Experts Reveal How to Solve Self Tan Slip-Ups…Fast!
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Britain is the self-tan capital of the world, with 236% more searches for related products than any other country over the last month, an average of 1,233 per day.
However, there’s a similar surge in searches for removing or fixing tans, with Google recording over 400 UK users daily looking for solutions to common bronzing mistakes.
TikTok has also seen a rise in tanning content, with the hashtag #tantok pulling in over 537.5 million views globally. Self-tan slip-ups are also equally big news on the platform, with over 100 million views on hashtags highlighting tanning mistakes, with #faketanfail the most popular, boasting 89.7 million views on the platform, followed by #faketangonewrong (12.7 million views) and #faketandisaster (2.4 million views.) Hashtags such as #faketantips (320.3 million views) and #faketanremoval (45.8 million views) are also seeing a surge in popularity on the platform.
As well as Britain’s love for all things sun-kissed during the summer months, the rise in tanning demand has also been driven by Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie’s perfect glows in the forthcoming Barbie film. Set to hit screens in July, teaser trailers have already seen the #barbiecore hashtag hit 317.3 million views on TikTok and almost 50,000 Google searches for the Isle of Paradise self-tan, which make-up artists used to achieve Ken’s bronzed style on screen.
| Hashtag | Views |
| #tantok | 537,000,000 |
| #faketantips | 320,300,000 |
| #barbiecore | 317,300,000 |
| #faketangonewrong | 12,700,000 |
| #faketanremoval | 45,800,000 |
| #faketandisaster | 2,400,000 |
With 2023 set to be the year of self-tan, experts at Beauty Daily by Clarins have compiled the definitive guide on correcting self-tan slip-ups in a hurry, along with advice on how to prep skin for the best results.
Setting Self-Tans Right
Whether a tan has streaked or developed in patches, there are some very simple steps to fade or completely remove excess product for a more even glow.
- Steaming is a crucial part of the tan correction process. Although often overlooked, humid environments cause pores to open wide, encouraging dirt and dead skin cells to flake away. Bathrooms can create a steamy environment, or a professional sauna room can ready skin for tan removal.
- Once the skin is steamed, oils can break down the DHA found in many tanning products faster. Coconut or olive oils work just as well as baby oil when left on the affected areas for 10 minutes, or a 30-minute bath or shower filled with essential oils can make for a more luxurious experience.
- Exfoliation is not only the best way to prepare for a tan but the best way to correct mistakes. Rubbing the affected area in a circular motion with a mitt, loofah, or washcloth will help slough away uneven self-tan patches.
Rebecca Jones, Clarins Beauty coach, also advises that lemon juice can help remove unwanted product. Squeeze the juice onto a cotton ball, apply to the affected area and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing off with warm water.
Sweat and chlorine can also help dissolve a tan faster but even, smooth results aren’t guaranteed, as the chemicals may irritate and dry the skin, or increase the chances of patchy fading.
Setting Skin Up for Success
To avoid any issues which may need correction, the experts follow a few insider tips to ensure skin is in the best condition possible:
Rebecca Jones, Clarins Beauty coach, advises shaving or waxing within 24 hours of tanning can cause small brown spots to accumulate on the skin, as the product is forced into pores during the hair removal process. Skincare ingredients such as retinol, glycolic, salicylic or lactic acids should also be avoided for a few days before tanning, as they increase the risk of a patchy tan.
Rebecca further recommends exfoliating the face and body every two weeks to remove tan build-up: “This way, it will thoroughly cleanse and exfoliate the body and would make a clean canvas and remove dead skin cells so that the (new) tan will blend and absorb more evenly.”
Sarah Joan Ross, Beauty Daily editor, says: “Finding a decent home tanning regimen has been a revelation. It gives me confidence before sporting a swimsuit and sinking my toes into the sand in the summer. I usually add some Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster for Body to my everyday lotion and gradually build up the colour. I find this better than trying to fit in a salon appointment and avoids the colour transfer that can be left on your clothes. Plus, once, my swanky salon tan was ruined by a sudden British downpour – leaving me with tiger-style streaks all down my legs. It was good money literally washed down the drain and not the desired look for my summer break!”
Further information on self-tanning tips and tricks can be found at Beauty Daily by Clarins.
