How to Prep Skin for Self Tanner for a Radiant, Streak-Free Look

 Self-tanning can provide a beautiful, sun-kissed glow without the harmful effects of UV exposure. However, achieving an even and natural-looking tan requires proper preparation. Here’s how to prep skin for self tanner to ensure you get the best results.

“Without exfoliating those dead, tanned skin cells, they’ll eventually understand how to prep skin for self tanner shed unevenly, leaving you looking patchy or even speckled like a leopard,” explains celebrity spray tan pro Kristyn Pradas. You can even help the process along by taking a hot bath right before you exfoliate, too. If you have an exfoliating serum to hand, this can help to remove build-up. Do you have a mobile spray tanning business, home-based spray tan business, or are you looking to start one? Then check out my tools of the trade area of this website for help in setting up your own airbrush spray tanning business. As a small business owner, I can’t stock all the amazing products that are available in the world of sunless tanning but I can give you my professional opinion.

Steps to Prepare Your Skin

Dead skin cells are the devil to fake tan as they block the tan from getting to your new fresh healthy cells that will hold onto your tan for longer. Check out our online exclusive body bundles that are full of our award winning products when it comes to skin prep! We don’t put so much innovation into our customers skin prep for nothing it is so you have the most flawless healthy skin encouraging the longest lasting self tan. Our super exfoliant Purity excel is the ultimate in skin prep & self tan removal and suitable for all skin types. Sunless tanning, often referred to as spray tanning, is a personalized service performed by a professional airbrush technician. The active ingredient that creates this appearance is Dihydroxyacetone (DHA).

If you participate in water related activities, you will not get the longevity out of your tan. AVOID the hot tub at all costs, unless you want to completely remove the sunless tan. It is recommended that you avoid moisture (i.e. swimming, showering, sweating, and hot tubs) for at least 12 hours after your session. Early exposure to moisture can stop the DHA’s development process. Below is a general list of the most commonly asked questions. Hot weather and heavy sweating can cause self-tanner to drip—and dry that way.

Imagine my delight when I found this tanning lotion which is even better without al the nasty ingredients. I like the tanning mouse and drops too but this lotion is my favorite. It looks like a natural glow and is easy to level up the color if you want it darker. I recommend it to any friends looking to clean up their tanner. For best results, wait at least an hour with the tanner on your skin before showering, swimming, or doing how to prep skin for self tanner any kind of aerobic exercise. If you want to go darker, just reapply another coat after about an hour.

1. Exfoliate

Your technique may vary depending on the self-tanner, but there are a few set rules that always apply. Start with your feet and work your way up section-by-section. By working upward, you’ll avoid how to prep skin for self tanner creating creases in your tan, which can occur when you start with your torso and then lean over to tan your legs. Apply the self-tanner in circular motions, evenly distributing across the body and face. Sometimes this may require you to call in some backup, whether that be a roommate, partner, best friend, etc. to make sure all the nooks and crannies are covered.

Formulas enriched with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, coconut oil or shea butter will work to lock in moisture for longer and help to reduce the appearance of patchiness on the skin. "Don’t be afraid to use a brush. You probably apply your foundation, blusher or highlighter with a brush so give it a go and you will be pleasantly surprised how easy you find it," said Amanda. "Applying tan with a mitt sits flat on the skin, whereas use of a brush drives product into the nooks and crannies of your face, so no more tell-tale signs around your chin and nose."

Exfoliation is crucial for removing dead skin cells that can cause uneven application of self-tanner. Follow these steps:

Oils left on skin can create a barrier on top of your skin, and produce an uneven self-tan development. You want the skin clean and product-free for the best possible result. BTAN self-tanning products are perfect for those with vitiligo, as they can cover the light patches and create a uniform complexion. We recommend applying the product with the Perfect Tan brush for greater precision how to prep skin for self tanner.

Using an exfoliating lotion consistently in the days leading up to your self-tanner application will create the smoothest base possible. This method is preferrable over abrasive scrubs that can impair skin’s barrier. If you’re in a pinch and don’t have a leave-on chemical exfoliant, you can manually exfoliate skin by massaging with a soft wash cloth combined with your body wash or cleanser in the shower. Skin prep is crucial, particularly for dry skin types, to achieve the most flawless finish and long-lasting results. A good cleanse and exfoliation at least 24 hours before you plan to tan helps to replenish the top layer of skin, plus remove any flaky patches and dead cells. Moisturisation in the days after tanning is also key to keeping how to prep skin for self tanner colour glowing for longer, particularly on areas such as elbows, knees, wrists and ankles.

