Removing self-tanner from your hands can be tricky. Luckily there are some ways to remove it quickly, and no one will ever know that you used self-tanner.
The easiest way to remove self-tanner from your hands is to simply wash them after you apply it. Sometimes we forget to do this though, but that is totally okay because there are other ways to get rid of the stain.
To avoid getting stained, try to keep your skin moisturized either right before or consistently. It will make it harder for the self-tanner to stick to those areas, and will not soak in like it would on dry skin. Try using a tanning mitt or other applicator to keep the self-tanner contained and farther away from your hands, or apply in a bright environment to see if you are covering the skin in a even layer.
Sometimes getting self-tanner on you is unavoidable, so removing it is the only option.
10 Tips for Removing Self-Tanner
1. Baking Soda
Baking soda can be used for a host of nifty DIY hacks around your house. Now you can add “removing self-tanner” to that list. All you have to do is place a spoonful of baking soda in your hand, add a little bit of water to make a paste, and rub your hands together thoroughly. You can also apply the paste to a toothbrush and scrub your hands in a circular motion that way. Once done, rinse with water.
2. Baby Wipes
If you’re a new parent you probably have these handy at all times anyway, and they’re easy to bring with you anywhere you go. So, say you go to a tanning salon and get a spray tan. Once you get out, just pull out a few baby wipes and rub them along the palms of your hands, then toss them in the garbage. Super easy!
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3. Lemon Juice
When people think of exfoliants they often don’t think of lemon juice, but this wonderfully fragrant fruit has alpha-hydroxy acid which is perfect for removing those dead skin cells. In fact, it actually acts as a natural bleach, which is why it’s often used in green cleaning products. This is also what makes it good for removing self-tanner. The best way to do this is to take a spoonful of sugar, squeeze some lemon juice over it and rub it together in your hands to make a sugar scrub. Once done, rinse with water.
4. White Vinegar
Just like lemons, white vinegar contains acid that helps break down dead skin cells. It might not smell as good as lemon would, but in a pinch, this will do the trick for removing self-tanner from your hands.
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5. Nail Polish Remover
Nail polish remover with acetone is very strong and should not be used on other parts of your body other than your hands. We strongly recommend this as a last resort, but you would apply it to a cotton swab or Q-tip, and rub it over the palms of your hands to remove the self-tanner.
6. Toothpaste
If you have a good whitening toothpaste lying around, this will do the trick. Sometimes self-tanner can get blotchy. All you have to do is take a little toothpaste and rub it in a circular motion over the affected area, and it should disappear. Rinse with water and enjoy the minty fresh smell!
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7. Oil
Soaking your hands in your favorite oil will loosen the top layer of skin cells and decrease the appearance of orange patches. Combine that with an exfoliant and your skin will feel smooth and silky.
8. Loofah or Washcloth
These are especially useful if you use them right after applying the self-tanner. Just lather your loofah or washcloth with soap and scrub the palms of your hands. Make sure you do not scrub too hard or on the areas of self-tanner you want to keep — the loofah and washcloth are abrasive and could take off tanner that you wanted to keep.
9. Dish Soap
Dawn dish soap is not only for your plates and silverware, but can be used for removing self-tanner too! Used with a pumice stone or other cleaning rag, you can even out or take off unruly tanner that looks blotchy. This is especially helpful on your heels or areas that get dry often, as it soaks all the extra self-tanner up.
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10. Body Scrub
Buying an oil-based body scrub such as OUAI Scalp & Body Scrub or AMELIORATE Smoothing Body Exfoliant can combine two of these tips into one — the loofah and oil. The oil is able to break down the self-tanner, and the scrub will make sure that removing self-tanner is a simple and easy task.
Whenever you decide to go out and grab some self-tanner, make sure you either have one of these items at home or pick it up at the same time. That way if you do get tanner all over your hands, there is a simple yet effective way of removing it.