Self-tan doesn't wash off once it has developed. It fades as your skin renews. So the way to get it off your face is to help that along gently: soften, exfoliate lightly, hydrate and repeat over two or three days. Below is the basic method, then fixes for the five most common face tan problems.
The gentle method
1. Soften. Hold a warm, damp cloth on your face for a minute, or do this after a warm shower. An oil cleanser before your usual cleanser can help loosen the colour.
2. Exfoliate lightly. Use a mild exfoliating cleanser or a soft cloth. Work in small circles with light pressure for about a minute.
3. Hydrate. Exfoliation dries the skin, and dry skin fades unevenly. Mist or apply a hydrating serum like Supreme Serum.
4. Repeat tomorrow. It usually takes two or three days. Trying to do it in one go only irritates the skin.
Five problems, five fixes
The whole face is too dark
Use the gentle method once a day for two or three days. In between, cleanse gently and hydrate. Skip your next tan night until the colour is where you want it, then go lighter: with the MultiMist, mist for fewer seconds.
A dark line at the hairline
Wet a cotton pad, add a little exfoliating cleanser and work only along the line. Next time, pull your hair back with a headband before you tan.
Orange eyebrows
Brush the brows with a spoolie and a drop of cleanser, then rinse. Repeat over a couple of days. Next time, a thin layer of moisturiser on the brows before you tan keeps them clear.
An uneven nose or chin
These areas are often drier and fade first. Hydrate them well, then even out the edges with a very light top-up rather than removing everything around them.
Tan on your palms or fingers
Wash with warm water and a little exfoliating cleanser, focusing on the creases. Next time, use a method where your hands don't touch the tan.
What not to do
No body scrubs or body tan removers on your face. They are usually too rough for facial skin.
No scrubbing until it's red. Irritated skin doesn't lose the tan faster, and redness under a fading tan looks patchier.
No stacking. One gentle exfoliant a day is enough. Retinol and acids on top of it tend to irritate.
No home remedies. Lemon juice and baking soda are too harsh for your face.
Prevent it next time
Most of these problems start with blending by hand. The MultiMist puts True Tan on without hands, so there is nothing to rub into the brows or hairline.
FAQ
How do I get self-tan off my face fast?
Soften, exfoliate gently and hydrate, then repeat the next day. There is no safe way to remove it all at once.
Can I use a body tan remover on my face?
It's best not to. Body removers are often too strong for facial skin. A gentle exfoliating cleanser does the job more kindly.
How long does it take for face tan to fade on its own?
It depends on the formula and your skin. True Tan lasts up to 7 days and fades as the skin renews.
Will removing tan damage my skin?
Not if you go gently and hydrate afterwards. Supreme Serum supports the skin barrier with niacinamide and fermented oat.