How to Prep Skin for Self Tanner and Make It Last Longer

Using a fragrance-free and oil-free moisturizer will once again prevent there being any oil barriers between your skin and the self-tanning lotion. Focus on the drier areas, such as your knees, heels, and elbows. Use an how to prep skin for self tanner mitt if you have one to help properly remove dead skin cells, and focus on the drier areas such as knees, ankles, and elbows. Not only does this stuff smell delicious, it is the perfect self tanning option for the babe who is a rookie in the glow game. Because this product gives you a gradual glow, you don’t have to worry about waking up in the morning looking all kinds of wild. It will give you a smooth and soft skin that can easily hold on to the DHA present in a spray tan solution. This way you will have a smoother and darker tan after exfoliating. St.Tropez products develop to your natural skin tone to provide a tan to suit you, so they won’t turn the skin yellow. If you do experience any color variation, simply remove with our Tan Remover Mousse in just 5 minutes and reapply, ensuring your skin is clean and dry. This is ideal when your calendar is packed with weddings, vacations, and summer soirées. This suggestion is especially true for those with mature skin. "Applying a thin layer enables you to get equal coverage, particularly on tricky places like the face where lines and wrinkles may develop," says Chacon. Wax or shave as much as you can the day before because hair can act as a barrier to the self-tan, leaving you with a patchy look. Self-tanners are also better because you have control over it, with the ability to gradually tan yourself until you reach the desired shade and maintain it. For starters, let’s take a look at self-tanning because this is the ideal method to get a tan, of which will be explained why later on. Once you’re done exfoliating in the shower, applying moisturizer is key. Don’t towel off, though—slather a body lotion onto damp skin to help lock in hydration, paying particular attention to areas that tend to be on the dry side. As for your face, we love the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Day Lotion SPF 30, which is formulated with Pro-Retinol, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C and will give your skin a brighter appearance. It also works wonders to help protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. It seems safe to say that vacations, no matter the time of year, are among the most popular occasions to fake a flawless tan. Prior to packing up your suitcase and heading for the plane, train, or automobile, apply your favorite tanning product to ensure you’re looking your best (a.k.a. most bronzed) throughout your trip. For professional tanning appointments, your beautician will give you time to let your tan dry before getting dressed. For instance, some who is blonde & gets airbrush tans will most likely have a paler scalp. I like to use Root Cover Up from L’Oréal tanning solutions in medium brown, but all you need to do is match your tone. So it’s really about how acne-prone you are and how your skin will react to the formula you’re using. The active ingredient of self-tanners is not comedogenic or pore clogging. But some ingredients in your formula may be fillers and clog your pores. You also want to moisturize your hands and face more frequently, where the color fades the fastest due to frequent washing. You can also use any other moisturizer, but make sure it is NOT oil-based. Vitamin C works to brighten the skin and the added aloe vera will leave you feeling extra hydrated. “Tan-Luxe Glyco Water helps to remove existing tan and prep skin for a fresh glow. I love dry exfoliating with a dry brush, washcloth or bath towel,” says DiMarchi. You can also try mixing a few teaspoons of baking soda and lemon juice for quick DIY self-tanner removal. Or apply tanner to a back sponge replete with elongated handle and apply that way. Tan called We’ve Got Your Back Tanner Back Applicator ($5.99), which I intend to test drive just in time for the season’s first self-tanner sesh. “In order to get the most out of your spray tan, I always recommend priming your skin with a pH-balancing spray just before your spray tan appointment,” says Von Hep. Make sure to dry your skin thoroughly and moisturize a few hours before heading to your appointment. Before your spray tan, skip deodorant, fragrances, or any makeup products. These can interfere with the absorption of the tanning solution and might even cause patchy or greenish discoloration. Pay extra attention to dry areas, like elbows, knees, ankles, and hands. These spots often soak up more tan, which can result in darker patches and an uneven tan. Working with brands at LOOKFANTASTIC for over two years I have developed my knowledge of all things beauty from key skincare concerns to niche makeup tricks and haircare hacks. I have a major passion for finding effective solutions that are easily accessible to everyone so that we can all achieve our best, glowing complexion. Finally, if you’re all about a deep, vacation-style tan, The TAN Dark is your go-to. It’s bold, it’s rich, and it gives you that full-on bronze glow. Just make sure to apply a small amount of self-tanner on the mitt and deeply rub it onto your hands and feet, focusing on blending in around the edges. Hydrated skin is happy skin, and when it comes to self-tanning, it’s no exception. Moisturizing your skin prior to application helps to prevent the self-tanner from clinging to dry areas, such as elbows, knees, or ankles. It also helps to extend the life of your tan, keeping it looking fresh and vibrant for longer. Applying self-tanner can be a tricky task, and one wrong move can leave you looking like an orange zebra. At the last minute, I picked up an inexpensive Jergens self-tanning product and applied it hastily with my bare hands on my un-prepped skin. My palms, which I'd waited too long to wash, resembled Oompa Loompas; I attended the event with my legs orange striped. Like spray-tan care, you want to be cautious if moisturizing before applying self-tanner. Oily, heavy moisturizers can affect how the self-tanning solution absorbs into your skin. Mix tanner with a little bit of lotion to apply on the tops of your hands once the rest of your body is finished and you remove your gloves. Now that you’ve exfoliated, this is the perfect time to shave. Dead skin cells can build up on the surface of your skin, leading to dryness. Exfoliate beforehand to help slough away the dead skin cell buildup. Once you have the tanning product washed off (after it has developed), you should immediately put some body butter on your skin! Sometimes I’ll use the powders too so there isn’t a