Spray tan aftercare tips

Keep Your Glow Golden

A custom airbrush tan is only as good as the care you give it afterward. The right products (and the wrong ones) can be the difference between a glow that lasts a full week and one that fades or turns patchy in just a few days. Here's what our team at Sun-Kissed Custom Tan recommends for maintaining your bronzed, beautiful, unfiltered results.

Best Body Washes for Tan Aftercare

What you shower with matters as much as how often you shower. Look for sulfate-free, oil-free, pH-balanced formulas — anything with sulfates, heavy oils, or exfoliating beads will strip color and speed up fading.

Look for: hydrating, sulfate-free, fragrance-light formulas labeled "gentle" or "for sensitive skin"
Avoid: exfoliating scrubs, bar soaps, and washes containing sulfates or alcohol
Tip: Pat skin dry after every shower — never rub with a towel

Best Lotions for Tan Aftercare

Hydration is the #1 factor in how long your tan lasts. Dry skin flakes, and flaking skin takes your tan with it. Moisturize daily, ideally morning and night, using:

Oil-free, water-based lotions free of alcohol, retinol, and heavy fragrance
Tan extending moisturizers formulated specifically for post-tan skin (many professional tanning brands offer these)
Fragrance-free options for sensitive skin, especially on the face

Apply lightly — a thin, even layer is enough. Over-applying can cause your tan to break down unevenly in high-moisture areas like elbows and knees.

Best Sunscreens for Tan Aftercare

Yes, you still need SPF — a spray tan is cosmetic color, not sun protection. The key is choosing a sunscreen that won't break down your tan.

Look for: mineral or physical sunscreens (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide based), labeled oil-free and non-comedogenic
Avoid: sunscreens with alcohol, oils, or heavy chemical filters that can cause your tan to streak or oxidize unevenly
Tip: Reapply as directed, and always pat (never rub) sunscreen into tanned skin

General Aftercare Reminders

💧 Hydrate from the inside out — drink plenty of water
🧴 Moisturize daily with tan-safe products
☀️ Wear SPF anytime you're in the sun
🏊‍♀️ Limit long swims and always pat dry, never rub
✨ Be gentle with your skin to help your glow go the distance

Have questions about which products are right for your skin? Reach out to the Glow Team!

Text us at 978-228-1257. We're happy to assist and answer any questions you may have in preparation of your appointment or as a follow up to your spray tan session with us.

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