How to Prep for a Spray Tan on Your Period (Yes, It Matters!)

How to Prep for a Spray Tan on Your Period (Yes, It Matters!)

Let’s be honest — the week of your period is often the one where you feel the least like getting your glow on. Your skin’s a little moody, your energy’s low, and the thought of baring your legs to anyone (even your trusted spray tan tech) can feel like a lot.

But here’s the good news: tanning during your period is totally doable — and can actually be a huge mood booster when done right. With the proper prep and a little extra TLC, you can still walk out feeling bronzed, confident, and completely in control of your glow.

Here’s what your skin goes through during your cycle, why it matters for your tan, and how to adjust your routine for the best results.

🌙 How Your Period Affects Your Skin

Throughout your cycle, hormone fluctuations can change your skin’s texture, hydration levels, and even how your body processes products like DHA (the active ingredient in most self-tanners). During or just before your period, you might notice:

• Your skin feels drier than usual
• You’re more prone to breakouts or irritation
• Your body temperature is slightly higher (hello, night sweats)
• You’re more sensitive to smells and textures

All of this means your skin can react differently to tan, absorbing it unevenly, developing too quickly, or even clinging to dry areas in a patchy way. But this isn’t something to stress over. It just means your prep game needs to be a little more intentional.

✨ How to Prep Like a Glow Goddess (Even on Your Period)

1. Exfoliate Gently, Not Aggressively

Yes, exfoliating is key, but aggressive scrubbing can cause micro-tears, especially when your skin is more delicate during your cycle. Instead, opt for a gentle mitt or polish to buff away dead skin and create a smooth canvas.

👉 We love the Naked Tan Exfoliating Mitt — it’s effective but gentle enough for sensitive skin.

2. Double Down on Moisture

Dry skin = patchy tan. And during your period, skin tends to lose hydration faster. In the days leading up to your tan (and again right before), hydrate twice daily with a nourishing, barrier-friendly moisturiser.

💖 Right now, Crème de la Crème is Buy One, Get One Half Price — so you can keep one in your bathroom and gift one to your glow-up partner. It’s rich, creamy, smells divine, and actually works to soften drier areas, such as knees, elbows, and ankles.

3. Choose a Gentle Formula

If your skin’s feeling a little ‘off’ or ultra-sensitive, stick with something light and non-irritating. Natural 8% DHA is the ideal option during your cycle — it gives a soft, golden glow without overwhelming your skin tone or clinging to drier patches.

✔️ Bonus: It’s our go-to for first-time tanners, bridal parties and anyone who wants that “just a hint of colour” look.

4. Avoid Perfume, Oils & Deodorant Pre-Tan

Your skin’s barrier is already working overtime during your period, so now’s not the time to layer on pore-blocking products. Avoid using perfumes, oils, body lotions, or deodorants on tan day to prevent blocked patches and uneven absorption.

5. Give Yourself a Little Grace

Let’s be real: sometimes the biggest barrier to feeling confident during your period isn’t your skin — it’s your mindset. You might feel bloated, fatigued, or just not in the mood to stand in a tanning tent. And that’s okay.

But if you do go for it, a fresh tan can give you that post-glow confidence boost that reminds you: you’re still you, just bronzed and a little more radiant.

💫 Final Thoughts

Tanning while on your period isn’t just possible — it can be part of your self-care ritual. The key is to be gentle, intentional, and choose products that support your skin, rather than fighting against it.

Hydrate your skin, exfoliate gently, and treat yourself to solutions that respect your body, like our vegan, paraben-free Naked Tan range. And if you’re using this time as an excuse to lean into some extra self-care, that second jar of Crème de la Crème might be your skin’s new BFF.