29th May 2024, by Tamara Corin | Read time: 6 minutes
SHARE
Want to avoid any fake tan disasters before your weekend outing? It doesn’t matter how great the self-tan or how much practice you’ve had, DIY fake tanning is a fiddly process to do at-home. Period.
From rectifying a fiasco and forgetting to wash your hands to removing old fake tan before applying a new base, a good tan eraser is a worthy addition to your tanning arsenal. We asked Michaella Bolder, Skincare and Tanning Expert for the insider tips and tricks to removing a fake tan with minimal effort and maximum effect, plus the best products to correct any mishaps.
How To Remove Your Fake Tan
“First use a self-tan removal product with an exfoliating texture that will buff and dissolve your fake tan without irritation,” suggests Michaella. “Next, jump in the shower to rinse off and use a buffing mitt or gloves to gently exfoliate the skin in circular motion. This will help to break up and remove unwanted tan from the surface of the skin. Always follow with a moisturiser to nourish and replace lost oils.”
How To Correct A Mistake
We’ve all been there!“If you are trying to rectify a mistake during application and while your tan is still wet, don’t be afraid to add more product to your mitt and buff another dose of tan firmly and quickly over the area you want to correct, “advises Michaella. “However, if you are trying to correct an area after the tan has settled and you have showered, either add an extra dose into areas ‘missing’ tan OR add a pump of tan remover to lift and dilute tan in areas that have settled too dark or patchy.” Wait for the tan remover to settle for ten minutes on dry skin before showering, then buff the area to lift away. Repeat the process twice if necessary.
The key ingredient is Bicarbonate of Soda, that helps to gently break the bond of dead skin cells lying on the surface of the skin without harming the skin’s barrier function. If you want to go that extra mile, a tanning buffing glove will enhance this even more. In fact, Michaella’s top tip is to use these removers all year-round. “They are a great product to use to help improve the skin’s cell turnover even when you’re not using self-tan.”
The 5 Ingredients To Avoid With A Fake Tan
Michaella advises all her clients to steer clear of:
1. Exfoliators. Or anything that encourages cell turnover for at least 3-4 days post self-tan.
2. Essential Oils. These break up the process of your fake tan.
3. Hot Baths. They stimulate the cell removal process so your tan will fade quicker.
4. Body oils. Before or after a tan. Too much grease for your tan.
5. Acid-based (chemical) exfoliators before you apply self-tan and for 3-4 days after. This also applies to products on the face.
Don’t be put off by the super light, watery consistency; this exfoliating treatment quickly dissolves self-tan residue and streaks. Spritz it onto dry skin – face or body – and let it melt in before rinsing and gently wiping off with a dry cloth. You’ll be left with a gorgeous silky veil on skin.
This self-tan eraser is infused with Hawaiian Tropic’s signature tropical scent. Easily removing old tan build-up in less than five minutes. Apply the foam in the shower and wait a few minutes before rinsing it off, then watch your tan go down the drain.
One of the original pioneers of fake tan, this mousse makes tan removal hassle-free. Apply the foam generously on your body then leave for five minutes allowing the combination of detoxifying cotton extract and probiotics to clean and prime.
This vegan and cruelty-free tan remover works in minutes to get rid of a stubborn tan. The formula is cleansing but also moisturizing, leaving the skin silky smooth. The compact 100ml bottle is ideal for travelling, too.
We’ve been hooked since being introduced to this Japanese tanning brand. This product is the brand’s bestseller – and for good reason. Use it to perfect your tan, or use it all over to remove the old colour in one go. Added moisture lock technology also ensures longer-lasting hydration, so your skin is beautifully prepped before your next application.
Regular Handbook readers will know how much we rate this brand. This spray-on remover fuses glycolic acid and micellar water to gently resurface the skin, removing dead skin cells and fake tan remnants from the top layer of your body. Spritz it all over your body, or just on the patches that need an extra hand, lather it up and leave for five minutes before rinsing off in the shower. Smells gorge too.
Make a boring chore like tan removal a little more luxe with this innovative bubble bath that requires almost zero effort. Simply pour the unscented bubble bath into your tub, lie back for 20 minutes, then buff your skin with the exfoliating mitts. If you have any particularly stubborn areas of tan, then apply the liquid straight to your body. Voila!
