Wondering how to remove fake tan? We’ve all been there: you’ve showered, exfoliated and applied with care – even enlisted someone to tan your back, only to realise that you're as patchy as a loaf of tiger bread or worse: your hands are Oompa-Loompa orange when you’ve finished.
It’s a pain but it’s more common than you think. Maybe you didn't wash your hands after applying, skipped the skin prep or shaved just before, there are tons of ways it could go wrong.
Thankfully, there are ways of – excuse the pun – 'patching' up your mistakes, for those budge-proof streaks your shower gel and a loofah just won't seem to help. Check out these tips for getting back to your natural colour quickly.
1) Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate
If you need to get rid of fake tan fast, your first step should be exfoliation. This will buff away the top layer of your skin, getting rid of stubborn streaks. For your body, use an exfoliating mitt or a damp towel – just don't scrub your skin too hard, as this can lead to irritation. Instead, gently scrub in circular motions, and then your tan should fade nicely.
Top tip: Use a body polish or oil instead of a scrub, as they won't damage the skin and will help melt away the tan.
When it comes to your face, you have to be extra careful. The skin is way more sensitive. Rather than exfoliating with a mitt, use a gentle exfoliator alongside your normal cleanser. Don't panic though: As we often wear a lot of skincare products on our face: cleanser, toner, serum – you'll find that any patches on this area will fade quicker.
Struggling with tan-tastic hands? Isle of Paradise founder Jules Von Hep says his trick is to "hang a towel onto the back of your door and rub your wrists together, this removes those pesky tell-tale tan lines."
2) Steam
Believe it or not, but a steam room works wonders on a bad tan. The heat and humidity penetrates skin, fading the colour – perfect if you're stressing over a spray tan gone wrong and want to knock the colour down a shade or two. Next time you're at the gym, give it a go – 20 minutes should be enough. When you're done, wipe the tan off with a towel – ideally one of your own. You don't want to find yourself banned next time you head for a spin class!
3) Go for a swim
Although you shouldn't head to the public pool straight after applying your tan, if you've washed off your guide colour and you're not happy with the results, chlorine fades fake tan way faster than a bath or a shower. To avoid further patches, make sure you shower afterwards.
4) Use a tan remover
Luckily, these days, the beauty world is brimming with clever, easy-to-use tan removers for last-minute fixes. From in-shower scrubs to spray-on formulas, they certainly make getting rid of patches a lot easier and a lot less painful.
Whether you're getting rid and starting fresh or rushing to fix a fake tan fail, they're good to have on hand. So good, in fact, you'll wonder why you never invested before. If you're not one for sunbathing and prefer a faux-holiday glow, remember to pack one in your suitcase. You won't regret it.
5) Do it yourself
If you don't fancy splashing out on a tan remover, you can always make your own. Using lemon and sugar, you can make an exfoliating scrub – or for something even more effective, mix lemon or lime juice with baking soda. Apply over your body, rub into the skin and rinse away in the shower. Alternatively, olive oil and sugar work just as well.
Wondering how to get fake tan stains out of clothing or bedding? The trick is to act quickly. If you've left it later than you would have liked, mix warm water with liquid dish soap and pat it into the stain, don't rub. Work from outside in, rinse with cold water and chuck in the washing machine. Make sure the stain is gone completely before drying.
Well, there you have it. Our top tips for fixing fake tan wherever you are. Streaks, stains, orange hands: all sorted!