The Right Way to Apply Self-Tanner, According to Experts

Self-tanning is the best way to get a golden glow without worrying about the aging and oxidative effects of sun damage on your skin. Even if protecting yourself from the sun is on your list of activities, you may find yourself a little intimidated by self-tanning products and the streaking they can cause. Faux tanning products are safe and affordable, and worth learning how to use, so we talked to the experts. Ahead, learn how to apply self-tanner, according to the pros.

Shower & Exfoliate
The trick to getting an even, long-lasting fake tan starts with showering and exfoliating before you apply an a self-tanning product. "Self-tanners work much like a food coloring to stain the dead skin cells at the skin surface," Ciraldo explains. "Exfoliating before application of the self-tanner results in an even appearance to the tan." Use a body scrub. If you shave your body hair, now's the time to take care of that, too. (More on shaving later.)

Protect Key Areas
Don't apply your usual body lotion everywhere when you dry off from the shower.
“It’s crucial to moisturize dry areas only (like your ankles, feet, knees, elbows, wrists, palms, etc.) to prevent them from soaking in too much color,” says Kittaneh. “The rest of your skin should be dry and free of oils or lotions to maximize the effectiveness of the self-tanner." Have light hair or eyebrows? Put moisturizer over your brows and around your hairline, too. The active ingredient in self-tanner, dihydroxyacetone (DHA), works by tinting the keratin in your skin, Ciraldo explains. Because keratin is also a component of hair, you can give yourself an unintended dye job if you're not careful. "Light-haired people should be meticulous at avoiding the product getting on scalp or brow hairs," she advises.

Cover Your Hands
Hands are especially prone to turning orange after self-tanning, so for best results, keep them covered. “Use a tanning mitt or latex gloves to apply the self-tanning product evenly and to avoid staining your fingers and palms,” Kittaneh suggests. If you're applying the product with bare hands, make sure they're lotioned up first. After applying the self-tanner, wash your hands with a cleanser and washcloth. "The washcloth texture will help to physically exfoliate away the self-tanner," Ciraldo says.

Apply in Long Strokes
After prepping your body and hands, you'll apply your tanner in long strokes. Remember, your skin needs to be completely dry to absorb the product, so no self-tanning right after your shower; step out of your steamy bathroom and wait 10 minutes. Put the product directly on your mitt or gloves. “Work on one section at a time, applying the tanner in light, long vertical strokes until smooth and even," Kittaneh says. "Apply sparingly to feet, ankles, knees, elbows, neck, face, and hands, but be sure to touch on all exposed areas for a natural-looking glow.”

Fortunately, overloading on tanner won't turn you orange—DHA can only stain the keratin in your skin to a certain degree—but using too little product can create a streaky-looking tan. Put a liberal amount of product on your glove, enough to coat your skin thoroughly and evenly without rubbing.

Clean Up the Excess
To keep your faux tan looking seamless after you've finished applying your self-tanner, towel off excess product on the rougher skin around your joints. “After you've finished applying the self-tanner, brush over your knees, wrists, elbows, feet, and ankles with a very slightly damp paper towel to pick up excess color and eliminate unevenness,” says Kittaneh.

Wash Your Hands
Even if you used a mitt or a glove to apply your tanner, washing your hands will ensure that your palms don't turn orange. Because your hands--especially your palms--are prone to orange coloring, this is the safest bet to prevent it from occurring. Use soap and water to wash them thoroughly.

Let It Develop
Wait at least 20 minutes to get dressed and at least 12 hours to shower or get your tan remotely wet (like with skincare products or perfume). When you do shower, avoid shaving for as long as you want to keep your tan. Shaving exfoliates dead skin, which means your tan will go down the drain along with your shaving cream. If you have to de-fuzz your legs or arms, "use a depilatory cream instead of shaving to prolong the life of your faux tan," Ciraldo suggests.

Moisturize & Wear Sunscreen
Kittaneh says: “To keep your tan fresh as long as possible, moisturize all over daily." That important because dry skin is the enemy of a faux tan.

Better yet, if you're heading out of the house, wear moisturizing sunscreen. "We do have to remember that self-tanner alone doesn't afford any sun protection," Ciraldo advises. Reapply your tanner as often as needed—every few days should do the trick—for a long-lasting glow.