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Many think that what matters the most in spray tan is the quality of the spray tan. While that might be the case, many people forget how much the aftercare.
Top 10 Best Body Wash for Spray Tan
| Image | Product Name | Price On Amazon |
|---|---|---|
 | Best for Sensitive Skin La Roche-Posay Lipikar Wash AP+ Body & Face Wash | Check Price |
 | Best for Natural Look Puracy Body Wash | Check Price |
 | Best for All Skin Bondi Sands Staycation Bundle | Check Price |
 | Best Value for Money St. Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower Lotion Golden Glow | Check Price |
 | Best Herbal Hempz Triple Moisture Herbal Whipped Crème Body Wash | Check Price |
 | Best Dermatologists Recommended CeraVe Body Wash for Dry Skin | Check Price |
 | Best for Last Longer St. Tropez Body Scrub, Tan Enhancing Body Polish | Check Price |
 | Best for Dry Skin Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash for Dry & Sensitive Skin | Check Price |
 | Best Fast-Absorbing OGX Extra Creamy + Coconut Miracle Oil Ultra Moisture Body Wash | Check Price |
 | Best Paraben-Free Cetaphil Restoraderm Soothing Wash | Check Price |
1. Best for Sensitive Skin – La Roche-Posay Lipikar Wash AP+ Body & Face Wash
Specification
- Skin Type: Sensitive, dry
- Item Form: Lotion-type body wash
- Size: 13.52 fl oz. (400 ml)
- Scent: Unscented
- Container: Bottle with pump
Description
Get the best body wash that is made with sensitive skin in mind with the La Roche Posay Lipikar Wash AP+ Body & Face Wash
Features
Allergy tested: made so that it does irritate your skin in any way; made for sensitive skin in mind
Skin balancer: balances the pH levels and maintains the microbiome of the skin
Prebiotic thermal water: formulated by La Roche-Posay that is rich in minerals and antioxidants
How to use
Using a body wash after a spray tan has to be done very carefully. Take a bit of the body wash on your hand and apply it gently on your skin. Lather up the body wash as gently as possible and wash it off with the back of your hands. That way, you don’t rub your skin too hard and risk ruining your tan. It is the same for when you are drying yourself off. Make sure to pat dry your skin instead of rubbing a towel.
Expert Verdict
A spray tan on sensitive skin means that you are already at risk of irritating your skin. When done correctly, your spray tan will look perfect. However, if you don’t use a body wash for sensitive skin, then you might cause breakouts. That is where the La Roche Posay Lipikar Wash AP+ Body & Face Wash comes in and saves the day! It is very gentle on the skin and won’t cause breakouts or allergies. It is also made with emollient shea butter which helps enhance the tan on your skin as well! This may have sulfate, something you will want to avoid, but it won’t harm your tan at all. Instead, it will actually help to clean your skin without damaging the tan. The only downside is that you should not use it on your face with a tan. It can be too drying on the face which can cause your skin to flake and peel, ruining your tan in the process. But the moisturization in the body wash is very good for your skin with tan to help keep your skin nicely hydrated!
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Gentle and won’t cause breakouts | Too drying for the face |
| Emollient shea butter enhances the tan | |
| Cleaning without damaging tan | |
| Good moisturization |
2. Best for Natural Look – Puracy Body Wash
Specification
- Skin Type: Dry skin
- Item Form: Gel
- Size: 12 fl oz. (355 ml)
- Scent: Citrus fruity smell
- Container: Bottle with top cap
Description
Get that natural look with the tan that you are looking for with the Puracy Body Wash that works to enhance your tan!
Features
Plant-powered: gives your skin all the benefits of plant-based body wash
Pore cleaner: clears your pores without ruining the oil balance of your skin
Citrus aroma: cover yourself in a citrusy aroma along with silky smooth skin
How to use
Take a bit of the gel body wash on your hand and lather it up between your hands. Then apply it on your skin as gently as possible without rubbing it too hard. Take the back of your hands to rub the body wash over your body and once you are done, rinse it off with cold water. Afterward, pat dry yourself with a clean towel.
Expert Verdict
Sometimes, tans look out of place and not natural due to the body wash you use. That is why the Puracy Body Wash is so good because it keeps your tanned skin looking as natural as possible! The ingredients are made from plants that are non-irritating for the skin and have many oil blends that are perfect for your tan skin as well. The fragrances are natural and not artificial so you can be assured that your tan won’t be harmed by it. The sea salt is the real winner for this product as it cleans your pores and skin without stripping it off the skin’s essential oils. However, the only downside is that it can be a bit drying on the skin. So you should not use this daily. Occasional use is probably the best when you have a tan to maintain that natural look!