• Choose a gentle exfoliating scrub or a body brush.
• Focus on rough areas like how to prep skin for self tanner, knees, and ankles.
• Exfoliate 24 hours before applying self-tanner for optimal results.

Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. "Mist formulations are great for tricky areas, as they are much thinner and can be buffed and brushed into place," Amanda revealed. Our Travel Tanner is your ultimate companion for sun-kissed skin on-the-go! Compact and TSA-friendly, our Travel Tanner slips effortlessly into your carry-on or beach bag, ensuring you never have to compromise on radiant skin during your travels. Growing up I’ve always felt insecure due to being pale & unconfident - every tan I used was always patchy + never stuck to my skin. I’m a New York City area writer, runner, reader, adopted dog mom, and believer in wearing sunscreen every day.

I exfoliate my skin in the shower, and then shave with my Billie razor before applying self tanner. It’s best to do this 12-24hrs before applying self tanner, but sometimes I do it just an hour or so beforehand if I have to. Fortunately for us, fake tanning products have come on leaps and bounds. Instead, recent formulae can create golden glows so deliciously real that it’s easy to convince others that the how to prep skin for self tanner tan is your very own.

Discover the top tips and application tricks for a flawless, streak-free self-tan application every time. If you're looking for an extra bronzy-glow or a little bit of a blurring skin filter, you have to try the +Lux Unfiltered Blurring Body Glow. This is an instant color that washes off and won't transfer. I've been self-tanning for 15+ years, and with spring and summer on the horizon, I figured I'd round up my current self-tanning essentials. Mistakes happen, especially if it's your first self-tanning session.

2. Shave

If you shave your legs or other areas, do this after exfoliating. This helps to ensure smooth skin and prevents the self-tanner from clinging to hair follicles. Consider these tips:

• Shave at least 24 hours prior to tanning.
• Use a sharp razor for the best results.

"You can, but I must prefer using something lighter on the face such as a mist," said Amanda. If orange hands are your problem, Jules said it’s important to remember to moisturise them. Jules agreed and also suggested avoiding using retinol, AHAs or BHAs, as these are exfoliating products that encourage skin cell turnover and will cause tan to fade quicker. "This means your skin will have an even surface, so the final result will be even and, more how to prep skin for self tanner, your fake tan will fade evenly like a natural tan would," Jules said. If you love the confidence-boosting glow of a tan, but don’t want to risk damaging your skin in the sun, then fake tan is the obvious answer.

Use a tanning mitt to evenly apply the product and protect your hands from staining. It can be best to start with larger areas first, like your torso, back, and legs. Leave your hands, feet, and face until last, as they don’t need as much product. Apply your tan using sweeping strokes, rather than buffing it into your skin in a circular motion.

Be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging to set your tan,whether it’s a mist, drops, or another type of formula. If you’re using a mist,hold the bottle about four inches away from the face and spritz down the centerand sides of your face. Some self-tanners are non-comedogenic,which can help prevent the blockage of pores if you’re prone to zits.

Keep in your bag for use on face, cuticles, elbows – anywhere that needs some comfort and slip. The official guidance is to reapply sunscreen every three to four hours to remain protected. This – a portable, mess-free, instant SPF top-up that doesn’t alter or remove makeup – leaves us with no excuses. A spray tan is a professional service in which a technician applies a tanning solution to your skin using a spray gun or automated booth. The solution contains DHA (dihydroxyacetone), a colorless chemical that reacts with the amino acids on the skin's surface to produce a tan.

3. Cleanse

Because your face is (generally) less covered up than the rest of your body, and if you have a rigorous skincare routine, you might find that the self tan on your face fades quicker than your body. If you've used one of our self tans that develops into a deeper glow, there are a couple of things you can do to how to prep skin for self tanner a flawless finish. Immediately after you apply your self tan, try not to move your face too much.

