Common reasons for patchy self-tanning include having products on the skin (perfume, deodorant, oil-based moisturizers, etc.) that can cause your tan to break down and fade unevenly.
If your gradual tan is patchy in more places than not, it might be time to start afresh. Set aside a few minutes before you hop into the shower and lather your body in coconut or baby oil. After five minutes, grab an exfoliating glove and gently scrub away at your patchy tan.
If your skin responded well to tanning before, there really should not be a reason why your skin suddenly is not responding. You might need to have UV light turned up, maybe the strength of light being used is less now then what you used to have before.
Use Circular Motions:
Apply the product using circular motions to avoid streaks and ensure an even distribution.
Simply take some coconut oil (mixing other natural oils is okay as well), apply it on the uneven tanned areas, and leave it on overnight. When you wake up in the morning, simply wash your skin. Repeat the process each day, and your tan lines should be barely visible after a while.
Step 2: Reach for your gradual tan
Apply your chosen gradual tanning moisturiser with your hand or a mitt, smoothing carefully from the legs upwards. We recommend using circular motions to ensure all areas are evenly covered.
Gradual tan is best applied once a day, or every few days depending on the colour you wish to achieve. It Is not recommended to apply gradual tan twice a day as this can cause the product to build up, too much product can affect how even your colour is.
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.
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.
Applying too much product too quickly can result in streaking, patchiness, or an unnatural orange colour. Instead, stick to one application per day and build up your tan gradually over time. This will give you a more natural-looking result and reduce the risk of any mishaps.
It can be tempting to forego exfoliating or cleansing your skin properly before tanning, but then you risk a streaky tan! As our skin cells all turn-over and shed at different times, it's vital that you start with a fresh canvas so that your tan is applied evening and won't go streaky or patchy.
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.
With just a touch of self tanner, Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Natural Bronze creates a delicate, sun-kissed, summer glow all year long. Gradually builds a subtle tan within a few days, while deeply moisturising your skin.
After applying a Dove gradual self-tanning product to your skin, you will begin to notice a gradual darkening after 2–4 hours. Your tan will continue to develop over the next 24–48 hours. This process is temporary and reversible, and the tan will fade evenly and subtly over the course of the next several days.
Yes, your skin should be dry prior to self-tanning, however, dampening your tanning mitt before applying your self tanner is a great self tanning tip for beginners especially to ensure an easy, smooth application. The key here is to gently wet your mitt before wringing it out completely.
For an even, streak-free tan, use the Bondi Sands exfoliation mitt to ensure your skin is clean and free from any moisturisers. Push pump firmly, applying tanning milk evenly onto the skin in a smooth, circular motion. Apply lightly to hands, elbows, knees and ankles. Wait until skin is touch dry before dressing.
“What's great about in-shower and pre-shower gradual tans is once you have applied and finished your shower nothing can damage your gradual tan from developing.” According to Evans, you can apply gradual tanner every day until you are at your desired shade.
Depending on how long your tan takes to develop, it can be best to sleep in it overnight and wash it off in the morning — just be sure to use dark coloured sheets or a tan sheet protector. Use cooler water to wash off the residue of your fake tan.
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 causes a patchy fake tan? Common reasons for patchy self-tanning include having products on the skin (perfume, deodorant, oil-based moisturizers, etc.) that can cause your tan to break down and fade unevenly.