How to Get Self-Tan Off Your Hands to Avoid a Fake Tan Faux Pas

By Dahvi Shira

Published on Jun 29, 2023

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Using self-tanner is an easy, safe, on-the-go way to give all skin types an instant sun-kissed glow-up. It doesn’t require going anywhere or spending money per session like a spray tan. Sunless tanning also prevents you from putting your skin at risk for UV harm. All you need is a tanning mitt, circular motions, and a bottle of ST. TROPEZ tanning mousse (or whatever you fancy)—no skincare routine or fancy tools necessary. That said, because using a tanning product is a DIY mission, there’s a chance your fake tan can come out streaky or leave you with weird discoloration. If tanning mistakes occur, there are certain areas of your body that can be easily fixed—but orange hands and cuticles aren’t among them.

If you do decide to tan the body from head to toe (hands included), some tanning tips apply. “Leave tricky areas till last, like your hands, feet, face, knees, and elbows,” says Bondi Sands tan specialist Daisy James. “Once you’ve tanned your body, don’t apply any extra product onto the application mitt; simply use the leftover residue on the mitt and apply to these areas. Remember to wipe your palms afterwards and use a moisturizer or some kind of lotion to blend it all together. The extra hydration will help prevent the tan from over-deepening in those areas.”

But if all else fails and you need to figure out how to get self-tan off your hands (and figure out how to avoid having it touch your hands in the first place), you’ve come to the right place. Say goodbye to orange palms and hello to tan-free hands with our expert advice below.

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MEET THE EXPERT

Isabel Alyssa is the CEO and Founder of DOLCE GLOW.

Daisy James is a BONDI SANDS tan specialist.

How to Get Self-Tan Off Your Hands

1. Grab Your Pumice Stone

Pumice stones are best known for sloughing away dead skin on your heels—but combined with antibacterial hand soap, you’ve got a recipe for self-tan removal. Dolce Glow founder Isabel Alyssa suggests running your hands through warm water and softly scrubbing at the problem areas with the pumice stone and soap.

2. Wash Immediately After Application

If you fear your recent application isn’t going to develop well, save yourself the agony and do what works for James: “Just wash with warm, soapy water and try again,” she says. That said, this doesn’t apply if your tan has already set.

3. Use a Self-Tan Remover

If you spot a self-tan faux pas, there may be a way out—depending on how long it’s been since application. “If your tan has deepened and already developed, you’ll need to wait 24 to 48 hours before using a product for self-tan removal.” If you meet the time window, James recommends something like the BONDI SANDS Self Tan Eraser because it can remove self-tanner in just five minutes without excessive exfoliation.

4. Run to Your Kitchen

Like so many other remedies, it all starts in the kitchen! We’re big fans of the classic baking soda and lemon juice method. We mix the two together and then apply generously to the problem areas. We let the solution sit for a considerable amount of time, and then gently remove it with a cleansing wipe. The acid found in lemon juice is stripping, while baking soda works as an exfoliant. We consider the duo a dream when it comes to this problem.

How to Avoid Getting Self-Tanner on Your Hands

1. Use an Application Mitt

An application mitt guides where you want your self-tanner to go while also holding any leftover residue so you can apply it onto your hands without having to use extra product. James stands by mitt use because it can stop application at the wrist. Or, if you want to lightly dab the skin with the self-tan residue, you can add a touch of bronze to your outer hands without any runny liquid. We recommend the YOU BRONZE Exfoliating Mitt, which not only applies the product, but also buffs away dry skin, evens out skin tone, and has a water-resistant barrier to prevent stained hands.

2. Wash Your Hands Immediately After

Even if you think you’re in the clear (literally and figuratively), you always want to wash your hands after self tan application. “DHA (the ingredient that makes you tan) is [often] a colorless ingredient, so you may not even notice any on your hands after application,” Alyssa explains.

3. Use a Cream

Whether it’s a barrier cream, which can prevent self tan from spreading to unwanted areas, or a general moisturizing cream, which can help seamlessly blend the edge of where the self-tan begins, James says creams are crucial to keeping unwanted streaks of color away from the hands. We recommend the GROWN ALCHEMIST Vanilla + Orange Peel Hand Cream, because it’s a rich formula that blends effortlessly and smells good, too.

Want in on our favorite self-tanners and more? Take our IPSY Beauty Quiz now to get started with your own subscription. Already a member? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and TikTok @IPSY.

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