How to Stop the Fake Tan Smell

A fake tan is not always worth the unpleasant odor.

You can achieve sun-kissed looking skin by using sunless tanning products such as creams, sprays or mists. Unfortunately, many of these products have an unpleasant odor that may linger for days. The odor is caused by DHA, which is the active ingredient in fake tanning products. You can alleviate this odor by washing or covering it with scented products, but this may lighten your tan. Also, there are now products available to neutralize the smell without removing the tan.

Things You'll Need

• DHA neutralizing spray
• Loofah
• Scented body wash
• Scented body lotion

Instructions

1. Select a DHA neutralizing spray such as the ones available from California Tan or Envy Tan. These products are designed to neutralize the DHA odor without removing any of your tan.

2. Spritz the neutralizer over your skin. Mist lightly, holding the spray nozzle 5 inches from your skin.

3. Spray your entire body three times each day for 48 hours following the tanning. After 48 hours, spray whenever you notice an odor.

4. Squirt a quarter-sized amount of scented body wash into the loofah. Rub the loofah over your skin in small, circular motions. This exfoliating motion will remove some of your tan along with the smell.

5. Massage scented body lotion over your clean, dry skin. This lotion will help to mask the odor of the tanning product.

Tips & Warnings

• The DHA neutralizing spray should sufficiently stop the fake smell. However, if you are still bothered by the odor, wash and lotion your skin to further remove the smell.

References

• The Sun: Spray Tans: Tried and Tested
• The Health Wyze Report
• Today MSNBC:Ready, set, glow! Sunless tanning tips
• New York Times: 'Jersey Shore' Without the Sun

Resources

• California Tan Sunless Store: Post Tanning Treatments
• Envy Tan: DISGUISED: DHA NEUTRALIZING SPRAY