Getting a bronzy, faux glow on sun-kissed skin, without the harm of the UV rays, is quite enticing but self-tanning can get tricky and messy. Whether you want a quick fix or a clean canvas for your next sunless tanning sesh, the best self-tan removers will gently exfoliate and remove the self-tan without affecting your skin.

The self-tanners use DHA to change the skin's color and self-tan removers are formulated to target the DHA, breaking the pigments quickly to lift off the old color. While you can remove fake tan by scrubbing with a sugar or salt-based body scrub, it often leaves the skin raw and more patchy with tan streaks. Tan removers utilize the benefits of oils, chemical exfoliants, and natural botanicals with exfoliating properties to make removal easy, without the need to scrub your skin. Especially with ingrown hair, always try to speak to a tanning expert. Moreover, ensure to have your arsenals ready including cotton pad and a soft bristle brush. 

 As per our contributor, Dr. Anna Chacon, Dermatologist - MyPsoriasisTeam, self-tanner typically lasts about 5-7 days, but this can vary depending on factors like the quality of the product, how well it's applied, and how often you exfoliate or moisturize. Regular activities like bathing or swimming can also cause it to fade faster.

They help stubborn streaks and blotches slide off your skin, leaving behind nourished, smooth, and tan-free skin. Based on our observations, we have brought you a list of 7 tan removers that will erase your tan and prep the skin for a fresh application.

• 1
  Best Nourishing

  Bondi Sands Self Tan Eraser

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Bondi Sands is popular worldwide for its excellent tanning products. But its tan remover is just as excellent. Enriched with aloe vera, the unique cleansing formula expertly removes self-tan within 5 minutes while moisturizing the skin. With this tan remover, you do not require to scrub your body raw. It effectively erases stubborn tan leaving behind soft and smooth skin. Safe to use on sensitive skin, it is easy to apply, smells great, and feels wonderful on the skin.

2

Best for Sensitive Skin

St. Tropez Prep & Maintain Tan Remover Mousse

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Suitable for sensitive skin, the tan remover from St. Tropez effectively erases streaks, patches, and the darkest of tan within minutes. Formulated with a blend of detoxifying cotton extracts and probiotics, it purifies and preps skin for the next self-tan application. The clean formula is free from paraben, sulfate, and phthalate. Whether you end up with streaks, patches, and splotchy tan build-up, or you made some tanning mistakes, this self-tan remover is sure to correct it for you.

3

Best for Tan Mishaps

Bronze Tan Self Tan Remover For Fake Tan Streaks

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The golden glow of self-tan soon gives way to blotchy patches that need to be removed without causing the skin any harm. The bronze tan self-tan remover completely erases sunless tanner without the need for any exfoliation. It not only removes tan build-up but also corrects minor mistakes. When sometimes you put on too much tanner or you end up with tan streaks, this remover comes to your rescue. It works best when used after the unwanted self-tan starts fading.

4

Best for Stubborn Self-tan

b.tan Self Tan Remover

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Removing self-tan has never been easier before. With the b.tan self tan remover, there is no need for excessive scrubbing. It erases the fake tan, leaving behind perfectly primed and prepped fresh base for the next sunless tanning session. The gentle formula easily gets to the most stubborn self-tan, erasing it in minutes. As one Amazon buyer reviews, “This stuff gets off my very stubborn self-tanner. Reduces the amount of scrubbing and exfoliating you have to do to get the remaining tanner off! Highly, highly recommend!”

When it comes to re-applying self tanners, our contributor, Dr. Anna Chacon, shares with us the right way of re-applying the self tanner. She says, “It's generally recommended to wait at least 24-48 hours after removing old self-tanner before reapplying. This allows your skin to return to its natural pH balance, ensuring the new application adheres evenly and lasts longer. It's also a good idea to exfoliate and moisturize your skin in this waiting period for the best results.”

5

Best Skin-loving

Isle of Paradise Over It Magic Self Tan Eraser

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The self-tan eraser from the Isle of Paradise is loaded with vitamins that remove and exfoliate skin in a single step. Infused with glycolic acid and micellar water, it gently exfoliates the skin while removing the old self-tan completely. The blend of grapefruit, chia seed, and avocado oils aid in removing the tan without leaving the skin dry. This tan remover also utilizes the power of the Oxy-Glow complex to keep the skin hydrated and have a bright complexion.

6

Best for Dry Skin

TAN-LUXE Glyco Water - Exfoliating Tan Remover

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TAN-LUXE harnesses the benefits of glycolic acid to remove self-tan within minutes. It exfoliates the top layer of skin, buffing off the dead skin cells. As a fake tan layer sits on the skin surface, removing the dead skin cells will effectively lift off the color, revealing your natural skin tone. Apart from erasing the tan, this tan remover also cleanses the skin, prepping it for future application. The clear, water-based formula gently removes tan without clogging the pores or making your skin dry. Simply spray the product directly onto dry skin, rubbing it in a circular motion, and leave it on for 5 minutes. Gently buff with a shower mitt and rinse off with warm water.

7

Best Hydrating

Valley Girl Tan Self Tan Remover

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Suitable for all skin types, this hydrating and soothing tan remover from Valley Girl wipes away the darkest of tan in minutes. The clean formula uses a blend of natural ingredients to clean up your bronzed body while softening and moisturizing the skin. The quick and easy way to tone down the tan or correct minor tanning accidents, this self-tan remover carefully cleans the leftover residue of the self-tan to give you clear, refreshed skin.

While you go on the hunt for the perfect self-tan remover, keep the following points in mind:

• Ingredients: When buying a self-tan remover, look for its ingredients. Exfoliants like glycolic acid, salicylic acid, aloe vera, and probiotics break down the tanning agent DHA, lifting off the color of the skin. They are also infused with skin-nourishing ingredients that leave the skin feeling smooth and silky.
• Application process: The main specialty of tan removers is that they do not need to be scrubbed. Some self-tan removers are applied directly onto the dry skin and rinsed off with warm water after letting it dry out. Some have to be lathered on wet skin, completely saturating the skin, and left to dry out before washing it away with a warm shower.
• Customer Reviews: Reviews are your best friend when it comes to buying skincare products. They will let you know how long a tan remover will take to wipe off the color. You will also get to know how long you will have to wait before rinsing off the product and whether the instructions given for tan removal work or not.

Our findings show that self-tan removers are an easier and less painful solution for getting rid of caked elbows, patchy ankles, and scaly skin left behind as a result of applying layers of fake tan without cleaning the skin completely in between applications. Scrubbing them hard with a body brush will leave your skin red and raw, disrupting its natural protective barrier. Tan removers are foams and mousses that you simply lather on and rinse off after they dry out. The best self-tan removers harness the power of tan-removing agents to fast-track to a tan-free complexion while leaving your skin feeling soft, with a perfect base ready for the next application. Whether you want to correct tanning errors, prep your skin to have a perfect base for the next session, or simply want to go back to your natural glow, self-tan removers are your answer.

Contributor: Dr. Anna Chacon, M.D. Dermatologist, MyPsoriasisTeam