Debunking Self-Tanning Myths: What’s True, What’s False, and What Actually Matters

Debunking Self-Tanning Myths: What’s True, What’s False, and What Actually Matters

When it comes to self-tanning, advice flies at you from every direction — TikTok tutorials, old-school beauty blogs, and that one friend who swears by sleeping in her tan (we’re begging you… don’t). But not everything you hear is true — and some of these tanning myths could be sabotaging your glow.

Let’s separate fact from fiction so you can tan smarter, not harder — and get the even, radiant results you deserve.

🧴 MYTH #1: The Longer You Leave Your Tan On, the Darker It Gets

FALSE.

We get it — you want a deeper bronze. But once your tan develops (usually within 2–4 hours with rapid solutions), leaving it on longer won’t make it darker — it may actually dry out your skin and lead to uneven fading.

👉 All Naked Tan professional solutions are 2-hour rapid formulas, including our Uber Dark 16% DHA. You rinse after 2 hours, then the tan continues to develop naturally over the next 8–12 hours.

TL;DR: Longer isn’t better — smarter is. Trust the timing, and rinse at the right time.

🚿 MYTH #2: You Should Moisturise Straight After Rinsing Off

FALSE (at least for the first 24 hours).

Your tan continues to develop for hours after you’ve rinsed. Moisturising too early can interfere with the DHA process, leading to streaks or colour disruption.

✅ Wait at least 24 hours after your first rinse before applying lotion. After that? Moisturise daily to lock in hydration and extend your glow.

👉 We recommend Crème de la Crème — especially now that it’s Buy One, Get One Half Price.

🌿 MYTH #3: Tanning Dries Out Your Skin

It depends.

Some cheap, alcohol-based tanners? Yes, they can dry out your skin. However, high-quality formulas like Naked Tan’s are enriched with nourishing ingredients, such as aloe vera and vitamin E, which are designed to hydrate and protect your skin, rather than strip it.

If you’ve experienced dryness in the past, it’s likely due to harsh ingredients or not moisturising after tanning.

🧽 MYTH #4: You Need to Scrub Your Skin Like Crazy Before Tanning

FALSE.

Over-exfoliating can actually damage your skin barrier, causing your tan to cling unevenly or fade faster. Instead, exfoliate gently 24 hours before tanning to remove dead skin cells and create a smooth, even canvas.

👉 Try: Naked Tan Exfoliating Mitt — designed to polish, not punish.

🧪 MYTH #5: DHA Is Dangerous

FALSE.

DHA (dihydroxyacetone) is the active tanning agent in most self-tanners. It’s FDA-approved, non-toxic, and safe for topical use. It reacts with amino acids in the top layer of your skin to create a temporary golden glow — no UV exposure needed.

At Naked Tan, we use only high-quality DHA, free from parabens and harsh additives, to provide you with a beautiful, sunless glow you can trust.

🌞 MYTH #6: Self-Tan Protects You from the Sun

BIG FALSE.

Just because your skin looks bronzed doesn’t mean it’s protected. Self-tan offers no UV protection, so always wear sunscreen when spending time outdoors.

Use a lightweight SPF and reapply as needed, especially after your first rinse and throughout the day.

💫 Final Thoughts

Myths can ruin your tan — or at the very least, make you work harder than you need to. With the right products, realistic expectations, and a few insider tips, achieving glowing skin is easier— and safer —than ever.

✨ Choose quality DHA
✨ Stick to your rinse time
✨ Moisturise after 24 hours
✨ And no, you don’t need to sleep in it

Your glow, your rules — minus the myths.