There are many different methods and tricks to be found online to help you remove a fake tan, but in reality, many of these hacks actually do more harm to your skin than good.
Finding a solution to removing a fake tan, while still keeping your skin hydrated and nourished, does not have to be difficult.
How is this done?
The answer is baby oil. We all love the smell of baby oil and associate it with the smooth, soft skin of a baby, and to make this product even more lovable, you are able to use it to remove a fake tan!
Gone are the days when you need to rub your skin raw to remove a fake tan or walk around for days with orange streaks. A simple bottle of baby oil is exactly what you need to get that even tone you are after!
Why Baby Oil Removes A Fake Tan
Most of us think of baby oil as caring, nourishing and soothing, not really as an effective product to remove a fake tan.
Really, what removes a fake tan is the exfoliating you do after you have applied the baby oil to your skin.
The secret with baby oil is that it is incredibly hydrating, and causes the surface cells on the skin to expand slightly after a while.
This allows for the tanned outer layer of skin cells to be scrubbed away easily with an exfoliating mitt or body scrub.
The bonus to using baby oil is that it is especially hydrating to the skin, and helps to lock down much-needed moisture which the skin needs to recover after a fake tan.
Many other fake tan removers dry out and damage the skin, whereas baby oil does the exact opposite. Not only does it provide an effective solution to removing fake tan, but it doubles as a shot of moisture that your skin will be so thankful for.
How To Remove Fake Tan With Baby Oil
The best method to removing a fake tan with baby oil is to encourage it along with some exfoliation. The baby oil helps to soften the skin, which makes it easier to scrub off the top outer layers which would have been darkened by the fake tanning product.
What you need:
- Baby oil
- Body scrub
- Epsom salts
- Exfoliating mitt
Method
- Apply the baby lotion to all the areas of your skin covered by fake tan, or your whole body if you want a proper exfoliating session.
- Put on old clothes to protect spreading oil onto every surface of your house. Leave the baby oil to soak into your skin for 30 minutes or longer.
- Run a warm bath and throw in 2 cups of Epsom salts, mix it around so it dissolves into the water.
- Soak in the bathwater for as long as possible. Epsom salt will help further remove the fake tan, as well as help with inflammation and muscle pain while removing toxins from the body.
- Once you have soaked in the tub for some time, use your exfoliating mitt to gently massage your skin. A good body scrub will help promote the removal of the dead skin cells even more, as well as give your skin an extra kick of nourishment.
- Scrub all over in small circular motions, but do not scrub so hard to cause irritation or pain.
- To finish off properly, jump into the shower to wash off the exfoliating scrub properly, as well as rid your skin of any excess oil that might still be present.
- Use your towel to dry your body by rubbing it against your skin, which will also help to exfoliate the dead skin cells off even further.
- Once dry, apply a moisturizing cream to lock in much-needed moisture.
Depending on your skin, the fake tan you have used, and how much was applied, you might have to repeat this process twice, either a few hours after the first application or the next day.
Make sure to factor this in when planning your next fake tan application. Also remember to let your skin return back to normal before exfoliating again, as over-exfoliating your skin can lead to redness, inflammation, and pain.
Tips For Using Baby Oil
Because of the oily consistency, baby oil can be tricky to work with. Here are some tips on how to properly use baby oil, with the least amount of mess:
Gloves
You might want to wear gloves when applying baby oil, or use one hand to rub the baby oil in. Once you have two oily hands, it can be difficult to grab hold of almost anything.
Old clothes
Wear old clothes after you have applied the baby oil to your skin. This will save ruining newer items of clothing, and will also stop the baby oil from staining couches and other pieces of furniture around your home.
Let it soak
The longer you leave the baby oil on your skin, the more effective it will be. You should leave it in for a minimum of 30 minutes, but try and go for longer if possible. It will definitely feel uncomfortable walking around super oily, but it will be worth it.
Wash well
Once you have finished exfoliating your skin in the bath, make sure you remove all the excess baby oil from your skin. You do not want to be left with an oily feel once you have removed your fake tan, and showering will help with that.
Time your tan
It is not a good idea to remove a fake tan with baby oil the same day as your next fake tanning application. There might still be some baby oil left on your skin, which would act as a barrier between your skin and the fake tan product. This could result in your tan being patchy, streaky and not natural-looking at all.
Moisturize
Baby oil is a great skin moisturizer, however, as you will be exfoliating and washing it off your skin, you should apply an oil-free, fragrance-free moisturizer after removing your fake tan.
Often, fake tanning products can dry out your skin, and with exfoliating, your skin might be left drier than before. An extra dose of moisturizing cream will not only help your skin lock in moisture, but it will help prepare your skin for the next spray tan.
Do not use baby oil to tan
Many, many people believe that using baby oil when tanning helps you to develop a tan faster. While there is truth in that the baby oil will attract more sunlight to your skin, and intensify the UV rays, you will more than likely be left with a sunburn, rather than a glowing tan.
Fake tanning products protect your skin from damage by not needing you to go into the sun at all, but still giving you that gorgeous tan that you are after.
Related Questions
How else can I remove a fake tan?
There are actually many other ways to remove a fake tan, without having to wait to it fade completely on its own. Another useful household ingredient that can be used to remove fake tan is lemon.
Lemon juice helps to remove the tanning agent from the skin, by simply rubbing a cut lemon onto the tanned area of the skin, or by creating a scrub using lemon juice and sugar. It is not as damaging or drying to your skin as other fake tan removers and is easily accessible.
A chlorine pool is also great at helping a fake tan fade faster. The water and the chlorine will help remove the fake tan from the skin after a few swims.
Will olive oil remove a fake tan?
Olive oil, just like baby oil, will help to remove a fake tan. Olive oil can be used in the same way as baby oil, left to soak into the skin for half an hour before being exfoliated off in the bath.
Just like baby oil, olive oil will nourish and hydrate the skin and is a wonderful natural ingredient that will in no way cause damage to your skin.
Do I have to remove a fake tan before applying a new coat?
You must definitely remove a fading fake tan from your skin before applying a new fake tan. Any old tan left over will turn darker with a new coat, and highlight streaks and patches. Rather start with a fresh canvas to let the fake tan work its magic on.
Baby Oil for Fake Tans
Using baby oil to remove a fake tan is one of the best options possible. Not only is it a gentle, caring way to remove fake tan, but it will leave your skin nourished and moisturized, something which sunless tanned skin desperately needs.
Baby oil also has the most wonderful scent, who doesn’t want to have the soft, smooth skin of a baby, and the fresh, powdered scent that is so irresistible?
Keep a bottle or two of baby oil at home, ready to remove your next fake tan!
