Fake Tan Removal Hacks

Fake-tan disasters happen to the best of us. Here are five fake-tan removal hacks for when you’ve gone to bed expecting to wake up as a bronzed goddess, only to find yourself resembling a fluorescent orange crisp.

Go for a swim and steam

Even if you haven’t made a mess of your fake tan, a swim and a steam is always a good idea. A few lengths in the pool will lighten the skin (thanks, chlorine), while a session in the steam room softens the product for removal.

Exfoliate gently and shave

As tempting as it may be to scrub your skin furiously after a fake-tan disaster, DON’T. Even looking orange is preferable to looking patchy. Instead, dab a cotton wool ball in a liquid exfoliator for a more even removal. Shaving your legs will rid you of another layer of product, leaving your skin silky smooth.

Reach for a lemon

To keep your fake-tan removal remedies as natural as possible, douse a flannel in lemon juice and pop it in the microwave for a short time before gently rubbing the affected areas. The astringent nature of the lemon, coupled with the heat of the flannel, will work to remove the fake tan with zero irritation.

Use toothpaste

This is a great solution for streaks on your hands and nails – and the best thing about toothpaste is that you’ll (hopefully) have it at home. Be sure to use white toothpaste (the blue or streaky kind won’t do the trick), and anything with sodium bicarbonate or peroxide will be especially effective. Apply it with a cotton wool ball and leave it on for a few minutes before washing off.

Soak in bath oils

You’d want to do this anyway, wouldn’t you? The heat of an oily bath will soften the skin ready for exfoliation (using an exfoliating mitt) and, because you’ll be so relaxed, you’ll do it GENTLY – just as we described in our second tip.

Do you have any tips or tricks for cleaning up fake tan mistakes? We’d love to hear from you!