TL;DR:
- Self-tan after your workout, once you've showered and your skin is cool and completely dry.
- Avoid sweating while your tan develops, which takes at least six hours with our Bali Bronzing Foam.
- Once your tan has developed, sweat won't ruin it, though friction and chlorine can speed up fading.
Should you self-tan before or after a workout? After. Work out first, tan once you've showered, and let your color fully develop before you sweat again.
There are two things in life guaranteed to make you feel amazing—a gorgeous faux glow and a heart-pumping workout. But, just like oil and water, self-tan and spin class unfortunately don't always mix. Chose the wrong sports bra? You'll likely end up with not-so-natural streaks.
To make sure your self-tan goes the distance if you like to sweat on the reg, this comprehensive guide to maintaining a fake tan with an active lifestyle will see you through a week of sumo squats, downward dogs, and 10k jogs. Golden glow intact!
Should You Self Tan Before or After a Workout?
It’s best to self-tan after your workout. A post-workout shower leaves your skin clean, which is exactly what self-tan needs to develop evenly. Plus, applying your tanning product before a workout means you’ll be sweating while the color is still developing, and that's the fastest route to an uneven result.
Just give your body time to cool down before you reach for your mitt. Skin that's still warm from the gym can keep sweating after you shower, so wait until you're fully dry and comfortable. An evening workout followed by an evening tan is a dream combo, since your color can develop overnight and you can rinse in the morning.
Choose a Transfer-Proof Fake Tan
Before you reach for your tanning glove, make sure you're using a fake tan with a sweat-resistant formula, like our Bali Bronzing Foam. With hydrating ingredients to help prolong the life of your tan (no matter how much you work out), the transfer-proof formula won't rub off on your clothes. Or run down your cleavage as you sweat. It’s fast-drying, so you can slip into your post-gym loungewear and get on with your evening.
Don't Work Out Until Your Tan Has Developed
Sweat itself won't fade your fake tan—this is more to do with friction, which we'll discuss in a sec. Perspiration can, however, wreak some serious havoc if you don't give your self-tan time to develop.
If you head to the gym or get extra sticky before you've had your first post-tanning shower? You run the risk of a streaky, uneven tan—and even a green tinge from the sweat interfering with the tanning dyes. Don't say you haven't been warned!
How Long Should You Wait To Work Out After Self-Tanning?
Give our Bali Bronzing Foam at least six hours to develop, ideally six or more, and save your workout until after you've rinsed off the guide color. With our Express Tanning Antioxidant Mousse, you can rinse it off after just one hour. After using either formula, your tan continues to develop for up to 24 hours after that first rinse, so if your schedule allows, make the next day gentler, like a yoga flow or a long walk.
Does Sweat Ruin Self Tan?
Not once your tan has fully developed. Self-tan color lives in the outer layer of your skin and fades as those cells naturally shed, so a sweaty session alone won't wash it away.
Choose Comfy Gym Gear that Doesn't Rub
Does your self-tan always seem to fade faster between the boobs and where your bra straps sit? This is because friction between your clothes and skin acts as a manual exfoliant—effectively sloughing away your golden glow.
To avoid an uneven fade and keep your tan going strong, opt for a well-fitting sports bra and seam-free tights that won't rub. As for fabrics, make sure they're either breathable or sweat-wicking to keep you cool and dry.
Sprinkle on Some Baby Powder Before Your Sweat Sesh
Fake tan hates friction, so it's a good idea to keep some baby powder in your gym bag. Sprinkle in sweat-prone areas to mop up excess moisture and keep rubbing and chafing at bay. It's not just rubbing clothes that do the damage either—skin-on-skin friction can fast-track the fade. So, pop some powder into those pesky, bendy bits, like the armpits, elbows, and behind the knees. And don't forget to show some love to your cleavage and underboob ☺.
Skip the Pool or Spa After Your Workout
Swimming is an amazing, full-body workout. Unfortunately, however, it's not the best workout choice for self-tan fans. Chlorine dries out the skin and strips your color, so skip the pool and spa if you're serious about prolonging your faux glow.
Or, if the idea of giving up your daily laps is laughable, try slathering on a thick, waterproof lotion beforehand to help lock in color. And don't forget to moisturize after your swim.
Timing matters here too. Wait until your tan has fully developed and you've had your first rinse before you dive in, then hop under a freshwater shower as soon as you climb out so the chlorine doesn't linger on your skin. Ocean swimmers should rinse off the same way, since seawater can also cause your color to fade faster.
Freshen Up with a Cool Shower
Long, hot showers are super-drying, so keep your gym shower short, sweet, and as cool as possible. A cold water wash-down will not only enhance your post-workout glow and help reduce muscle aches, it'll help prolong your fake tan. Can't handle the icy water? Then make it lukewarm, rather than hot.
Go Easy During the Towel Down
Whether you're patting yourself down on the treadmill or toweling off after your shower, use a soft, smooth towel and go easy. Vigorous rubbing and rough surfaces will shed dead skin cells—and rub away your tan.
Keep Skin Moisturized
While moisturizing is an essential step for anyone wanting to extend the life of their fake tan, if you're working out it's extra important to keep skin well hydrated. Excessive sweating can dry out the skin, AND friction from all that movement during exercise can cause dry skin to shed faster—meaning your tan can fade quicker! So please make sure you put on a nourishing body moisturizer after you wash away the sweat and bacteria.
Top up Your Facial Tan with Tanning Drops
Fact: Self-tan on the face tends to fade faster due to twice-daily cleansing and the use of active skincare ingredients like AHAs. If you're working out daily, you might also be washing your face more often—further fast-tracking the fade.
To make sure your face matches the skin on your neck and body, tanning drops are your BFF. Simply add 2-3 drops of our hydrating Bronzing Face Drops to your moisturizer (ideally at night) for a natural, buildable glow that keeps going.
How often can you reapply fake tan if you're active?
A well-cared-for self-tan should last around a week. However, while the steps above will help, those who exercise often might find their tan needs reapplying sooner. You can apply Bali Bronzing Foam or our Express Tanning Antioxidant Mousse as often as needed, however it's important to thoroughly exfoliate and prep before each application.
For best results, an even fade and natural-looking color, we do not recommend applying our self-tanning mousse without first removing all traces of your previous tan.
On rest days, a gradual tanner like our Sun-kissed Gradual Tanning Lotion is an easy way to top up your glow between full applications. When it's time for a fresh start, our guide on how to remove self-tanner can help you clear the way.
Ready To Glow and Go?
Tan after your workout and give your color time to develop, and your glow will keep up with every spin class and sunrise run. Grab a bottle and meet us at the beach… or after the gym.
Check out tan guides & tips here!
FAQs
Will self tan rub off on my yoga mat or gym equipment?
Nope. Our self-tan products have been developed with a transfer-proof formula, so a quick wipe-down after class is all your mat needs.
Can I use the sauna or steam room with a self tan?
Yes, once your self-tan has fully developed. We recommend you keep your sessions on the shorter side, since heat and steam can speed up fading.
Should I exfoliate more often if I work out a lot?
There's no need. Your workouts already create plenty of friction, so save a full exfoliation for the day before your next application. Our Deluxe Exfoliating Mitt & Tan Prep & Erase Scrub makes that prep step quick and easy.
Sources:
The Use of Sunless Tanners Position Statement | Canadian Dermatology Association
