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's also known as fake tanning, but has nothing to do with the artificial tanning you get in UV cabins. Self-tanners are available in various forms, such as lotions, creams, sprays or foams, and enable the appearance of an even tan ...

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

Self-tanning is an insider's tip. In fact, it generally requires careful preparation of the skin to achieve the best results. For example, it's advisable to exfoliate the skin before application to remove dead cells and obtain a smooth surface. It's also important to apply self-tanner evenly and consistently to avoid spots or darker areas. Sometimes, however, these instructions are not followed to the letter, and the application can go awry. 

How do I remove a failed self-tanner from my skin? 

Qu'il soit raté (oups les traces orange) ou que vous ayez simplement changé d'avis après coup, il vaut mieux être au fait des différentes façons d'enlever son produit autobronzant une fois appliqué sur la peau. Heureusement, rien n'est définitif alors si vous avez eu la main lourde lors de l'application pas de panique. On peut y remédier avec les bons gestes. 

Skin exfoliation

Exfoliation is one of the most effective ways of removing superfluous traces of self-tanner. Use a gentle exfoliating scrub, an exfoliating sponge or an exfoliating glove (horsehair glove) to gently rub the skin in circular motions. This will help remove both dead skin and self-tanning pigments from the surface of the skin barrier. You can also prepare a body scrub yourself 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 leave on for a few minutes. Then rinse off with lukewarm water. Be careful 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

 Baking soda mixed with water works wonders for just about everything... As well as being an excellent ally for household chores, it can also help remove excess self-tanner. How do you use it? Create a paste by mixing baking soda with water to a thick consistency. Apply the paste to the affected areas, rub gently and rinse off with lukewarm water.

Cleansing milk

Cleansing milk can be effective in removing self-tanner. Soak a cotton pad in cleansing milk and run it gently over the areas to be treated. Leave on for a few minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water.

Vegetable oil 

Olive oil, walnut oil, coconut oil or even jojoba oil can help remove ugly traces of self-tanner from the skin. Apply your favorite vegetable oil to the skin, massage gently and leave on for a few minutes. Then rinse off with lukewarm water.

Please note that these methods are natural, and although they've already proved their worth, it's important to note that they may not completely eliminate self-tanner from the first application. You may need to repeat the process several times to achieve the desired results. Of course, as with any skincare routine, make sure you moisturize your skin (especially if you have dry skin) with a moisturizing cream after removing the self-tanner to keep your skin looking beautiful.