Self-tanner is a great way to get glowing skin without having to spend hours baking in the sun. Unfortunately, it can be tricky to remove and can often leave behind an orange streaky mess if you don’t know what you’re doing.
If you’ve found yourself with self-tanner that won’t come off, don’t panic!
Here are a few tips to help you get rid of your tanner quickly and easily.
What is self tanner?
Self tanner is a great way to get golden brown skin without having to expose yourself to the sun’s harmful UV rays. However, it can be trickier to remove than you might think. The active ingredients in self-tanner often bind with proteins in the outer layer of your skin, making it difficult for them to come off easily.
While most self-tanners fade over time, they can leave behind an orange or streaky mess if you don’t know what you’re doing. If you find yourself with self-tanner that won’t come off, don’t panic! There are a few methods to help you remove it quickly and easily.
It’s important to properly remove self-tanner in order to avoid unevenness or streakiness. To ensure the best results, always read and follow the instructions on your particular self-tanning product as they can vary between brands. Generally, most products should be applied with a mitt and allowed to dry fully before getting dressed. Make sure you wash your hands after application as the pigment can easily transfer to other parts of your body.
Scrubbing
One way to remove self-tanner is with a gentle exfoliating scrub. Exfoliating scrubs contain small particles that slough off dead skin and any remaining self-tanner, leaving your skin looking smooth and even. When using an exfoliating scrub, make sure to use gentle circular motions and avoid rubbing too hard as this can irritate the skin. If you have sensitive skin, opt for a scrub that contains natural ingredients such as oatmeal or sugar instead of harsh chemicals.
Recommendations
When choosing an exfoliating scrub, you have the option of either going natural or store-bought. Natural scrubs are typically made with ingredients such as sugar, oatmeal, coffee grounds, salt, and baking soda that are gentle on the skin. Store-bought scrubs may contain harsher ingredients such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) so it’s important to read the label before buying.
Tips
- When scrubbing, it’s important to follow the instructions on the product or those given by your doctor. This will ensure that you’re not using too much pressure or scrubbing for too long, which can irritate and damage your skin.
- Use a gentle motion. Use gentle circular motions when scrubbing to remove self-tanner and avoid rubbing too hard as this can cause irritation.
- Take your time. Allow the scrub to work its magic and don’t rush the process or you may end up with a patchy result.
- Take breaks. Scrubbing can be tough on the skin, so make sure to take regular breaks while you’re exfoliating and moisturize afterwards.
Lemon and Baking Soda
Mixing lemon juice and baking soda is a great way to remove self-tanner. The acid-base reaction of the two ingredients helps to break down the pigment in the tanner, making it easier to wash away.
To try this method, start by mixing equal parts of lemon juice and baking soda in a container until it forms a paste. Once you have your paste ready, apply it to the affected areas and massage for a few minutes. Then, rinse off with warm water and repeat as necessary.
Benefits
Lemon juice and baking soda is a natural and effective way to remove self-tanner. The acidity of the lemon juice helps to break down the pigment in the tanner, while the alkalinity of baking soda helps to neutralize it.
This combination can help to make removal easier and less messy than other methods. Additionally, using this method is much gentler on your skin than harsher chemicals and it’s also a great way to naturally exfoliate your skin.
Precautions
- When using the lemon juice and baking soda method, make sure to follow instructions closely. Using too much of either ingredient can be irritating or damaging to your skin.
- Test on a small area first. Before applying the paste to your entire body, it is best to test it on a small area of skin such as your arm or leg. This will help you determine if you have any adverse reactions to the mixture.
- Avoid contact with eyes. Lemon juice and baking soda can be very irritating to the eyes, so make sure to keep it away from your eyes.
- Use sunscreen after removal. After removing self-tanner, your skin will be more sensitive to sunlight, so it is important to wear sunscreen when going outside.
Oil-Based Products
Oil-based products can be effective for removing self tanner, but it is important to follow the instructions on the product carefully.
Oil-based products are designed to dissolve the pigment in self-tanner, making it easier to wash away. They contain ingredients such as mineral oil and almond oil that are gentle on the skin while still effectively breaking down the color of the tanner. To use an oil-based product, apply it directly to the affected area and massage in circular motions until the tanner has been dissolved. Once you’re done, simply rinse off with warm water.
Recommendations
Make sure to follow the instructions on the product carefully, as some oil-based products may require rinsing or wiping off after a certain amount of time.
- Coconut oil. Coconut oil is an effective and natural way to remove self-tanner. It is rich in fatty acids that help break down the color of the tanner, while being gentle and nourishing on the skin.
- Baby oil. Baby oil is another popular option for removing self-tanner. It contains mineral oil, which helps to dissolve the pigment in the tanner and make it easier to wash away.
- Makeup remover. Many makeup removers are also designed to work on self-tanner, as they contain ingredients such as olive oil and almond oil that can help break down the pigment.
Tips
- Make sure to follow the instructions on the product carefully, as some oil-based products may require rinsing or wiping off after a certain amount of time.
- Test before applying. Before applying any oil-based product to your entire body, it is best to test it on a small area of skin such as your arm or leg. This will help you determine if you have any adverse reactions to the product.
- Apply generously. Make sure to apply oil-based products generously, as this will help ensure that the tanner is dissolved and easier to remove.
- Wash off. After removing self-tanner with an oil-based product, make sure to rinse your skin thoroughly with warm water.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent that is known for its anti-bacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. It can be used to remove self tanner due to its bleaching properties, which help break down the pigment in the tanner. When using hydrogen peroxide, it is important to follow instructions closely as too much of the chemical can be damaging to the skin.
Best practices
It is important to follow the instructions on the hydrogen peroxide product carefully, as too much of the chemical can be damaging to the skin.
Test before applying. Before applying any hydrogen peroxide product to your entire body, it is best to test it on a small area of skin such as your arm or leg. This will help you determine if you have any adverse reactions to the product.
Precautions
When using hydrogen peroxide, it is important to follow the instructions on the product carefully. If you have sensitive skin or allergies, it is best to test it on a small area of skin before applying it to your entire body. It is also important to use only a small amount of hydrogen peroxide and wash off after application.
Final tips
Many self-tanning products come with detailed instructions on how to apply the product for the best results. It is important to follow these directions closely, as improper application can lead to an uneven tan.
Exfoliate. An important step in achieving a natural-looking tan is to exfoliate your skin before applying self-tanner. This will help remove dead skin cells and prepare your skin for even absorption of the product.
Use a mitt or gloves. Using a mitt or gloves when applying self-tanner will help you achieve an even tan and avoid staining your hands.
Start with light layers and build up color gradually. It is best to start with one layer of self-tanner and build up color gradually as needed, rather than applying too much product at once. This will help you avoid any streaks or splotches in your tan.
Conclusion
When using any product to remove self-tanner, it is important to follow the instructions carefully and test on a small area of skin before applying it to your entire body. Oil-based products. Oil-based products such as coconut oil, baby oil, and makeup remover are effective at removing self-tanner due to their ability to dissolve the pigment in the tanner.