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Plant-based ingredients | Drying if used too often |
| Natural fragrances that do not irritate the skin | |
| Cleans pores without stripping oil |
3. Best for All Skin – Bondi Sands Staycation Bundle
Specification
- Skin Type: All
- Item Form: Liquid body wash
- Size: 16.9 fl oz. (500 ml)
- Scent: Coconut
- Container: Bottle with pump
Description
Enjoy the whole tanning experience with the Bondi Sands Staycation Bundle, especially the body wash made for tanning purposes!
Features
Whole tanning experience: from tanning lotion to body wash for the whole tanning experience
Made for spray tans: a body wash that is perfect for spray tans and self-tanners
Vegan and cruelty-free ingredients: made without harming any animals
How to use
Lather up the body wash between your hands as best you can and then gently apply it to your tanned skin. Since this one is safe for spray tans, you can use the palms of your hand to gently massage the lather in a circular motion all over your body. Make sure to cover all parts of your body and then rinse it off in lukewarm water. Afterward, pat dry yourself so you don’t ruin your spray tan.
Expert Verdict
While I have included the Bondi Sands Staycation Bundle as a whole set because it works perfectly well with the body wash, I will only be reviewing the body wash itself. The body wash is great as it is made with coconut oil, giving your tan a rich glow. It is also made with all skin types in mind so that you don’t have to worry about choosing the right body wash for your skin. It also cleans your body without leaving behind a slimy feeling on your skin which is great for how you want to feel with your skin after a shower. My only gripe with the body wash is that it does not lather much at all, which makes it very difficult to judge how much of your body actually got cleaned.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Coconut oil for a rich tan glow | Does not lather well |
| Made for all skin types | |
| Silky skin |
4. Best Value for Money – St. Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower Lotion Golden Glow
Specification
- Skin Type: All
- Item Form: Lotion
- Size: 6.7 fl oz. (200 ml)
- Scent: Almond oil
- Container: Tube
Description
Get the best value for money for your spray tan with the St. Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower Lotion Golden Glow!
Features
Quick and easy: leave it on for 3 minutes and wash it off for a great tan!
Streak-free: get an even tan on your body with the lotion
Ultra-hydrating: leaves your skin feeling as hydrated as possible
How to use
Since this is not your typical lotion body wash, you will use it slightly differently. First, cleanse your body in warm water. Then apply the lotion on your body and leave it on for about 3 to 5 minutes while you wait in the shower. Make sure to cover all parts of your body in an even layer as possible, and wash your hands after the application is done. Then, rinse your whole body with warm water again and pat dry yourself.
Expert Verdict
As a body wash, the only problem with this is that it does not clean enough. But the other benefits that you get with the St. Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower Lotion Golden Glow are great for your spray tan! The gradual tanning that you get with this body wash makes sure that your spray tan remains longer on the body and provides a more even fading of the tan or could even extend the period the tan stays on your body too! It is very easy to apply and wash off without ever having the slimy feeling other body wash or lotion might give your skin. It is very absorbable and leaves your skin feeling nicely hydrated, which is exactly what your body needs to make the spray tan glow!
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Helps to extend tan and even fade | Not really that cleaning |
| Easy to apply and wash off | |
| Hydrating for the skin for a spray tan glow |
5. Best Herbal – Hempz Triple Moisture Herbal Whipped Crème Body Wash
Specification
- Skin Type: Sensitive
- Item Form: Gel
- Size: 8.5 fl oz. (250 ml)
- Scent: Grapefruit and peach
- Container: Tube
Description
Envelope yourself in grapefruit and peach herbal goodness with Hempz Triple Moisture Herbal Whipped Crème Body Wash!
Features
Pure hemp seed oil: rich in minerals and vitamins
Refresh and hydrate: feel refreshed and keep your skin well-hydrated
Antioxidant-rich: helps to keep the skin soft and smooth
How to use
Take a bit of the gel body wash on your hand and lather it up between your hands. Then apply it on your skin as gently as possible without rubbing it too hard. Take the back of your hands to rub the body wash over your body and once you are done, rinse it off with cold water. Afterward, pat dry yourself with a clean towel.
