The Best Ways to Remove Sunless Tanning Lotion
- Because self-tanners essentially dye the outer layers of the skin, the first step to remove the tanner is to exfoliate. Use a loofah or body scrub, or make a paste of baking soda on a washcloth to slough off the top layer of skin cells, revealing new cells underneath. If the area you are trying to remove is on a rough spot, such as the feet or elbows, using a pumice stone may yield better results.
- A few products in your refrigerator can be useful in removing sunless tanner. For example, squeeze lemon juice onto a cotton ball or pad, and rub the juice over the tanned area. The acid in the juice works to dissolve the tanner from the skin. Rubbing alcohol can also be used.
- Body-hair bleach can also be used to remove tanner from toenails, fingernails, feet, or hands. Be sure to use a test patch on your skin first, as applying the bleach to some parts of your skin can cause irritation. After applying the bleach, leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse off.
Another option is to purchase Orange Goop, which is used by mechanics and painters to remove stain and paint from the hands. This product is really meant solely for the hands or feet, and can cause significant irritation on other parts of the skin. - Several companies offer products that remove sunless tanner. Whether in towelette or lotion form, these specialized forms contain exfoliators, natural ingredients such as aloe and eucalyptus, and chemical compounds such as ammonium to remove the tanner. These can be costly, but are very effective in tan removal.