How to Remove Self Tanner from Your Hands

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Plus, tips to prevent it from staining your palms during application

Co-authored by Barbie Ritzman and Annabelle Reyes

Last Updated: September 28, 2024 Fact Checked

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• After It Sets In
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• Before It Sets In
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• Self-Tan Stain Prevention
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• Video

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Self-tanning products are effective and convenient if you want to get a bronzed glow without spending a lot of time in the sun, but they may stain your hands if you aren’t careful during the application process. Luckily, there are a few quick and easy ways you can get self-tanner off your hands, and we’ve consulted dermatologist Dr. Mohiba Tareen and skincare specialist Barbie Ritzman for the inside scoop. We’ll also go over how to prevent self-tanner from staining your hands in the first place, so keep reading!

Ways to Get Self-Tanner Off Hands

• Exfoliate your hands using a mitt or glove and some body scrub.
• Rub a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water onto the area.
• Apply a paste made of lemon juice and baking soda.
• Use some whitening toothpaste to lighten the stains.
• Rub your hands with baby oil and let it soak for 10-15 minutes.
• Purchase and apply a self-tan removing product.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

How to Get Self-Tanner Off Hands After It Sets In

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1. 1
   Exfoliate the area. If your hands got stained while you were applying your self-tanner, Dr. Tareen says that there’s no need to panic. “If the self-tanner was recently applied, one of the best ways to remove the tanner is by gently exfoliating the skin using a hand mitt or glove,” she explains. Place the glove on one hand and use it to rub some body scrub onto your other hand in circular motions, then switch sides.

   • Ritzman adds that you should pay extra attention to the areas where self-tanner usually accumulates, such as your palms and between your fingers.
   • If you don’t have an exfoliating mitt or glove, Ritzman recommends soaking your hands in warm water for 10-15 minutes to soften your skin, then using a washcloth to scrub the tan off gradually.
2. 
   2
   Apply a product that contains glycolic acid. If you don’t want to use a physically exfoliating mitt or body scrub, try using a product that contains a chemical exfoliant like glycolic acid. The glycolic acid will gently exfoliate the top layer of your skin and break down the extra self-tanner without any harsh scrubbing.

   • Products like glycolic acid pads or glycolic acid serums that you may already use in your skincare routine work well for this.
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3. 
   3
   Use white vinegar. A mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water is another good option for fading self-tanner from your skin. “Rub the vinegar on, let it sit for 10 minutes or so, and then rinse it off,” says Dr. Tareen. The acidity of the vinegar should break down the extra layers of self-tanner, leaving your skin stain-free.

   • Apple cider vinegar works as well, if it’s all you have on hand.
4. 
   4
   Apply a paste of lemon juice and baking soda. “Take lemon juice and mix it with baking soda to create a paste, and then apply it to your hands and gently scrub,” says Ritzman. “The acidity of the lemon juice and baking soda’s abrasiveness can help lift the tan.” You don’t need to use precise measurements here; just add enough of each ingredient to create a paste-like consistency.

   • If you’re looking for an easy fix using ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen, this may be the perfect option for you!
5. 
   5
   Try out some toothpaste. Toothpaste is another household item that can do wonders for removing self-tanner stains. Grab a whitening toothpaste and use an old toothbrush to scrub it into any areas on your hands that got too dark from the self-tanner, then rinse it off with warm water.
6. 
   6
   Rub your hands with baby oil. If the self-tanner stained your hands pretty deeply, Dr. Tareen recommends trying some baby oil. “Lather up the baby oil and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Then, get in the shower or bath with warm (not hot) water, and rinse away the self-tanner.” An added benefit of this method? “It will also leave your skin feeling soft and supple,” says Dr. Tareen.
7. 7
   Purchase a self-tan removing product. There are several self-tan removers on the market if you’re looking for a convenient one-step solution. These products usually contain ingredients like glycolic acids or other AHAs and BHAs to exfoliate your skin and break up the self-tanner. Here are some popular options to check out:

