TL;DR:
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Self-tanner fades naturally within three to seven days, and anything that speeds up exfoliation also speeds up tan removal.
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The most reliable reset is a warm soak, a gentle buff with an exfoliating mitt or scrub like our Tan Prep & Erase Scrub, and a generous layer of moisturizer.
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Your face and hands need a softer touch, like a washcloth, gentle cleanser, or your regular AHA and retinol products, rather than the exfoliating mitt you use on your body.
Your tan had a great week. Now it's ready to retire, and you're ready for a fresh start. The best ways to remove self-tanner include a warm soak, a gentle buff using a purpose made product such as a tan remover with an exfoliating mitt and a generous layer of moisturizer to finish — but we have other tips coming your way, too.
In this blog, we’ll outline the best way to remove your self-tanner fast, and a few methods to skip. Read on to learn how to remove self tanner and say “so long” to orange skin, streaks, and other self-tanning disasters.
Why Does Self Tanner Fade?
Self-tanner lives on the very top layer of your skin. Its active ingredient, DHA, reacts with proteins in your skin's outermost layer to create a brown tint, and that layer is made of cells your body sheds every single day. That's why a tan fades within three to seven days as your skin naturally exfoliates, and why anything that speeds up exfoliation speeds up the fade too.
Removing self-tanner simply means helping those surface cells along. A light touch works best here, since there's zero need to scrub your skin raw to get a clean slate.
What Are Some Myths About Removing Self-Tanner?
Some of these hacks have a grain of truth. Others do more harm than good. Here's what's fact and what's fiction.
Myth 1: Baby Oil Will Wipe Your Tan Right Off
The truth: Oils like baby oil, coconut oil, or olive oil soften the skin, which can help dead skin cells loosen so exfoliation works a little better. If you're wearing a light gradual tan, you might see it fade by a shade. But oil on its own can't remove color that's bonded to your skin. It needs something to physically lift that layer away, and it leaves skin slick, which isn't ideal right before your next tan.
Myth 2: Baking Soda and Lemon Juice Make the Best DIY Self Tan Remover
The truth: This is the most popular DIY self tan remover online, and the one we'd most like to retire. Baking soda is gritty and alkaline, and lemon juice is acidic. Neither is made for skin.
Together they can leave skin tight, dry, or irritated, and citrus juice can make skin more reactive to sunlight. At best, you'll see a slight fade, which usually means repeat attempts and more irritation.
Myth 3: Whitening Toothpaste Lifts Tan Off Hands and Fingers
The truth: Toothpaste is formulated for tooth enamel, not skin. Many contain abrasives, whitening agents, and minty flavorings that can sting the delicate skin between your fingers. Any fading you notice is mostly from the rubbing, not the toothpaste itself. For stubborn areas like hands, knuckles, and nails, see our area-by-area guide to removing fake tan.
Myth 4: A Swim, Hot Tub or Sauna Will Sweat Your Tan Away
The truth: Long soaks soften the top layer of skin, and chlorine can gradually fade color, so a pool day may help your tan fade a little faster. But it's slow and uneven (hello, patchy elbows and knees), and chlorine can leave skin feeling dry. A lovely day out, but not a reset.
Myth 5: Any Sugar or Salt Scrub Will Do the Job
The truth: You're on the right track here: exfoliation is key to removing self-tanner. The catch is that homemade scrubs use irregular, sharp granules that can feel scratchy and are hard to spread evenly, so you can end up with a patchier result than you started with. They also don't contain anything to help loosen old color, so you're relying on elbow grease alone.
Myth 6: Hair Removal Cream Is a Secret Tan Eraser
The truth: Depilatory creams are designed to break down hair, and they're strong enough to irritate skin when used for anything other than their intended purpose. Spreading them over large areas or leaving them on to "work harder" raises the risk of redness and sensitivity, which is the last thing you want before applying your next tan.
Myth 7: The Harder You Scrub, the Faster Your Tan Comes Off
The truth: Scrubbing aggressively with a loofah or rough towel can leave skin red and sensitized, and it can tend to remove tan unevenly: you'll strip some patches and miss others. Gentle, circular buffing is far more effective, especially once a product has already loosened the old color. An exfoliating mitt like our Deluxe Exfoliating Mitt gives you even pressure without the scratch.
Myth 8: All Tan Removers Are Harsh and Drying
The truth: This reputation comes from harsh, stripping formulas, so it pays to read the label. Look for a remover that's free from acetone and bleach, uses gentle exfoliants, and includes nourishing ingredients so skin feels cared for rather than stripped. That's exactly how we built our Tan Prep & Erase Scrub.
What’s the Best Way To Remove Self-Tanner?
Every DIY hack is trying to do the same job: lift away tanned skin cells evenly without irritating your skin. The problem is that none of the DIY methods were made for the job, and the best way to remove self-tanner is to use a product that was.
Meet Tan Prep & Erase Scrub
Your old tan has 60 seconds. Our Sunny Honey Tan Prep & Erase Scrub is a dual-action scrub that buffs away old tan while gently exfoliating and nourishing skin, so you're starting fresh for your next one. Starting with bare skin? Smooth it on and let the silky micro-grains do the work, leaving skin soft, smooth, and ready for color.
