Do you love the sun-kissed glow of a spray tan but hate how quickly it fades? That perfect bronze color can vanish in just a few days, leaving you with patchy, uneven skin. It is frustrating when your beautiful tan starts to disappear before you are ready!
The secret to keeping that glow lies in the shower. Many regular body washes strip away your tan because they contain harsh ingredients. Finding a body wash that cleans your skin without dissolving your hard-earned color feels like a treasure hunt. You need something gentle yet effective.
This post will unlock the mystery behind choosing the best body wash to extend your spray tan. We will break down what ingredients to look for and which ones to avoid completely. Get ready to learn how to make your beautiful tan last much longer.
Top Body Wash For Spray Tan Recommendations
- MAKE A CLEAN BREAK: Say so long to self-tan -sabotaging soap with this body-balancing, sulfate-free color optimizing body wash that will refresh and recharge your skin without letting your faux glow fade into the sunset.
- SCENT-SATIONAL: Sweet-smelling warm vanilla fragrance will instantly lift your mood, while leaving a subtle, scrumptious kiss of a sugar scent on skin.
- BAR NONE: Free of soap, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, petrochemicals, GMOs, Triclosan, or synthetic fragrance that can irritate or upset skin’s natural pH balance.
- GENTLE ON SKIN: Moisture and essential extract -rich gentle body wash imparts a skin-perfecting pH balance that won’t strip skin of natural lipids, while prolonging the beauty and bronze of your immaculate, sun-kissed self tan.
- NEW LOOK, SAME FORMULA - The Norvell formula you’ve always loved in bold new packaging. With 40 years’ experience, Norvell delivers a natural glow. Our famous Norvell University offers award winning training to certified technicians worldwide.
- Clean Ingredients - Native body wash contains naturally derived ingredients. We also use both safe, synthetic, sustainable fragrances (free of phthalates) and natural fragrances.
- Clean Scents - Our aromatic scents turn the routine task of showering or bathing into a memorable and luxurious experience. It's the little things in life.
- Soft Skin Feeling - Lovingly made with cleansers derived from coconut oil to leave your skin feeling hydrated. Transporting you to your own private white sand beach, the Native Body Wash is both sweet and sophisticated.
- Vegan & Cruelty Free - Our body wash is free of SLS, SLES & phthalates.
- Cocoa Butter & Vanilla - Soaking into a tub of decadent ice cream. A rich mix of coconut, milk, and vanilla cream notes. Soft and satisfying.
- MAKE A CLEAN BREAK: Say so long to self-tan -sabotaging soap with this body-balancing, sulfate-free color optimizing body wash that will refresh and recharge your skin without letting your faux glow fade into the sunset.
- SCENT-SATIONAL: Sweet-smelling warm vanilla fragrance will instantly lift your mood, while leaving a subtle, scrumptious kiss of a sugar scent on skin.
- BAR NONE: Free of soap, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, petrochemicals, GMOs, Triclosan, or synthetic fragrance that can irritate or upset skin’s natural pH balance.
- GENTLE ON SKIN: Moisture and essential extract -rich gentle body wash imparts a skin-perfecting pH balance that won’t strip skin of natural lipids, while prolonging the beauty and bronze of your immaculate, sun-kissed self tan.
- NEW LOOK, SAME FORMULA - The Norvell formula you’ve always loved in bold new packaging. With 40 years’ experience, Norvell delivers a natural glow. Our famous Norvell University offers award winning training to certified technicians worldwide.
- Contains (1) 18 ounce bottle of gel liquid body soap.
- Infused with coconut, rice milk + shea butter.
- Made with no parabens, no phthalates, no bad vibes.
- Leaves skin feeling moisturized + smelling scent-sational.
- Bottle (minus lid) made of 65% recycled plastic (PCR).
- TAN REMOVER SCRUB. a body wash + scrub to erase that old tan so you can do it all again. buff away old tan and dead skin cells with gentle exfoliation & wash that stuff right down the drain. the body wash combo leaves you clean + smellin' oh so fresh. you'll be perfectly clean with your skin primed just in time for your next tan session
- STEP 1 IN YOUR TAN ROUTINE. use me as part of your regular self tanning routine and you’ll never look back
- 2-IN-1. the body wash combo leaves you feelin' + smellin' clean as can be
- BEST PRACTICE. to make your old tan go away wait at least 3 days after applying your self tan before using. apply generously & gently rub into a rich lather. makes your old tan go away, cleanses & preps your skin for the next bangin' tan.
- VEGAN FRIENDLY. i love animals so im cruelty free, vegan friendly, and free of nasties like parabens
- Clean Ingredients - Native body wash contains naturally derived ingredients. We also use both safe, synthetic, sustainable fragrances (free of phthalates) and natural fragrances.
- Clean Scents - Our aromatic scents turn the routine task of showering or bathing into a memorable and luxurious experience. It's the little things in life.
- Soft Skin Feeling - Lovingly made with cleansers derived from coconut oil to leave your skin feeling hydrated. Transporting you to your own private white sand beach, the Native Body Wash is both sweet and sophisticated.
- Vegan & Cruelty Free - Our body wash is free of SLS, SLES & phthalates.
- Pick Your Favorite Scents - The only thing left to do is pick your favorite bath or shower time scents for a clean, refreshing, natural wash.
