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You've booked your spray tan, prepped your skin, and can't wait for that gorgeous bronze glow. But if you're reaching for just any body wash, lotion, or sunscreen afterward, you may be sabotaging your results without even knowing it. The secret to a long-lasting, even, natural-looking tan isn't just in the spray — it's in the products you use around it.
A flawless spray tan doesn't end when you leave the studio — it lives or dies by the products you use afterward. Most people don't realize that everyday skincare staples can quietly destroy a tan within days, while the right alternatives can keep that glow looking rich and even for well over a week. The difference comes down to chemistry, and understanding which ingredients work with your tan versus against it is the single most impactful thing you can do to protect your investment. Start in the shower. Conventional body washes and soaps are typically loaded with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) — powerful detergents that lather beautifully but strip the skin aggressively. These surfactants don't distinguish between dirt and DHA, the active compound responsible for your bronze color. They pull the tan off the skin's surface, leading to rapid, uneven fading. Switching to a gentle, sulfate-free cleanser — one that uses mild, plant-derived surfactants — makes an immediate difference. As a quick rule: if it lathers dramatically, it's probably not your tan's friend. Your moisturizer deserves just as much scrutiny. Two of the most common lotion ingredients — mineral oil and alcohol — are significant tan-killers. Mineral oil, a petroleum byproduct used as a cheap emollient, forms a barrier on the skin that interferes with DHA and causes the color to break down and lift unevenly. Alcohol, which is widely used to suspend fragrance in scented products, is both drying and solvent in nature, actively dissolving the DHA compounds that give you your color. Look for hydrating formulas built around aloe vera, glycerin, shea butter, or plant-based oils like jojoba or argan — ingredients that deeply nourish the skin without compromising your tan. Finally, don't overlook your sunscreen. Chemical SPF formulas — those containing oxybenzone, avobenzone, octinoxate, or similar ingredients — work by triggering UV-absorbing chemical reactions within the skin, and that same reactivity can break down your tan's DHA layer, causing it to fade unevenly or shift in tone (aka Orange). Mineral sunscreens, formulated with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, are the tan-safe alternative. Rather than reacting with the skin, they sit on top of it and physically deflect UV rays, leaving your color completely undisturbed. Choosing mineral SPF means you protect your skin and your glow at the same time — and that's a combination worth making a permanent part of your routine. Sulfate-free cleansers, alcohol and mineral oil-free moisturizers, and mineral-based sunscreen — three simple swaps that transform how long and how beautifully your spray tan wears. Read the label, choose wisely, and let your glow do the rest.
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If you're a spray tan enthusiast, you know the struggle: you want to keep your skin hydrated and glowing, but you're worried that oils will strip away your beautiful bronze. Here's the good news—not all body oils are created equal. Oh My Glow Body Oil, made right here in Atlanta by Spray Studio, is specifically formulated with spray tan-friendly ingredients that nourish your skin without compromising your color. Packed with argan, avocado, rosehip, shea nut, and vitamin E oils, this locally crafted blend works with your tan, not against it.
The magic is in the ingredients. Unlike mineral oils or certain heavy moisturizers that can break down DHA (the active ingredient in spray tans), Oh My Glow uses a carefully curated combination of natural oils that penetrate deeply to hydrate without creating a barrier that interferes with your tan. Argan and avocado oils deliver essential fatty acids and moisture, while rosehip and vitamin E support skin health and radiance. Shea nut oil seals it all in, leaving your skin soft and supple. Together, these ingredients help your tan fade evenly and naturally while keeping dry, flaky skin at bay—because nothing ruins a gorgeous glow faster than dry patches. Using Oh My Glow is simple: apply it after showering on damp skin for maximum absorption, focusing on areas prone to dryness like elbows, knees, and ankles. Your skin will drink it up, staying hydrated and smooth while your tan develops and lasts longer. Whether you're maintaining a year-round glow or prepping for a special event, this locally made body oil is your secret weapon for skin that looks and feels amazing. Because when your skin is happy and hydrated, your tan looks its absolute best. Check it out at your next appointment and mention this blog post to get 20% off OMG Body Oil through 2/14/2026! A spray tan is an investment in your appearance and confidence. Protecting that investment with proper hydration and moisturizing is the difference between a tan that lasts 3 days and one that lasts 10+ days with beautiful, even color.
Quick Recap: Your Spray Tan Moisturizing Checklist✓ Start hydrating 3-5 days before your appointment ✓ Exfoliate 24 hours before your spray tan ✓ Skip moisturizer on appointment day ✓ Moisturize twice daily after rinsing off your tan ✓ Use tan-safe, lotions (or our extra hydrating oil!) ✓ Drink plenty of water for internal hydration ✓ Avoid harsh soaps and exfoliating products By making moisturizing a non-negotiable part of your spray tan routine, you'll achieve a more even application, natural-looking color, and significantly longer-lasting results. Your skin will thank you, and your gorgeous glow will prove it was worth the effort. Ready for your best spray tan yet? Start your hydration routine today and experience the difference that properly moisturized skin makes. Looking for more spray tan tips? Check out our guides on our Prep and Care page, how to choose the right spray tan shade, and how to have a stress free tanning experience. The heart of our business is to support to our community. If you've had the gift of getting a beautiful glow with us, you know how powerful that feeling can be. A simple, healthy looking glow does so much for our outlook on life. Last month we were able to gift those going through cancer treatments with 60 Feel Better tanning sessions, all because you got your Bronze on with us! We love giving back with our time and monetary support and this month we are supporting the work that PACK(People of Action Caring for Kids) is doing for foster care kids in Savannah. We are collecting oversized Blankets (90"x90" or larger) to send out with Christmas gifts to these kids and when you bring in your blanket you will get $10 off your session! Thank you for supporting our small business and these sweet children in our Savannah community!  We are all about boosting your outlook on life with a beautiful glow, but we know that bad press is ALL over the web with orange tones, streaky legs and a whole lot of scary images that turn even the most seasoned spray tanner's stomach. Halloween is over, so let's take the scare out of a spray tan and help ease the stress with some do's and don'ts to follow!
