If you’ve spent any time watching British shopping channels over the last twenty years, you’ve probably seen a guy named Steve Whatley. He was the face of Zhuzh the tan accelerator, and honestly, his own year-round glow was the best marketing the brand ever had. People used to write in asking how he stayed so bronze. Eventually, he just bottled the secret.
But here’s the thing. Tanning is weird. Some people walk outside for five minutes and turn a deep mahogany, while others—like me—usually just turn a slightly different shade of "office fluorescent." Don't forget to check out our recent coverage on this related article.
Zhuzh (pronounced "jezh" like "pleasure") isn't a fake tan. It's not a bronzer that washes off in the shower or leaves your bedsheets looking like a crime scene. It’s basically a spray designed to kickstart your skin’s own machinery.
How Zhuzh the tan accelerator actually works
The science is pretty straightforward, even if the name sounds a bit fancy. Your skin contains cells called melanocytes. When UV rays hit you, these cells produce melanin. That’s the pigment that gives you a tan. If you want more about the background here, Glamour offers an excellent breakdown.
The problem? Most people have "lazy" melanin. It takes a few days of sun exposure before the production line really gets moving. That’s why you often spend the first half of a holiday looking pale and the second half finally getting some color.
Zhuzh the tan accelerator uses an amino acid called tyrosine. Tyrosine is a precursor to melanin. By spraying it onto your skin, you’re essentially giving those lazy cells the raw materials they need to start working immediately.
Think of it like pre-heating an oven.
You aren't cooking yet, but you're making sure that as soon as the "food" (sunlight) goes in, things happen a lot faster. This is why many users, including those famously pale "Costa del Yorkshire" tanners, swear it works even in hazy, weak sunlight.
What’s actually in the bottle?
It’s surprisingly simple. Unlike those thick, gooey creams that feel like you’re rubbing lard on your legs, Zhuzh is a light, water-based spray.
- Shea Butter: This is the big one. They use a "finessed" version that isn't greasy. It keeps the skin hydrated, which is vital because dry skin reflects light, while moisturized skin absorbs it.
- Tyrosine: The active ingredient that encourages melanin production.
- Glycerin: A humectant that pulls moisture into the skin.
- Floral and Citrus Notes: It actually smells decent. No "biscuity" fake tan smell here.
One thing to keep in mind: it has zero SPF.
I cannot stress this enough. If you put this on and go sit in the sun for three hours without sunscreen, you will fry. It accelerates tanning, but it offers no protection against burning. You apply Zhuzh first, let it sink in (it takes seconds), and then layer your regular SPF on top.
Real talk: Does it really work?
Look, I’ve seen the reviews. Some people call it "magic in a bottle." Others say it’s just expensive water.
The truth usually sits somewhere in the middle. If you have a total lack of melanin or certain skin conditions, no amount of tyrosine is going to turn you into a bronze god overnight. However, for the average person whose skin can tan but just does it slowly, the difference is noticeable.
I’ve found it’s particularly good for the "white leg syndrome." You know, when your arms and face are brown but your legs look like they belong to a Victorian ghost? Using Zhuzh the tan accelerator on those stubborn areas a few days before you even go on holiday—even just while sitting in the garden—seems to "wake up" the skin.
Common mistakes people make:
- Skipping the exfoliation: If you’re spraying this onto a layer of dead, dry skin cells, it won’t reach the melanocytes effectively. Use a scrub or a loofah first.
- Not reapplying after a swim: Since it’s water-based, it’ll wash right off in the pool. You need to spritz again once you’re dry.
- Expecting instant color: Again, this isn't a dye. If you want to be brown in ten minutes, buy a bottle of St. Tropez. Zhuzh is for people who want a real tan that lasts.
The "Yorkshire" Test
There’s a famous review from a woman in Yorkshire who claimed she got a tan in April using this. For those not familiar with Northern English weather, April in Yorkshire is usually a mix of grey clouds and "sideways rain."
The reason it works in those conditions is that UV rays still penetrate clouds. Even if it doesn't feel hot, your skin is receiving the signal to produce melanin. Zhuzh just makes sure that signal isn't ignored.
Safety and skin health
Dermatologists are often skeptical of anything that encourages people to spend time in the sun. And they’re right to be. Skin cancer is no joke.
However, the argument for using an accelerator like Zhuzh is that it potentially reduces your total UV exposure. If you can get the same level of tan in two hours that would normally take four, you're cutting your time under harmful rays in half.
Just don't use it as an excuse to bake.
How to get the best out of it
If you’re planning to try it, start about three to five days before your holiday or your big sun day. Spray it on after your morning shower. Use it like a body mist.
By the time you actually get to the beach, your skin is already "primed."
It’s also great for sunbeds, if that’s your thing. It speeds up the process significantly, which means you can spend fewer minutes under the lamps.
Actionable steps for your next tan:
- Prep the canvas: Exfoliate your entire body 24 hours before your first application. Focus on knees, elbows, and those "ghost" legs.
- Spray before rays: Apply the accelerator to clean, dry skin. Give it a minute to absorb before putting on clothes or sunscreen.
- The SPF Sandwich: Always, always apply a high-quality broad-spectrum SPF over the accelerator.
- Hydrate from within: A tan lasts longer on hydrated skin. Drink your water.
- Lock it in: Use a good after-sun or the "Tan Lock" version of the product to keep the skin from peeling.
Ultimately, Zhuzh the tan accelerator is a tool, not a miracle. It works with what you’ve already got. If you're patient and use it alongside proper sun protection, you'll likely find that your tan comes on faster, looks deeper, and stays around a lot longer than usual.
