How to remove your fake tan like an expert
Applying a streak-free tan is one thing, as for how to remove your fake tan once it's on its last legs? That's a whole new struggle.
Now that the weather is warm enough to ditch the layers, lots of us are turning to self-tan for a fresh, sun-kissed glow. But unless you possess ultra-steady hands or an immaculate eye for detail, fake-tanners will be all too familiar with the patchiness that plagues every decent tan at one point or another.
Even those who stick to a pro glow (and leave their tans in the hands of the experts) will likely have noticed some areas fading faster than others, leaving a streaky trail behind.
The trick? If you know how to take care of your skin before and after tanning, you can keep your faux glow looking fresh from start to finish. “It also means we ensure a nice even fade and – hopefully – no tell-tale signs of ever having had a ‘fake tan’ in the first place,” says Kimberley Nkosi, tanning pro. "Instead, you can maintain a slight summer glow that disappears gradually, leaving your skin looking super glossy and healthy.”
So, now that you’ve achieved the perfectly even all-over tan, what do you need to know when it comes time to remove it? Here’s how to remove your fake tan, according to experts.
How to quickly remove fake tan
If proper pre-tan advice is followed – exfoliating and moisturising the day before your tan – the removal should be effortless and easy. But above all, the golden rule is to be gentle.
“You don’t want to irritate the skin and cause patchiness, so always take your time and gradually remove tan every two to three days,” says Kim, rather than going in all-guns-blazing and scrubbing your skin raw.
Before you hit the shops, Kim has a couple of homemade remedies she swears by to gently remove tan.
"A firm favourite of mine that works well is brown sugar or Epsom salts combined with lime juice (a natural form or citric acid), almond oil, a few drops of vitamin E and one of my favourite scents, like rose oil, lavender or vanilla," says Kim. In fact, lime juice on its own can work magic. "It's very effective but it can be drying, so use sparingly," advises Kim.
Another at-home hack for self-tan emergencies? “Baking soda and lemon mixed into a paste and massaged into the area for a few minutes (then leave for another few minutes) to break down the self-tan colour,” shares Michaella Bolder, St.Tropez Tanning & Skincare Expert.
Use body oil to remove tan gently (and leave skin silky soft). “I love the Dr Hauschka Lemon & Lemongrass Vitalising Body Oil, Kiehls’ Crème De Corps Nourishing Dry Body Oil and a pure micellar water like Garnier’s for anything that might be patchy and need a quick fix removal,” says Kim. “These will help to lift dead skin cells, meaning your tan will fade more evenly while your skin stays hydrated and supple,” she adds.
Kim also recommends using a body brush or light exfoliator every 2-3 days. "These are gentle on skin and designed for dead skin removal,” she says. “We don’t want to dry skin out. We want to maintain and hydrate it.”
Michaella recommends the St.Tropez Tan Body Polish and Exfoliator to lightly buff away any dead skin cells, “as tan will cling to these and cause it to be stubborn to remove.”
And if the tan is more persistent? After one (or two) rounds of the above, try following up with a tan removal product (more on these below).
How to remove fake tan from your face
Removing fake tan from your face can be tricky, and it's not something you want to get wrong. What you don't want to do is reach for an abrasive scrub, which may disrupt the skin barrier and cause breakouts.
Instead, use a chemical exfoliant like glycolic or salicylic acid on clean skin – Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant is great for this. Don't forget to add serum and moisturiser after to help restore hydration levels and make sure you're protecting your skin with SPF (year-round, but particularly after targeted exfoliation).
How to remove fake tan from hands immediately
For areas such as hands or feet, Jules recommends using an exfoliant like lactic acid. “If time is of the essence and you need results fast, use a lactic acid serum on the surface of your hands followed by an exfoliating makeup wipe [Simple Exfoliating Face Wipes are good] - it won’t completely strip it off but it’ll fade the tan rapidly,” advises founder of Isle of Paradise, Jules Von Hep.
What is the best fake tan remover?
“The quickest and easiest way to get rid of old tan is to use a tan-removing product,” says Michaella.
Tan removers work by breaking down the colour pigments in the fake tan, making it easier to remove. Michaella recommends the St.Tropez Tan Remover & Primer Mousse; also good is the Bondi Sands Self Tan Eraser.
“Apply a generous amount to dry skin and wait 5 minutes before jumping in the shower," she says. "Then use an exfoliating mitt to buff over the body alongside an oil-free shower gel to effectively remove any old tan, leaving your skin refreshed and ready for the new tan. Sometimes if my skin is feeling dry and clinging more than usual, I repeat this process twice in a row to ensure all traces of tan have gone.”
Jules is also a fan of tan remover, but only as a final step. “The best way to remove a tan is to slowly but surely tease it off the skin over the course of three days, with the last day being a deep tan removal," he says.
“Simply mix a spoonful of sugar in with your body wash each time you wash, as a light layer of tan will come off, giving a slow, gradual but even fade,” he adds. Then, he recommends using the Isle of Paradise Over It Glycolic Tan Remover on the final day.
Meanwhile, over on TikTok, the Rose & Caramel Purity Excel 60 Second Self Tan Removing Scrub has been blowing users minds. The jelly-textured scrub is left on skin for 60 seconds, then followed up with a mitt or exfoliating glove. We've tried it ourselves and can confirm it smells amazing and does a ridiculously good job of removing rouge tan patches and preparing skin for a smooth reapplication
TikTok content
Expert-approved recommendations
Looking for a quick fix? Below are Kim’s top recommendations for how to remove your fake tan seamlessly...
“Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub is a beauty hero I came across by chance and one that my clients love, too,” says Kim "It's made with smashed brown sugar and a fruity lime fragrance and blends almond oil and macadamia grains with glycerine. Used at least three times a week alongside a body butter, it gives an even fade, is hydrating for the skin and removes those stubborn areas between the breast and around knuckles and ankles quickly and effectively."
"Tan-Luxe Glyco Water Self-Tan Eraser Exfoliating Tan Remover & Primer’s naturally-derived 3% glycolic acid gently exfoliates and breaks down the remnants of self-tan, leaving skin feeling refreshed and toned," says Kim. "And it contains vitamin C to brighten and even-out skin tone, while raspberry seed oil and aloe vera soothe skin beautifully, leaving it more hydrated and supple."
Plus, it's a multitasker. "As well as a remover, this can be used as a cleanser to prep and prime skin, making it ideal for using before and after, tanning," explains Kim.
"It’s made up of purified water and comes in a spray for easy at-home application. It can be used directly on the face and body by spraying or on a cotton pad. As before, once applied, leave for five to 10 minutes and remove with an exfoliating mitt."
"Isle Of Paradise’s Over It Magic Self-Tan Eraser is 100% natural and vegan. It combines naturally derived glycolic acid with micellar water, which leaves skin feeling fresh," says Kim.
