How Do I Remove Self-Tanner From My Hands?
You’ve spent time carefully applying self-tanner so that it looks beautiful and even, only to wake up the next morning with bright orange palms and dark, patchy knuckles. Stained hands from self-tanner happen to the best of us, but the good news is, you don’t have to look orange and patchy for days. Here are five effective ways to remove self-tanner from your hands so you can have a beautiful glow everywhere again:
1. Baking Soda Paste
Baking soda works like a gentle scrub that helps remove the top layer of skin stained by self-tanner. Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with a splash of water until it forms a thick paste then rub this mixture over your hands. Make sure to scrub tougher areas of your palms and knuckles. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly with warm water.
2. Try the Lemon Juice Trick
Lemon juice contains natural acids that help break down stains on the skin so they fade easier. It’s important to be cautious because it can also irritate your skin and make it more sensitive to sunlight. Squeeze fresh lemon juice onto a cotton pad, and wipe it over the stained parts on your hands. You can also mix a little lemon juice with sugar to make a DIY scrub. Leave the mixture on your hands for about five minutes before washing it off.
3. Put Baby Oil on Your Hands
Self-tanner develops in the outer layer of your skin, and baby oil can help soften that layer so the color comes off more easily when you gently exfoliate. Put a generous amount of baby oil on your hands, and let it soak in for about 15 to 20 minutes. After this, take a warm, damp washcloth and gently buff your hands. The oil will loosen the color, so it’s easy to wipe away.
4. Use a Gentle Exfoliant
Use your favorite body scrub with an exfoliating mitt. Run your hands under warm water to soften the skin, then use gentle, circular motions to buff away the stain. Make sure you apply light pressure to avoid irritating your skin.
5. Baby Wipes
Baby wipes can help remove self-tanner stains on hands if the tan is still fresh. However, once the tan has fully developed, they won’t be very effective at removing it and are better for quick cleanups than full removal.
How to Prevent Self-Tanner From Staining Hands
The easiest way to make sure your hands aren’t stained from self-tanner is to always use Brown Bee’s exfoliating mitt to protect your palms. Before you use Brown Bee’s self-tanning lotion or mousse, apply a light hydrating lotion all over your body, paying extra attention to dry areas like your knuckles, wrists, and the spaces between your fingers. The lotion acts as a protective barrier so the self-tanner doesn’t cling to dry areas and create dark patches. Learn how to apply Brown Bee’s self-tanner by watching our how-to videos to make sure you have an even application for a glowing skin.
FAQs
Can oil help remove self-tanner from hands?
Baby oil can help break down self-tanner on the skin. Let it sit on your hands for a few minutes, then gently scrub and rinse.
Does lemon juice actually remove self-tanner?
It can potentially help because it has mild natural acids, but it should be used carefully since it may dry out or irritate the skin.
How do I remove self-tanner from around my nails and cuticles?
Use a cotton swab with water, oil, or makeup remover on it to gently lift color from hard to get areas.
How can I prevent self-tanner buildup on my hands next time?
Apply extra product from your application mitt onto your hands, making sure knuckles are covered.