Self-Tanner Smells Bad
Self-tanner smells bad when the tanning ingredient develops on skin or mixes with sweat and scented lotion. Clean prep and a rinse afterward reduce the odor.
Part of body beauty fixes and buildup beauty fixes .
What you'll need
- gentle body wash
- unscented lotion
- self-tanner
- loose clothing
Why it happened
Many self-tanners create a distinct odor as the color develops on the skin. Sweat, fragrance, and heavy lotion can make that smell stronger or sour. Removing competing products gives the formula fewer things to react with.
The fix
- 1shower and dry fully before applying self-tanner
- 2avoid scented lotion, perfume, or deodorant on areas being tanned
- 3wear loose clothing while the tan develops
- 4rinse after the recommended development time and moisturize with unscented lotion
If it's still wrong
- Try a gradual tanner if full-strength formulas smell too strong.
- Apply at night and rinse in the morning if daytime odor bothers you.
Prevent next time
- Do not layer perfume over developing self-tanner.
- Wash workout sweat off before tanning.
Notes
Why this works
Self-tanner odor is partly the formula and partly what it meets on the skin. Scented products can clash with the developing tan instead of covering it.
Clean, dry skin gives the tan a simpler surface. Rinsing at the right time removes leftover guide color and surface residue that can hold the smell.
Substitutions
- unscented lotion→fragrance-free body cream
- loose clothing→dark loose pajamas
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