Gradual Body Tan

Exfoliate and shave 24 hours before you tan — not the same day. On application day, start with clean, completely dry skin and skip lotions, oils, and deodorant. Those create barriers that block even development and cause patchiness.

Pump onto your Tanning Mitt and work one section at a time (legs, arms, torso, back). Blend quickly and evenly before it starts to set. Use whatever's left on the mitt for hands and feet — never pump fresh product directly onto those areas. Use a brush to buff out any harsh lines.

Hold the bottle about 12 inches away and spray in smooth, sweeping passes. For your face, keep your eyes and mouth closed and avoid breathing it in. A few light layers beats one heavy coat. Mist continuously for best results. We recommend having a mitt or a brush on hand in case you need to blend any areas out.

These dry zones absorb more pigment, which is how you end up with dark knuckles or patchy ankles. Use less product, blend longer with a brush, and pre-soften very dry areas with a thin layer of moisturizer before applying so they don't "grab" the color.

Dry-to-touch within a few minutes. Wait until it feels completely dry before putting on loose clothing while the tan develops.

Most of our formulas develop over 6–8 hours. For the deepest result, leave it on the full window. When you rinse, use lukewarm water only — skip soap on that first rinse. What you see washing off is guide color, not your actual tan don’t panic. Your tan develops over the next 12–24 hours.

Guide color is the temporary tint you see immediately after applying — it helps you see where you've been so you don't miss spots. It rinses away when you shower. Your real, developed tan comes from DHA reacting with your skin over 6–24 hours. If you think your tan "washed off," you're almost certainly seeing guide color rinse away while your real tan is still developing underneath.

Wait until after your tan has fully developed and you've done your first rinse. Sweating and friction during development cause uneven fade. Once you've rinsed, you're good to go.