Nothing beats {fake tan} for a safe and skin-friendly year-round golden glow. It’s the ultimate pick-me-up, especially when summer seems a million miles away (or when the sun’s out but your legs aren’t ready for it!).
But no matter how pro you are in the application department, sometimes mistakes just happen. Blotchy elbows and knees. Hands that don’t match your body. Telltale streaks. Or sometimes your tan just wears off unevenly and starts to look patchy after a few days of wear.
Whatever your reason for wanting to wipe the slate clean and start afresh (which you should always do before getting the fake tan back out anyway!), there are several steps you can take to remove fake tan – fast!
In this guide, {Cult Concierge}’s very own tanning expert Sarah shares her top tips (and top products, from {tan removers} to {exfoliator mitts}) for removing your fake tan, so that you’ve got a blank canvas and are ready to start afresh.
HOW TO REMOVE FAKE TAN FROM YOUR BODY
1. GET STEAMY TO SPEED UP TAN REMOVAL
Taking a warm shower or bath (or better yet, a steam room session if you’re a member of a boujee gym!) are all great ways to soften your skin and help speed up tan removal. Make sure the water isn’t too hot though, as you don’t want to dry out your skin!
2. USE OIL TO REMOVE FAKE TAN GENTLY
The most gentle way to remove fake tan is with oil. Think of it like the balm or oil cleanser step in your skin care routine. Massaging oil into the skin helps to break down the DHA from fake tan (the active ingredient that gives you that faux glow) and encourages it to fade faster, while still being kind to the skin and not aggravating it.
Sarah says: “If you’re lucky enough to have a bath, then relaxing with a bath oil and taking a cloth to softly buff away dead skin cells works really well. Alternatively, you can massage oil all over for a few minutes before jumping in the shower, and use the same technique under the running water.”