For those who want to have a "sun-kissed" look, self-tanners are an excellent ally to acquire a golden complexion without exposing themselves to the dangers of UV rays. However, it is not always easy to apply this product and, in some cases, there is the risk of finding yourself with a streaked or orange effect. Consequently, it is necessary to remove the self-tanner or to even out the result. Whatever decision you make, you can make up for it by using products you already have at home.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Get rid of the Self Tanner
Step 1. Apply baby oil
In most cases, moisturizing the skin allows you to maintain the complexion created with the self-tanner. However, baby oil has the opposite effect and will cause the pigmented skin cells to melt. It can therefore lighten the color or completely remove the self-tanner, without damaging the skin.
Apply a generous layer of baby oil to the affected area and leave it on for 10 minutes, then shower and gently massage your skin with a loofah sponge to remove the color. If necessary, repeat the operation
Step 2. Use an exfoliating glove and lemon juice
Exfoliation is one of the most effective ways to remove and even out self-tanner. If you combine it with the acidic properties of lemon juice, it is possible to break down the pigments and remove them from the skin.
Rub some lemon juice into the parts of your body where you want to remove the self-tanner with a cotton pad or swab. At this point, put on an exfoliating glove and enter the shower stall. Massage the lemon juice into the skin with the help of the glove, then rinse with warm water. If necessary, repeat the process to remove any residual color
Step 3. Mix baking soda and lemon juice
You can lighten the self-tanner even without using harsh whitening substances. A mixture of lemon juice and baking soda can help lighten and remove self-tanner from the skin.
- Combine lemon juice and baking soda in a bowl until it forms a thick mixture. If you are using it to remove self-tanner from all over your body, be sure to calculate adequate doses. Gently massage it on the points where you want to remove the product. Rinse with warm water and repeat the process if necessary.
- If lemon juice is too harsh for your skin, make a mixture of baking soda and water.
Step 4. Apply white vinegar
Vinegar is a multipurpose product that can exfoliate and remove self-tanner from the skin. Leave it on for 10 minutes on the parts you want to lighten. At this point, rinse the affected area with warm water and check that you have removed the desired amount of product.
Remember that after this treatment your skin will taste of vinegar: rinse well to reduce the odor
Step 5. Use a suitable product to remove the self-tanner
Many companies that make self-tanners also sell cosmetics to get rid of them. If your tan hasn't fully developed, try one to stop pigmentation development and remove the self-tanner.
- You can find it in perfumery and in a cosmetics store. Read the instructions to make sure it works for the type of self-tanner you are using. There are products that eliminate the self-tanner within four hours of application or after the pigmentation has fully developed.
- Apply it with a loofah or normal sponge, or with an exfoliating cloth, on the entire body or on specific parts. Then, take a shower and wash it off with warm water. Check your skin to see if the self tanner has been removed, otherwise you will need to repeat the process.
Method 2 of 2: Smooth out the patchy areas
Step 1. Use exfoliating wipes
Some areas of the skin, such as elbows, hands, knees and ankles, absorb more self-tanner than others. It may therefore be necessary to lighten or even out the color. Simple exfoliating wipes can help you do this without removing it completely.
- You can get exfoliating wipes at a perfumery, cosmetic store, or supermarket. You should choose those for sensitive skin, so as not to irritate the skin.
- Massage the affected area with a gentle motion, this way you will not damage it and you will not remove any excess product. Check it occasionally to make sure you don't get too much self-tanner off.
- You can also use baby wipes. Not all of them are effective for self-tanners, but some do work and smell nice too.
Step 2. Use a sugar-based exfoliator
When you don't apply enough self-tanner or you miss a spot, streaks can form. A sugar-based exfoliant can gently even out skin color.
- To find out if an exfoliant is sugar-based, read the label. This ingredient is included in many scrubs and gives a grainy texture to the product. You can find it in perfumery, at the supermarket or in cosmetic stores.
- Apply a generous amount of product to the skin and massage it gently to remove the self-tanner. After 30-60 seconds, rinse it with warm water and check if the color has evened out, otherwise repeat the application until you get the desired result.
Step 3. Massage the affected area with a lemon
This citrus is a natural exfoliant and can also lighten the skin. If you have streaks or spots you want to remove, cut one off and massage it gently into your skin.
Massage the affected area for two to three minutes. Check it to see if the stripe has lightened, otherwise repeat the process until it is the same color as the surrounding skin
Step 4. Try acetone
Using nail polish remover will seem like an unusual way to remedy the streaks created by self-tanner. However, applying a little can immediately make the skin more homogeneous, effectively hiding imperfections and streaks.
- Buy acetone-based solvent (read the label). Acetone-free nail polish removers may not even out or remove streaks created by self-tanner. It is readily available in the supermarket, perfumery or cosmetics store.
- Soak a cotton ball or pad in acetone and massage it on the area you want to even out. Every two or three seconds, check if it has become more homogeneous, otherwise continue massaging it until you get the desired result.
- Remember that acetone can be very dangerous if swallowed. You can use it on your skin safely, but if it burns or bothers you, rinse it off.
Step 5. Apply hair removal cream
This method also seems unusual for smoothing out stripes, but it can gently remedy mistakes. Leaving it on for half the recommended time can quickly and gently remove the color, smoothing out the streaked parts.
- Dab a small amount of hair removal cream onto a cotton swab. Gently apply it to the strip and let it sit for half the recommended time. Wash it off with lukewarm water and check the color. If necessary, repeat until you get a smooth result.
- Do not leave it on for as long as indicated on the package, otherwise it can completely remove the self-tanner and form a white streak.
Step 6. Blot a whitening toothpaste
The hands and fingers are among the areas most prone to the formation of streaks. A pinch of whitening toothpaste will have the same effect as it would on your teeth, which is to remove stains. Try massaging a thin layer of it on all the areas you want to even out. You could try a whitening toothpaste that also contains baking soda and peroxide, which can make it more effective.
Step 7. Moisturize the skin
Stripes or spots often form on dry areas of the skin. This is especially true for parts such as hands, elbows, feet and ankles. This can be easily remedied by using a moisturizer and exfoliator.
- Exfoliate the areas you want to lighten or even out. Check them after a minute to see how much self-tanner you have removed. When you think you have achieved a smooth result, moisturize the area.
- Prevent this type of streaks and blemishes by moisturizing your hands, feet, ankles and elbows before applying the self-tanner so they won't absorb too much product.
