Even though hydrating your skin is the key to prolonging a fake tan, applying oil to the skin can also lift a tan— given it's done right. Cover your body in coconut oil or olive oil and let it soak in for around 15 minutes. Then take a hot shower.
Use baking soda
Baking soda is an excellent exfoliator that won't leave your skin sore (patch test first!), is cheap to buy and is non-abrasive. Run a warm bath and add half a cup full of baking soda to the water. Hop in and soak for 15-20 minutes before gently exfoliating the skin with a loofah or exfoliating sponge.
If your tan feels too dark the following day, try having three hot showers to help bring it down to a more natural colour.”
If you're trying to lighten your whole body, you can take a couple of hotter than normal showers as the steam helps to lift the tan. Try to exfoliate with a bath mitt while you're in there-that will also help. You can even draw a warm bath and put Epsom salt in there and soak for awhile.
Generally, a gradual tan lasts about a week, but with the right preparation, your sunless glow can stick around for up to ten days. The key is to knuckle down on preparing your skin in the weeks and days leading up to your gradual tan, and keeping your skin moisturised once you've applied.
The initial development of your gradual tan will take place over the first 2–4 hours after application, so you should avoid showering during this initial period to allow your tan to develop properly. After this, showering every day should not make your tan slower to develop.
Consistent use of exfoliants, skin lightening products with vitamin C or Kojic acid, and professional treatments such as chemical peels or laser therapy can significantly fade tan over time for brighter, more even skin.
Although steaming your face and body is excellent for cleansing your skin, opening up your pores and removing blackheads, it can also make your tan fade a little quicker. This is because treating yourself to a steam actually encourages your older skin layers to flake away to reveal fresh, smooth skin.
It may be difficult to instantly remove all of your fake tan, especially if you have applied it recently. However, you can try applying a hydrating body oil or baby oil onto the tanned areas. Let it sit for a few minutes, then use a damp cloth or exfoliating mitt to gently wipe away the tan.
If you're worried about self tanning your face, you could try mixing a little of your self tanner with your favourite moisturiser to dilute it slightly for a lighter application.
Cover your body in coconut oil or olive oil and let it soak in for around 15 minutes. Then take a hot shower. If you have a bath, even better! During your soak, use a gentle but effective exfoliating mitt or product to scrub away those unwanted layers of tan.
Step 4: Enjoy the glow!
After 4-8 hours, your gradual tan will be fully developed into a natural, sunkissed glow. To achieve a deeper bronzed look, reapply St. Tropez gradual tan daily to build your tan.
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.
Take a long hot bath and allow the warmth of the water to lighten your fake tan. In fact, you can speed up this process by applying olive oil to your skin 15 minutes beforehand and then soaking in the tub.
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.
Understanding Self-Tanner Durability
Before we dive into tips on how to extend your sunless tan, you're probably wondering, “Just how long does a fake tan last?” On average, your skin retains self tanner for 5-7 days, but this period of longevity can vary based on many factors.
Prep school
Don't moisturise immediately before applying fake tan as it can stop the colour ingredients working. Instead, smooth Vaseline Intensive Care Aloe Soothe Lotion, over your elbows, wrists, knees, ankles and toes (the dry areas that 'grab' tan, creating that orange, wrinkly effect).
How Long Does a Gradual Tan Last? A gradual tan typically lasts around 3-5 days.
Body Oils. Oils are great to break down the tan. Run a hot bath with some body or bath oil in it and soak in for as long as possible. If you're a shower person, apply oil all over your body, let it sink into your skin completely and take a hot steamy shower to wash it off.
You should choose a gradual self tanner if you prefer a more natural, buildable tan and want to control the intensity of your color over time. Gradual tanners are perfect for people who enjoy daily skincare routines and want a more subtle glow that doesn't appear all at once.