blunt line from the tan to your scalp. I like to use it under my arms, under my neck, under my boobs, under my butt- under any place that naturally creases a bit more. It’ll help you feel like you aren’t wearing a self tanner while it’s setting on the skin. When it comes to aftercare, you really need to be careful to not wear or avoid wearing undergarments, ensure you’re wearing the right shoes or better yet wear flip flops. You’ll want to avoid wearing super tight clothing, or wearing dark clothing that absorbs heat and sweat immediately after. Hannah Baxter is a New York-based editor, creative consultant, and contributing writer with over a decade of beauty reporting experience. When evaluating a new product, she ensures that her skeptical side balances out her love for all things beauty to find the formulas that are truly worth the price tag. She's been testing self-tanner on a trial-and-error basis (emphasis on the error) for over 20 years. She is the author of the mental health newsletter, Anxiety Beer, and was previously the deputy beauty editor at The Zoe Report and senior beauty editor at Coveteur. Moisturizing helps to hydrate and prepare your skin, making it more receptive to the self-tanner and promoting a smoother, more even application. Before applying il makiage self-tanner, it is important to exfoliate the skin. This will help to remove any dead skin cells that could create a patchy appearance. Most people have a flawless application the first time when following my steps, however this is just a good rule of thumb to follow. Before applying self-tanner at night, it’s essential to prep your skin correctly. This means exfoliating and moisturizing beforehand, as these two steps help create an even base for the tanning product and prevent streaks. The same goes for shaving, since your skin needs time to heal from any cuts or scrapes from the razor. Pradas suggests shaving a day before your spray tan, and using a washcloth or exfoliating mitt with a non-moisturizing soap or body wash after you shave to get rid of any residue. “Witch hazel can also help to remove moisturizer residue,” she adds. Apply the self-tanner in sections, typically from the bottom up, in circular motions. Avoid applying too much tanner on "shade areas," which Silva calls areas that naturally crease, such as under the breasts, under arms, or how to prep skin for self tanner, because those areas are already naturally darker. You can also apply lotion to those creases using a Q-tip so the skin is well-moisturized and doesn't absorb as much tanner, she suggests. Who needs to spend major moola on a spray tan when you can do it yourself? Let me introduce you to my favorite self-tanning spray that's foolproof for an even, airbrushed-looking tan you can DIY at home. There have been plenty of innovations in the sunless tanning market over the last six decades, and now there’s a variety of options for people looking for a quick tan. This scrub is a go-to when my kids are driving me bananas and I need a little reset. I give it to all my kids teachers every year at Christmas as well. This primer is designed to help you achieve a beautiful, natural-looking glow. Get ready for a beautiful tan with the Hempz Better Together Dual Use Intensifier Tanning Lotion! For mousse products, I will put 1-2 pumps on this mitt and then apply in a circular motion. It's super easy to use—just combine a few drops with your favorite body moisturizer and wake up bronzed and soft. Achieve a flawless and even natural-looking complexion with our velvety and lightweight tanning mousse. Enriched with coconut oil, cucumber, mango, apricot and grapefruit extract, this mousse will leave your skin radiant and hydrated. Dry skin picks up more pigment, so if your skin is dehydrated the color won’t look even. Make sure the moisturizer you choose is oil-free, like Derma Topix Ultra Light Moisture Dew Lotion. If you use a moisturizer with an oil base, the oil can create a barrier between your skin and the self-tanner, preventing an even color. Once you've picked your tanning formula, it's time to perfect your application. "Whichever texture of tan you choose to use, always start from the ankles (not the feet—these come last) and work your way up to the heart and chest," he advises. If your skin is on the how to prep skin for self tanner side or if you're afraid of dramatic color, self tanning lotions may be your best bet, as a lot of them offer gradual results with the bonus of added moisture. There are also tanning drops, which you typically mix with your favorite moisturizer. It is recommended to exfoliate the day before your spray tan appointment. This allows your skin to recover from any potential irritation or redness caused by exfoliation. A physical scrub is most often used in a shower or bath for ease of application on damp skin. It can deposit too much product into those dryer areas so it’s better to use a kabuki brush for hands & feet, etc. While we’re on the subject of hands, don’t forget to blend into your wrist! Reach every spot with ease using this flexible back applicator designed for smooth, even tanning. Sydney Sweeney used the Loving Tan 2 HR Express Mousse to prep for the 2025 Met Gala, and the results were next-level. She hit the red carpet looking effortlessly bronzed and radiant in every photo. When it comes to self-tanner, people always want to know how long it lasts. This will depend on a number of factors including the type of solution you use, how well you prep, and what types of activities you engage in following application. High-quality self-tanners may last up to week but expect fading. When finding your signature self-tanner, you’ll want to consider a few of FabFitFun’s suggestions below. After a solid 24 how to prep skin for self tanner, you’ll be able to see your finalized transformation. Sign up to our free weekly newsletter for skincare and self-care, the latest cultural hits to read and download, and the little luxuries that make staying in so much more satisfying. This is one of the best ways to keep a glowing summer tan all year round with very little maintenance. There’s a reason they make separate face and body self-tanners. You can absolutely tan two days in a row if you're using the right products. Keep in mind, you want your tan to look dark, but still natural. Avoid products with heavy instant bronzer like Bondi Sands or Loving Tan Ultra that clog your pores and rinse off in the shower. Instant bronzer sits on top of your skin, while DHA adheres to your outer skin cells and stains them bronze. When looking for a high DHA tanner, know that airbrush how to prep skin for self tanner artists are typically spraying between 10-14% DHA in their salons, so try to aim for similar numbers.