Should you moisturise before a spray tan? Here's what experts actually recommend

Should you moisturise before a spray tan? It's one of those beauty questions that sounds simple, yet regularly trips people up – myself included.

Before one appointment, I meticulously prepped my skin, exfoliating in the shower before sealing everything in with a nourishing body lotion, convinced it would create the ideal canvas for an even glow. Instead, when I rinsed away the guide colour, there was barely any tan left beneath it.

As it turns out, my well-intentioned pre-tan routine was exactly the problem. "You should arrive at your appointment free of any product on the skin," says Michaella Bolder, celebrity facialist and tanning expert. "This includes your best body moisturiser, oils, deodorant, perfume or sprays." According to Bolder, these products can create a barrier that stops the tanning solution from developing evenly. Award-winning tanning artist James Harknett agrees, adding that "the only areas that should be moisturised are the naturally dry parts of the body."

So, if moisturiser is off the cards before a spray tan, how do you stop colour clinging to dry patches or fading unevenly? We asked the experts to explain exactly how to prep your skin before your appointment, which products to avoid and the small tweaks that will help your glow develop evenly and last for longer.

When should you moisturise before a spray tan?

"Moisturise in the days leading up to your spray tan to keep your skin in great condition, but on the day of your appointment, your skin should be completely free from moisturiser, deodorant and any other skincare products," says Harknett. "You shouldn't apply moisturiser all over your body before a spray tan, as it can create a barrier that prevents the tanning solution from developing evenly."

There is one important exception. If you regularly buy skincare for dry skin, or have areas prone to clinging onto colour, a small amount of lightweight, oil-free moisturiser can actually help create a more even finish. "The only areas that should be moisturised are the naturally dry parts of the body, such as the knees, elbows, heels, hands and feet," says Harknett. "These areas tend to be much drier than the rest of the body, so they absorb more tanning solution and can end up looking darker and patchy if they're left unprotected."

Bolder agrees, recommending an aloe vera-based lotion if your skin is particularly dry. "The tanning artist will then moisturise any dry areas with the correct formula and where they feel it is necessary."

How should you prepare your skin before a spray tan?

"Exfoliating and removing unwanted hair (be it waxing vs shaving) is best performed around 24 hours before a fresh tan to allow the skin to settle," says Bolder. She adds that freshly waxed or over-exfoliated skin can become irritated, making it difficult to achieve an even result.

On the day itself, less is more. Harknett recommends taking a cool shower beforehand to remove any lingering perspiration or product residue, ensuring your skin is completely clean and dry before your appointment. That means skipping deodorant, perfume and body lotion until after your tan has fully developed.

What products should you avoid before a spray tan?

“The biggest mistake is arriving with products still on the skin," says Harknett. “Anything left on the skin can act as a barrier and affect how evenly the tan develops.” Bolder says it's particularly important to avoid rich creams, body oils, shower oils and petroleum-based formulas, as well as products containing mineral oil or silicone, which can prevent the tanning solution from adhering properly.

It's also worth pausing active bodycare before your appointment. "Avoid any exfoliating products on the skin before applying a fresh layer of tan," says Bolder. "This includes retinoids and chemical exfoliants, as they disrupt the skin barrier and can create an uneven – or even invisible – tanning finish."

How do you make a spray tan last longer?

"Once the tan has fully developed and you've completed the first rinse, head straight in with a daily moisturiser," says Bolder. "It really is one of the best ways to prolong your tan. Hydrated and healthy skin sheds slower than dehydrated skin, so the tanned skin cells remain intact for longer."

Harknett explains that because spray tan develops within the outer layer of dead skin cells, keeping skin hydrated slows the natural shedding process, helping colour fade more gradually and evenly. He recommends opting for a lightweight, water-based lotion rather than an oil-based formula, as oils can break the tan down more quickly.

To keep your glow looking fresh, Bolder also recommends gently exfoliating with an oil-free exfoliator after around three days, encouraging the colour to fade evenly rather than becoming patchy.