How To Prep Skin For Self Tanner to Make It Fade Evenly

March 25, 2025 0 Comments

You can apply a pea-sized amount of lotion to drier areas, like the elbows, knees, and ankles, to make sure the DHA doesn’t accumulate in those regions and make them darker see more. Next up, you play the waiting game—or, as I like to describe it, the time for pacing around in your robe wondering if you’ll stain any furniture. Most self-tanning products have a relatively quick drying time, so you don’t have to worry too much about turning your how to prep skin for self tanner orange. You just might not want to wear your favorite white outfit on the day you self-tan. After around 20 minutes, you should be fine to change clothes and sit on the couch.

That’s the exact how to prep skin for self tanner outer layer that the self tanner colors, so your product will fade much quicker with this combination. Most self-tans are created with the active ingredient DHA (dihydroxyacetone). When applied to the body, DHA has a chemical reaction with the amino acids in our dead skin cells. This turns the surface layer of skin golden with a temporary tanning effect, which fades as dead skin cells are naturally shed. DHA is generally considered safe, but has potential side effects like skin and eye irritation to keep in mind.

Here you can find the best deals and steals on clothes, home and beauty, as well as curated guides on the best fashion trends, gifts and more. Corrine Stokoe is a blogger, podcaster how to prep skin for self tanner content creator behind the brand Mint Arrow. Mint Arrow has been featured in Forbes, Women’s Wear Daily, Business Insider, The Wall Street Journal, AdWeek and Allure. Corrine is passionate about sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ as often as she can and teaching others to use social media for good. Tan wipes are perfect for traveling since there’s ZERO chance of leaking all over your bag, super easy for beginners, and they take up almost zero space. Here is exactly how to test your wedding makeup and what to look for as you do.

If you have dry skin, you’ll love how lotions offer a gentle, buildable tan that enhances your natural complexion. Thanks to evolved formulary techniques, self-tanners now often include color-correcting pigments (such as a green or olive tint) to help offset an unnatural looking orange hue (7). Some brands take a step further with even more instant tan options that flatter a variety of skin undertones and levels of melanin. When in doubt, chat with the brand’s customer service team for natural self-tan product recommendations on what would best flatter your skin. Building in a couple days buffer between hair removal and subsequent self-tanner application can help alleviate this issue. When it’s time to rinse off your tan, opt for cool water and avoid using soap or exfoliants for the first shower, hot water can disrupt the development process and lead to fading.

All winter, protecting and sealing in moisture was the name of the game. But once summer hits, your favorite winter cream starts to feel like wearing a turtleneck to the beach. Instead, opt for some light layers—transitional dressing for your face, if you will. It all comes down to the difference between dry and dehydrated.

Usually, depending on the product I use, I apply 2-3 pumps per bottom leg, 3-4 pumps per thigh, and 2-3 pumps per arm. This includes under the how to prep skin for self tanner, over the eyelids, on the tips of the ears, on the neck, and even around the back of the ears, which may be visible when hair is tied back. They are all talc free, paraben free, nut free, gluten free and cruelty free. Be sure to check out our 3-In-1 Cleansing Bars which are safe on your tan or the Charcoal Detox Bar which can be used to remove fading tans. For delicate areas like underarms or the bikini line, try using a trimmer instead of a razor.

Instead of reaching for a conventional self-tanner, this super easy DIY is inspired by an old WWII-era trick, when women supposedly used tea bags to give themselves a natural-looking tan. Makes sense—the tannic acid that gives black tea its color has been known to stain teeth as well as fabrics when spilled. Tried and tested—this spray tan really works with some patient layering.

I love a mystery every once in a while, but the science behind self tanner is too interesting to ignore. Most utilize a chemical called dihydroxyacetone (DHA) to build that magical bronze. Of course, self-tanners will not entirely cover up wrinkles, freckles or age spots. However, they can help your skin appear more even, just like good makeup, without settling into fine lines like a foundation. The mitt is large which makes it easier to cover wider areas, but doesn’t slip off when you’re tanning. The thumb hole gives you extra grip and control over your tan application, something that other mitts don’t offer.

Here, 9 genius essentials for stepping confidently into the new season. Explore different styles and ask yourself which application will be the most convenient for your home enjoyment. Self-tanners are self-care and should be stress-free to apply. (FWIW, it’s the DHA in the formula, which is what gives you the tan in the first place.) Even the ones with a tropical scent can be a bit much.

While you can apply self-tanner in the morning, many find that applying it at night works best. Overnight, the product has time to fully develop and leaves you with a golden glow by morning. Boë products dry quickly, so you can also include them in your morning routine if that’s what works for you. It’s important to moisturize skin after your color is set since (inevitably) color fades and cracks. Dont forget the SPF, particularly for your hands and face where color will fade fastest thanks to frequent washing. ‘s Forever Young Hand Cream with SPF 40 makes it easy to moisturize your hands and shield them from harmful rays.

When I looked in the mirror, I was kind of shocked at how pale and dull my skin looked. It wasn’t like I was out sunbathing every day when I lived elsewhere—quite the opposite. I religiously wore sunscreen and sought shade whenever I could. However, the sunlight and warm how to prep skin for self tanner still made a difference.

