A self tan only ever looks as good as the skin under it. Prep is what separates a tan that lasts seven days and fades evenly from a tan that streaks on day two and patches on day four. Here’s the 72-hour plan every editor on our desk uses.
- Step 1
Day –3 · Exfoliate and remove hair
A salt-free body scrub or buffing mitt across the full body. Then shave, wax or epilate. Skin needs 72 hours to settle after hair removal before tan goes on.
- Step 2
Day –2 · Hydrate, pause acids
A heavy night-time body lotion. Pause body retinol, AHAs and BHAs — they accelerate tan fade. Drink water like you mean it.
- Step 3
Day –1 · Final exfoliation
A gentle exfoliation with a damp mitt, focusing on knees, elbows, ankles, wrists and the tops of feet. No scrub strong enough to leave skin red.
- Step 4
Tan day · Clean canvas only
Shower, towel dry, wait ten minutes. Skip body moisturiser, deodorant, perfume and body oil. The only product that goes on first is a pea-sized amount of light moisturiser on dry zones.
frequently asked.
Both at T-72 hours (three days before). Hair removal opens the follicle; tanning over an open follicle creates dotted patches. Give skin a full 72 hours to settle.
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