How To Remove A Lingering Spray Tan - Byrdie

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9 Ways to Remove a Lingering Spray Tan, According to Professionals By Hallie Gould

Hallie Gould Hallie Gould is Byrdie's editor in chief. She has 13 years worth of experience as a writer and editor, and her bylines can be found in such publications as ELLE, Cosmopolitan, and InStyle. Byrdie's Editorial Guidelines Updated on September 07, 2023 02:58PM Reviewed by Rhea Souhleris Grous

Reviewed by Rhea Souhleris Grous Rhea Souhleris Grous is the founder of La Suite Skincare and an aesthetics specialist with more than two decades of skincare experience. About Byrdie's Beauty & Wellness Board Esthetician

A tanned woman in a black bathing suit sitting on the beach with sand and her hand on her leg — Stocksy

Cosmetically speaking, few things have the power to boost our confidence as much as a tan does. Looking sun-kissed can really perk up your appearance, so even in the dead of winter, it's not uncommon to still want to achieve that glow. In times like those, we often turn to self-tanner and spray tans for that desired bronzed look. But a spray tan only looks good if it doesn't get blotchy, and as time goes on, some patchiness is pretty much inevitable. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to send your spray tan packing when you're ready to. We tapped three experts to share their tips and tricks on how to remove a spray tan. Keep reading for DIY hacks, tricks you can do with your skincare to accelerate the process, and even activities you can do that'll dissolve a lingering tan.

Meet the Experts

Sophie Evans is a self-tan expert and St. Tropez brand ambassador.
Kristyn Pradas is a celebrity spray tan artist and founder of Pradas Glow.
Blair James is a tanning expert and the co-founder of Bondi Sands.

How Do You Remove Fake Tan at Home?

From using self-tan remover to exfoliating with a scrub to taking a bath, there are multiple ways to remove fake tan (whether it be a spray tan or self-tan) at home. Ideally, you'll want to wait until your fake tan is at least a week old to remove it (trust us, it'll be way easier).

01 of 09

Use Self-Tan Remover

When it comes to how to get rid of a spray tan, one of the most effective ways to do so is by using a tan remover as it's specifically formulated to dissolve lingering pigment. For the best results, try St. Tropez’s Tan Remover Prep and Maintain Mousse. "The mousse contains cotton extract, bicarbonate soda, and urea to exfoliate the skin and remove all traces of self-tan," explains self tan expert, Sophie Evans. "It contains aloe vera to leave the skin hydrated and nourished, and probiotic yogurt to make the skin the perfect pH balance for immediate self-tan application." This means after removal, you can immediately get a new spray tan or apply self-tanner.

02 of 09

Drench Your Skin in Baby Oil

Don't have tan remover on-hand? One helpful common household item you could have lying around is baby oil. Drench your skin in something like Johnson's Original Baby Oil, and leave it on for five to 10 minutes—but no longer. "If left longer, you will actually lock in the old tan," Evans explains.

Once the time is up, take a hot shower or bath, then use an exfoliating mitt or cloth and lift off the old tan. "Oils plump up the skin's surface and makes your skin susceptible to exfoliation and removal of unwanted self-tans and other products," she furthers.

03 of 09

Make an Exfoliating Face Wash

When tackling a lingering spray tan that's on your face, celebrity spray tan artist, Kristyn Pradas, recommends mixing a bit of physical exfoliant with your regular face wash to dilute the exfoliator so the scrub is gentler on the skin. The grains will help softly buff away your tan. Or, try Tata Harper's Regenerating BHA Exfoliating Cleanser for a gentle exfoliating cleanse that contains BHAs to remove dead skin.

04 of 09

Keep Your Skin Hydrated

As your spray tan starts to fade and you're dealing with a lingering hue, make sure to keep your skin hydrated daily. "To avoid any patchiness or harsh discoloration, we recommend moisturizing your skin on a daily basis," says tanning expert, Blair James. "This keeps the skin hydrated, allowing the tan to fade away gradually and naturally—making it less work for you to remove at the end." Try using CeraVe's Daily Moisturizing Lotion—it's lightweight, suitable for sensitive skin, and absorbs into the skin quickly.

05 of 09

Buff Away a Lingering Tan

The easiest way to get rid of an old spray tan is by exfoliating it away. Pradas recommends Soap & Glory's Scrub Of Your Life, citing it as her favorite product for fading self-tan. It's formulated with moisturizing shea butter, nourishing vitamin E, and smoothing mandarin peel.

Byrdie Tip

As a rule of thumb, Evans advises removing all old spray or self-tanner every two to four weeks and starting fresh again.

06 of 09

Use an Exfoliating Mitt

Speaking of exfoliation, sometimes a scrub can't do the job alone. That's where Bondi Sands' Exfoliation Mitt comes in. Pair it with your favorite body scrub—like Sol de Janeiro's Bum Bum Body Scrub—and use it "in the shower to gently scrub any old skin holding on to stubborn tan," says James. "The formula is gentle on the skin, yet able to remove any unwanted tan left around difficult areas such as the ankles, knees, and elbows."

07 of 09

Hop in the Pool

If you want to enjoy the day while helping to remove your spray tan, we recommend you go for a swim. The chlorine will help break down any lingering spray tan from your skin, and you'll have fun helping it along.

08 of 09

Bathe in Bath Oil

Remember that baby oil we talked about earlier? Well, since oil can help break down your fake tan, it should come as no surprise that soaking in a bath oil can have the same effect. Bonus: This is a great way to remove your spray tan while indulging in a bit of well-deserved self-care. Try adding L'Occitane's Almond Shower Oil to your bath—your skin will feel so smooth and nourished after.

09 of 09

Sweat It Out

While typically you'd aim to avoid an intense sweat session as this can cause your tan to become patchy, it's a great method for helping to remove a lingering spray tan. So, head to the gym to try that kickboxing class you keep talking about—or skip the workout and sit in a sauna for the same effect.

FAQ

What will wash a spray tan off?
If you want to remove a spray tan, you'll have to scrub it off, but a self-tan remover can aid in the process.
Does anything remove fake tan?
If you want to remove fake tan, try a fake tan remover like Loving Tan's Deluxe Tan Remover to lift old tan and build up.
How do you get spray tan off fast?
The only way to remove a spray tan is to scrub it off. A good exfoliant, an intense sweat session or self-tan remover can help speed up the process.