Carefully select the right self tanner for your skin type so you don’t end up having a tan but more skin issues. Aim for one that will blend seamlessly with the tan you develop on your body. These face tanners  usually contain a lesser proportion of active ingredients to prevent your face from being too dark or orange. The common ingredient among all of them is DHA (Dihydroxyacetone). And if your favorite fake tanner doesn’t have a face option, you can blend it with moisturizer to get a more balanced look. For many self-tanners, the color at application will be much lighter than the final color.

According to Pradas, if you have oily skin, you should steer clear of creams oils and opt for a mousse formula. If your skin is more on the dry side, make sure you find a moisturizing self-tanner, as self-tanners can be drying. Same final step goes for your face — you want to go to bed feeling super moisturized, since dry patches can lead to streaking of the self-tanning product.

Following these precautions will ensure a safe and effective self-tanning experience at home. In the midst of winter, we’ll share a few tricks to help you maintain a sun-kissed glow even under heavy sweaters and coats. Begin with a small amount of tanner and apply it in a circular motion. This technique promotes an even distribution, reducing the chances of streaks. Building on our application method, let’s explore some techniques to ensure a streak-free and even tan. Be cautious around knees, elbows, and ankles where skin is thicker.

Begin with your lower legs and work upwards, leaving your hands for last. Use any leftover tanner from your legs to lightly tan your feet, avoiding streaks or blotchy spots. Starting with the face can be easier, and it allows you to apply the product with your hands (just remember to wash them afterward). Apply the self-tanner evenly across your face, including under the eyes, eyelids, around your ears, neck, and down to your chest. Mixing Boë Tan Drops No.1 with your moisturizer is a gentle way to achieve a subtle glow if you’re nervous about how to prep skin for self tanner coverage.

This method may take a bit longer than Mitt, but it’s still an effective way to apply a fake tan. A paper towel can come in handy if you’re in a pinch and don’t have any of the products mentioned above. Simply apply some self-tanner to the paper towel and then use it to apply the product to your skin. However, remember that this method may not be as effective as using a mitt due to the porous nature of paper towels. Once you’ve applied the fake tan, wait until it’s scorched before getting dressed. The product can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to fully dry.

However, the buildable formulation does reduce the streak factor, so if you do miss a spot, it’s easy to correct. Apart from the normal routine of washing, exfoliating, and moisturizing, you can avoid streaks by keeping your skin dry before applying any product. So make sure to do a hair removal session at least 24 hours before applying self-tanner. Give time for skin to calm down before applying any fake tan for best results. 3VERYBODY’s self-tanners, like Life Proof Tan Spray and Tanning Drops, last 5-7 days with proper care. Hydrating ingredients like argan oil and cucumber extract help extend your tan, while even fading ensures a natural look.

Most tanning mousses also have a temporary bronzer, so you can keep track of where you’ve applied your self-tan and watch as it develops over the following hours. You’ll also find self-tan mousses are also available in a range of shades, so you can tailor your tan to your skin tone or desired depth. Do not use a darker colour shade because you want to go darker.

If you want a quick, fast-drying application, go for a mousse, which is the most common formulation for self-tanners. You could also opt for a lotion, which is great for beginners and tends to be better for those with dry skin. If you’re looking to make the most of your tan after using the tanning bed, there are some products that can help you out. In fact, some after-tan lotions can even help you to enhance your tan results. This will leave you with a natural-looking, long-lasting tan.

It is also important to note that self-tanner will eventually fade on its own over time. With over 20 years of experience in the Cosmetic industry, Alessandro how to prep skin for self tanner has developed and deployed new concepts and innovation formulation for companies like Beiersdorf, P&G, and Natura. As Evan points out, “The face and the hands, unfortunately, will fade the fastest.” This is due to frequent washing and cleansing, which speeds up cell turnover in those areas. Here are some of the best self-tanners for age spots and wrinkles we’ve selected for you. During this time your skin will be much more sensitive to UV rays.

The overall result will be glowing and even-looking skin that seems to be sun-kissed. If you don’t want to get self tanner all over your hands, and possibly be left with orange fingers, try using this hack. Buy a small mitt or a black beauty blender for applying self tanner on your face. We’ve all had the horrible orange hands, from applying self tanners with bare hands and forgetting to wash or properly clean them.

Beyond traditional formats, they also offer tinted skin finisher drops, overnight self-tan masks, tan removing scrubs and more. Shoppers will find light, medium and ultra dark options with sizes ranging from 2.5 oz trial bottles to over 8oz value sizes. More than chasing trends, Bondi Sands aims to promote healthy, confident skin by making self-care accessible.

Our favourite has to be Doll Beauty’s doll tanning mitt (£6.50, Boots). The mitt’s velvet texture helps to buff and blend any tanning product into the skin with ease, and doesn’t absorb all of the product – which is a frequent issue with other mitts. Caramel-based tans are the happy medium between a light bronze and serious tan, giving a golden glow for all skin types.

Dr. Day says she finds the best luck with self-tanners for your face in gel, lotion, or wipe form. You’ll also want to use your face self tanner on your neck and décolleté, especially if you aren’t using a self tanner on your body. No one wants an awkward abrupt line on the bottom of their how to prep skin for self tanner line.