Why Self Tanners Go Green (2024)

We all love a golden glow. A green glow? Not so much. But it happens! There are quite a few reasons why a self tanning product may go green or a product may turn you green. Understanding this will ensure you never go green like an ogre when just trying to get golden!

Reasons for Turning Green

First of all, it is best to note that it is rare for a spray tan to change to green if one reads and follows the instructions on the package of the products in use. However, you can tell where the problem originated from, depending on how green one looks. There are two types of green; one that turns all over their body and another that has only certain areas like armpits, face, or small patches of the skin with the pigment. The two conditions are brought forth by two different reasons.

Green All Over

If your body is entirely green, then the blame should be on the salon you have used. It means that the facility did not store the spray tan solution well. The solution needs to be kept in a cold and dark place and should be used within six months of purchase, failure to which it will get damaged. Under no circ*mstance should the product have contact with sunlight. Oxidation is one of the reasons that the product might get spoilt. In this case, oxidation is the entry of oxygen into the product, which will result in a spray tan that is greenish in colour, and this will not bring out the desired outcome.

In case you get such an effect, it is advisable to wash off the tan straight away and get another one, preferably one that is lighter. Before you start the tanning procedure, it is best to inquire about where the skin therapists store their products. Note that if you go in a busy studio, it is not possible to get a tan that is out of date; the same cannot be said about a beauty parlour that does not perform many spray tans.

Green in Some Areas

If you find you are only green in some areas, it means you did not prepare your body adequately for the procedure. Supposing it is your underarms that have turned green; you should know that this is a result of antiperspirant or deodorants not being well washed off. Products like perfumes, deodorants, and makeups might react with the spray, and that could lead to the green pigmentation. If such is the case, there is no need to panic as it will wash off the following day and will not affect the final colour.

Before a tan spray, you should not use a moisturiser as it could make your skin turn green. The other effect of moisturiser is that it will create a barrier on your skin, and this means the tan might not get absorbed well. You might not turn green, but the final shade might be lighter than you want.

After taking a shower, you might find that there are some areas where the shower gel will not budge, especially for those who have dry skin. These sections might turn green when tanned. It is advisable to rinse your body thoroughly before starting a spray tanning process to prevent such a reaction.

Though it is not common, the tanning outcome can be affected by female hormones. Depending on a woman’s cycle, the tanning might cause botches, or the colour might be darker than usual.

Why Self Tanners Go Green (1)

Reasons Some Spray Solution Turn Green Faster Than Others

Just like any other product used on the skin, it is paramount to find out about the ingredients in a tan solution. The ingredients and quality of the product play a huge role in how fast the mixture will turn green. Some companies that make tanning products dump extras in with the aim of distracting you from learning the truth about their merchandises’ quality. Thus, you need to be cautious when purchasing tanning products and only buy from companies that have an excellent reputation.

Cheap Is Costly

While it’s always good to save a little bit of cash, low-priced solutions are made using inferior ingredients. Thus, they will not offer the outcome that one anticipated. If you want to get the best tanning results, shop for quality products such as MineTan and read about the ingredients used in making them.

Why Self Tanners Go Green (2)

Must The Tan Solution Go Green?

Unfortunately, no matter the quality of product that you purchase, if you do not store it well or use it for a long time, then it will go bad. However, if one gets a high-quality solution, it will not spoil until approximately one year or sometimes even longer. One reason for the product going green is that all the tanning products have DHA, and this ingredient has a tendency of changing to that colour when warmed. Exposing DHA to heat can cause the red dye to wear off. The colour brown is made up of three primary colours; yellow, blue, and red and when red is not there, the remaining two will form green. That is the reason why most packages will recommend that tanning products should be stored below 30 degrees.

Removinga Green Tan

If the tanning foam or solution you have appears to be greendo not apply itas it will likely turn you green. If you’ve applied tan and it has gone green on you, there are ways you canremove it, for example, MineTan’s Self Tan Eraser.

Why Self Tanners Go Green (2024)

FAQs

Why Self Tanners Go Green? ›

Oxidation is one of the reasons that the product might get spoilt. In this case, oxidation is the entry of oxygen into the product, which will result in a spray tan that is greenish in colour, and this will not bring out the desired outcome.

