Self tanner is a great way to get a natural-looking tan without having to spend time in the sun. Less time in the sun means lower risk of premature aging or skin cancer—win, win! But what do you do if you accidentally get it on your skin and it's too late to wash it off? Or what if it spots, streaks, or generally turns you orange? YIKES! Sometimes your self tanning session was flawless with the exception of one critical spot (can I hear "self tanner hands," anyone?!). While the prospect of a bad tan is alarming, it's all too common. It can be hard to apply self tanner without making a few mistakes. Fear not! From exfoliants to lemon juice to coconut oil, we'll show you the best methods for how to safely remove self tanner from skin.
Why Remove a Bad Fake Bake?
If you've ever had a bad fake bake, you know the importance of knowing how to safely remove Self tanner from skin. A botched tan can be unsightly and embarrassing, and it's important to know how to get rid of it quickly and without damaging your skin. Here are three reasons why you might want to remove a bad fake bake.
You're Not Happy with the Results
This is the most common reason people want to know how to safely remove self tanner from skin. Maybe you didn't exfoliate properly before applying the tanner, or maybe you applied it unevenly. Whatever the reason, if you're not happy with your fake bake, it's time to get rid of it and start over.
It's Streaking or Turning Orange
Even if you followed all the instructions for applying self tanner, it can still streak or turn orange. If this happens, don't panic! There are ways to fix it. But first, you need to remove the existing fake tan from your skin.
It's Going on Too Long
If you leave a self tanner on for too long, it can start to look patchy and uneven. No one wants to be walking around with a lingering tan. It can also cause your skin to become dry and flaky. If you're starting to see these signs, it's time to exfoliate and remove the fake tan.
Why to say "No" to Self Tan Removal Products
While self tan removal products seem like an easy out, don't go there, babe! Many of these products contain harsh chemicals such as acetone, which can dry out and damage your skin. Tan Eraser, for instance, can cause as many skin woes as the bad tans themselves! (Dont get us started on the whitening toothpaste or bleach methods! ❌)
Not to mention, these products are often expensive and not very effective. A Self Tan Remover Mousse, for instance, can cost upwards of $40, and isn't guaranteed to work. And while hair removal creams are often sited as a great option, they can damage skin and often contain gross or ambiguous ingredients like "fragrance." We recommend avoiding these products altogether and instead using natural methods to remove an unwanted tan.
The good news is, there are plenty of natural ways to remove self tanner from your skin. If you want to know how to remove self tanner from skin safely and effectively, stick to natural methods. Sure, there's no quick fix, but with a little patience, you can say goodbye to that old tan.
Natural Methods for Righting a Spotty, Botched, or Streaky Tan
There are a number of natural methods you can use to remove self tanner from your skin. Some of these methods may work better than others to lift uneven patches, depending on the type of self tanner you used and how long it's been on your skin. Here are some of our favorites.
How to Remove a Fake Tan with Baking Soda and Water
If you want to know how to safely remove self tanner from the top layer of skin, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and water is a great option. This method is gentle and effective, and it won't damage your skin.
What You'll Need:
-1 cup baking soda
-1 cup water
-A bowl
-A washcloth
Instructions:
1. Combine the baking soda and water in a bowl and mix until the baking soda is dissolved.
2. Apply the mixture to your skin with a washcloth and rub it in gently in circular motions.
3. Rinse the mixture off with warm water and pat your skin dry.
4. Repeat as necessary until the self tanners' color is removed.
5: Next shower off the mixture in a warm shower and follow up generously apply a moisturizer or oil to hydrate your skin.
Pros to using the Baking Soda and Water Method to remove a Bad Fake Tan
-It's gentle and won't damage your skin.
-It's inexpensive.
-You probably already have the ingredients in your kitchen.
Cons to using the Baking Soda and Water Method:
-It might take a few tries to get all of the self tanner off the top layer of skin.
-Baking soda can be very drying to the skin.
How to Remove Self Tanner with Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is another great option for how to safely remove self tanner from skin. This method is a bit more acidic than baking soda and water, so it might not be suitable for everyone. However, it's still gentle enough to use on your face, and it's very effective at removing self tanner.
What You'll Need:
-1/2 cup lemon juice
-A bowl
-A washcloth
Instructions:
1. Pour the lemon juice into a bowl.
2. Apply the lemon juice to your skin with a washcloth and rub it in gently.
3. Rinse the lemon juice off with warm water and pat your skin dry.
4. Repeat as necessary until the self tanner is removed.
Some tan babes suggest using a hybrid method of combining both Lemon and the Baking Soda mixture, but we find this to be a bit too intense for most skin types.
Pros to using the Lemon Juice Method to remove a Bad Tan
-It's relatively gentle and won't unduly stress your skin.
