If you live in a country with limited sunshine, applying fake tan is a quick and easy way to get bronzed, sun-kissed skin that makes it look like you’ve spent a month sunning yourself in the Balearic Islands. Of course, things don’t always go to plan when applying fake tan and using a rubbish product or struggling with the technique can leave you with patchy skin, streaks and orange hands. That’s why it’s worth learning how to remove fake tan.
To help you ensure you can enjoy your gorgeous golden glow free of any imperfections, we’ve pulled together a selection of different ways to you know how to remove fake tan.
How to remove fake tan from your face
You’ll probably find that any fake tan on your face will naturally fade faster than on your body anyway, as most of us follow a daily skincare routine that will aid this. However, if you’re looking to give it a helping hand, choose a gentle exfoliator and use it twice a week alongside your regular cleansing to help break down your tan.
How to remove fake tan from your legs and arms
There are many products available to buy that help you swiftly remove fake tan from your body but there are also some great DIY home remedies you can try as well which simply require a few ingredients from your kitchen cupboards. Skinny Tan’s resident fake-tan expert Claire Lambert explains more…
Lemon juice
One to remove any build-up or patches of fake tan: grab a lemon, slice it in half and then massage the fresh lemon onto the area for a couple of minutes to reveal a faded result.
Bicarbonate of soda
Mix bicarbonate of soda with either water, lemon juice or coconut oil so that it forms a paste. Apply directly to your skin and let it oxygenate to help prepare your skin for exfoliating off the darker tan with a mitt.
DIY scrub
Using a scrub is a brilliant way to fade off any fake tan that has gone too dark or patchy. Create your very own DIY scrub by combining sugar and lemon juice to leave your skin super smooth and patch-free.
Toothpaste
Remove any fake tan mistakes from smaller areas with whitening toothpaste. Just apply it directly to the skin where needed. The sodium bicarbonate will help to remove any fake tan mistakes in roughly ten minutes. Wash it off with a cloth or give it a helping hand by using an exfoliating mitt.
Apple cider vinegar
It may not smell great but the acidity in the vinegar can help to dissolve any fake tan patches. Apply to a cotton pad then massage over the areas of tan you want to remove. Leave for a few minutes before washing away.
Steam
Did you know that one of the best methods to remove fake tan is by swimming or visiting a steam room? The chlorine in the pool will help to break down and fade the fake tan, while a trip to the steam room will leave your skin oh-so-soft. For best results, use these methods alongside an exfoliating product following your time in the steam.
How to remove fake tan from your hands and feet
Mucky hands and feet are a fairly common issue when applying fake tan. One way of helping to rid these areas of those tell-tale orange streaks or patches is to apply your DIY scrub from above and then scrub your skin with an exfoliating mitt.