Products to Avoid
This is a list of commonly used body care products that can have a detrimental effect on a spray tan. This is not all-inclusive. Not everyone will have a problem with these items. This is only a guide.
The following products can lighten or make a sunless tan blotchy:
- a women’s tan may develop differently during various hormonal changes (ovulation,menstruation, pregnancy) It may be streaky, patchy, fade worse, or produce lighter or no color
- AHA products (Alpha Hydroxy Acids -Glycolic, Lactic, Malic, Citric and Tartaric acids)
- Anti-acne products that exfoliate, or dry the skin- Accutane, and Salicylic acid, can affect tan fading. Skin also peels, which can look unacceptable, especially with a tan. Antibiotics or other medications that affect your skin, can also affect your tan
- Anti-aging products that "renew" "refresh" or otherwise exfoliate skin
- Band-Aid or adhesive tape applied to skin will pull the "tan" off
- Bar soaps, especially deodorant, or antibacterial varieties
- BHA Products (Beta Hydroxy Acids-salicylic acid)
- Body hair bleach products will bleach the tan, non bleach skin lighteners are fine
- Bore type adhesive facial strips, or “peel-off” masks
- Bug spray, perfumes, body sprays when sprayed directly onto skin, can remove or fade the tan. Instead, spray clothing, or spray a "cloud" of spray that you can walk through, instead of directly onto skin
- Soap will fade a tan faster, on some people
- Facial masks and exfoliating scrubs
- Hair Inhibiting Lotions tend to make a sunless tan yellow
- If you exercise and sweat heavily your tan can fade faster, especially in body fold areas. (arm bends, knee bends, between breasts etc.)
- In winter skin is often very dry, and tan will fade faster. Switch to twice daily moisturizer use. Use a lotion after showering on damp skin. Try a heavier body cream, or butter, just before bed. Butter can also be used twice daily. Regular light exfoliation can be helpful
- Makeup remover cleaning products, or oils used to clean away eye makeup
- Pat dry in the shower, don’t rub
- People with oily skin tend to develop a lighter tan then people with dry skin. The oils can coat the skin, dry skin absorbs more products faster, so can look darker
- Retin-A type products (Retin-A, Renova, Tazorac, Tretinoin)- all will cause faster fading
- Shaving exfoliates skin, so fades tan. Use a sharp clean razor, with a lubricating product, A dull razor scrapes off more skin and "tan". An electric razor or epilator will fade tan less
- Submersion in hot tub or swimming pool (an application of a thick waterproof lotion sun block helps) Even a long hot bath can all affect the "tan" on some people
- Sweating feet inside shoes or behind knees and arm bends can fade a tan faster, or make the color guide look greenish or yellowish
- Toners containing Alcohols or Witch Hazel in the top three ingredients listed can lighten tan
- Use of a loofa, scrub, mitt, etc. for daily washing. (Use a soft washcloth or "soft” poof for daily use)
- Wax or Depilatory hair removal products