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When self-tanning goes wrong or you’re ready to strip it all back and start again, there is a solution. Stylist explains the hassle-free way to gently and effectively remove fake tan.
Fake tan’s a bit like Marmite; you either love it or you hate it. But whether you’re looking to add a subtle bronze glow to enhance your skin tone – for example, using drops like Tan Lux’s Self Tan Face Drops, £35 – or you want a darker finish like Bali Body’s Ultra Dark Tanning Mousse, £26.95, self-tan is an effective way of looking like you’ve been on holiday without putting your skin at risk from those harmful UV rays.
But, when your tan doesn’t quite turn out how you’d like (lest we forget the orange tan Anne Hathaway’s character Emma had to endure in Bride Wars) or it dries streakier than expected, it can be frustrating. Or, perhaps you’re ready for a fresh application but still have a bit of last week’s tan lingering. Rather than pressing the panic button, there is a simple solution. Enter, fake tan remover.
What is fake tan remover?
It’s a specially formulated product, usually in the form of a mousse, liquid spray or oil, that works to remove tan. They typically contain a chemical exfoliant called urea, which is naturally occurring in our skin.
How do you remove fake tan?
There are three simple steps to follow. “First of all, soak a generous amount of tan remover over the area of tan you want to remove. Then wait between five to 10 minutes before getting into a hot bath with essential oils. Once you’re in the bath, scrub your skin with a tan remover mitt to buff and lift away the colour,” explains St. Tropez’s skin finishing expert Michaella Bolder.
What are the common mistakes people make when trying to remove fake tan?
It’s a surprising fact, but wet skin will actually hinder tan removal. “It will work much better on dry skin and if you leave it to soak in for five to 10 minutes,” says Bolder. “A lot of people just use a normal mitt, but ideally you need an exfoliating mitt or loofah to scrub away the remnants.”
Are there any hacks for removing fake tan?
Time of removal: make sure you dedicate time towards the removal process. “Remove tan at night or maybe over the weekend when you have more time,” says Bolder.
Hydration is key: we moisturise the skin on our face regularly, and the same should apply to our bodies. “Moisturise afterwards to keep skin healthy, hydrated and nourished,” she explains.
Don’t add more tan to old tan: it’s a hard ask for those wanting to perfect their tan, but restraint is important. “Don’t be tempted to apply self-tan over an area that is gathering and in need of being scrubbed off. It’ll only make it harder to get off when you do,” adds Bolder.
Maintain a glow: to keep your tan uniform across your body, it’s important to apply it at the right time. “Apply a new layer of self-tan the next day after removing to keep your gorgeous glow.”
Now equipped with the ideal method, we’ve compiled our edit of the best fake tan removers on the market.
The best fake tan removers
Best fake tan remover for stubborn patches
Perfect for buffing away stubborn areas of fake tan, this creamy foam (enriched with botanical oils) leaves your skin silky smooth and tan free.
Shop Bare by Vogue Self Tan Eraser, £15.50
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The best nourishing fake tan remover
Infused with aloe vera, glycerin and rose extract, Bali Body’s tan remover is particularly great at leaving skin glowing and moisturised.
Shop Bali Body Self Tan Remover, £18.95
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The best fake tan remover spray
This clever spray is basically a vitamin-packed mist that’s enriched with cleansing micellar water and chemical exfoliant glycolic acid to remove as much tan as possible.
Shop Isle of Paradise Over It Self-Tan Eraser at Boots, £17.95
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The best luxurious fake tan remover
As rich foams go, Bondi Sands’ tan remover is up there. Containing soothing aloe vera, it makes for tan removal that’s more luxurious than most.
Shop Bondi Sands Self Tan Eraser at Boots, £15.99
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The best fake tan remover for sensitive skin
Whether your tan is a week old or a day old, St. Tropez’s mousse gently and effectively removes it in minutes. Containing purifying cotton extracts and balancing prebiotics, sensitive skin is left with minimal irritation afterwards.
Shop St. Tropez Tan Remover Prep & Maintain Mousse at Feelunique, £14.50
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The best high-strength fake tan remover
More relevant for those looking to get rid of a tan they’ve had for longer than three days, Utan’s tan remover works to break down old tan while soothing skin.
Shop Utan Super-Strength Tan Remover, £15
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Best fake tan remover for silky-smooth skin
This tan remover features both manual exfoliation (with natural pumice) and chemical exfoliators (salicylic acid) for a double-dose of tan removal. It also leaves your skin feeling ultra soft and hydrated. Win-win.
Shop Skinny Tan Miracle Self-Tan Eraser, £24.99
buy now
Images: Getty; courtesy of brands
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