We know the ins and outs of how difficult it can be to successfully remove self tan, and we’re not talking about the initial wash off, we mean the remnants that get left behind long after the night out or special event. Other times, self-tanning goes extremely wrong just before the event, and you need a quick solution to prevent the obvious look of self-tan gone wrong. We know if a last minute fix is needed, you aren’t going to have time to pop to the shops, that’s why we’ve derived a few home remedy tips and tricks that can help right the wrong, or get rid of any excess. 

1. Exfoliate with baby oil

Apply a generous amount of baby oil to your skin, and let it sit for ten minutes. By doing this it can allow your skin to become more susceptible to exfoliation. Olive oil or coconut oil will also work. After leaving it to soak, have a warm shower and use a loofah or washcloth to gently scrape away the excess. 

2. Have a shower or bath

If you use a tanning mousse or cream, sometimes simply getting in the shower or bath can be the best result of getting rid of streaks, or excess tan completely. How does it help:

• Buffing streaky areas with a soft washcloth helps neutralise streaks, without removing too much of the overall colour. 
• Soaking in warm water can help soften the skin and raise its pH level, which can make it easier to exfoliate. The longer you soak, the easier it could be to remove dead skin.  

3. Nasal Tan

If you want to stop tanning from nasal spray tanner, simply stop using it. Nasal sprays need to be used every day to maintain the tanned look, so the tanned coloration should start to fade away the next day without any daily follow-up applications. 

4. Buff with exfoliating gloves 

Exfoliating mitts are a great way to get rid of fake tan mishaps and any unwanted excess tan. You can also use baby oil to help break up the colour faster. What’s even better, they are reusable, meaning you can use it for future tan mishaps or excess. 

5. Buy self-tanner remover

Self-tan remover is made for exactly what it says, removing old tan or correcting fresh mistakes. It is a good product to buy, knowing it could work in the exact way you want it to. One of the main issues with self-tan remover is that it can be quite costly, whereas the other solutions generally don’t have a high cost. 

Applying and removing self-tan can sometimes be a difficult task, especially if you are in a rush, that’s why we hope these tips and tricks will help you next time you’re in a position you need to remove your tan ASAP. Please bear in mind that these suggestions may work depending on different people or skin types. For example, if you have very sensitive skin, or have a skin condition, perhaps try soaking in a bath instead of using exfoliating gloves. Each of these factors have been suggested as they have been found to work best, however,  please take into consideration that where one may work for another person, it may not for you.