How To Remove A Tan At Home: Best Methods And What To Avoid

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How to remove a tan at home

Medically reviewed by Sara Perkins, MD — Written by Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA — Updated on February 26, 2025

Home remedies
Fading a suntan
Removing tanning products
What to avoid
FAQ
Summary

Various home remedies can help fade the color of suntans, tan lines, and self-tans. Tips that may help remove a tan include exfoliation and skin-lightening products.

Suntans develop when ultraviolet rays from the sun induce the skin to make additional pigment. Removing a tan is not straightforward, and it does not happen overnight. However, some methods can help fade a tan more quickly.

Without intervention, a suntan usually starts to fade within a few weeks, and tan lines become less prominent until they are not noticeable. This is because the body sheds dead skin cells and replaces them with new ones. A tan from tanning products also fades over time as the skin renews.

How to get rid of a tan

Person using exfoliating coffee scrub on the face. — Mariia Siurtukova/Getty Images

Most methods for removing a suntan, whether from a bottle, tanning booth, or the sun, involve exfoliating and following skin care recommendations.

There has not been much clinical research on ways to get rid of a tan, but many popular methods are safe and have few side effects.

There are many different skin types and ways to apply products. The best method might vary depending on a person’s skin tone, preferred products, and processes.

Ways to fade a suntan

People can try the following methods to help remove or fade a tan from the sun or a sunbed:

Exfoliation

Gently exfoliating the skin will help remove pigmented dead skin cells from the outer layer of the skin. This can reduce the appearance of the tan.

The two main types of exfoliation are chemical and mechanical techniques:

Chemical techniques involve chemicals that dissolve dead skin cells, such as alpha and beta hydroxy acids.
Mechanical techniques use brushes or sponges to remove dead skin cells.

People with dry, sensitive skin may find that a soft washcloth and chemical exfoliator work best. People with thicker, oily skin may find that stronger chemicals and mechanical methods work best.

Regardless of skin type, be sure to exfoliate gently. Overdoing it can harm the skin and may prompt acne breakouts. People with darker skin tones may find that over-exfoliating can cause dark spots on the skin.

People should moisturize their skin after exfoliation to prevent overdrying. Moisturizers containing aloe are a good place to start when softening skin.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) offers further advice on exfoliating safely.

Dark spot fading products

The AAD recommends some ingredients as being effective dark spot lighteners. These may take several repeat applications to prove most effective, but they can work to fade darker areas of skin.

Look out for products containing the following ingredients:

azelaic acid
glycolic acid
retinoids
vitamin C
kojic acid

Both drugstores and online stores sell dark spot lightening products. Remember to check the ingredients before purchase.

How to remove tanning products

People can try the following methods to help remove self-tanning products from the skin:

Take a shower or bath

If a self-tan becomes streaky or there are lines of color, a shower, bath, or even a quick rinse with soap after applying the product can help even the skin tone.

People can use a soft, wet washcloth to exfoliate the skin and remove excess product.

Baking soda

Because self-tanner essentially “dyes” the outermost layers of skin, exfoliation methods to remove these outer skin cells are some of the most sure-fire ways to reduce the appearance of a self-tan.

Combining baking soda with just enough water to make a paste is a very effective way to remove excess tan buildup or streaking from the skin. Gently scrub in a circular motion to reduce the streaking appearance without irritating the skin.

A gentle nail buffer for hands and feet

This solution will only be suitable for callused and tougher areas of the skin, such as the hands and feet. Use a nail buffer to gently remove any areas of collected tanner that make the hands and feet appear dirty or too orange.

Self-tanner removers

Drugstores also offer products to help remove self-tan, including soaps, lotions, and exfoliating gloves. People can also choose between types and brands of self-tan removal products.

What not to do

Many blogs and social media accounts offer advice on self-tanner removal, but not all of the advice is good. The skin is a delicate organ, so it is essential not to apply products not intended for it.

The following are some examples of methods to avoid when it comes to tanner removal:

Lemon juice

People have used lemon juice to lighten their hair and skin for many years. Many blogs suggest using fresh lemons to remove tanner streaks or lighten skin. However, undiluted lemon juice can be very acidic and damaging to the skin.

If a person wants to use lemon juice, they should dilute it in water and rinse it off a few minutes after applying it. This reduces the risk of skin irritation.

Skin bleaching products

Some people may try to purchase skin bleaching or whitening products online. However, these products are only available in the United States by prescription; for good reason, they are not for everyone.

Bleaching creams can irritate the skin and affect skin pigmentation, so a person has lighter streaks instead of darker streaks.

People should never use liquid bleach on their skin, as it can severely burn and damage.

Windex

Model Ashley Graham posted on her social media accounts that she uses the window cleaner Windex to remove streaky self-tan areas. However, this is not safe.

The solution contains strong chemicals not meant for skin, only windows and glass surfaces.

Frequently asked questions

How can a person remove tan at home fast?

Exfoliation is the best way to remove tan at home. It removes pigmented dead skin cells and promotes new ones, reducing the appearance of the tan.

How can a person lighten their tan overnight?

Lightning tan overnight includes using self-tanner removers, dark spot-lightening products, or exfoliating the skin.

Summary

Gentle exfoliation and certain approved dark spot-lightening products can help reduce the appearance of a tan.

A range of home remedies can help even out a self-tan at home. Exfoliating before applying tan may help reduce unevenness or streaking.

Although spending time in the sun has plenty of health benefits, people should always wear sunscreen and limit the amount of time spent outdoors in hot sun to reduce the risk of skin cancer and premature aging.

If a person is unsure whether a particular approach to tan removal is safe, they should talk with a dermatologist before trying it.

Dermatology
Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery
Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Beta hydroxy acids. (2022).https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/beta-hydroxy-acids
How to safely exfoliate at home. (n.d.).https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/safely-exfoliate-at-home
Ludmann P. (2022). How to fade dark spots in darker skin tones.https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/fade-dark-spots

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Medically reviewed by Sara Perkins, MD — Written by Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA — Updated on February 26, 2025

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