Coppertone suntan lotion went full Hollywood with these fun vintage ads from the 1960s

Coppertone suntan lotion became a pop culture staple long before SPF ratings were printed on every bottle at the store. With its iconic ads and that cheeky little dog tugging at a swimsuit, the brand defined summertime for generations of beachgoers. But in the 1960s, Coppertone relied on more than clever cartoons — it brought in Hollywood stars to shine in the spotlight and endorse the brand in magazines and on billboards across the country.

During the sixties, movie stars and rising starlets became the face of Coppertone suntan lotion. Stella Stevens, Barbara Eden and Mitzi Gaynor were just a few of the actresses who smiled for the cameras, helping link a golden tan with glamor and screen appeal. These stars were often shown in promotional tie-ins connected to their latest films, keeping both the lotion and the actresses top of mind.

The message was clear: A Coppertone tan meant looking camera-ready at the beach or by the pool. The product promised the “fastest tan under the sun,” and ads boasted that it was tested under the Florida sun by skin specialists. Paula Prentiss and Jim Hutton even appeared in ads together as part of the marketing push, reinforcing the idea that sunbathing was a couple’s pastime.

In a time when a deep tan was a sign of health and fashion, Coppertone leaned into its image as the lotion of choice for the movie crowd. Valerie Varda and Sharon Tate also appeared in ads, connecting the lotion to rising talent and timeless beauty. And because the sixties were all about the next big thing, these ads felt fresh and aspirational, blending Hollywood with everyday summer life.

We’ve gathered some of these vintage Coppertone suntan lotion ads and photos, showing how this product made its way from medicine cabinet to movie screen. The collection highlights a sun-soaked moment in time when getting a tan was practically a national pastime.