by liz, founderEvery tanner eventually meets the day-six emergency: a patchy fade and a reason to look polished tomorrow. Removal is genuinely simple — it is just the outermost layer of skin — but the order of operations matters.
the soak-and-buff method
Run a warm bath or plan a long warm shower, and soak for fifteen to twenty minutes. The tanned cells at the surface absorb water and loosen their grip. Then work over your whole body with the exfoliating mitt in firm circles — the softened tan lifts in an even layer rather than in patches. One session removes most of a worn tan; a stubborn one takes two.
what not to do
Do not attack dry skin with harsh scrubs, and do not chase single patches with kitchen remedies. Aggressive scrubbing damages the very layer your next tan needs to develop on — trading one patchy week for three. Soak first, buff even, moisturise after, and your skin resets clean for the next round.
quick answers
Does lemon juice or baking soda remove fake tan?+
They're not worth it — mildly effective at best and irritating at worst. A warm 15–20 minute soak followed by an exfoliating-mitt buff removes tan faster, more evenly and without upsetting your skin.
How do I remove self tan from my hands?+
Same principle, small scale: soak your hands in warm water for a few minutes, then buff with the exfoliating mitt, focusing on knuckles and between fingers.