   • St. Tropez Tan Remover Mousse
     • Pros: Includes probiotics and detoxifying cotton extract, suitable for sensitive skin, has a pleasant scent, easy to use.
     • Cons: Some may find the fragrance too strong, may take a bit longer to work on stubborn tans.
     • Customer Ratings: 3.9 star average on Amazon.com.
   • Bondi Sands Self Tan Eraser Gel
     • Pros: Includes aloe vera to soothe skin, doesn’t require any harsh scrubbing, and only takes 5 minutes.
     • Cons: Gentler formula, so may not work as well on super stubborn tans or dark stains.
     • Customer Ratings: 4.0 star average on Amazon.com.
   • Rose & Caramel Purity Excel Tan Remover
     • Pros: Comes in a large tub so it will last a long time, effective on stubborn tans, mango and pomegranate scent.
     • Cons: More intense formula with physical exfoliants, so may be a bit harsher on sensitive skin, more expensive than other options.
     • Customer Ratings: 4.2 star average on Amazon.com.
   • Tan-Luxe Glyco-Water Exfoliating Tan Remover
     • Pros: Foam formula breaks down self-tanner without scrubbing, doesn’t dry skin out.
     • Cons: For stubborn tans, you may need to repeat the process twice, or use an exfoliating mitt along with the product.
     • Customer Ratings: 3.6 star average on Amazon.com.
   • Isle of Paradise Over It Magic Self Tan Eraser
     • Pros: Contains glycolic acid to exfoliate and remove self-tanner, plus grapefruit, chia seed, and avocado oil to brighten and hydrate skin.
     • Cons: The glycolic acid may be a bit harsh on sensitive skin.
     • Customer Ratings: 3.3. star average on Amazon.com.
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Section 2 of 3:

How to Get Self-Tanner Off Your Hands Before It Sets In

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1. 
   Wipe the self-tanner off with a washcloth, not soap and water. If you’ve just applied a self-tanner, you’ll want to remove the product from your palms but leave it on the backs of your hands. This mimics the appearance of a natural tan while also preventing you from ending up with hands that are way lighter than the rest of your body. Simply use a washcloth or paper towel to wipe the tanner off both palms, the spaces between your fingers, your fingernails, and your cuticles to make sure these areas don’t get stained too dark.

   • Let the self-tanner on the other side of your hands develop for a few minutes before washing it off.

Section 3 of 3:

How to Prevent Self-Tanner from Staining Your Hands

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1. 
   1
   Use a tanning mitt to apply your self-tanner. “The key to avoiding tan stains on your hands is to be proactive and use preventative measures before applying the tan,” explains Ritzman. A surefire way to do this would be using a tanning mitt to apply the product onto your body, rather than using your bare hands to rub it in. This eliminates the risk of staining your palms too dark, and it also helps you apply the self-tanner on your body in a super smooth, even layer.
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   Moisturize your hands before applying your self-tanner. If you don’t have a tanning mitt, you can also create a barrier between the self-tanner and your hands with a thick cream or moisturizer. “Apply a heavy moisturizer or petroleum jelly to your hands before applying the tan,” says Ritzman. “This creates a protective layer that helps prevent the tan from absorbing into the skin. After the tan, carefully wipe it off.”
3. 3
   Tan your hands with a tanning mist instead of a mousse or lotion. Self-tanning mists are easy to apply in a light, even layer, which can help you get a more natural-looking result on your hands. These products also tend to have formulas that tan more gradually than mousses or lotions, so you can avoid any deep stains or mishaps. Here are some popular tanning mists to try out:

   • Tan-Luxe The Water Hydrating Self-Tanner Mist
     • Pros: Applies in an even mist, no transfer to clothing or bedsheets, hydrates skin.
     • Cons: Some reviews mention not liking the scent that lingers after using the product.
     • Customer Ratings: 4.2 star average on Amazon.com.
   • Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Water
     • Pros: Contains avocado oil, chia seeds, and grapefruit oil for an ultra-hydrating formula, natural looking finish (no orange tint).
     • Cons: Very effective formula, so can stain palms and soles of feet if you’re not careful during application.
     • Customer Ratings: 4.2 star average on Amazon.com.
   • St. Tropez Self-Tan Purity Vitamins Bronzing Water Body Mist
     • Pros: 95% natural ingredients, contains hyaluronic acid for hydration, plus vitamins C and D.
     • Cons: A bit more expensive than other options.
     • Customer Ratings: 4.2 star average on Amazon.com.
   • Tanologist Express Self-Tan Water
     • Pros: Least pricey option, hydrates with pink grapefruit, goji berry, and juniper, non-comedogenic formula (won’t clog pores).
     • Cons: Can fade more quickly than other options, so may require more frequent reapplication.
     • Customer Ratings: 4.4 star average on Amazon.com.
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