Here’s why it works:
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Dual-action exfoliation: Glycolic and lactic acids (AHAs) gently loosen dead skin cells, while perlite and pumice buff away old tan and stubborn patches.
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Nourished, not stripped: Coconut and papaya oils hydrate and soften, while urea helps smooth rough, dry skin and retain moisture.
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Feels good, not gritty: A silky, whipped texture with fine micro-grains, no harsh scratch.
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Makes prep the fun part: Finished with our Golden Mango Melt scent: ripe mango and pineapple, creamy coconut milk, warm vanilla and sandalwood.
Here's how to remove self-tanner the easy way with our Tan Prep & Erase Scrub:
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Apply to dry skin. Before you shower, smooth the scrub over dry skin wherever you want to remove tan.
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Count to 60. Leave it on for 60 seconds so the AHAs can get to work loosening old color.
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Buff it away. Hop in the shower and rinse while buffing in gentle circular motions with your hands or an exfoliating mitt.
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Pat dry and reset. Skin is left smooth, soft, and ready for your next tan.
Prepping bare skin instead? Apply to dry skin, massage in circular motions, and rinse off in the shower. No need to wait 60 seconds.
How Do You Remove Self Tanner From Your Face?
Your face asks for a softer touch, so save the mitt for your body. Cleanse with lukewarm water and a gentle face wash, then glide a soft washcloth over your skin with light circular motions for about 30 seconds. If your skin is dry or sensitive, a washcloth paired with a mild chemical exfoliant tends to feel kinder than a gritty scrub. Skip exfoliating entirely if your skin is sunburned or has any cuts.
Your usual retinol, vitamin C, AHA, or BHA products also help a facial tan fade faster, so your nightly skincare routine does some of the work for you. When you're ready to glow again, our Face Tan collection has lightweight formulas made just for your face.
How Do You Get Self Tanner Off Your Hands?
Hands pick up color fast, especially around your knuckles and between your fingers. Wash with soap and warm water, then work a damp washcloth or soft nail brush over those spots and around your cuticles. A drop of oil massaged in before washing helps loosen any color hanging around your nails.
For your next application, a Soft Velvet Tanning Mitt keeps your palms out of the action entirely.
How Can You Prep Your Skin for the Next Self-Tan?
Once your canvas is clear, a little prep helps your next glow develop evenly and fade gracefully. Exfoliate 6 to 24 hours before you tan, paying extra attention to drier spots like your knees and elbows. Then apply your tan to dry skin with no moisturizer underneath.
Our Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam makes the reset worth it. Its green-grey base develops into a natural-looking bronze with no orange tones, and it smells like a tropical mango smoothie while it works. Leave it on for a minimum of six hours or overnight for a deeper glow, then rinse in warm water. A daily moisturizer helps make your tan last longer, giving you up to a week of glow before your next reset.
For even better results next tanning sesh, try our Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Set! The ultimate tanning companion, it comes with everything you’ll need to get an even tan without the fear of streaking or orange tones. It even comes with a brush so you can get perfect coverage on tricky areas like your face, hands, feet, and ears. Trust us – you’ll love the results (and you won’t need to use these tan removal tips at all)!
Ready To Reset and Glow Again?
Removing self-tanner comes down to patience and a light touch, and your skin will thank you for both. Once you're back to a fresh canvas, browse our Body Tan collection or take our Tan Quiz to find your perfect shade. Meet us at the beach.
FAQs
What is self-tanner?
Self-tanner is a cosmetic product that darkens the skin by reacting with its outermost layer, providing a sun-kissed look without the damaging UV exposure associated with sunbathing or tanning beds. It is a safer and more convenient way to achieve a tan.
What is an effective method to remove self-tanner?
The easiest and most effective method is to wet your skin in a warm shower, apply a body scrub or gel to exfoliate in circular motions and then rinse and moisturize for maximum hydration.
How can I remove self-tanner from my face without damaging my skin?
To remove self-tanner from your face, use a gentle facial exfoliator or a paste made of baking soda and water. Avoid harsh scrubs and opt for gentle, circular motions to prevent irritation.
What are the best household items for removing self-tanner?
Common household items that work well for self-tan removal include baby oil, olive oil and a simple DIY scrub made from sugar or salt mixed with coconut oil.
Can you remove self-tanner right after applying it?
Yes, and the sooner you rinse, the lighter your result. Hop in a lukewarm shower before the color has fully developed, wash with a mitt and body wash, and follow up with moisturizer.
Can you use baking soda or lemon juice to remove self-tanner?
We'd leave those in the kitchen. Gritty or acidic pantry mixes can leave skin stinging, while a mitt and body wash get the job done comfortably.
How often can you exfoliate to fade a tan?
Let your skin set the pace. Gentle exfoliation once a day for a day or two is enough to get the job done for most people, but any redness or stinging is your cue to take a break and moisturize.
Sources:
Self-Tanning Lotions: Are They a Healthy Way To Achieve a Tan? | PubMed
The Use of Sunless Tanners Position Statement | Canadian Dermatology Association
How to Safely Exfoliate at Home | American Academy of Dermatology
