Whether you are awaiting the natural summer tan or made a mistake when you applied best self tanner for body, there are ways to remove your glow. Most of these methods use ingredients that you likely have in your pantry. Others you may have to grab the next time you are at the store. But either way, none of them will break the bank and you will be able to reapply your self-tanner or hit up the beach (with your sunscreen!) without your faux glow. Keep in mind that depending on your self-tanner shade, you may see just a lightening of tone rather than a complete removal of color. Be patient. You’ll soon get that perfect tan tone again!
Ways for Removing Self Tanner
1. Exfoliate with a Body Scrub
This is a technique that I recommend when prepping to apply your self-tanner, but it also works to remove your glow. Just apply your favorite scrub to your hands, feet, or all over (depending on what areas need touched up or glow removed) and wash it away. Be careful not to scrub too hard. You don’t want to be rough on your skin, but rather exfoliate the layer that has the self-tanner on it. Always remember to follow this method up with a nice layer of moisturizer.
2. Lemon Juice
Does this make you think of a time in the past when you may have put lemon juice in your hair to bleach it in the sun? I don’t recommend putting lemon juice on your whole body, but instead use this method for clearing up blotches or streaks. Just apply the lemon juice to a cotton ball and apply it to the mistake area. Feel free to wash the same area with soap and water after so you don’t smell like a fruit tree, unless you like that smell!
3. Hair Removal Cream
Double whammy treatment here! Go ahead and remove your unwanted hair along with your unwanted tan. Follow the instructions on whatever hair removal product you prefer but cut the wait time in half to remove a self-tan. You may have to do this twice to get the results you are looking for. Be super careful with this method if you have sensitive skin. Hair removal cream can he harsh.
4. White Vinegar
This is a pantry staple. If you don’t already have a jug of white vinegar in your kitchen, just grab one the next time you are at the store. There are so many uses for it, even removing a self-tan! Like lemon juice, it is a natural exfoliant. I can’t say I ever heard of anyone putting white vinegar in their hair though. Follow the same rules for white vinegar as lemon juice – dab the area you want your self-tanner removed with a cotton ball soaked in the white vinegar, wait 10 minutes, wash off. White vinegar can be an issue with sensitive skin as well, so if your skin is sensitive, maybe start with the lemon juice method.
5. Baby Oil
This is a method we would recommend if you are looking to remove a self-tanner from your whole body. Baby oil lifts self-tanner and moisturizes at the same time! Lather your whole body up with some baby oil, let it soak for 10 minutes, and then hop into a hot shower to rinse it off.
Keep in mind that self-tanner is a temporary dye to your skin. We know that mistakes happen. If your glow is too dark for your liking, or you happen to make a mistake with your hands and feet, these methods can help fade your mishaps, and maybe even remove it completely.