How to Exfoliate Before Self Tanner
Everyone says to exfoliate before self tanning — but it's a delicate balance between getting prepped skin and disrupting your skin barrier.
Exfoliating helps remove loose dead skin cells and old self tanner buildup so your tan applies more evenly, develops smoother, and fades less patchy. GlowPro experts caution against over exfoliating, which will make the DHA/tan develop lighter as well as contribute to uneven fading and stubborn patches.
Proper exfoliation matters even more when you are using a professional-strength self tanner like GlowPro's 10-14% DHA mousses, because darker color can make uneven prep more noticeable. We dove in with their sunless expert and esthetician to make sure you prep your skin the right way.
How Much Should You Exfoliate?
Your skin should feel smooth, not stripped.
If your skin feels red, raw, tight, itchy, or painful, you overdid it. Over-exfoliating will irritate the skin barrier, dry out the skin, and create uneven texture — all of which can lead to uneven tan pickup, faster fading, and scaly or cracked look.
Think: buff, don’t sandblast.
When Should You Exfoliate Before Self Tanner?
The best exfoliation routine is the one that fits your skin and lifestyle. GlowPro Tans users who need help dialing in their routine are encouraged to message the GlowPro's Tanning Conciergefor expert help dialing in the best routine for them.
A simple prep routine:
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Do a moderate exfoliation the night before.
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Do a light rinse or gentle buff the day of tanning
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Apply self tanner to clean, dry skin that has cooled.
If you only have time for one heavier exfoliation session, wait at least 3 hours before applying self tanner so the skin has time to settle.
What Should You Use to Exfoliate?
For the body, a textured exfoliating glove (only $15)is usually the best option. A good exfoliating glove should be textured enough to remove dead skin and old tan buildup, but not so aggressive that it impairs the skin barrier.
Body scrubs can be tricky before self tanning because many contain heavy oils that leave a film on the skin and interfere with DHA (active tanning ingredient) development. If you go this route, you'll want to vet the ingredient list to make sure it rinses clean and does not leave your skin feeling oily. Chemical exfoliants are effective, but long term weekly use may damage the skin barrier and cause subsequent tans to develop inconsistently.
And when in doubt, a wash cloth can always step in.
Quick Exfoliation Tips for a Better Self Tan
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Use warm water - not scalding hot!
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Focus on dry areas like knees, elbows, ankles, and feet.
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Go lighter on sensitive areas like your chest, neck, and inner arms.
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Do not exfoliate irritated, sunburned, freshly waxed, or razor-burned skin.
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Do not try to scrub off every bit of old tan in one aggressive session.
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Avoid heavy lotions or oils right before tanning.
How Often Should You Exfoliate?
If you self tan weekly, light exfoliation 1–2 times per week is usually enough and it shouldn't be a big production.
You don'tneed to destroy your skin every time you tan. In fact, a healthy skin barrier means darker DHA development and a smoother fader.
If you're experiencing a patchy fade, read this blogfor help.
The Bottom Line
Your prep should be simple: Remove buildup. Don’t wreck your skin barrier.
If tan removal is a big production for you, it might be a sign you need to take a few weeks off from your sunless routine to focus on your skin barrier and microbiome.
For an elevated tanning experience, shop GlowPro’s professional-strength self tanning mousses for spray tan-level color at home.
