How do I make my self-tan last longer?

Author: Clifford Beahan  |  Last update: Saturday, May 17, 2025

To get your longest-lasting tan, you should start with a fresh base. That means, make sure you exfoliate your skin to get rid of any dead skin cells and apply your tan to clean, freshly showered skin. Never apply your self-tanner over makeup or deodorant.

How do I get my self tan to last longer?

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.

How do I extend my fake tan?

Here are the top five things you can do to extend the life of your spray tan.
  1. Start with Exfoliation. The day before your spray tan appointment, take some time to exfoliate your skin. ...
  2. Moisturize. If you're looking for an easy way to extend a spray tan. ...
  3. Shower Carefully. ...
  4. Don't Sweat it. ...
  5. Touch Up as Needed.

How do I keep my tan from fading?

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).

How to stay fake tanned all the time?

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.

The Best Spray Tan Routine | Spray Tan Tips

Does moisturising make fake tan last longer?

Yes! Moisturising is key to a long-lasting, streak-free tan. Moisturise daily post-tanning to lock in hydration and leave your skin buttery smooth.

Why does my fake tan come off so easily?

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.

How to lock your tan in?

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.

How long does self tan last?

Self tanners can expect their golden hue to last between 7-10 days due to the natural turnover of skin cells. Or if you get a tan outside, you can expect your tan to fade in about the same amount of time at 7-10 days as well.

How to extend your natural tan?

Here's how to maintain and extend your tan, ensuring you look bronzed and beautiful long after the summer sun has set.
  1. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate. ...
  2. Moisturise Regularly. ...
  3. Use a Tan Extender. ...
  4. Avoid Hot Showers and Baths. ...
  5. Exfoliate Gently. ...
  6. Continue to Tan Safely. ...
  7. Consider a Self-Tanner. ...
  8. Eat for Your Tan.

How do you make fake tan last all week?

Moisturise & Maintain!

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. Once your tan has developed, we'd recommend applying moisturiser daily to help elongate your glow.

What is the best moisturizer to prolong fake tan?

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.

Why does my fake tan not last long?

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.

Why does my fake tan fade so fast?

Forgetting to moisturise daily is one of the key reasons that your sunless tan has faded faster than you'd hoped.

Does self tan get darker overnight?

How long after applying self tan should I shower? The longer you leave our self tan on your skin, the darker it will develop. An example using our Dark Self Tanning Mousse would be 1-3 hours for a light tan, 3-6 hours for a medium tan and 6-8 hours (or overnight) for a dark tan.

Should you use skincare before or after self-tanner?

Prepare your skin

Then, cleanse the skin and apply an oil-free moisturizer to lock in hydration, focusing on the chin, nose, behind the ears and the back of the neck. Top Tip: Oil can prevent the face tanner from absorbing properly, so avoid using any oil-based skincare products 24 hours prior to tanning.

Do you wash self tan off with hot or cold water?

We recommend rinsing off for 45 seconds in lukewarm water – no soap! If your shower is too hot or too cold, it will make for streaky results. Make sure to avoid any exfoliants too, it will take your fresh tan straight off.

What to use to apply self-tanner without mitt?

How to Apply Self-Tanner Without a Mitt: 5 Tanning Alternatives
  1. Rubber Gloves. The first alternative tool to reach for if you don't have a tanning mitt available is a set of rubber gloves. ...
  2. Socks. If you don't have any rubber gloves handy, you can also use a sock for self-tanner application. ...
  3. Cling Wrap. ...
  4. Hands.

Does self tan age your skin?

"DHA has been shown to cause an increase in free radicals in the skin," says Chere Lucas Anthony, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Boca Raton, Fla. "This can contribute to skin aging as the free radicals break down collagen and elastin in the skin, which leads to wrinkling and skin aging."

Does moisturiser make a tan last longer?

However, keeping the skin hydrated can reduce the rate of sloughing and extend the life of your tan; the fewer skin cells that are shed, the longer your tan will last. Be sure to moisturise your entire body from top to toe after a sunless tanning treatment.

How do you ruin fake tan?

BUT be sure to follow our 101 guide to getting it right so you take off without looking like a streaky mess.
  1. Not Pre-Tanning. ...
  2. Using Oil-Based Soaps. ...
  3. Failing to Powder Post-Application. ...
  4. Doing Anything Except Rinsing in Your First Shower. ...
  5. Going About Normal Activities Too Soon. ...
  6. Skipping SPF in the Sun.

What foods make you more tanned?

Papaya: Like carrots, orange fruits and vegetables, such as papaya, help to enhance your tan naturally thanks to its high beta-carotene levels. Melon: This refreshing fruit, rich in antioxidants and beta-carotenes will help you to keep your golden skin tone.

How can I prolong my fake tan?

How to make fake tan last longer
  1. Exfoliate and moisturise before applying fake tan. How well you prep the skin before applying your fake tan can make or break your glow. ...
  2. Avoid bathing in hot water. ...
  3. Moisturise daily. ...
  4. Exfoliate every 3 days. ...
  5. Always remove tan before reapplying.

Should I shave before or after self-tanning?

Skin Preparation: Shaving isn't just about hair removal; it's a form of exfoliation. 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.

Why has my tan lasted for years?

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.

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