Before applying self-tanner, cleanse your skin to remove any remaining products that could interfere with the tanning process:

I highly recommend using the luxurious body lotion or tan extender by Melissa Weinberg Tanning & Beauty. They were formulated specifically for sunless tanning and do not contain any Sodium Lauryl (Laureth) Sulfate (SLS) parabens or drying alcohols. It can help extend your airbrush tan for up to 2 weeks in some cases.

Full of mineral-rich sea salts to gently scrub away dead skin and citrusy oils, it'll leave skin silky smooth. Gone are the days of slathering up in oil and baking in the sun with no sunscreen until you've mastered the perfect tan. Skin cancer is actually the most common form of cancer in the US.

The next step is to start preparing your skin ready for your tanning session. Say goodbye to any dead skin with your favourite gentle natural exfoliator. Simply buff your skin all over, concentrating on some of your slightly drier areas.

We don’t reccomend to use product with mineral oils, alcholic scents and retinol. Do not use oily make-up removers as they could make the tan fade faster. To make it last longer, however, it is essential to hydrate the skin well, preferably with Il Sole Everyday, our how to prep skin for self tanner cream. For those with oily skin, it is recommended to use spray and mousse products as their formula is lighter. Be careful with white hair, as it could turn yellow when in contact with DHA.

• Use a mild body wash.

Sunless tanning solutions do not have sunscreen protection, and will not protect you from damaging effects from UV exposure. Whenever you go into the sun you should always apply a sunscreen. However, if absolutely necessary you can shower 8 hours after your airbrush session. When it comes to self tanning, there have been big improvements made over the years. You rarely see people so orange they look like sweet potato/human hybrids. Still, it's not like getting a faux glow is foolproof, even to the most experienced self-tan fans out there.

• Avoid any lotions, oils, or fragrances that may create a barrier.

If you notice any areas where the tan isn’t quite sticking, grab a makeup brush and blend the tan in along the jawline and neck. Blast your skin with cold water before you get out to shrink your pores and reduce the chance of blocking them. When layering up your tan allow the layers to dry properly.

4. Moisturize

Moisturizing is essential for keeping your skin hydrated and ensuring an even application. Follow these guidelines:

• Apply a lightweight moisturizer to dry areas such as elbows, how to prep skin for self tanner, and ankles.
• Let the moisturizer absorb fully before applying self-tanner.

Be sure to blend the self-tanner well into your skin to avoid streaking. You can buy soaps specifically designed for use after self-tanning but natural products without harsh chemicals or exfoliating properties will be safe. When you know what sort of result you want, choose the relevant product from the brand’s range. Make sure you shave at least 24 hours before your tanning appointment how to prep skin for self tanner to ensure the hair follicles have closed back up, avoiding the speckled look.

Application Tips

Once your skin is prepped, it’s time for application. Consider these tips for the best results:

To wash off unwanted self-tanner, use a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice to remove or buff away the color. If your overall tan is darker than you intended, simply allow a few days to pass and the color will begin to fade. Apply the product in a circular motion all over your whole body using a self-tanner mitt. Take extra time to blend at your wrist and ankles to get tanning products in the creases. Give your skin some time to dry wearing loose bag how to prep skin for self tanner to prevent any streaking or smudging.

• Use an applicator mitt to prevent staining your hands.
• Start from the bottom up, applying self-tanner in circular motions.
• Blend thoroughly for an even finish.

FAQs About Prepping Skin for Self Tanner

What should I avoid before applying self-tanner?

Avoid using heavy creams, oils, or lotions that can create a barrier on your skin. Also, steer clear of products containing retinol or AHAs that may cause sensitivity.

How long should I wait after exfoliating to apply self-tanner?

It’s best to wait at least 24 hours after exfoliating before applying self-tanner to allow your skin to recover and ensure even application.

Can I apply self-tanner right after showering?

It’s advisable to wait until your skin is completely dry and free from any moisture before applying self-tanner.

How often should I exfoliate when using self-tanner?

Exfoliating once a week is generally sufficient to maintain an even tan while preventing buildup of self-tanner on the skin.

By following these steps on how to prep skin for self tanner, you’ll be well on your way to achieving a radiant and flawless tan. Happy tanning!