Why You Need to Remove Your Old Tan Before Applying a New One

One of the biggest mistakes people make with fake tanning is applying fresh tan over the top of old, patchy colour. While it might seem convenient, it’s one of the quickest ways to ruin the results of your new tan. Uneven fading, dark patches, streaks, and blotchiness almost always come back to one thing: not properly removing the old tan first.

Whether you’re a weekly tanner, preparing for a special event, or refreshing fading colour, removing your old tan is the most important step in achieving a smooth, flawless and long-lasting glow. It’s not optional — it’s the foundation of a professional-looking tan.

This guide explains why scrubbing off your old tan is essential, how to do it correctly, and the best Naked Tan products to support an even fade and seamless reapplication every single time.

Why Removing Old Tan Before Reapplying Matters

Fake tan develops on the outermost layer of the skin. As your skin naturally sheds, so does the colour — but the shedding is never even. Different areas fade at different speeds due to dryness, friction, sweat, clothing, showering habits, body wash choice, and active skincare ingredients.

This creates a patchwork of colour. If you apply new tan over the top of this, you don’t fix the inconsistencies — you exaggerate them.

Here’s why starting fresh is essential.

1. Old Tan Creates an Uneven Surface

When old, patchy tan is still clinging to the skin — especially around elbows, knees, ankles, shins and the chest — it creates texture. Applying fresh tan over uneven texture results in:

• Darker, muddy-looking areas

• Pale or under-developed areas

• Streaks or patchiness

• Colour that refuses to blend

Starting with clean, fresh skin creates an even base for your new tan to adhere to.

2. Fresh Tan Clings to Dry, Patchy Skin

Areas like elbows, knees, chest, neck, hands and feet fade faster because these zones are naturally dryer and experience more friction. If you apply new tan over existing patchiness, the DHA grabs aggressively onto those dry patches.

This creates:

• Very dark spots

• Muddy build-up

• Orange tones

• A rough, textured appearance

Removing old tan stops this problem entirely.

3. Old Tan Blocks New Tan From Developing Properly

Fake tan works by reacting with the top layer of your skin. When remnants of old colour are still present, the DHA in your new tan can’t reach fresh skin cells evenly.

This leads to:

• Patchy development

• Colour that won’t “stick”

• Faster fading

• An overall uneven tan

For the deepest, smoothest and longest-lasting results, your skin must be free from previous layers.

4. Layering Tan Causes Build-Up Over Time

If you repeatedly apply tan without removing the old layer, you end up with:

• Thick, stubborn build-up

• Mottled texture

• Darkened joints

• Rough patches

• A tan that looks dirty even on day one

Removing your old tan prevents this cycle and keeps your results fresh and clean.

5. Exfoliating Improves Skin Health

Removing old tan isn’t just about better colour — it’s about better skin. Proper exfoliation helps to:

• Remove dead skin cells

• Smooth rough patches

• Prevent ingrown hairs

• Boost hydration absorption

• Improve the fade-out period

• Create an even base for next week’s tan

Your tan always looks better when your skin is at its best.

How to Remove Your Old Tan Properly

Here is the ideal Naked Tan routine for removing old tan thoroughly, gently, and without damage.

Step 1: Soften the Old Tan With Naked Tan Body Exfoliator

Start in the shower on damp skin. Apply Naked Tan Body Exfoliator directly onto areas where the tan is the most stubborn.

The Body Exfoliator:

• Softens dry skin

• Loosens old DHA

• Creates slip for the mitt

• Exfoliates without over-stripping

• Helps break down lingering colour

It immediately begins lifting old tan, making the process far easier.

Optional Step (For Very Stubborn Areas): Use a Tan Remover

If you have thicker build-up (common on ankles, knees, shins, elbows and the chest), you can apply a tan remover to dry skin before showering.

Tan removers often contain ingredients like castor oil, which deeply soften:

• Old tan residue

• Dry, rough patches

• Thick areas of colour build-up

Leave it on for 5–15 minutes, then rinse before exfoliating. This optional step is especially helpful for weekly tanners.

Step 2: Rinse Thoroughly With Warm Water

Warm water loosens the skin and softens old tan further. Avoid extremely hot water, as it can dry out the skin and create an uneven base for your new tan.

Step 3: Cleanse With Naked Tan Body Cleanser

Use Naked Tan Body Cleanser to wash the skin gently.

Body Cleanser is essential because:

• It’s pH balanced

• It doesn’t contain stripping agents

• It won’t lift tan unevenly

• It supports the skin barrier

• It helps old tan come away consistently

Standard body washes often contain acids or harsh detergents that cause patchy lifting. Body Cleanser keeps the process smooth.

Step 4: Exfoliate With an Exfoliating Mitt

Now that the tan has softened, exfoliate using a Naked Tan Exfoliating Mitt.

With the Body Exfoliator still on the skin, the mitt removes old tan easily and evenly.

Focus on:

• Elbows

• Knees

• Ankles

• Shins

• Chest

• Underarms

• Hands and feet

• Neck

The combination of Body Exfoliator + Mitt provides a professional-level removal at home.

Step 5: Re-Soften and Repeat on Stubborn Areas

If a few patches remain, simply:

1. Apply more Body Exfoliator

2. Massage gently

3. Buff again with the mitt

For extremely stubborn residue, reapply a small amount of tan remover only to those areas and leave for a few minutes before exfoliating again.

This ensures total removal without irritation.

Step 6: Hydrate Generously With Crème de la Crème

Finish by applying Naked Tan Crème de la Crème to lock in moisture.

Post-exfoliation hydration:

• Prevents dryness

• Keeps skin supple

• Helps new tan apply evenly

• Reduces the risk of patchy development

• Extends the life of your next tan

This step completes your reset and prepares your skin for a flawless reapplication.

Why Naked Tan’s Prep Products Make the Biggest Difference

Body Exfoliator

Softens and lifts old tan while nourishing skin — essential for a gentle, even removal.

Tan Remover (Optional but Powerful)

Breaks down stubborn build-up in creases, joints and dry areas. Ideal for frequent tanners.

Body Cleanser

Keeps the removal process controlled and even. Prevents the patchy lifting common with supermarket body washes.

Exfoliating Mitt

Buffs away softened tan without damaging the skin.

Crème de la Crème

Hydrates and repairs the skin barrier, ensuring your next tan goes on beautifully.

Together, these products create the smoothest possible canvas for your next application.

How to Know When It’s Time to Remove Your Tan

It’s time to exfoliate when:

• Your colour is patchy

• The tan is breaking up on the chest or shins

• Knees and elbows look dark

• Your skin feels rough

• You’re prepping for an event

• It has been 5–7 days since your last tan

Even if the tan “looks fine”, removing it fully always leads to a better result.

The Perfect Weekly Tanning Cycle

To maintain consistent, flawless tans:

Day 1: Apply tan
Days 2–4: Maintain with Body Cleanser + Crème de la Crème
Days 4–6: Top up with Gradual Tan
Day 7: Remove old tan completely
Day 8: Reapply fresh tan

This routine ensures your skin never experiences build-up and your tan always looks smooth.

A Fresh Base = A Flawless Tan

Removing your old tan before applying a new one is the foundation of every beautiful tanning result. Without this step, even the best mousse, spray tan or instant tan won’t apply properly. With Naked Tan’s Body Exfoliator, Tan Remover, Body Cleanser, Exfoliating Mitt and Crème de la Crème, you’ll achieve smooth, even, long-lasting tans every time.