Expert Verdict
The herbal goodness in Hempz Triple Moisture Herbal Whipped Crème Body Wash makes sure that there are no harsh chemicals in the body wash while also providing great benefits for your tan! It keeps your skin nicely hydrated and makes sure that your spray tan looks excellent out of the shower without harming the tan itself. Being rich in vitamins and minerals makes sure that your sun-kissed skin is healthy and vibrant. Not to mention how cleaning and great the lather is! The only downside is that the smell seems good from the bottle but once on the skin, I did not really like the smell. Otherwise, it is a great herbal body wash for your spray tan!
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Great lather and cleaning | Not a great smell on the skin |
| Vitamin and mineral-rich | |
| Healthy and vibrant skin |
6. Best Dermatologists Recommended – CeraVe Body Wash for Dry Skin
Specification
- Skin Type: Dry skin
- Item Form: Liquid body wash
- Size: 10 fl oz. (290 ml)
- Scent: Unscented
- Container: Bottle with pump
Description
The CeraVe Body Wash For Dry Skin is one of the best body washes out there that dermatologists around the world cannot recommend enough!
Features
Essential ceramides: creates a protective barrier on your skin
Hyaluronic hydration: gives your skin the acidic hydration to match the pH level of skin
Hypoallergenic: made sure to not irritate the skin
How to use
Take a bit of the gel body wash on your hand and lather it up between your hands. Then apply it on your skin as gently as possible without rubbing it too hard. Take the back of your hands to rub the body wash over your body and once you are done, rinse it off with cold water. Afterward, pat dry yourself with a clean towel.
Expert Verdict
There is a reason why dermatologists recommend the CeraVe Body Wash For Dry Skin. It is great for dry skin with the help of essential ceramides giving the hydration retention that your body needs to make your tan look great. It also does not interfere with the spray tan at all and gives you a great cleanse in return. However, even though it is good that this product does not contain fragrance, the problem is that it does not do much to remove odor from your body.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Great for dry skin | Does not remove bad body odor |
| Does not interfere with the spray tan | |
| Great cleanse |
7. Best for Last Longer – St. Tropez Body Scrub, Tan Enhancing Body Polish
Specification
- Skin Type: Dry
- Item Form: Body polish
- Size: 6.7 fl oz. (200 ml)
- Scent: Coconut
- Container: Tube
Description
Get the St. Tropez Body Scrub, Tan Enhancing Body Polish that will give clean your skin and make sure that your tan lasts as long as possible!
Features
Body polish: helps remove dead skin cells on your body and makes your tan look better
Easy wash and dry: dry easily and can be washed away without much effort
Suitable for spray tan: made sure to work with spray tan
How to use
You could use this product with the help of an exfoliating mitt but for a spray tan, your hands are just fine. Apply this on your damp skin and make sure to cover all parts of your tan. Then, gently massage it into the skin with the back of your hands to smooth it over your skin. Then, wash it off after a couple of minutes by gliding your palm across where you have applied the body polish. Instead of drying with a towel, air drying is a better option.
Expert Verdict
The thing that will make your tan look dull are the dead skins that will be on it. But a regular exfoliator will remove the spray tan that you have. That is why the St. Tropez Body Scrub, Tan Enhancing Body Polish (which is almost like a body wash) is great to make sure that your tan lasts as long as possible! It works to exfoliate the skin without peeling too much of your spray tan along with it and gives a nice healthy tan on your body as well! Not only that, but it is able to clean your body as well! But be careful when you use it because it has the ability to remove your spray tan if you are not careful with how you wash it off.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Removes dead skin cells | Can remove your existing spray tan if you are not careful |
| Clean body | |
| Produces a tan to make sure your spray tan lasts longer |
8. Best for Dry Skin – Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash for Dry & Sensitive Skin
Specification
- Skin Type: Dry and sensitive skin
- Item Form: Cream body wash
- Size: 18 fl oz. (532 ml)
- Scent: Light smell
- Container: Bottle with flip cap
Description
Hydrate your dry spray tanned skin with the help of Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash for Dry & Sensitive Skin!
Features
Prebiotic oats: help to lock in the moisture for the skin
Lightly scented: a smell that disappears very quickly on the skin
Recyclable: made with the environment in mind
How to use
Lather up the body wash between your hands as best you can and then gently apply it to your tanned skin. Since this one is safe for spray tans, you can use the palms of your hand to gently massage the lather in a circular motion all over your body. Make sure to cover all parts of your body and then rinse it off in lukewarm water. Afterward, pat dry yourself so you don’t ruin your spray tan.
