If you've ever had a fake tan disaster, you'll know how difficult it is to get fake tan off hands. Unfortunately, washing them with soap doesn't always work, so you may be wondering what the best thing to use is.
If you want to avoid getting some strange looks at your hands, and remove your fake tan in an instant, then we've put together a handy guide (pardon the pun) of how to get fake tan off hands in just a few simple steps.
1) Bath oil
A bath oil might feel a bit of a luxury bath product, but oil is great for removing fake tan as the oil works to break down the DHA on your skin, helping to breakdown that top layer of tan. Simply rub your hands with some baby oil, leave for 10 minutes and then wash your hands. For more stubborn tan, use an exfoliating sponge or mitten when washing the oil off.
This method can also be used on the entire body too. Just run yourself a warm bath with some bath oil added to it. Soak for a minimum of 10 minutes before scrubbing off and showering.
2) Baking soda
That's right, another use for baking soda is using it to remove fake tan. Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with some water to create a paste. Rub this over your hands, leave for a few minutes then wash it off.
3) Glycolic acid
This works in a similar way to how bath oil works. It works by slightly lifting tan, so is ideal for blotchiness where you want to even things out a little. The simplest way to try this technique is by applying some acid to a cotton pad and rubbing the areas of your hands before washing your hands.
4) Nail polish remover
While this method might be a little more harsh, particularly if you have quite sensitive skin, it's very effective when it comes to removing tan. Make sure your nail polish isn't acetone free as it's the acetone that will break down the tan. Simply pop some nail polish remover on a cotton pad as you would for your nails and apply it to those tough areas where your tan hasn't gone to plan. After, give your hands a good wash while giving your hands a good rub with a flannel or muslin to remove the tan successfully.
5) Exfoliators
Although having a good scrub might not work to remove tan when it's set in, it's great to use when a tan is beginning to fade and you want to avoid looking patchy and uneven. Exfoliating mitts are essential to have. Pair this with a good body scrub or homemade sugar scrub your tan will come off with ease. Oats mixed with buttermilk also make a brilliant natural exfoliant which can also help sooth your skin too.
6) Whitening toothpaste
Whitening toothpastes aren't just for your teeth, it's particularly handy when it comes to removing tan from between your fingers. Simply apply a little to the area, leave it to penetrate for 20 minutes then wash the toothpaste off with warm water. If you don't suffer from dry or sensitive skin on your hands, you may also want to grab an old toothbrush or exfoliating cloth to remove more stubborn stains.
7) Lemon juice
This method is only really suitable for smaller areas of tan, making it ideal for the hands. Warm up a cotton pad before adding some lemon juice and water to it and then placing it back in the microwave for around two minutes. Leave it to cool slightly before rubbing it on the effected areas of your hands. Before you try this method, it's a good idea to give yourself a patch test to ensure the lemon juice doesn't irritate your skin.
8) White vinegar
The high levels of acidity in vinegar makes it great for lightening your tan. Apply the vinegar to a cotton pad or ball, lightly dab the tanned area of your hands. Leave it to sit for around ten minutes before washing your hands clean.
How to prevent getting fake tan stains on hands
To avoid that panic when you see your hands a bright orange, there are a few steps you can take while you're tanning to avoid a hand tanning disaster.
Application - always apply your tan with a tanning mitten to keep your hands protected.
Moisturise - as you would moisturise your dryer areas like your elbows and knees before tanning, it's a good idea to moisturise your hands before tanning too so that it doesn't cling to dryer areas on the knuckles or wrists.
Leave your hands tan free - to avoid a disaster all together, you could just not apply tan to your hands. If you want to add a bit of colour, simply use the remaining tan left on the mitten without adding any more to add some subtle colour.
Use a good quality fake tan - there are many brilliant self tanning solutions on the market, and it might be a case of trial and error to find one that works best for your skin type. We're particular fans of Skinny Tan, particularly for mature skin.