Should I moisturize my face before self tanning?

Author: Arianna Wolf  |  Last update: Friday, October 3, 2025

Apply Moisturizer Before Tanner After exfoliating your body, continue the prepping process by applying a moisturizer. You shouldn't apply self-tanner without moisturizing first, because skipping out on this prep step could potentially leave you with patchy color — this goes for your face and the rest of your body.

Should I moisturise my face before fake tan?

Step 2: Should I moisturise before applying fake tan? The answer is yes! Hydrate the skin so your fake tan lasts longer and applies evenly. Avoid oils as this can make application tricky and it can react with certain self-tanners – breaking the formula down and making it patchy.

How to prep face for self-tanner?

How to Properly Prep your Skin for Self-Tanning
  • Shower with plain water (no less than four hours prior to your tan), shave and exfoliate.
  • You want to make sure that you schedule any waxing, facial, nail appointments, etc.
  • Come to your spray tan session or prior to self-tanning with clean, dry skin.

Is it better to moisturize before or after tanning?

Moisturize First: A hydrated skin ensures your tan looks even and lasts longer. After your self-tanner has completely dried and developed, apply a lightweight moisturizer. It not only makes your tan look more radiant but also creates a smooth base for your makeup.

What moisturizer to use before self tan?

cerave, cetaphil, aveeno, Bondi sands, and Vaseline intensive care cocoa radiant are all good. You could also use a gradual tanning lotion if you want to prolong the fake tan.

Sunless Tanning Tips | All the Details | MsGoldgirl

Can I moisturize my face before a spray tan?

Also, make sure to moisturize your skin using a product that is alcohol-free, mineral oil free, and petroleum-free (PLEASE no DOVE, Bath and Body Works or Drugstore brands!) no sooner than 8 hours before your spray tan - the more moisturized your skin is, the longer your spray tan will last!

Does moisturizing help 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.

How long after moisturizing can I self tan?

Moisturize just before tanning

Fake tan can often cling to very dry areas, so make sure that your skin is well-hydrated. Use a moisturizer every day in the week leading up to tan application, then moisturize very dry areas, such as elbows, knees, ankles, feet and hands, 2 to 3 hours before tanning.

How to protect your face in a tanning bed?

Always wear FDA-approved protective goggles when using a tanning bed. Regular sunglasses are not sufficient as they do not provide the necessary protection against intense UV rays emitted by tanning beds.

What happens if you don't moisturize before tanning?

Moisturizing creates a smooth, hydrated base that helps your self-tanner glide on evenly. Without it, dry areas of your body—like elbows, knees, and ankles—soak up more product, leaving you with darker, blotchy areas.

How to stop fake tan going into pores on face?

Here are two tips to avoid clogged pores and achieve a perfect result:
  1. Wait longer between showering and self-tanning so that your pores can naturally close. You may have applied your self-tanner immediately after showering. ...
  2. Try lightly sweeping something cold over your skin.

Do you fake tan your eyelids?

Self-tanner on the face can be, in a word, scary—but avoiding your under-eye area altogether is a bad idea. Apply underneath the eyelids (but not touching them) and sheer out away from the eye to keep things looking natural. Brows, on the other hand, are highly absorbent, so use sparingly.

Can you mix self-tanner with moisturizer for face?

You can mix in moisturizer and certain self-tanners like tanning serums together to reduce blotchiness. However, if you've already applied moisturizer separately beforehand, there's no need to additionally mix the products together.

How to get best self tan results?

Follow these steps:
  1. Exfoliate. Use a washcloth to exfoliate the skin prior to applying a self-tanner. ...
  2. Dry your skin. ...
  3. Apply in sections. ...
  4. Wash your hands after each section. ...
  5. Blend at your wrists and ankles. ...
  6. Dilute over your joints. ...
  7. Give your skin time to dry. ...
  8. Apply sunscreen every day.

Why does fake tan not work on my face?

Because your face is (generally) less covered up than the rest of your body, and if you have a rigorous skincare routine, you might find that the self tan on your face fades quicker than your body.

What should I put on my face before a tanning bed?

Use tanning lotion.

You can buy them at your local tanning salon before your session. These lotions help your skin absorb UV rays faster, provide a more even tan, and keep your skin looking hydrated and healthy.

Should you cover your nipples when tanning?

If you're going commando, it might be a good idea to protect your most sensitive parts, such as nipples and genitals, because the skin is more sensitive and could be more prone to burning (you definitely don't want to burn there-ouch!).

Can you moisturize your face before tanning?

Prep and prime

When it comes to self tanning, preparation is key. Just like when tanning the rest of your body, we recommend exfoliating your face the day before application. This removes any dead skin cells, leaving your skin silky smooth. Follow with your favourite moisturiser to stop your skin feeling dry.

Should you moisturize before fake tan?

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.

How to self tan face with dry skin?

“I like to start prepping for a self-tan 24 to 48 hours before by exfoliating, shaving and moisturizing,” says Alysa. “The drier the skin, the longer you want to moisturize.” Use a rich, hydrating cream, like the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, to hydrate your skin so your tan is even and long-lasting.

What is the best moisturizer to use with self-tanner?

I have found the best lotions to use are Aveeno, Cetaphil, Hempz, and CeraVe. Lotions with perfumes contain high alcohol levels and tend to dry out the skin.

How can I make my fake tan last longer on my face?

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.

What happens if you put moisturizer over fake tan?

We want your tan to be 20/10 and unfortunately if moisturiser is applied it can leave blotches, marks and strip the tan in certain spots on the skin. Once you've washed off the colour guide and waited at least 8 hours, you can apply your favourite moisturiser to your entire body.

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