Why does my spray tan fade so fast?

Author: Ronaldo Gutmann  |  Last update: Saturday, September 6, 2025

Moisturize twice a day Dry skin sheds quicker, meaning your tan fades faster, so make sure that you keep your skin hydrated by applying a moisturizer day and night. Our Tan Enhancing Body Moisturiser blends Shea Butter with Apricot Kernel Oil and Jojoba Seed Oil to keep your skin hydrated.

Why does my spray tan come off so fast?

The reason for this one is pretty simple: you wash your hands and face more than any other part of your body. Double that with the fact that your hands and your face are the most exposed parts of your body and you've got a recipe for a faster-fading tan.

How do I make my spray tan last longer?

14 tips for making a spray tan last longer
  1. Choose your shade wisely. ...
  2. Think about timing. ...
  3. Buff, buff, buff away. ...
  4. Avoid a wax 24 hours before the spray tan. ...
  5. Think about your tanning location. ...
  6. Know what to do after a spray tan. ...
  7. Ditch deodorant, grab talc. ...
  8. Don't have a shower immediately.

Why does my fake tan only last 2 days?

However, it's important to keep your skin moisturized to maintain the longevity of the self-tan. For those with dry skin, self tanner may only last for 0 to 1-2 days. Dry skin tends to absorb less self tanner, so it may fade more quickly. It also sheds faster, leaving you pale.

How to fix a fading spray tan?

How to fix patchy fake tan
  1. Gently buff away excess tan. Excess product often settles onto dry areas, like the elbows, knees, ankles, hands, and feet, causing an uneven, patchy tan. ...
  2. Exfoliate the skin. ...
  3. Fill in the gaps. ...
  4. Always use a tanning mitt. ...
  5. Opt for a gradual tan moisturiser.

How I got rid of my Tan ? - Dr.Manjot, MD Dermatologist

Why is my spray tan not lasting?

Keeping your skin hydrated is key to making your airbrush tan last longer. Moisturize your skin at least twice a day with a water-based lotion or oil-free moisturizer. Avoid using products that contain alcohol, fragrance, or essential oils as they can dry out your skin and cause your tan to fade faster.

How do you keep fake tan from fading?

Stop your skin from drying out

Moisturise regularly to prevent your tan from fading unevenly. Hydrated skin will hold onto the tan better and keep it looking flawless for longer. Try the Clarins Moisture-Rich Body Lotion , which contains bitter orange flower to deeply nourish and hydrate skin.

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 does a spray tan last if you shower every day?

A good quality spray tan will last up to a week, though it does vary according to your skin regime and the depth of the spray tan you opt for. A light bronze can fade in around 5 days, while a darker shade will stay put for a good week.

What makes fake tan fade faster?

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.

What lotions to avoid after spray tan?

You must avoid the following ingredients when using a moisturizer: Mineral Oil, Petroleum, Paraffins, Paraffinum Liquidum, Ceresine. Curel lotions will fade a tan faster, on some people. Avoid lotions with a high alcohol content such as CeraVe.

What lightens spray tan?

Using body scrub to exfoliate your skin can help to scrub away the tanner. Exfoliation can help to even out an uneven tan, and lighten a too-dark tan. Lemon juice is a great method for removing self-tanner.

How long do professional spray tans last?

In general, your spray tan should last around a week, usually 5-7 days. This is pretty standard for professional spray tans, but still gives you plenty of time to get a tan booked in around other plans. While a spray tan lasts for around a week, you will start to see it fading before this time gradually.

How can I make my spray tan last longer?

To preserve your tan, avoid swimming, long showers, baths, steam rooms, and saunas. Avoid harsh chemicals such as chlorine, products containing acids, massages, fashion tape, bandages, and anything else that may strip your tan. We know it's hard, but keep your hands off your hot self.

Why is my tan fading so fast?

If you are returning from a holiday in the sun to a colder environment with little sun, you may notice that your tan will fade even faster. This is because, as the tanned skin cells are shed, the production of melanin (which causes a tan) decreases due to the lack of UV radiation from the sun.

Why has my tan lasted for years?

Why won't my tan go away? When the cells become damaged with pigment, discoloration that doesn't fade occurs, leading to a tan that doesn't fade. In fact, it tends to stay dark unless you choose to have this hyperpigmentation treated professionally.

Does spray tan continue to develop after washing it off?

Please note: the tan will continue to develop even after the shower, so do not be alarmed if you're not as tanned as you expect to be. The tan will continue to develop over the next 12-24 hours.

How to get rid of a spray tan asap?

To get rid of fake tan quickly, try soaking in a warm bath with baby oil, followed by exfoliating with an exfoliating mitt.

How to keep your fake tan from fading?

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 is the best body lotion for a spray tan?

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.

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.

Why does my fake tan not last long?

Here's a few things to consider if you want to your fake tan to last longer: Your skin type: If your skin is more on the dry side or it's winter and you're a little more drier than normal your dead skin cells can shed faster which can result in your fake tan fader faster.

Is it better to fake tan at night or morning?

Applying at night gives your self-tanner time to develop a natural tan look. Things like showering, rain, or tight clothes can mess up your tan when it's trying to settle. And some tanning products will also stain! As the self-tanner process can take up to eight hours, applying right before bed is super convenient.

How to make spray tan lighter?

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.

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