This is a great choice for sensitive skin, as it’s incredibly gentle to both apply and remove. There’s no need for any tough rubbing action with this soft foam formula. Use it in the shower, massaging into any stubborn stains, then see colour come away within ten minutes. Rich and hydrating, it’s formulated with a blend of botanical ingredients like goji berry, oatmeal, camomile, and pomegranate to nourish and hydrate skin while also locking in moisture to prevent tan from drying it out.
Get your money’s with this multi-purpose fake tan remover that can be used as a primer before you tan and as an eraser to correct mistakes (hence the name!). This foaming bathroom essential is quick, easy to apply and kind on the face too.
With its unique, creamy jelly-like texture (similar to that of an exfoliator) and exotic fruity scent, this feels far more like a pampering product than a tanning essential. Simply rub on dry skin, leave for five minutes, then rinse off. It’s packed with chemical exfoliants (pumice and salicylic acid) that help buff away tan effortlessly, as well as moisturising ingredients (glycerin and urea) that work to soften and hydrate skin, so it’s in the best state for a new layer of tan.
The products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however,
The Handbook may make a small commission on some products purchased through affiliate
links.
Terms and Conditions for the Electric Shuffle Canary Wharf £250 Terrace Bar Tab & Shuffleboard Competition
1. Eligibility: This competition is open to residents of the United Kingdom aged 18 years or over only. Proof of age may be required.
2. Prize: The prize consists of: A £250 bar tab to be used at Electric Shuffle Canary Wharf 90 minutes of shuffleboard for a group of up to six (6) people at Electric Shuffle.
3. Redemption: The prize must be redeemed within six (6) months of the winner being notified.
-The prize can only be used at the Canary Wharf venue.
-The £250 bar tab must be used in one single visit. No change will be given for any unused portion of the bar tab.
-The shuffleboard booking for six people is for a duration of 90 minutes.
-Redemption of the prize is subject to availability.
-Advance booking is essential and should be made directly with Electric Shuffle, quoting the prize.
-Certain dates or times may be excluded due to high demand or private events.
4. Exclusions: The prize cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, discount, promotion, or voucher.
5. General: The prize is non-transferable, non-refundable, and there is no cash alternative. The promoter reserves the right to substitute the prize with an alternative of equal or greater value if circumstances beyond their control make it
necessary to do so. These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.
The competition is run by The Italian Greyhound in partnership with The Handbook. Entrants must be aged 18 or over and resident in the UK.
One (1) winner will receive a £300 dining voucher to be redeemed at The Italian Greyhound, valid for a table of up to four (4) guests.
The voucher is valid for redemption from 16th June 2026 until 15th September 2026 (inclusive). Bookings must be made in advance and are subject to availability. The voucher cannot be used outside of this redemption period and will expire on 15th September 2026.
The prize includes food and drink from the Summer À La Carte menu, including wines and cocktails, up to the value of £300 (inclusive of service charge).
The voucher is single use only. Any unused balance is non-refundable, nontransferable, and cannot be redeemed against future visits. The voucher has no cash value and cannot be exchanged for cash, in whole or in part.
The voucher cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, promotion, set menu or discount.
The following are excluded from the prize: the Sunday Feast Menu, bookings for more than four (4) guests, private dining bookings and bookings for events (including but not limited to bank holidays and festive periods).
The prize is non-transferable and non-refundable. There is no cash alternative.
Bookings must be made directly with The Italian Greyhound, quoting the competition reference at the time of reservation.
The Italian Greyhound reserves the right to refuse redemption of the voucher if these terms are not met. In the event of circumstances outside its reasonable control, The Italian Greyhound reserves the right to substitute the prize for one of equal value.
By entering, the winner agrees to their data being used for promotional purposes by The Italian Greyhound and The Handbook.
These terms and conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales.
This prize voucher is valid until 31st December 2026, non-transferable and non-refundable. Reservations for Afternoon Tea must be made 48 hours in advance and are subject to availability.
This prize voucher has no monetary value and cannot be exchanged for any other hotel offer or product. The original prize voucher must be presented at Kona on arrival. Photocopies will not be accepted.
For reservation, please email [email protected] or call +44 20 7769 7766.
Join our emails packed full of ideas of the best places to eat out, drink, and generally great lifestyle content for your chance to win.
Your entry has been successfully submitted!
Love What You're Reading?You've reached your 3 article limit - sign up to keep reading.
Join The Handbook's growing community of over 12 million across all channels
for access to full articles and our daily edit. It's quick, free, and keeps you in the know.