- PINK CHAMPAGNE FRAGRANCE: Features rich notes of sparkling fruits, soft florals, and bubbly sweetness for a bright, celebratory scent
- MOISTURIZING BODY WASH: A creamy, foaming formula that gently cleanses while helping skin feel hydrated, smooth, and comforted after every shower
- SKIN-LOVING INGREDIENTS: Powered by glycerin, cocoa seed butter, shea butter & oil, sunflower seed oil, and vitamin E to nourish, soften, and help lock in moisture
- SKIN-SAFE & pH-BALANCED: Dermatologist recommended, gynecologist and bikini area–approved with a pH-balanced formula suitable for sensitive skin
- MADE TO LAYER: Pair with Pink Champagne Body Lotion and Body Mist to build a long-lasting fragrance routine
- Moisturizing, foaming body wash: contains (1) 13.5oz bottle of dreamy, foaming body wash that nourishes your skin + your wildest dreams
- All day skin hydration: dermatologist-tested formula made with skin-softening ingredients like glycerin and aloe vera. gently cleans and keeps your skin hydrated and smooth for up to 12 hours
- Shower in luxury: self-foaming technology does the lathering for you (ditch that loofah!) and comes with 250 pumps per bottle. that’s 250 delightful puffs of light fluffy floof as soft as a puppy's ears.
- Long-lasting fragrance: smells like sailing into the sunset, with notes of sea spray and salt air
- For good measure: made without sulfates, parabens, or phthalates. cruelty free. tested by people, not animals. bottle (minus pump) made with 80% recycled plastic (PCR).
Your Guide to Choosing the Best Body Wash for Your Spray Tan
Want your beautiful spray tan to last as long as possible? The soap you use in the shower makes a big difference! A regular body wash can strip away your color fast. This guide helps you pick the perfect body wash to keep your glow vibrant.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for a body wash to protect your spray tan, look for these important things:
- Sulfate-Free Formula: Sulfates are strong cleaning agents. They often strip color. Always choose body washes labeled “sulfate-free.”
- Moisturizing Ingredients: Dry skin flakes faster. Flaking takes your tan with it. Look for ingredients like glycerin or natural oils that keep skin soft.
- pH Balanced: A body wash that matches your skin’s natural pH level cleans gently. This helps the tan stay even. Check the bottle for “pH balanced.”
- Clear or Lightly Colored: Avoid heavily dyed or milky white soaps. Sometimes these dyes can interfere with your tan color. Clear formulas are usually safer.
Important Ingredients: What to Embrace and What to Avoid
The ingredients list tells the whole story about how the wash will treat your tan.
Ingredients That Help Your Tan Last:
- Hyaluronic Acid: This ingredient holds moisture in the skin, keeping the tan hydrated and smooth.
- Natural Oils (like Jojoba or Coconut): These oils nourish the skin barrier gently.
- Antioxidants (like Vitamin E): These protect the skin without fading the color.
Ingredients to Steer Clear Of:
- Strong Fragrances and Alcohol: These often dry out the skin, leading to faster fading.
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs): Ingredients like glycolic acid or salicylic acid exfoliate the skin. Exfoliation removes your tan quickly.
- Harsh Soaps/Detergents: These aggressively remove oils, which includes your sunless tan color.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Body Wash Quality
The quality of the body wash directly impacts how long your tan looks good.
Quality Boosters:
High-quality washes often contain more beneficial, gentle ingredients. They feel luxurious and leave a soft residue, not a tight, dry feeling. These products are usually formulated specifically for post-tanning care. Good quality means less scrubbing is needed to feel clean.
Quality Reducers:
Cheap, heavily fragranced body washes often contain harsh detergents. These detergents break down the DHA (the tanning agent) in your skin quickly. If the wash foams up excessively, it is likely too harsh for a fresh tan.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the body wash matters almost as much as what you buy.
The First Wash Post-Tan:
For the first 24 hours after your spray tan appointment, many tanning professionals recommend using only water or a very mild, pH-neutral cleanser. Wait until after your first official shower to start using your tan-extending body wash.
Daily Use Experience:
The best body washes create a gentle lather. They rinse off completely, leaving skin feeling soft and supple, not squeaky clean. You should feel like you are moisturizing while you wash. Use a soft washcloth or your hands; avoid loofahs or harsh scrubbing tools, as these will physically exfoliate the color away.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Body Wash for Spray Tans
Q: Why do I need a special body wash after a spray tan?
A: Regular body washes use strong soaps that strip the color right off your skin, making your tan fade unevenly and quickly.
Q: Can I use baby wash instead of a special tan extender wash?
A: Baby washes are often milder than adult soaps. They can work in a pinch, but true tan-extending washes offer better hydration and color protection.
Q: When can I start using my regular scented body wash again?
A: Wait at least 7 to 10 days after your spray tan, or until the tan starts to fade naturally. Scented products are often drying.
Q: Is it okay if my body wash has some oil in it?
A: A little bit of gentle oil is fine, especially later in the tan’s life. However, heavy mineral oils can sometimes cause patches if used too soon.
Q: What should I do if my shower water is very hard?
A: Hard water can sometimes leave mineral deposits that dull the tan. Use a very gentle, moisturizing body wash to counteract any stripping effect from the water minerals.
Q: Does “natural” soap always mean it’s safe for my tan?
A: Not necessarily. Some natural ingredients, like citrus acids, can be exfoliating. Always check the label for sulfates and acids.
Q: How does a sulfate-free wash feel different from a normal wash?
A: Sulfate-free washes often produce less thick lather, but they still clean effectively. They feel gentler on the skin.
Q: Should I use hot or cold water with my tan-safe body wash?
A: Always use lukewarm or cool water. Hot water opens pores and dries out the skin, which speeds up fading.
Q: Can I use bar soap instead of liquid body wash?
A: Bar soaps are often more concentrated with surfactants (cleaning agents) and can be very drying. Stick to liquid, pH-balanced washes.
Q: How often should I use this special body wash?
A: Use it every time you shower while you want your spray tan to last. Focus on gentle cleansing rather than heavy scrubbing.