Dry patches on your skin can cause self-tanner to darken unevenly. To avoid this, gently exfoliate with a scrub, focusing on areas prone to dryness—like knees, elbows, ankles, and heels. Choose an oil-free exfoliator so there's no residue left on your skin; oils can create a barrier, leading to uneven tan results.
Poor Application
One of the main reasons for a patchy tan is bad application, as rushing the process or using the wrong technique can leave you with uneven colour distribution. Remember, fake tanning requires a gentle touch and precision, so take your time to apply it evenly on the skin.
Again, take your time with the circular and vertical strokes in order to cover the area evenly. Miss out the knees and stop just above the ankles. Starting from your shoulders apply the fake tan to both shoulders and arms using the same circular and then vertical movements as above.
Exfoliating is non-negotiable if you want that perfect tan. Dead skin cells on the surface of your skin can create uneven patches, causing your tan to look blotchy or fade faster in certain areas. A good exfoliation removes this barrier, allowing your tan to develop evenly and stick around longer.
Tanning drops are so easy to incorporate into your daily skincare routine — day or night — and give a lovely, natural-looking tan without needing to worry about a colour guide or transfer. All you have to do is add them to your favourite moisturiser and apply.
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.
To keep the drier areas from going patchy, make sure you moisturise all over and pay extra special attention to these troublesome areas. Try to leave the moisturiser to sink in for at least half an hour before you start the application stage of your fake tan routine.
But if you do have darker marks on your hands and feet, follow these steps: - Rub the affected areas with baby oil which should help tone down orange streaks on your hands. - Lemon juice can help to dissolve uneven patches of self-tan on small areas, such as your ankles, wrists and palms.
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.
Squeeze the mousse onto a tanning mitt and apply it to the body in smooth, circular motions. Top tip: to avoid orange patches, go light on the ankles, elbows, knees, knuckles, and nose. These areas are the most absorbent and will darken quickly. The more mousse you apply, the deeper the tan will be.
Your fake tan needs time to develop before your next shower, and we recommend waiting for at least four hours but no more than one day. Remember to pat yourself dry and avoid hot water or harsh shower gels as they will strip your tan and dry out your skin.
application. Add 2-12 drops to a minimum of 2ml (½ teaspoon) of your favorite moisturizer, mix together, and apply to skin. Do not add more than 12 drops to moisturizer.
Before Your Tan
Ensure you wear UV protective eye wear during every tanning session. Before you get into your tanning bed, use a professional indoor tanning lotion to double your colour in one session to make your tan last twice as long.
This happens because “Each of us produces a different quantity and quality of melanin. Melanin is a pigment produced by our cells found in the basal layer of the skin,” explains Dr Puig. The cells that produce melanin are called melanocytes.
When you apply self-tanner to unexfoliated skin, it can cling to patches of dead skin, resulting in a streaky and uneven tan. Exfoliating before tanning provides a smooth and clean canvas for the tanning product, ensuring that it goes on evenly and adheres to your skin properly.
Oil can break down the colour of self-tanner by loosening the dead skin cells that have been dyed brown by fake tan. When these dead skin cells start to crack and flake off, it can result in a patchy or uneven tan, often referred to as a "tiger bread" tan.