Noah Sinclair
Self-tanner is a great way to get a sun-kissed glow without the sun, but it can be tricky to apply, especially on your hands and nails. If you end up with excess tan on your hands, don't worry, there are several ways to remove it. The best way to avoid stained hands is to wash your hands with soap and lukewarm water immediately after applying the tanner. You can also use a wipe or washcloth to carefully clean your palms and the undersides of your fingers. If you've missed this step and the tan has dried, you can try exfoliating, which helps lift away the colour without damaging your skin. You can also try natural exfoliants like baking soda or lemon juice with sugar. For stubborn patches on your nails and fingertips, acetone nail polish remover can help. To avoid staining your hands altogether, always apply self-tanner with a tanning mitt and lightly moisturize your hands beforehand.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preventative measures | Wash hands immediately after application with soap and lukewarm water |
| Moisturize hands before and after application | |
| Use tanning wipes or a washcloth to clean palms and undersides of fingers | |
| Apply self-tanner in good lighting | |
| Removal methods | Exfoliate with a scrub, focusing on darker areas |
| Use a tanning mitt to buff away excess tan | |
| Apply tan remover to dry hands | |
| Bleach | |
| Baking soda and water paste | |
| Lemon juice and sugar scrub | |
| White vinegar | |
| Acetone nail polish remover |
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What You'll Learn
Wash hands with soap and water immediately after applying tanner
To avoid staining your hands, it is recommended to wash them with soap and lukewarm water immediately after applying self-tanner. This is because it is a lot easier to remove excess tanner before it dries on your skin.
If you have already missed this step and the tan has dried, don't worry! There are still ways to remove the self-tanner. Firstly, you can try using self-tan wipes or a washcloth to carefully clean the undersides of your hands and fingers. This is a good practice to do every time you apply self-tanner, as it helps to catch any spots you may have missed. You can also try using a gentle exfoliant, such as baking soda, to lift away the colour without damaging your skin. Simply make a scrub by mixing half a tablespoon of baking soda with a few drops of water, and gently massage it over your palms and the backs of your hands.
If you are looking for a more natural approach, lemon juice is known to contain acid that helps remove dead skin cells and break down stains. You can combine lemon juice with sugar to make a scrub, or simply rub the cut end of a lemon on a small patch of self-tanner.
Additionally, you can prevent self-tanner stains by regularly moisturizing your hands. Dry skin on your hands and wrists creates a rough surface for the self-tanner to adhere to, resulting in orange patches. Applying a skin-softening moisturizer to your hands daily can help avoid this issue.
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Use a tanning mitt to apply tanner
To avoid staining your hands, it is recommended to use a tanning mitt when applying self-tanner. This method is ideal if you want to prevent self-tanner from getting on your hands.
First, dispense a small amount of self-tanner directly onto the mitt. Then, apply the product to your skin using circular motions, starting at your ankles and working your way up to your neck. You can also sweep the mitt over the skin if you are using a gel or mousse formula. If you are using a tanning mist, spritz the product onto your body and then blend it with the mitt.
Make sure to pay attention to your hands and nails when applying self-tanner with a mitt. The skin on the hands is thicker and drier, so it is important to lightly moisturize your hands before applying self-tanner. This will help create a smooth base and prevent the product from clinging to dry areas. You can use an oil-free moisturizer to avoid breaking down the tan. Pay particular attention to your knuckles, palms, and cuticles.
After applying self-tanner to your body, use a blending makeup brush to sweep over the mitt and collect any leftover product. Then, use the brush to apply the self-tanner to your hands and fingers, gently wiping your nails and cuticles to remove any excess. Remember to always tan your hands last.
If you accidentally get self-tanner on your hands, you can use a washcloth or face wipe to carefully clean the underside of your hands and fingers. You can also try using a small amount of nail polish remover on a cotton swab to remove excess tanner from your hands and nails.
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Exfoliate with baking soda
Baking soda is a mild bleaching agent and a gentle exfoliator. It is also known as sodium bicarbonate. It can be used in a few different ways to remove self-tanner from your hands and nails.
One way is to make a paste by mixing half a tablespoon of baking soda with a few drops of water. Gently massage this paste over your hands and nails, and then rinse with lukewarm water after a minute or two. This method is gentle and effective and won't damage your skin. It is also suitable for use on the face.
Another way to use baking soda is to combine it with lemon juice to create a gentle exfoliating paste. Lemon juice is a natural brightener and helps to lift orange stains. However, it can also be irritating to the skin, so it is recommended to test it on a small area first. If lemon juice proves too harsh, a gentler alternative is to mix baking soda with baby oil. Combine a quarter cup of baby oil with a quarter cup of baking soda until it forms a paste.
After exfoliating with baking soda, be sure to follow up with a hydrating moisturizer to keep your skin soft and smooth.
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Bleach or nail polish remover for nails and fingertips
Bleach and nail polish remover are two methods that can be used to remove self-tanner from your nails and fingertips. However, it is important to exercise caution when using these methods, as they can be harsh on the skin.
Bleach
Using a small amount of facial bleach on a cotton swab is a way to remove self-tanner from your nails and fingertips. This method should be used sparingly, as bleach is strong and can dry out the skin. One person reported that a mixture of bleach and water irritated their skin, leaving them with streaky tan and red inflamed patches.
Nail Polish Remover
Nail polish remover can be used to remove self-tanner from nails and fingertips. Dip a cotton swab or ball in nail polish remover and gently dab it on the affected areas. This method may irritate the skin, so it is recommended to use it sparingly and only on the nails and fingertips. Some people have reported that nail polish remover did not work for them and that they prefer other methods such as exfoliation or using natural remedies like lemon juice and baking soda.
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Moisturise hands before applying tanner
Moisturising your hands before applying self-tanner is an important step to achieving a flawless, natural-looking tan. By hydrating your skin, you can avoid the dreaded orange hue and streaky, patchy finish that often arises from self-tanning.
Dry skin tends to absorb excess tan, resulting in darker patches. This is because dry spots act like a sponge, soaking up more of the tanning formula than the rest of your skin. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure your skin is well-hydrated before applying self-tanner. Focus on areas that are especially prone to dryness, such as your hands, wrists, knuckles, palms, feet, elbows, knees, and ankles. Apply a skin-softening moisturiser to your hands every day in the week leading up to self-tanning. For best results, moisturise your entire body at least one hour before applying self-tanner. This will create a smooth, even surface for the tanner to penetrate evenly, resulting in a beautiful glow that lasts.
However, it is important to note that you should allow your moisturiser to fully absorb before applying self-tanner. Give the moisturiser a few minutes to sink in, with some experts recommending a wait time of 2-3 hours. This will ensure that the moisturiser does not interfere with the application of the self-tanner and create an uneven finish.
Additionally, remember to wash your hands with soap and lukewarm water immediately after applying self-tanner to prevent staining.
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