What is the shelf life of self-tanner?

Author: Tommie Gerlach  |  Last update: Sunday, January 11, 2026

The shelf life of self-tanner varies by product, but generally: Unopened self-tanner: 1-3 years. Opened self-tanner: 6-12 months.

Does self-tanner go bad?

Generally, self-tan products have a lifespan of about 6 to 12 months, after which their efficacy starts to wane. The primary reason for this decline is the breakdown of Dihydroxyacetone (DHA), the active ingredient that reacts with your skin to create that beautiful bronze.

What happens if you use an old self-tanner?

Although they are non-toxic, when they reach their expiration date, they are not as effective. Expired self-tanners will not give you the kind of tan you want. Rather, your skin may have blemishes and won't absorb the self-tanner as effectively.

How do you know if tanning solution is bad?

The solution is bad when a spray tan does not last as long as it normally would, if it's got a greenish tint, and/or if the client's shade is not the color it normally would be with fresh solution.

Can you use year old fake tan?

Yes, self-tanners do have an expiration date with a shelf life of about 6-12 months.

How to Determine Shelf Life of Homemade Cosmetics

Does Jergens self-tanner expire?

What is the shelf life for JERGENS® Natural Glow® products? Although JERGENS® Natural Glow® Daily Moisturiser does not have an expiration date, the product is best if used within 12 months of opening. Can I use this in a tanning bed? We do not recommend using tanning beds in general.

Why won't my legs tan but my arms do?

Compared to the rest of the body, skin on the legs does not produce the same amount of melanin, which results in legs getting less tan. Skin on the legs is thicker and harder and the UV light from the sun or sunbeds cannot easily penetrate it.

Are you meant to moisturise after fake tanning?

The answer is YES, but only after the self tan has fully developed. All Bali Body fake tan's take around 8 hours to fully develop and reach their maximum level of glow. Regardless of when you wash the colour guide off, we highly recommend you don't moisturise until the 8 hour mark.

Can I still use my self-tanner if it's green?

Avoiding a Green Fake Tan: If you notice that your fake tan has turned green, it is best not to apply it. Instead, wash it off immediately to avoid an unpleasant and potentially ineffective results. A Green fake tan can be a disappointing and unexpected result.

What is the best self-tanner?

After extensive testing, we determined the highest rated self-tanner to be the St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse. It's an airy mousse that's easy to apply and blend and leaves you with a natural-looking glow. You can also customize the depth of color based on how long you leave it on your skin.

What are the cons of self-tanner?

Some of the health risks of DHA found spray tans and self-tanners include:
  • rashes.
  • coughing.
  • dizziness.
  • fainting.
  • increased risk of pulmonary diseases like asthma and COPD, from inhaling spray tanners.
  • contact dermatitis.
  • rosacea.
  • DNA damage and cell death to healthy, living cells.

Why does self-tanner bring out age spots?

The self-tanner will intensify the existing browning, especially if they are diffuse, by further increasing the contrast between the spots and the skin. Self-tanners contain active ingredients (dihydroxyacetone, erythrulose, etc.)

What is the best fake tan for pale skin?

Best fake tans for pale skin
  • Kiko Milano Self Tan Mousse. ...
  • ICONIC London Prep Set Tan Mousse. ...
  • Loving Tan 2 HR Express Tanning Mousse. ...
  • Tan-Luxe The Future Airbrush 360 Self-Tan Mist. ...
  • Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Water. ...
  • Dove DermaSpa Summer Revived. ...
  • St Moriz Illuminating Gradual Tanning Lotion.

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."

Do I just rinse self-tanner off?

If you opt for a wash-off tan, allow it to develop for 4 to 8 hours. Then, wash it off with slightly cooler water than normal, and don't use scrubs or soaps as these can fade your tan. Simply rinse until the water runs clear.

What not to do after fake tanning?

AFTER THE TAN

Shower lightly in cold – lukewarm water for 45 seconds ONLY after your desired development time. Use plain water, don't use shower gels, scrubs, shampoos or loofah during the first 24 hours after your treatment. Pat your skin dry. Do not rub or scrub your skin.

Should you fake tan your face?

With a touch of fake tan on your face, you can achieve a healthy, natural-looking tan all year round. Whether you want a subtle boost or a bold bronzed look, fake tanning your face is the ultimate beauty hack for a flawless and golden-brown appearance.

What is the best lotion to use after self-tanning?

LOTIONS Avoid any oils or lotions that use mineral oil (petroleum), baby oil, coconut oil, and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (which is found in most body washes). 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.

Which body part tans the fastest?

Previous research by Rees has confirmed what sun worshippers already knew: that the upper back is much more likely to tan than the legs, and that the outsides of the arms go brown far quicker than the insides.

Why is it harder to tan as you get older?

Dendrites become shorter as the melanocytes age, making it difficult to place melanosomes and pigment evenly throughout the spinosum layer, thereby reducing the epidermal barrier defence. 7.

What is the best fake tan?

Best fake tan formulas 2025 at a glance:
  • Best overall: Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam.
  • Best colour-correcting mousse: Bondi Sands Technocolor 1 Hour Express Self Tanning Foam.
  • Best for beginners: Tan-Luxe x Paris Hilton The Future Airbrush 360 Self-Tan Mist.
  • Best for natural results: St.

How long does self-tanner last if unopened?

FAQ Self-Tan. For how long does an opened Self-tanning bottle last? From the date that the product gets filled, it lasts for 3 years if it's unopened. If it's opened, at least 6 months.

What is the shelf life of Jergens?

Is Jergens packaging recyclable? Yes, packaging is recyclable where facilities exist. What is the shelf life for Jergens products? Jergens products have been formulated to be stable for at least 3 years.

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