Why did my self-tanner turn green? ›

So, when you notice your self-tan taking on a green hue when pumped onto the Mitt, it simply means that the organic guide colour within our formula has reached the end of its lifespan. But fret not - this doesn't mean your tan is ruined or unsafe to use.

Can I use fake tan that has gone green? ›

Avoiding a green tan

If you notice your fake tan has turned green, then do not apply it.

How do you get green self-tanner off? ›

Jump in a warm bath, and make sure you fill 'er up with baby oil! Oil helps break down the tanning agent DHA – so it's your BFF if you want to remove your colour. To supercharge your soak, you can also rub baby oil into the skin and let it marinate for 30-60 minutes before bathing and exfoliating.

How do you fix a spray tan that turns green? ›

Though it looks unsightly, showering often removes the green discoloration. In some cases, the skin may be lightly stained; have client gently exfoliate the stained area to remove the residual tint.

How to know if self-tanner is expired? ›

Texture Variations: If you notice that your self-tanning lotion or any other tanning product has become clumpy, streaky, or otherwise inconsistent in texture, it's a sign that it's time to replace it.

Should my spray tan be green? ›

Given enough time, any spray tan solution that contains bronzers will turn green. The good news is that higher-quality solutions can last six months or more—some don't even go bad until around a year or even longer!

Does green tan cancel out orange? ›

Just like when you choose a foundation, picking a fake tan based on its tone can help you to match any cool or warm undertones in your skin. Look for products that have a green or purple tint to help cool warm tones and neutralise orange.

Does deodorant turn fake tan green? ›

"The aluminum in deodorant reacts with the DHA, which can cause the color to turn green," says Wilson. The solution?

Should I use green or red fake tan? ›

While red-based spray tan solutions neutralise yellow and orange tones, green-based spray tan solutions counteract reddish undertones and provide a bronzed effect. By selecting the right spray tan solution for your skin type, you can attain beautiful, customised results that exude a healthy glow.

Does coconut oil remove fake tan? ›

Yep! Oil in all its forms — think baby oil, coconut oil and olive oil — loosens dead skin cells, which can help break down tan build-up. Grab the oil and apply a generous amount to your palms before massaging it into the skin. Let it soak for at least half an hour (the longer you keep it on, the better).

Does vinegar remove fake tan? ›

White vinegar is a natural cleaning agent that can aid in removing fake tan from your hands. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water, apply to a cotton pad and gently dab onto the affected areas of your hands. When you're done, rinse your hands with warm water.

Can I put another layer of fake tan on the next day? ›

We generally recommend sticking to the one self tanning product per application. If you do not find the colour to be as dark as you would expect, you can always apply a second coat 30-60 minutes after initial application or the following day if the developed colour is not to your desired colour depth.

Can I still use my self-tanner if it's green? ›

A perfectly bronzed leg. I was lucky, though. There have been plenty of complaints from people using last year's self-tanner that they turned green. If you pump it out and see more green than brown, throw it out!

Why does my fake tan keep going green? ›

If you don't store your fake tan properly it can oxidise. Oxidation is the inclusion of oxygen into the product, and it's this which will turn your fake tan green as it breaks down the DHA. To avoid this you should store your product in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.

Why is my spray tan green under my arms? ›

If your client complains about their armpit turning green after spray tanning it is because they did not remove all the deodorant before coming in for the service. The bronzers in a spray tan will react with many ingredients in deodorants, causing this discoloration.

Why does fake tan have a green undertone? ›

The base of many of these tanners is green to prevent your tan from looking too orange. Once the self-tanner is exposed to oxygen or to too much heat, the guide color turns green. As a general rule, once a self-tanner is opened it has a shelf life of six months.

Is Bondi Sands self-tanner supposed to be green? ›

Bondi Sands products are formulated green based, so that our customers result in a natural warm beautiful tan that doesn't appear orange.

What is a green-based tan? ›

Green-base will neutralise pink/red undertones for an olive brown tan. Our Self Tan Mousse is infused with skincare benefits, to help fight signs of ageing and leave the skin hydrated and nourished. If you're unsure which base is right for you, take our quiz so you can ace your base.

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