You've spent the week glowing in your fake tan, but as with all good things, nothing lasts forever and it's started to go patchy — eek. Modern self tans [1] may have advanced so orange patches and unsightly streaks are few and far between, but it doesn't always mean the fade is even and sometimes, despite your best efforts, you still end up with discoloured palms [2], patchy ankles, or the odd streak.
Fear not, whether it's leftover patchy tan or a fake tan fail you're tackling, we've got the top tips to help you remove even the most stubborn fake tan…
Tanning expert James Harknett [3] tells POPSUGAR UK that in an emergency, using an exfoliating glove, warm water and soap is the best way to remove fake tan. "This will safely exfoliate the skin to a point where the colour is faded, without having a harsh burnt look and feeling on the skin," he says. "Follow with a moisturiser on the area after drying the skin."
For some quick tips on budging uneven streaks, he recommends Simple Kind to Skin Cleansing Facial Wipes [4] (£2). "They really help remove darker patches and work brilliantly on older fake tan that is separating on the skin and causing patches."
Keep reading for more tips on how to remove fake tan fast and from difficult areas like wrists and hands.
How to Remove Fake Tan
Founder of Rose & Caramel [5], Rosie Greenhalgh says that a long soak in a tub and using body oil is your best bet if you don't have a specialist fake tan remover.
"Run yourself a nice, warm bath and add some of your favourite bath or body oil," she tells us. "Oil breaks down fake tan and together with gently exfoliating with a scrub or mitt, will help to remove old, patchy colour. Remember, skin health and safety always comes first — stick to gentle products and methods and avoid anything too harsh or abrasive."
Harknett also says that a long soak can speed up the removal of fake tan in the kindest way possible for your skin. "Rather than scrubbing vigorously and causing uncomfortable tightness on the skin, just have a long soak with Epsom salts or a few drops of aromatherapy oil in the bath. Once the skin is waterlogged use your towel to pull away the unwanted tan. This is by far the kindest way to take away unwanted fake tan."
How to Remove Fake Tan Fast
The only thing worse than a bad fake tan is the effort it takes to remove it, but fear not, as tan removers exist. These handy formulations range in price and consistency, for example, Bondi Sands Self Tan Eraser [6] (£18) is a mousse that can be left on the skin for five minutes before being wiped off, taking your fake tan with it. There are also scrubs, like Rose & Caramel's Purity Excel 60 Second Tan Remover [7] (£30) which help to gently exfoliate your skin and remove your tan.
"The secret is in its potent blend of natural perlite and urea, two powerful ingredients that work together to remove any brand of self tan in record-breaking time," Greenhalgh says of the 60 Second Tan Remover. "But that's not all, Purity Excel also provides your skin with much-needed hydration leaving it soft, smooth and primed ready for your next tanning application."
How to Remove Fake Tan From Hands
Lemon juice can help to dissolve and break down uneven patches of self-tanner, but since it's an acid, don't use it all over the body. Save it for small areas like your ankles, wrists, and the palms of your hands. For extra streak-busting power, mix your lemon juice with a tablespoon of sugar or bicarbonate of soda, and use the mixture to exfoliate the area.
But, Steffie Okoronkwo, founder of EFFN Beauty, tells us that in order to ensure a flawless fade for your fake tan, "use a gentle body polish and unscented body cream like EFFN's Body Creme [8] (£15) daily, paying careful attention to drier areas such as hands, knees, elbows and feet. This will allow your tan to fade naturally but also topping up your tan seamless as areas will remain smooth and moisturised."
Similarly, Harknett says: "For very stubborn palms and in between finger stains, then your best bet is reaching for the Rose & Caramel's remover. Then, for wrists that are over-stained, absorb a face cloth or flannel with hot water and buff generously and this will help fade out."
Lauren Gordon [9] is the editorial coordinator at POPSUGAR UK, where she creates lifestyle and identity content. Lauren has a degree in journalism from University of the Arts London and previously worked as a showbiz and TV reporter at The Mirror US. Lauren specialises in pop culture, hair and beauty, focusing on trends, sharing in-depth tutorials, and highlighting hidden gems in the beauty industry.