000 handheld system, and Oasis Portable Spray Tan Gun, along with overspray reduction booths and complete starter kits. Its tanning formulas are organized into collections like Cosmo, Dark, Venetian, Competition, and Tuscan.

   Pricing also reflects a difference in positioning. GlowPro maintains a lower entry point, with travel-size mousses starting at about $9 and higher DHA options reaching approximately $38. Its kits and bundles are priced at around $85–$107. Meanwhile, Norvell generally occupies a more professional price range, with individual products commonly selling between about $28 and $60, while spray tan machines and equipment are priced between $142 and $4810.

   GlowPro Tans focuses on making salon-inspired self-tanning accessible through a streamlined product range, flexible DHA strengths, and budget-friendly pricing for home use. Norvell Tanning takes a broader approach by combining self-tanning products with professional spray tan equipment, advanced formulation technologies, and industry education, making it a more comprehensive brand for both individual users and salon professionals.

2. Loving Tan

   Loving Tan and Norvell Tanning both operate in the sunless tanning industry, but they differ in their heritage, market focus, product breadth, manufacturing approach, and educational support ecosystem.

   The difference between the brands is reflected in the scope of their product portfolios. Loving Tan maintains a focused lineup built around self-tanning by offering self-tanning mousses, lotions, creams, face tanning serums, applicator accessories, kits, and gift sets. Some of its featured collections include 2 HR Express, 8 HR Deluxe, 10 MIN Express, and Deluxe Face Tan.

   Meanwhile, Norvell Tanning offers a broad catalog that covers professional spray tanning and retail self-tanning products. Its portfolio includes professional spray tan formulas, spray guns, tanning equipment, accessories, salon supplies, and maintenance products. A few signature tanning formulas from the brand are segmented across Tuscan, Back Bar, Dark, Venetian, and Competition. Beyond this, the brand also provides tanning equipment, such as the M1000 Handheld Spray Tan System, Z3000 Pro Spray Tan System, and Oasis Portable Spray Tan Gun.

   Formulation philosophy and manufacturing practices also distinguish the brands. Loving Tan highlights premium formulas made with naturally derived DHA, erythrulose, aloe vera, skincare-inspired ingredients, tinted color guides, and DHA blends developed to create natural-looking color. Meanwhile, Norvell Tanning provides more extensive information about its manufacturing process, stating that research, formulation, testing, manufacturing, and production are managed within its Ohio facility to maintain oversight throughout development. The brand also highlights naturally derived DHA, cosmetic-grade ingredients, vegan and paraben-free formulas, antioxidants, Natural Color Complex™, Ordenone®, and undertone correcting color technologies.

   Educational resources offered by each brand further reflect their different priorities. Loving Tan focuses on helping you improve your home tanning routine through The Journal, Tanning 101, application videos, a Help Center, a Shade Finder, and Kit Builder. Such resources primarily explain product selection, application methods, and general tanning guidance. Norvell Tanning provides a more extensive educational platform intended for both professional spray tan artists and retail users. Its resources include Norvell University, live certification courses, hands-on academy training, beauty school partnerships, the Colorology Shade Finder, and access to the VIP App.

   Loving Tan gives you a premium at-home self-tanning experience through a curated range of formulas, accessories, and application resources. Norvell goes beyond self-tanners by combining professional spray tan systems, salon equipment, specialized formulation technologies, and educational programs, giving you access to a broader tanning ecosystem for both home and professional use.

How Did We Evaluate?

1. Brand Credibility

   To evaluate Norvell Tanning’s credibility, we examined the brand’s operating history, business background, and visibility across reputed independent review platforms. Founded by Rick Norvell in 1983, the brand has been part of the professional sunless tanning industry for more than four decades. However, there is limited independent third-party information documenting its broader corporate development, including ownership changes, major business milestones, and the brand’s adaptation to market changes over time.

   We also reviewed the brand’s presence across independent review forums to understand its public reputation. At the time of our evaluation, the brand maintains little to no visible presence on Trustpilot, Better Business Bureau, ThingTesting, or ConsumerAffairs. Such an absence could make it difficult to evaluate long-term user sentiment, complaint trends, or public perception through third-party sources.

   Based on our evaluation, Norvell Tanning’s long history reflects operational continuity within the professional tanning industry. However, the limited availability of independent reputation data leaves some aspects of its reputation and long-term standing difficult to verify.

2. Real User Feedback

   In assessing Norvell Tanning, we reviewed the brand sentiment, user discussions, and firsthand experiences shared across Reddit threads to understand how its products perform in real-world use. The discussions reflected mixed experiences, with opinions varying based on skin tone, application technique, and individual color preferences.

   Several users expressed that Norvell Venetian produced a natural-looking tan, especially on pink-toned skin, while others appreciated that it faded more evenly than some competing self-tanning products. Some users also found the tan lasted longer than products they had previously used.

   However, a few recurring concerns appeared throughout the discussions. Some users felt that formulas such as Double Dark, Venetian Plus, and Cosmo looked different immediately after application but became more familiar as they developed and faded. Others reported warmer or more orange tones than expected, while a few noticed occasional green undertones with Venetian. Some discussions also questioned the brand’s limited disclosure of DHA percentages, and a few long-time users believed the consistency or quality of certain formulas had changed over the years.

   Based on the available discussions, we believe the brand is best evaluated on a formula-by-formula basis. We recommend matching the formula to your skin tone, desired finish, and tanning experience before making a selection. The available feedback indicates that thoughtful product selection and realistic expectations are important when considering the brand’s offerings.

Conclusion

Norvell Tanning provides access to self-tanning products, skin preparation and aftercare products, and professional tanning education. However, its professional focus may feel less straightforward for a simple, beginner-friendly tanning routine.

The brand’s formulations may perform best when you follow the recommended skin preparation, application technique, and aftercare steps. Choosing the wrong shade, undertone, or development time might affect the final appearance.

When considering the brand, there are some practical tradeoffs you need to consider. The brand’s tanning products may transfer onto clothing or bedding before the first rinse. Careful application is often required to lower the risk of streaking or staining on the hands.

Taking some precautions also remains important to obtain the desired outcomes. These may include performing a patch test before full application, exfoliating and avoiding heavy moisturizers before tanning unless the instructions recommend otherwise, and following the recommended development and rinse times for the selected formula. Replacing tanning mitts, spray gun components, and equipment parts as needed may help maintain consistent application quality.