Regular maintenance: To prolong the life of your self-tan, it's helpful to keep your skin moisturized. Hydrated skin tends to hold onto the color better and fade more evenly. Applying a moisturizer or gradual tanning lotion daily can help extend the lifespan of your tan.
Moisturise & Maintain!
Moisturising is an essential step in achieving a long-lasting tan. Prior to tanning, we'd recommend applying moisturiser to typically dry areas like your hands, feet, elbows and knees to prevent tan from clinging to any dry patches, resulting in a flawless result.
Don't take very hot baths or showers as this encourages removal of the tan. Apply fake tan weekly to build it up. Use a wash off tinted lotion on your body or a tinted face gel to top up your tan if you don't have time to apply another layer. Use a bronzer on your face to intensify that summer bronzed glow.
You can make it last longer by using a good quality indoor tanning lotion during each tanning session, washing your face and body with milder soaps, and moisturizing your skin daily (they make moisturizers specifically designed to extend the life of your tan which may be worth a try).
Hydrated skin will not only tan better but will also keep its colour for longer. Moisturise your skin twice daily to prepare your skin for the sunshine and get that long-lasting tan. Dry skin can lead to a peeling and uneven sun tan and so is effectively the enemy.
To boost the longevity of your tan, opt for gentle cleansers, alcohol-free toners and hydrating moisturisers. On the other hand, avoid excessive exfoliation and harsh skincare products that can strip away colour and disrupt the skin's natural balance.
Stop your skin from drying out
Moisturise regularly to prevent your tan from fading unevenly. Hydrated skin will hold onto the tan better and keep it looking flawless for longer.
Once you have washed off your fake tan moisturise your skin daily to increase the longevity of your tan. Dry, dehydrated skin will cause your dead skin cells to shed quicker, taking the fake tan you worked so hard for with it. Use an oil-free moisturiser as oil can break down the product [2].
The best moisturiser to prolong fake tan is an oil-free moisturiser like Purity Repair Skin Conditioning Treatment will help keep lock in moisture, and help to keep the skin nourished and hydrated. While also extending the life of your self-tan by up to 48 hours.
Applying at night gives your self-tanner time to develop a natural tan look. Things like showering, rain, or tight clothes can mess up your tan when it's trying to settle. And some tanning products will also stain! As the self-tanner process can take up to eight hours, applying right before bed is super convenient.
Soak in oil and buff with an exfoliating mitt
Oils, on the other hand, break down DHA and can fade fake tan faster. It does, so lather up or soak yourself in oil. You can also use coconut or olive oil, which should be left on the skin for 10 minutes before washing off.
Here's a few things to consider if you want to your fake tan to last longer: Your skin type: If your skin is more on the dry side or it's winter and you're a little more drier than normal your dead skin cells can shed faster which can result in your fake tan fader faster.
The Importance of Hydration and Exfoliation
Dehydrated skin can lead to a patchy tan, so keeping your skin adequately moisturisation is key. Likewise, exfoliation is paramount for removing dead skin cells, ensuring an even application of your favourite tanning products.
After 8 hours, you should be fine to get in the shower or take a soak in the tub without worrying about your tan getting streaky or washing off prematurely. Self tanner tends to fade naturally on its own after a few days but shouldn't be affected by washing assuming you've allowed those initial 8 hours to pass.
By shaving a day before applying self-tanner, you ensure that your skin is smooth and free of any dead cells. This smooth surface allows the self-tanner to go on evenly and helps it adhere better to your skin. Avoid Irritation: Shaving can sometimes cause minor irritation, particularly if you have sensitive skin.
The skin on your legs has a different depth and texture than the rest of your body so it might not take as well to tanner. Here are a couple of questions to ask yourself that might explain why your calves won't tan: Is there any residue left on your calves from products like moisturiser, shaving foam or body oil?
Why won't my tan go away? When the cells become damaged with pigment, discoloration that doesn't fade occurs, leading to a tan that doesn't fade. In fact, it tends to stay dark unless you choose to have this hyperpigmentation treated professionally.
The key to making your tan last longer, whether real or faux, is moisturising. Look for rich body butters, silky oils and hyaluronic-acid infused lotions that'll really feed your skin. 'Always keep you skin extra moisturised before, during and after tanning' says Pierotti, 'because the sun dries out your skin.
We would recommend if sleeping in fake tan that you invest in tanning sheets (be it a fancy 'fake tan' specific sheets, old sheets you're not fussed about or a darker shade that doesn't show the tell-tale fake tan remnants so easily) and make sure you wear loose, comfy and fake tan friendly sleepwear to bed.