We get it. While you love the look and feel of a fresh self-tan, there are times when you need to know how to remove fake tan quickly. Whether you skipped the prep and ended up super streaky, or forgot the tanning mitt and now have muddy palms, learning how to remove fake tan can save your look. Or maybe you just want to remove the last traces of a great-but-fading fake tan before reapplying a fresh layer (which you should definitely do!). There are a few different reasons you might want a clean-skin slate and, thankfully, there are just as many ways to return to your natural hue. From hitting the local pool to scrubbing your heart out and raiding the pantry for a DIY fix, here’s how to remove fake tan – fast.
How to Remove an All-Over Tan
Unhappy with your fake tan or just want to fast-track the fade before your weekly self-tanning sesh? You’ll need water and a bit of elbow grease for removing a tan evenly from top to toe.
In the Bath
Jump in a warm bath and fill it with baby oil! Oils help break down the tanning agent DHA – making it one of the best methods if you're wondering how to remove fake tan. To supercharge your soak, rub baby oil into your skin and let it sit for 30-60 minutes before bathing and exfoliating.
Once in the tub, soak until your fingers are looking pruney and give yourself an energetic sloughing with an exfoliating mitt. Use in a vigorous circular motion to shed dead skin cells, remove unwanted colour and boost circulation (and your natural glow!).
In the Shower
If you don’t have a bath, no worries! You can still figure out how to remove fake tan by jumping into the shower with an exfoliating mitt or Resurfacing Body Gel Scrub. This quick method helps you get rid of your tan efficiently without a bathtub. Alternatively, you can mix a little bit of bath oil into your scrub for extra DHA-defeating action. Pay particular attention to tough, dry areas like the knees, elbows and feet, which tend to soak up extra colour. Repeat a few times until you’re back to your natural skin tone – and ready for a fresh application of Sunny Honey (or the new Sun-kissed Gradual Tanning Lotion)!
One of the easiest ways to tap into this trend? Adding tan drops to your skincare for (faux)sun-kissed radiance and a hydrated complexion. Or for a quick, on-the-go solution, try the Antioxidant Face Tanning Micromist – it's a refreshing mist that gives you a golden glow while protecting your skin from oxidative stress.
Tan-remover Tools You Should Try
Want a super-quick fix for a tanning disaster? Specialist tan-removing products have a time and a place, and there are various wipes and waters that help to shift stubborn colour using ingredients like oils and glycolic acid.
Using kitchen ingredients to remove a fake tan
Sometimes you don’t have fancy tan-remover wipes on hand, though, and need to make do with what’s in your own home. Thankfully, there are a few kitchen staples that are just as good at getting the job done!
Baking soda isn’t only great at whitening teeth, it can also help you ditch a dodgy tan job. To tackle streaks on your hands and feet, try mixing two tablespoons of the good stuff in a little water to make a paste. Rub it in, leave for a few minutes to work its magic, then rinse thoroughly.
Provided you exercise caution and spot test first, you might be able to use trusty old citrus fruits to lift unwanted colour. Try using lemon and sugar to create a DIY tan-removing scrub, or combine lemon or lime juice with baking soda for a fast-acting fake tan remover. Rub onto your body with warm water, then rinse thoroughly.
Another winning kitchen combo? Olive oil and sugar. Whitening toothpaste can also be applied to too dark areas for a few minutes, and white or apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball can also work wonders.
How to Remove Fake Tan from Your Face
When figuring out how to remove fake tan from your face, extra care is essential. Avoid using the harsher body-removal techniques and instead use a liquid exfoliator with AHAs or BHAs to speed up skin cell turnover. Your night-time retinol routine will also help ensure an even fade, so stick with your serums and wait it out.
Tips for Removing Fake Tan from your Back
Applying fake tan to your back is one of life’s bigger challenges, so it goes without saying that it’s also one of the trickier areas when it comes to removing a tan. Soaking in the tub – with oil – is a great way to target this area.
As for exfoliation, if you’re not a natural-born contortionist, you can pop your exfoliating mitt on a wooden spoon and secure it with a hair tie for extra reach.
A Handy Tan Removing Hack for Water Babies
Want to have a bit of fun while your tan fades? Chlorine is a known tan-fader, so head to your local pool or find a buddy with a hot tub. If, on the other hand, you want to prolong your faux glow, ignore everything we just said and keep that bronzed bod on dry land.
More things to help fade a fake tan
Sweating it out is another great way to soften a self-tan. So, get that bronzed body to the gym, or hit the steam room or sauna to shift those streaks.
How to Look After Your Skin After Removing Fake Tan
Some self-tanners (not Sunny Honey!) can be drying, and some of the methods for how to remove fake tan (like using lemon) can strip even more moisture from your skin. You’ll also likely miss that faux glow and find your skin is a little on the dull side. It’s therefore super important to treat your skin with some extra TLC post-tan removal.
This means feeding it with glow-giving, hydrating ingredients – like the brightening amino acids and antioxidants and nourishing coconut and cacao oils in our velvety Body Moisture Whip!
When to Reapply Tan
While it can be tempting to just layer one tan over another, it really IS important to remove any lingering colour first. This will ensure a beautiful even colour and help prevent streaks, patches and an uneven fade.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fake Tan Removal
Q1: How do you get rid of fake tan quickly?
To get rid of fake tan quickly, try soaking in a warm bath with baby oil, followed by exfoliating with an exfoliating mitt. You can also use DIY methods such as applying a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice to tough areas. If you're in need of a faster solution, using a spray tan remover can also help lift the color more efficiently.
Q2: What is the best fake tan remover?
The best fake tan remover depends on personal preference. Some prefer dedicated tan removal products, while others opt for natural solutions like baby oil and exfoliation. DIY remedies such as olive oil and sugar scrubs can also help break down self-tanner for a fresh start.
Q3: How do you get fake tan off your hands?
How to get fake tan off hands can be tricky, but using a paste made of baking soda and water works well to lighten dark spots. You can also try scrubbing your hands with lemon juice or whitening toothpaste to remove the tan. For a professional-grade solution, opt for a fake tan remover designed specifically for stubborn areas like hands.
Q4: Does baby oil remove fake tan?
Yes, baby oil is an effective solution to remove fake tan. Baby oil helps to break down the DHA (the active ingredient in fake tanner) and makes the removal process easier, especially when paired with exfoliation. Let the oil sit on your skin for about 30 minutes before rinsing it off in a warm bath.
Happy (faux) tanning!
Check out more tan tips & tricks here!
Written by: Pip Jarvis
Edited By: Vidhya
