For me, 2023 was the year of the spray tan. I’ve never been able to tan super well, not at least without a very committed tanning schedule, so I decided from now on I’ll just get spray tans. In this blog post I’ll share the best moisturizer for a spray tan, as well as my top tips for keeping yours looking fresh. If you want to skip straight to the products, they’re listed at the bottom of this post.
Extending the life of your tan
Everyone knows that skin prep and exfoliation is super important before your spray tan, but the first shower and what you do afterwards is just as important. With a total of three spray tans in 2023, I’ve tried a few different methods now and I feel like I’ve got the after care down.
Avoid hot showers
It’s better to use cold water or lukewarm water, not only for the first shower after your spray tan, but pretty much all of the showers after that. This is not the time for scorching hot water! The only exception might be if you are going to wash your hair and need it to be a little warmer. My best tip for washing your hair is to turn off or step away from the direct stream while you’re massaging in your shampoo.
For body washes it’s best to keep the temperature down, and make sure to avoid using shower gels that contain chemical exfoliants. Chemical exfoliants will break the tan down and cause an uneven tan. Before you get the spray tan done, however, chemical exfoliants are your best friend! They are a great way to exfoliate before a tan, just make sure you leave enough time to rehydrate your skin before the tan.
Key ingredients to avoid after a spray tan
If you want to extend the life of your spray tan, you’ll want to avoid a few specific ingredients, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Essential oils
I usually don’t recommend essential oils to anybody, especially not for the face. This is because essential oils, although natural, are very volatile and can be incredibly irritating. They’re known to trigger perioral dermatitis and are sensitising, meaning they can cause you allergies down the line. For these reasons I think it’s a good idea to avoid them after a spray tan, too.
Chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid
If you deal with body acne, you might have some showe gels that contain salicylic acid or glycolic acid. Both of these will wear away at the tan and it won’t last as long. Hyaluronic acid, however, is fine! You really only want to exfoliate before your spray tan for best results, and avoid it afterwards until you’re ready to scrub it all off.
Scrubs
It goes without saying but any kind of physical scrub is a bad idea! The only time I might use a scrub is if a part of my tan has already decided to come off, and I’d prefer that are to be pale rather than patchy. You want to remove dead skin cells before the spray tan, but leave them well alone after it’s been applied.
Bar soaps
Not an ingredient, but you’ll also want to avoid bar soaps as they can be quite drying. Generally speaking I’m not totally sure why people still use these, but they’re not something I’d recommend if you want to keep a dark spray tan.
Best moisturizer ingredients to use after a spray tan
After you’ve come home and left your tan for around eight hours, you’ll want to shower and then use a moisturiser. The best moisturizers for a spray tan are pretty simple, they should be thick and super occlusive! Especially if you’re prone to dry skin, you will want to use this moisturiser at least once a day if you can.
These are some good ingredients for maintaining your spray tan:
- Mineral oil
- Cocoa butter
- Shea butter
- Glycerin
- Hyaluronic acid
- Vitamin E
- Aloe vera
- Coconut oil
A lot of these ingredients are ones that I certainly wouldn’t recommend for the face, so be mindful of that! Honestly, I don’t get my face spray tanned. For one, I’m concerned about breakouts and I don’t think the tan would last anyway, but secondly because I know it would just get skincare-d away quickly anyway.
Personally, I don’t think the moisturiser you use needs to be expensive. I also like to use different ones for different times of day if I feel like it. For example, you might use something that takes a long time to sink in overnight, then top up with something lighter in the morning. Make sure you’re applying your moisturiser to your whole body, so that the tan fades evenly.
Best moisturizers for a long lasting spray tan
Whether it’s your first spray tan or your want to lock in your natural tan, these are some of my favourite body creams for maintaining the colour. You could also use these as a barrier cream on dry areas pre-spray tan, and a little goes a long way because most them are quite thick.
1. Cetaphil Moisturising Cream
I was gifted this by Cetaphil a long time ago, and when I first applied it I was shocked at home moisturising it was. This is the perfect cream for the first shower after your spray tan, especially to wear overnight. It’s the kind of cream that you can still feel the next morning, and one I would never recommend for the face!
If you have scaly legs, this will moisturise dehydrated skin for at least 48 hours in my experience. I haven’t tried the Cetaphil equivalent, but I’m sure it’d be super similar and therefore fine. This cetaphil moisturizer is definitely a contender for the best moisturizer for a spray tan, but there are a few more I want to talk about.
Shop cetaphil moisturising cream here [aff link]
2. E45 Dermatological Moisturising Lotion
E45 has always been one of my favourite body lotions, because it’s so simple, effective and affordable. This has a much thinner texture than Cetaphil, which can be a bit much for some. E45 feels like more of a liquid body lotion, and is a high quality moisturizer. I reach for this one especially when I use fake tan, too.
Shop E45 dermatological moisturising lotion here [aff link]
3. Vaseline Intensive Care Body Lotion
Vaseline is another go-to brand that I’ve grown up with. It comes in a lot of different scents, but you might prefer to use an unscented one with your spray tan. I also love the spray bottle versions, which would be great for those who have sensory issues or prefer something lighter. You just might need to apply it a bit more often.
Shop Vaseline Advanced Repair body lotion here [aff link]
4. Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk
Maybe a tad controversial but I regularly use gradual tanning lotion on my spray tan, after its been a few days and is fading. Or if you’ve gotten a shade too light, you could consider using a sunless tan cream on top. They tend to be super moisturising and therefore work just as well, in my experience. The only drawback is the added fragrance, which is why I tend to save it for when my tan is on the way out anyway. I really like this one by Bondi Sands and will definitely repurchase it once I’ve finished it.
Overall I would say there is no one ‘best lotion’ or product, it all depends on what sort of texture you prefer. If this is your first time having a spray tan, any of the first three would be absolutely fine.
Shop Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk here [aff link]
My top tips for making a spray tan last
Aside from the best moisturizer for a spray tan, I feel like there are a few tips that I haven’t yet covered in this post which I want to share, so here goes:
Loose-fitting clothing
An obvious one, but make sure to wear loose-fitting clothing to your appointment, or face tan lines where clothing has rubbed the tan off! This has happened to me before, I wore a zip-up hoodie and the zip rubbed the tan off from my chest.
The day of your spray tan
On the day of your tan session make sure you don’t book lots of activities or things to do. Personally I think it’s most helpful to have a day of doing nothing! Certainly don’t fly anywhere on the same day, it’ll be very uncomfortable and probably ruin your tan.
Shaving or waxing
I would recommend not shaving on the day of your spray tan either. If you do, I’ve noticed the hair follicles can sometimes look very noticeable when the tan goes in them. Best to remove hair and moisturise the day before, at a minimum.
Oh.. and most importantly, don’t sleep with your hand under your face!
