Self-tanning has made it easier than ever to have a year-round, healthy glow, but the self-tanning process itself can still be a little inconvenient and time-intensive. I always want my self-tanner to last longer, whether it’s because I have a vacation planned or just don’t have the time to redo my tan week after week. That’s part of why I’m always testing and comparing different shades of the same self-tanners to see which is best and lasts the longest. Beyond the simplified advice of applying a gradual self-tanning lotion to continue building your tan over time, I wanted to share my best tips and tricks for getting your self-tanner to last longer.

tips for making self-tanner last longer

Find the self-tanner product and formula that works best for your skin type and tone. I have very dry, sensitive skin, but also hate the feeling of self-tanner on my skin for 8+ hours at a time. I have found that the best routine for my skin is to use an express mousse as opposed to a gradual lotion, although I’ll use the lotion as tanning maintenance. That being said, if your skin type is extra dry, you may find that mousses dry your skin out more, thus making your tan fade faster. There are so many different self-tanning formulas on the market - mousses, lotions, waters, mists, etc. - that it’s worth it to try different kinds to see what your skin responds best to. The better your tan is initially, the easier it is to maintain it and make it last longer.
When it comes to actually applying your self-tanner, shower and exfoliate first. Some people say to not exfoliate right before you tan, but here’s my advice: Do your “deep clean” exfoliation the day before, then a light session with an exfoliating mitt right before you tan. The “cleaner” your base is, the better the tan will stick - so even if you feel exfoliated, you should still shower to rinse off any residual lotion or moisturizer. I recommend using an exfoliating mitt as opposed to a loofah, as you can better control the pressure used and get the best exfoliation.
- Exfoliating polishes/ scrubs are great, but they can irritate sensitive skin; they can also cause micro cuts, which affects the application of your tan. I try to only use exfoliating scrubs on the rougher places like elbows, knees, ankles, and feet, and this is what I’ll use the day before I tan - never the day I tan.
If you notice that you have little dots on your legs when you tan, that’s typically from shaving. I recommend shaving the night before (especially if you have sensitive skin) as this gives a chance for the follicle to seal, so you get a smoother, more even tan. That said, whenever I use this mousse I get a smooth tan regardless of when I shave.

Shower with warm water; too hot will dry out your skin, making it more likely to fade quicker.
Be mindful of the body wash you use. Because fragrance can dry out your skin and break down your tan, try to use something fragrance free or naturally fragranced with essential oils. Bar soaps with moisturizing cream will hydrate your skin, but can sometimes leave a film that fades your tan quicker. I stick to a really simple body wash that has minimal fragrance and isn’t too oily; that works best for me and helps my tan last longer.
- Skip acne-specific body washes. They typically contain exfoliants that break your tan down quicker.
After you shower, don’t rub your skin dry with a towel. Instead, lightly pat (as annoying as it sounds), to keep your tan in place and prevent it from wiping off.
After you shower, be careful with what moisturizers you use. Yes, moisturizing your skin will extend your tan and make it last longer, but anything oil-based will break your tan down further, so it kind of cancels everything out. I use this moisturizer because my skin is sensitive; it hydrates without a greasy feeling and keeps my tan from getting patchy as it fades. It’s under $20 for a 2-pack, so the price works for everyone. Trust me, I’m not trying to upsell you. I’ve tried so many moisturizers, including super high-end pricey ones because I have sensitive skin and thought fancy = better, but real talk, Aveeno works the best. It hydrates your skin but isn’t greasy, so it helps your tan not get patchy as it fades.
- Remember to continue to avoid fragrance in your moisturizer; fragrance can dry your skin out, making your tan fade faster. I’ve also noticed that a heavily fragranced lotion makes your tan extra patchy around your chest, forearms, etc. so try to stick to the boring formulas and save your fancy scented lotion for tan-free times!
Skip body oils, including coconut oil. They break down the tan faster. I love a post-shower oil for moisturizing, but it’s not ideal when you want to prolong self-tanner.
As I mentioned in the intro, one way to make your self-tanner last longer is to “boost” it by applying self-tanning lotion in the days following your initial application. I’ll do this every other day because my skin is sensitive, but you could do it daily if you want.
- My skin is highly reactive and doesn’t like a lot of self-tanning lotions; this is one of the few that gives me natural yet noticeable results without causing irritation.
Don’t spray perfume or body mist directly onto your skin. They oftentimes have alcohol in them, which dries out your skin and breaks your tan down faster.
Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing, especially if you’re working out/ sweating, as that can cause your tan to rub off sooner.
Avoid swimming/ the water as much as you can, which also breaks your tan down quicker.
Excess sweat can also break down your tanner quicker, so avoid saunas or “hot” workouts like hot yoga, etc.
All this being said, I wouldn’t recommend trying to keep your tan indefinitely. It’s good to take a break, fully exfoliate all of the “old” tan off, and give your skin a day or two to breathe before starting the process over. All of these tips allow me to get my tan to last a full 10 days, even with daily workouts. I then take 2-3 days to make sure all of my tan is exfoliated off, and start again. Making sure all of the “old” tan is off gives you a clean base, which allows your next tan to apply evenly and last even longer. As much of a bummer as it can be to go without a tan, don’t skip or rush the exfoliating process!

tl; dr

The better you exfoliate, the smoother the tan goes on. Make sure to shower and wash off ALL moisturizer; tanner lasts longer when it’s applied to clean, dry skin.
Once your tan is on, to make it last longer:
- warm showers, not hot.
- pat your skin dry; don’t rub it with a towel.
- use basic moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated; anything with fragrance or lots of alcohol will dry out your skin and make your tan fade quicker (and patchier).
  - skip body oils; they break the tan down further.
- don’t spray perfume or body mist directly onto your skin (alcohol = drying = tan fades fast).
- avoid excess sweating (hot workouts, saunas, etc.)
- avoid swimming (especially chlorine).
- avoid tight-fitting clothing, especially during workouts.
- “boost” your tan by applying a moisturizing self-tanning lotion every other day; this can give me an extra week of a good tan.
When you’re ready to tan again, give your skin a day or two (ideally 3) to really scrub off the old tan. Clean base = better, longer lasting tan.