Nothing beats {fake tan} for a safe and skin-friendly year-round golden glow. It’s the ultimate pick-me-up, especially when summer seems a million miles away (or when the sun’s out but your legs aren’t ready for it!).
But no matter how pro you are in the application department, sometimes mistakes just happen. Blotchy elbows and knees. Hands that don’t match your body. Telltale streaks. Or sometimes your tan just wears off unevenly and starts to look patchy after a few days of wear.
Whatever your reason for wanting to wipe the slate clean and start afresh (which you should always do before getting the fake tan back out anyway!), there are several steps you can take to remove fake tan – fast!
In this guide, {Cult Concierge}’s very own tanning expert Sarah shares her top tips (and top products, from {tan removers} to {exfoliator mitts}) for removing your fake tan, so that you’ve got a blank canvas and are ready to start afresh.
HOW TO REMOVE FAKE TAN FROM YOUR BODY
1. GET STEAMY TO SPEED UP TAN REMOVAL
Taking a warm shower or bath (or better yet, a steam room session if you’re a member of a boujee gym!) are all great ways to soften your skin and help speed up tan removal. Make sure the water isn’t too hot though, as you don’t want to dry out your skin!
2. USE OIL TO REMOVE FAKE TAN GENTLY
The most gentle way to remove fake tan is with oil. Think of it like the balm or oil cleanser step in your skin care routine. Massaging oil into the skin helps to break down the DHA from fake tan (the active ingredient that gives you that faux glow) and encourages it to fade faster, while still being kind to the skin and not aggravating it.
Sarah says: “If you’re lucky enough to have a bath, then relaxing with a bath oil and taking a cloth to softly buff away dead skin cells works really well. Alternatively, you can massage oil all over for a few minutes before jumping in the shower, and use the same technique under the running water.”
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3. REMOVE FAKE TAN INSTANTLY WITH A SPECIALIST TAN REMOVER
If time is of the essence and you want to remove your tan quickly, then nothing beats a dedicated tan removal product for sloughing away any remnants of your last fake tan. Most products will act as primers too, prepping your skin perfectly for your next fake tan application.
For a seamless tan, check out our guide on how to apply fake tan flawlessly!
The best tan removal products
4. EXFOLIATE TO REMOVE DEAD SKIN CELLS
That doesn’t mean going in with a brillo pad and rubbing your skin raw! Instead, use a {tan exfoliator} or exfoliator mitt to help gently slough away dead skin cells and old tan. Doing this before your next application will guarantee a smooth and balanced finish.
Top tip: If your tan is on the streaky or patchy side and you want to quickly even it out, rather than remove it fully, then gently exfoliate darker areas to lift away those dead skin cells that have absorbed too much colour.
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5. MOISTURISE BEFORE REAPPLYING
To nourish your skin – particularly after going at it with an exfoliator – end your tan removal with a {moisturising} session. This will help to ensure you’ve got the smoothest, softest base for your next tan application. Pay close attention to areas prone to dryness, like your elbows or knees. Giving them a little extra TLC now will help to prevent cracking or oversaturation over the coming days.
If you can, wait until the next day to reapply your tan, so that your moisturiser has time to sink in, and shower again before tanning so that you’re applying the product to clean skin.
For more tanning tips, check out our guide on how to make your fake tan last longer!
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HOW TO REMOVE FAKE TAN FROM YOUR FACE
The skin on your face is more delicate and more sensitive than most other areas of your body, so it’s important to take extra care when removing fake tan from your face. We don’t recommend using the same tan-removal techniques mentioned above; instead, use a gentle liquid {face exfoliator} containing AHAs or BHAs twice a week (or as often as your skin is used to, if more) as part of your skin care routine. This will speed up skin cell turnover to help shed those tan-stained dead skin cells. Once that’s done, you can grant yourself another sun-kissed tan with your favourite {face tanner}!
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