To take your bronze darker, try using a product such as After Glow Gloss or Coconut Water Tanning Mist. You can also use the Coconut Water Mist to prolong your tan, which means your tan will last longer between applications. Otherwise, kick things up a notch over the following days with our Dark 7-Day Tanner.
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.
Yes, a fake tan can appear to get darker overnight. Most self-tanning products contain DHA (dihydroxyacetone), which reacts with the amino acids in the top layer of your skin. This reaction typically develops over several hours, often peaking around 6 to 8 hours after application.
Give the spray tan a full 24 hours to develop first. As I mentioned in the intro, 24 hours after applying self-tanner, you can also apply a buildable, gradual self-tanning lotion to deepen your tan; this also helps prolong it.
Make Sure Skin Is Completely Dry
Wait at least 10 minutes post-shower to ensure the skin has completely dried and there's no lingering moisture. Avoid tanning in the bathroom after you've showered as the residual steam could create a layer of moisture on the skin.
For new-timers, we generally recommend opting for the gradual tanning lotion. It's designed to prevent the orange look you're fearing, so you can apply it worry-free. For our seasoned pros, we know a good tanning mousse or spray is a go-to. Just remember to give your skin some love beforehand and go lightly!
Don't fret! Your colour will continue to develop and darken for a few hours (and a spray tan takes up to 24 hours to develop fully). That brown water disappearing down the drain? It wasn't your tan washing away, it was simply the cosmetic bronzer tanning formulators use to help guide you when applying your tan.
Layering Two Or 3 Of Our Products Together Is Perfect Way To Create Deeper More Intensified Results And Also Great For Skin Types That Usually Struggle To Achieve Dark Results With Self Tan! When Layering, Ensure Every Layer Is Dry Before Applying Your Next Coat.
It's not necessary to apply self tanner every single day. Your tan will stay perfectly in tact after two days, but applying every other day is perfect to keep it up!
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].
Sugar and Salt. It does not matter which spice cabinet staple you choose; both salt and sugar work well to help eliminate top layer of skin cells, which can reduce the strength of your orange tan hue. Salt and sugar scrubs work really well for self-tanner stains on hands and feet.
Sweep across your body in circular motions to avoid any streaking. Thick full layers are easily achieved as all our self tanning foams are fast drying. For ultra-dark results wait until touch dry & apply a second full thick layer to your body. Tanning tip – Only apply sparsely to hands and feet.
Don't Wear Tight Clothing Immediately: Tight clothing can rub against freshly applied fake tan and cause streaking or smudging. Opt for loose, breathable clothing until your tan has fully dried and developed. Don't Forget SPF: Fake tan does not provide protection against harmful UV rays.
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.
We generally recommend sticking to one self tanning product per application. If you do not find the color to be as deep as you would like, you can always apply a second coat 30-60 minutes after initial application, or the following day.
If you leave the spray tan on for longer than 2 hours before showering it will simply develop further and achieve a deeper, darker tan.
**Risk of Over-Tanning**: Applying a second layer can lead to a much darker and potentially unnatural appearance. This may result in an uneven or patchy finish, especially in areas where the product tends to gather.
I have been tanning, but I'm not getting any darker. Now what? You may have reached a tanning plateau. Everyone has a limit to how dark they can get, but to try to get past your current color we recommend switching the types of beds you use every few tanning sessions.