-It's very effective at removing self tanner.
-Lemon juice is a natural ingredient that you probably already have in your kitchen.
Cons to using the Lemon Juice Method:
-This method is a bit more acidic than baking soda and water, so it might not be suitable for everyone. Lemon juice has a ph level of 2, which is very acidic compared to baking soda's ph level of 9. All that acidity is great at breaking down tanner's DHA (that key ingredient in self tanner formulas that browns skin). However, it can also be irritating to skin, particularly if you have sensitive skin. So if you're considering using lemon juice to remove your fake tan, be sure to test it on a small area of your skin first to make sure it doesn't cause any irritation.'
-Like baking soda, Lemon juice can be very drying to skin.
How to Remove Self Tanner with Sugar Scrub
Sugar scrub is another option for how to safely remove self tanner from skin. This method is more abrasive than baking soda and water, so it's not suitable for everyone. However, it's very effective at removing self tanner, and it will also leave your skin feeling soft and smooth. You can make a sugar scrub at home using the recipe below or purchase one filled with natural and plant-based ingredients. We're pretty partial to this Citrus Lavender Sugar Scrub here.
What You'll Need for a Sugar Scrub Bad Tan Remover:
-1/2 cup sugar
-1/4 cup olive oil or coconut oil
-A bowl
-A washcloth
Instructions:
1. Combine the sugar, olive oil, and coconut oil in a bowl and mix until well combined.
2. Apply the mixture to your skin with a washcloth and rub it in gently.
3. Rinse the mixture off with warm water and pat your skin dry.
4. Repeat as necessary until the tan is removed.
5. To avoid dry skin, make sure you generously apply a moisturizer or body oil after using the sugar scrub.
Pros to using the Sugar Scrub Method to Fix a Streaky Self Tanner:
-It's very effective at exfoliating dead skin cells and thus ridding you of that bad tanner.
-Sugar scrub will also leave your skin feeling soft and smooth.
-It smells (and feels) good!
-This is a natural method that uses ingredients you probably already have in your home!
-You can even create an oil-based body scrub by combining sugar and coconut oil.
Cons to using the Sugar Scrub Method:
-This method is more abrasive than baking soda and water, so it's not suitable for everyone.
-Sugar scrub can be very drying to skin.
-It might take a few tries to get all of the self tanner off.
-You'll need to be careful not to scrub too hard, or you could damage your skin.
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♬ original sound - Opal_Wells
How to Remove Self Tan with Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is another great option for how to remove self tanner from skin. This method is very effective, and it will also leave your skin feeling soft and smooth.
What You'll Need:
-1/4 cup coconut oil
-A bowl
-A washcloth
Instructions:
1. Melt the coconut oil in a bowl.
2. Apply the coconut oil to your skin with a washcloth and rub it in gently.
3. Rinse the coconut oil off with warm water and pat your skin dry.
4. Repeat as necessary until the self tanner is removed.
Pros to using Coconut Oil as a Way to remove Self Tan:
-It's very effective at removing self tanner.
-Coconut oil is a natural ingredient that you might even have in your kitchen.
-Coconut oil will also leave your skin feeling soft and smooth.
Cons to using the Coconut Oil Method:
-It might take a few tries to get all of the self tanner off.
-Coconut oil can be messy and difficult to remove from your skin.
Other Tan Removal Options
We've covered four of our preferred tan removal methods, but there are plenty more out there. We're talking an exfoliating mitt, dry brushing, a body scrub, a pumice stone, and the like. . . All are similarly capable of rewinding the clock on a bad faux tan or spray tan. While you're more than welcome to try these, we still find the above four to be the most effective, least problematic for most skin types and offer the best overall results.
@dewha.skin Super Quick and Easy #NobodyNeedsToKnow #FashionEssentials #skincare #skin #beautyhacks ♬ Laxed - Jawsh 685
So Many Natural Ways to Remove Self Tanner
As you can see, there are quite a few different ways to remove self tanner from skin. Each has its own pros and cons, so it's important to choose the method that's right for you. Baking soda and water is a great option if you're looking for a gentle, natural way to rfix uneven patches. Sugar scrubs are more abrasive, but they're also very effective. Coconut oil is another great natural option, but it can be messy. Whichever method you choose, be sure to test it on a small area of your skin first to make sure it doesn't cause any irritation.
With a little patience and effort, you can create the right self tan remover and say goodbye to those bad tans for good! So no need to give up self tanning. Knowing you have the self tanner removal tools you need can give you new-found confidence in your next self tanning session.
Helpful Resources on Self Tanner Remover
Looking for more ideas on how to remove self tanner? Check out these helpful guides:
Teen Vogue - How to Remove Self Tanner
Self Magazine- The Best Ways to Remove Self Tanner
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