It's the solution we love when it comes to giving ourselves tanned skin before summer. But it can sometimes be a little heavy-handed... How do you remove excess self-tanner from your skin? Here's a handy guide.

Self-tanner is a cosmetic product designed to give the skin the appearance of a natural tan without the need for sun exposure. It is also called a fake tan but has nothing to do with the artificial tanning practiced in UV booths. Self-tanner is available in various forms, such as lotions, creams, sprays, or foams, and provides the appearance of an even tan...

It’s important to know that most self-tanners contain an active ingredient called dihydroxyacetone (DHA). DHA is a type of sugar that chemically reacts with dead skin cells to produce a brown pigment called melanoidin. When you apply the self-tanner to your skin, the DHA interacts with the top layer of the skin, causing a temporary coloration that can last from a few days to about a week—this is what creates the "fake tan." 

Applying self-tanner is a skill that takes some practice. In fact, it usually requires careful skin preparation to achieve the best results. For example, it’s recommended to exfoliate the skin before application to remove dead skin cells and create a smooth surface. It’s also important to apply the self-tanner evenly and consistently to avoid streaks or darker patches. But sometimes these guidelines aren’t followed, the application can go wrong, and you need to know how to fix it. 

How do you remove a bad self-tanner from your skin? 

Whether you messed up (oops, those orange streaks) or simply changed your mind afterward, it’s best to know the different ways to remove self-tanner once it’s been applied to your skin. Fortunately, nothing is permanent, so if you went a little heavy-handed when applying it, don’t panic. You can fix it with the right steps. 

Skin exfoliation

Exfoliation is one of the most effective ways to remove excess self-tanner residue. Use a gentle scrub, an exfoliating sponge, or an exfoliating glove (horsehair glove) to gently rub the skin in circular motions. This will help remove dead skin cells as well as self-tanner pigments from the surface of the skin barrier. You can also make your own body scrub at home by mixing sugar or salt with olive or coconut oil.

The Magic of Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is known for its natural lightening properties. Apply fresh lemon juice to the areas where you want to remove excess self-tanner and let it sit for a few minutes. Then rinse with lukewarm water. Be sure not to expose your skin to the sun immediately after applying lemon juice, as it can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays.

Baking soda

 Le bicarbonate de soude mélangé à de l'eau fait des miracles pour à peu près tout... En plus d'être un excellent allié pour les tâches ménagères, il peut également aider à éliminer l'excédent d' autobronzant. Comment ? Créez une pâte en mélangeant du bicarbonate de soude avec de l'eau jusqu'à obtenir une consistance épaisse. Appliquez la pâte sur les zones concernées, frottez doucement et rincez à l'eau tiède.

Cleansing milk

Cleansing milk can be effective at removing self-tanner. Soak a cotton pad with cleansing milk and gently wipe it over the areas you want to treat. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water.

Vegetable oil 

Olive oil, walnut oil, coconut oil, or jojoba oil can help remove unsightly self-tanner streaks from your skin. Apply your favorite vegetable oil to your skin, massage gently, and let it sit for a few minutes. Then rinse with warm water.

Please note that these are natural methods, and while they have proven effective, it’s important to realize that they may not completely remove the self-tanner on the first try. You may need to repeat the process several times to achieve the desired results. Of course, as with any skincare routine, be sure to moisturize your skin (especially if you have dry skin) with a moisturizer after removing the self-tanner to maintain healthy, beautiful skin.