If you’ve ever gotten a gorgeous spray tan only to have it fade weird, go patchy, or disappear way too fast — nine times out of ten, your products are to blame. That “hydrating” body wash or “clean” lotion might actually be stripping your glow without you even realizing it.
So let’s break it down once and for all — what’s truly spray tan safe, and what needs to stay far, far away from your post-tan routine.
Step 1: Before Your Spray Tan — What Soap to Use
Before your spray tan, your body wash matters more than you think.
You want a gentle, sulfate-free, oil-free cleanser that won’t leave residue or a barrier on your skin. Anything that says “hydrating oils,” “deep moisture,” or “exfoliating beads” = no-go zone.
The best body wash before your spray tan:
- Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash (Fragrance-Free)
- Native Unscented Body Wash
- SheaMoisture Baby Wash & Shampoo (Fragrance-Free)
- CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser (yes, it’s spray tan safe for pre-tan prep!)
👉 Pro tip: Do your final shower about 12–24 hours before your spray tan so your skin’s pH levels balance out. Skip lotions, deodorant, or perfume afterward — clean skin = even color
Step 2: After Your Spray Tan — Choose a Spray Tan Safe Body Wash
Once your tan has developed and your first rinse is done, the products you use in the shower can literally make or break your glow.
Anything too stripping will fade it fast.
Look for words like “gentle,” “hydrating,” “sulfate-free,” “pH-balanced,” and “no oils.”
Spray tan safe body washes I love:
- CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash (super mild and tan-safe)
- Aveeno Skin Relief Fragrance-Free Body Wash
- Native Sensitive Unscented Body Wash
- SheaMoisture Baby Wash & Shampoo (Fragrance-Free)
Stay away from bar soaps, exfoliating scrubs, and anything labeled “deep clean” — they’ll strip the bronzer right off.
Step 3: Spray Tan Safe Moisturizers (and CeraVe truth)
Here’s the tea — not all lotions are created equal when it comes to maintaining a tan.
The safest ones are lightweight, oil-free, and fragrance-free. Heavy oils and alcohol-based lotions break down DHA (the tanning ingredient) faster, making your tan fade unevenly.
Spray tan safe moisturizers I recommend:
- CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion ✅ (yes, it’s safe — it hydrates without oils that strip tan)
- Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion (Fragrance-Free)
- Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion
👉 Pro tip: Moisturize morning and night — consistent hydration helps your tan fade evenly instead of patchy.
Ingredients to Avoid Post-Tan
If your lotion or soap contains any of these, hide it from your spray tan:
- Mineral oil
- Alcohols (like SD alcohol or denatured alcohol)
- Retinols or exfoliating acids (AHA, BHA, glycolic)
- Fragrance and essential oils
- Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
Melissa’s Glow Pro Tip
Your glow doesn’t end at your appointment — it lives in your aftercare.
Every TANCIETY spray tan includes a custom prep + aftercare guide, so you know exactly what to use, when to rinse, and how to make your tan last longer.
Think of it as a luxury ritual — not a one-time tan.
Ready to Glow?
Book your luxury mobile spray tan in NYC, Brooklyn, or Queens, and let’s create your perfect glow moment.
When you book with TANCIETY, you don’t just get a tan — you get a skin-loving glow plan that keeps your color flawless all week.
