Fake tan: how to apply it, make it last, and why you still need SPF

Skincare & beauty ·Published 10 October 2026 ·Reviewed 10 October 2026

Written by the Priceline Pharmacy Pacific Fair team. Reviewed by Jason Markey, BPharmSci, MPharm, Owner and Pharmacist.

General health information from a registered pharmacist. It doesn’t replace advice from your own pharmacist or doctor.

If you want a golden glow on the Gold Coast, Cancer Council NSW says it’s far better to get it from a bottle than from the sun. Just remember one thing: fake tan doesn’t protect your skin from the sun. Cancer Council NSW is clear that having a fake tan does not protect your skin from UV radiation, so you still need sunscreen whenever the UV Index is 3 or above. In Queensland, that’s every day.

For a smooth, even result, exfoliate before you tan, moisturise dry spots, apply with a mitt in sections and let the colour develop before your first rinse. Then moisturise daily to make it last. Here’s how, step by step.

How does fake tan work?

Many fake tans use an ingredient called dihydroxyacetone (DHA). DermNet explains that DHA reacts with amino acids in the outermost layer of your skin to form brown pigments called melanoidins. Cancer Council NSW puts it simply: DHA binds with your dead skin cells and changes their colour. It isn’t a tan your skin makes in response to UV.

According to DermNet:

• colour starts to appear about an hour after you apply it
• it’s most noticeable after 8 to 24 hours
• it usually lasts three to ten days

Cancer Council NSW explains that the colour comes off when the dead skin cells flake away, about a week after you apply it. That one fact is the key to making a tan last, and to taking it off.

How do you prep and apply fake tan without streaks?

Prep your skin

1. Exfoliate. DermNet recommends exfoliating first, especially where skin is thick, such as elbows, knees and ankles. The day before you tan works well.
2. Do your hair removal first. Shave or wax before you tan, not straight after.
3. Moisturise dry spots. DermNet suggests diluting tanner over joints so they don’t end up darker than the rest of you. A little moisturiser on your elbows, knees, ankles, heels and knuckles just before you tan does this.
4. Start with clean, dry skin.
5. Patch test a new product. DermNet notes DHA can cause dryness, irritation and contact dermatitis when applied excessively, so try a new tan on a small area first.

Apply it in sections

• Use a mitt. DermNet recommends washing your hands often to stop your palms staining. A tanning mitt saves most of that scrubbing.
• Work one area at a time. Apply in circular motions and divide your body into sections, as DermNet suggests, starting with your legs and working up.
• Go light on joints, hands and feet. Use only what’s left on the mitt for elbows, knees, ankles, wrists and the tops of your hands and feet.
• Keep it away from your eyes and lips. The Better Health Channel says DHA is considered safe on the skin, but there’s no conclusive evidence it’s safe for the eyes, lips or mucous membranes.
• Let it dry. Wait until it’s touch-dry before you get dressed, and wear loose, dark clothes while it develops.

Spray tans

If you have a spray tan, Cancer Council NSW advises protecting your eyes and not breathing in the mist. DermNet adds that DHA can irritate the airways and eyes if inhaled, and that people with lung conditions may need to be cautious with spray formulas. If you have asthma or another lung condition, check with your GP or pharmacist first.

Your first rinse

Follow the development time on your product’s label, as express and overnight formulas differ. Until your first rinse, skip the gym, the surf and anything that makes you sweat. For the first shower, use lukewarm water only, rinse until the water runs clear and pat yourself dry.

How do you make fake tan last, and how do you remove it?

Making it last

Because the colour sits in the dead outer layer of your skin and fades as it sheds, anything that speeds up shedding will fade your tan faster.

• Moisturise every day to keep your skin smooth.
• Pat dry after showers rather than rubbing.
• Save scrubs, exfoliating mitts and exfoliating acids for when you’re ready to take it off.
• Top up with a gradual tanner, or a light reapplication, every few days.

Removing it

When your tan starts to look patchy, it’s time for a reset.

• Spend a few minutes in a warm shower to soften your skin.
• Use an exfoliating mitt or a gentle scrub in circular motions, or a tan remover, following its directions.
• Be gentle around elbows, knees and ankles, and stop before your skin feels red or sore.
• Moisturise afterwards, and give your skin a day before you reapply.

Does fake tan protect you from the sun?

No. Cancer Council NSW explains that UV radiation can still get through to your skin and damage the cells below, tan or no tan. The Better Health Channel says fake tanning products offer little to no protection from the sun’s UV radiation, and recommends sun protection even when you’re wearing one. DermNet agrees that a self-tanner is not a replacement for sun protection.

Some tanning products contain sunscreen, but Cancer Council NSW points out that the protection only lasts a few hours, not as long as the colour.

Where does sunscreen fit with fake tan?

The simplest approach is to tan at night, let it develop, rinse as directed, then put on sunscreen as normal the next morning. Use an SPF50 or SPF50+ broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen on exposed skin, and reapply every two hours and after swimming, sweating or towelling, as Cancer Council advises. Not sure which number to choose? See our guide to SPF30 vs SPF50+.

Sunscreen is one of Cancer Council’s five sun protection steps for when the UV Index is 3 or above: slip on clothing, slop on sunscreen, slap on a broad-brimmed hat, seek shade and slide on sunglasses. Cancer Council Queensland says UV reaches 3 or above every day in Queensland, even on cloudy and cool days, so those steps apply all year here.

Which tanning myths should you ignore?

• “A tan is a sign of healthy skin.” The Better Health Channel says a tan is a sign of skin damage, not good health, and that there’s no such thing as a safe tan.
• “A base tan stops me burning.” According to the Better Health Channel, a tan gives protection equal to only around SPF3, depending on your skin type, and it won’t protect your DNA from future UV damage.
• “My tan has SPF, so I’m covered.” Only for a few hours, says Cancer Council NSW. Use a proper sunscreen and reapply it.
• “I can’t burn through a fake tan.” You can. The colour sits on the surface, and UV still reaches the living cells underneath.

How can our team help?

Our beauty advisors can help you choose a shade and a formula, from mousses and lotions to gradual tans and wash-off instant tans, plus mitts and exfoliating tools. Find out more about our skincare and self-tan advice at Pacific Fair. You can also browse the sun and tanning range on priceline.com.au or ask us in store. If your skin reacts to a tan, our pharmacists can help.

When to see a pharmacist or GP

• You get an itchy rash, redness or swelling after using fake tan. Stop using it and ask a pharmacist, as DermNet notes DHA can cause contact dermatitis.
• Your eyes sting, or you start coughing or wheezing, after a spray tan (call 000 if someone is struggling to breathe).
• You’ve been sunburnt under your tan. Our guide to sunburn treatment explains what to do.
• You notice a spot or mole that is new, changing or looks different. Check your skin before you tan, and see a GP about anything that worries you. Our in-store Help Medical GPs are one option.

This article is general information only and isn’t a substitute for personal advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist or you’re worried, talk to your pharmacist or GP. In an emergency, call 000.