Fake tan, or sunless tanner, is a great way to maintain a bronzed look throughout the year without having to worry about the dangers associated with sun exposure. Waiting for it to dry, however, can be a tedious process.
If you’re as busy as me, you will want to know how to dry fake tan quickly. You’ll be happy to hear that there are a few great hacks to help your fake tan dry! Mousse fake tans dry faster than other products like lotions and sprays. Once you have applied the tan, you can use a hairdryer on a cool setting or use a setting powder to speed up the drying process.
Let’s have a look at these tips and tricks in more detail.
Use a Mousse
Sunless tanners come in a variety of forms, including lotions, sprays, and mousses. Mousse self-tanner is known as the quick-dry self-tanner, for being the fastest drying of the selection.
Mousse self-tanners have a higher alcohol content than other products available, which decreases the time it takes to dry and set onto your skin.
Mousses are very lightweight, and a little goes a long way when you apply with a tanning mitt especially with our own special blackout tanning mitt. They are the first-choice style of self-tanners amongst at-home tanning experts for this reason. They are also suitable for beginners, with easy application.
We Recommend: St Tropez Self Tan Classic Mousse
Use a Hairdryer
Another option if you are in a hurry or feeling impatient is to use a hairdryer to hasten the drying process. It will not only speed up the drying process but actually improve the chemical reaction process, helping the fake tan to develop on your skin.
It is very important, however, that you use the hairdryer on a cool setting. Heat could lead to sweating, which could interfere with the self-tanner and leave you with an uneven and streaky effect.
Make sure your hairdryer has a cool setting or a fan setting to avoid this problem. A fan is a great alternative if your hairdryer only has hot settings!
Use a Setting Powder
Setting powder for sunless tanner will absorb excess moisture on the skin and lock the color into place, meaning you will be free to get dressed and continue your day much more quickly.
Setting powders are becoming more and more popular as people are realizing the benefits. Using self-tanners in the summer can be risky because sweating whilst you wait for it to dry can lead to streaks and unevenness. With a powder, you avoid this problem
Use setting powder in the same way you would use powder on your face. Using a big fluffy brush, dip it into the powder and tap off the excess, then sweep over the skin.
We Recommend: SunFX Finishing Powder
Walk Around
If your house or apartment is cool and there is no risk of sweating, walking around briskly enough to create air flow on your body is an alternative to the hairdryer method.
As the cool air hits your skin, it will help to dry the product and set it onto your skin.
It is important, however, that the walking does not lead to sweating, as this can interfere with the color development process and leave you with a streaky or uneven finish.
Related Questions
How Long Does It Take for Fake Tan to Dry?
It totally depends on the type of fake tan you are using. Mousse self-tanners, as I suggested using earlier in this article, usually dry within a few minutes, meaning it is safe to put clothes on. Sprays and lotions take a bit longer, and you should always wait until the skin is completely dry to the touch before putting clothes on.
Remember that drying and developing are not the same thing, so even if the skin is dry, the tan will continue to develop for between six and eight hours. Wait out this period before having a shower so as not to interrupt the development process.
How Do I Dry My Fake Tan Before Bed?
If you are looking to speed up the drying process before bed, use any or all of the tips listed in this article. Many people choose to apply self-tanner before bed, as it is very time efficient, with the color developing overnight, meaning you are ready to shower and go in the morning. For more on this check our article – can you sleep in self tanner.
To avoid color transferring onto your sheets, make sure the skin is completely dry and wear loose-fitting, full-coverage pajamas whilst you sleep. High-quality self-tanners have less guide color and so color is less likely to transfer onto fabrics, so it is worth spending a bit more if you want to use the overnight method.
Does Baby Powder Dry Fake Tan?
Baby powder is a good alternative to the setting powders I mentioned earlier if you are looking for a more budget-friendly option. However, rather than drying the tan itself, the function of baby powder after using fake tan is to prevent sweat disrupting the color development process.
Apply baby powder all over with a fluffy make up brush after using fake tan. It won’t interfere with the color and will help to prevent those pesky sweat streaks. Highly recommended in the summer!
We Recommend: Burt’s Bees Dusting Powder
