How Do I Make Sure Self-Tanners Don't Rub Off on My Clothes?
A flawless, sun-kissed glow is a great confidence booster, but nothing ruins it faster than seeing streaks from self-tanner on your favorite outfits. While sun-tanners can get on your clothes, there are easy ways to keep your self-tan from rubbing off on your outfit.
How Do You Prepare Your Skin Before Applying Self-Tanner?
Clean, prepped skin is essential for self-tanner to absorb evenly for a flawless glow. If the self-tanner doesn’t fully absorb into your skin, it’s more likely to transfer onto your clothes, which is why thorough exfoliation is an important first step before applying self-tanner. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells to create a smooth canvas, so the active ingredients can absorb deeper into your skin. Pay extra attention to drier areas like elbows, knees, and ankles because these areas tend to hold excess product and are prone to rubbing off. Using an exfoliating mitt is the best way to make sure your skin is smooth and clean.
It’s important to shave or wax at least a day before applying self-tanner. Hair removal opens your pores, so applying self-tanner immediately afterward can cause the product to sit in those pores, leaving excess color that easily rubs off. The same applies after application. It’s important to wait at least 24-48 hours before shaving or waxing, as both can strip away your tan prematurely.
An application mitt helps smooth the product deeply into your skin rather than leaving thick streaks. Apply a small amount of self-tanner in sweeping, circular motions, taking your time to blend it in thoroughly. Be extra careful on areas where skin touches skin like underarms, the inner elbows, and the backs of your knees.
What is the Best Sunless Self-Tanner?
The type of self-tanner you use plays a huge part in whether your clothes stay free of tanning mousse, moisturizer, lotion, or serum. Brown Bee’s self-tanning products do more than give your skin a beautiful glow, but also deeply hydrates and nourishes the skin. With consistent use, skin is smoother, firmer, and healthier. Shop all of Brown Bee’s sunless self-tanners:
Gradual Tan Daily Moisturizer
The Gradual Tan Daily Moisturizer is infused with Hyaluronic Acid (HA), Vitamin E, shea butter, red tea, and jojoba oil to help improve skin elasticity for a softer feel while also promoting a healthy, radiant glow.
Self-Tanning Air Mousse
Formulated with skin-nourishing ingredients, the Self-Tanning Air Mousse delivers a natural, sun-kissed glow while supporting overall skin health. DHA and erythrulose work together to create a smooth, even, and long-lasting self-tan while aloe vera, glycerin, and panthenol provide lasting hydration and a soft, supple feel. Calming ingredients help keep the skin balanced and radiant.
Our color guide technology adds a temporary tint that appears immediately upon application, giving you a visual map as you go. While it won’t reflect your final tan, it helps you see exactly where you’ve applied so you can blend evenly and avoid streaks or missed spots.
H7 Face Tanning Serum
Our H7 Face Tanning Serum is a lightweight, nourishing formula that gives you a natural-looking tan and keeps your skin deeply hydrated. With 2% HA, peptides, aloe vera, and Vitamin E, it helps plump, smooth, and firm the skin so you'll have beautiful sun-kissed skin and a radiant glow.
Gradual Face Tanning Serum
The Gradual Face Tanning Serum combines skin-boosting peptides and hydrating ingredients to give you a natural and radiant glow. Peptides help support collagen, improve elasticity, and smooth fine lines, while Vitamin B5 helps moisture your skin. Hydraskin gives your skin up to 72 hours of hydration and helps strengthen the skin barrier so your skin is smoother and healthier with consistent use.
Self-Tanning Hydro Mousse
This lightweight, Self-Tanning Hydro Mousse is quick drying, deeply hydrating, and smoothes the skin to create a natural, even, and long-lasting glow. Your skin will feel super soft and healthy.
What Should You Do After Applying Self-Tanner?
Once you finish applying self-tanner, wait to put on your clothes until your skin feels completely dry to the touch. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to use Brown Bee’s:
- Gradual Tan Daily Moisturizer
- Self-Tanning Air Mousse
- H7 Face Tanning Serum
- Gradual Face Tanning Serum
- Self-Tanning Hydro Mousse
FAQs
Why does self-tanner sometimes rub off on my clothes?
Self-tanner can transfer when it hasn’t fully absorbed into the skin or when excess product sits on the surface. Friction from tight clothing can cause stains.
Are some areas more prone to transfer than others?
Areas where skin naturally touches like underarms, inner elbows, back of knees, and between thighs are more likely to transfer. Apply less product and blend carefully in these areas.
Can I shower immediately after applying self-tanner?
Wait 4–8 hours depending on desired results and then shower with gentle products in lukewarm water.
Will moisturizing prevent my self-tan from rubbing off?
Moisturizing after applying Brown Bee’s self-tanner will help maintain it and reduce flaking.