DOs DO shave and exfoliate the night before your appointment. DO moisturize well after your exfoliating shower DO bring loose, covering clothing and sandals to wear afterwards DO tell us about any allergies you have DO ask about rinse times and your desired depth of color DO shower with only warm water DO moisturize after showers DON'Ts DON'T shower, exfoliate and shave right before your appointment DON'T use moisturizers the day of your appointment DON'T wear yoga pants, jeans or tightly fitted clothing after your session DON'T stay in your tan longer than the given time to rinse (or you risk turning that dreaded orange!) DON'T get wet, sweat or put anything liquid on your skin before your rinse time DON'T use soap before 24hrs DON'T use Dove soaps For more helpful tips on how to prepare and care for your beautiful Bronze, see our Prep and Care page We appreciate you trusting us with your glow and are happy to answer your questions and help put your mind at ease! Using self tanners can be tricky, but we are here to give some tips to make application a treat!
The biggest issue is that of course, we can only reach so much of our own bodies. If you have the help of someone you trust, that makes getting all areas coated easier. However, just like any group project, or sunscreen application, it still takes effort on their part to ensure even coverage is achieved. Choose your helper wisely ;) If you don't have the luxury of additional helpers, using a back scrubber with an application mitt over the top is a great solution. We use a rubber band or a clip to secure the mitt and then put a pump or two of the self tanner on the mitt. Use a mirror to make sure the tanner is applied evenly on the whole area. The next hurdle is hands and feet. The skin on these areas is much thinner than the rest of the body and at the same time, the skin on the palms and underside of the feet is thicker. The challenge is to get it even without staining all surfaces of the skin. This should honestly have it's own award because getting this right is a major accomplishment!! We opt for using a make up brush, like a Kabuki brush or a foundation brush, to blend the tan evenly in these areas. Do this as a final step after all other areas are tanned, with just the slightest amount of tanner. We also recommend having a moist towel close by to wipe away any mistakes and just ensure we keep palms and feet natural. Streaks? Making sure to completely rub in the product is the easiest way to avoid streaks. Go over one area at a time, like one leg or arm, and make sure you cover all the skin as thoroughly as possible. We like to use a velvet mitt to make sure the tan is flawless, but have also tried the simple gloved hand method and had great results with generous blending over the areas. Have you tried any of these methods? What are your best tips to get a flawless and beautiful Bronze with your self tanners? This month save 25% off self tanners, plus leave a comment with your best self tanning tips and get 10% off! Stay Bronzed! In the world of self tanners, tanning mists can seem more daunting than others. How do you get a streak free tan from a can? Why a mist instead of a mousse?
Here are 3 ways to use a Tanning Mist and our tips for the best results. 1. Touch ups- Spray tans are a bit fickle and can easily get botched with wetness, tight clothing and numerous other reasons. Touching up areas that accidentally came out less than perfect with a mist is mess free and super easy. Spray the area from 6-8 inches away and then lightly blend with a makeup brush or mitt 2. Face Fade- Skin cells on the facial area fade faster than the skin on the rest of the body. We all love the glow on our faces, but hate that it fades so quickly! A mist is a great way to add that color back with minimal effort. We mist in a 'Z' pattern and then in a large circle to get even coverage, then use a makeup brush or mitt to blend. 3. Quick Tan- On longer vacations and near the end of a tan, using a mist to add back overall color brings the tan back to life. With a faster drying effect, mists allow you to get dressed and head back to the fun without having to let a mousse or lotion soak in. Just remember to stay dry until rinse time and moisturize after your first rinse! Body Bronzing Savannah offers a couple of options for mists and we hope you'll check them out at your next visit! ♥Body Bronzing Savannah is located in Savannah, Ga and has provided sunless tanning services to our community for over 20 years.♥ What should I bring to wear after my spray tan?
If you've ever seen what happens in Wizard of Oz to the witch of the West when Dorothy throws water on her, it's almost a spot on depiction of what will happen to a fresh Bronze. From sweet pet kisses, to baby bottles, to pop-up rain showers, your spray tan will literally melt off of you with contact to wet things. Here's what we wear after a spray tan:
When should I tan for Vacation Trips?
We recommend tanning the day before you travel. This gives your fresh, faux tan it's best look for the majority of your trip. Make sure to give your skin a thorough exfoliation the days leading up to your appointment as well as moisturize each day except the day of your tan. What should I bring on vacation to help my Spray Tan last? First, spray tan friendly products are always the best option. Having products that are designed to work with your skin maximize the days your tan will last without having to put in a lot of effort. Here's what we bring in our Vacay Kit:
Can you give me Abs? Well, actually, YES!
Our Contouring Spray Tan Sessions are a fave service with customized, body enhancing results. Each session is tailored to your unique body type and tone, with your desired end result in mind. Legs, arms, abs, we can do all or just a specific area if you prefer. We take time to apply shading along muscle groups and create a natural shadow to enhance your curves. Who doesn't want to show off their hard work or look toned for pictures without breaking a sweat?! Contouring sessions take from 30-45 minutes, so make sure to book the correct session for the full treatment! Don't have time for a full contouring session? Ask our artists about adding a mini contour(+$10) at your next tanning session! |