Expert Verdict
There are two things that are really bad for your spray tan. Number one on the list is sweat which can be avoided very easily. But number two is dry skin. The peeling and flaky skin that you get with dry skin means that you will lose your tan very quickly. That is why the Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash for Dry & Sensitive Skin is the perfect way that you can keep your skin moisturized and your tan safe from coming off! It helps to both moisturize and lock in the moisture so you wouldn’t lose more of it afterward. This is also made for all types of skin, even for sensitive skin which means that you won’t have breakouts occurring on your skin from using it. It can a be a bit difficult to wash off the body wash so do be careful to gently take off the body wash from your skin!
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Protection from dry skin | Very creamy; hard to wash off without rubbing your body |
| Moisturization and locks in moisture | |
| Made for all types of skin |
9. Best Fast-Absorbing – OGX Extra Creamy + Coconut Miracle Oil Ultra Moisture Body Wash
Specification
- Skin Type: All
- Item Form: Cream+Oil
- Size: 19.5 fl oz. (577 ml)
- Scent: Coconut and vanilla
- Container: Bottle with flip cap
Description
Get a body wash that washes away and quickly absorbs into the skin with the OGX Extra Creamy + Coconut Miracle Oil Ultra Moisture Body Wash
Features
Cream+oil: get the benefit of both a cream-like body wash and an oil body wash
Fragrant scent: leaves behind a coconut and vanilla smell on your skin
Soft and supple: leaves your skin soft and supple, making your tan look great
How to use
Lather up the body wash between your hands as best you can and then gently apply it to your tanned skin. Since this one is safe for spray tans, you can use the palms of your hand to gently massage the lather in a circular motion all over your body. Make sure to cover all parts of your body and then rinse it off in lukewarm water. Afterward, pat dry yourself so you don’t ruin your spray tan.
Expert Verdict
One thing that you might from your body wash is to clean and be fast absorbing. That is where the coconut oil blend in OGX Extra Creamy + Coconut Miracle Oil Ultra Moisture Body Wash comes in to provide both! It leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth, meaning that your tanned skin feels refreshed and cleaned afterward with the great lather that the product provides. Along with being fast absorbing, it is also very moisturizing, which is perfect for keeping your skin hydrated right out of the shower. The only problem I would say that I have is that the smell does not last on your skin at all! It has a great smell that I really loved right out of the bottle but that doesn’t stay on your skin.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Soft and smooth skin | The smell does not linger on the skin for too long |
| Fast absorbing giving great moisturization | |
| Great lather for excellent cleaning |
10. Best Paraben-Free – Cetaphil Restoraderm Soothing Wash
Specification
- Skin Type: Dry and stressed skin
- Item Form: Soap-free body wash
- Size: 10 fl oz. (296 ml)
- Scent: Shea butter
- Container: Bottle with flip top
Description
With the Cetaphil Restoraderm Soothing Wash, you get a great cleaning body wash that is paraben-free!
Features
Soapless: clean your body with the harshness of soapy ingredients
Shea butter: great for keeping your tanned skin moisturized
Niacinamide: gives and retains moisture on the skin
How to use
This is a simple body wash to use even though it has a soapless formula. Simply lather it between your hands and then massage it into your damp skin in a circular motion until you get a nice and rich lather on your skin. Then simply take rinse the body wash off with warm water and pat dry yourself afterward.
Expert Verdict
Being soapless and paraben-free are the biggest plus points for the Cetaphil Restoraderm Soothing Wash! It does not contain the harshness of soap but is still able to clean your body without any problems. And with no paraben, you can be relatively safe from using this product on your skin without any allergic reaction occurring. With the help of niacinamides and shea butter, you get the moisturization that you need for your spray tan, and helps to retain the moisture even after using it! However, the soapless feature means that you would have to use a bit more of the product to clean yourself as the body wash does not lather as much.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Gives and retains the moisture on tanned skin | Does not lather, have to use it more for cleaning the body |
| Paraben-free and hypoallergenic | |
| Soapless; no harsh soap ingredients |
Should You Use Soap Immediately After Your Spray Tan?
The way that spray tan works is that you are sprayed with a solution containing DHA or dihydroxyacetone. It combines with the amino acids present on the surface of your skin and produces the brown pigment that you come to know as tan! However, this takes a while to fully develop. That is why you are told to shower only after 8 hours after a spray tan to make sure that you don’t interfere with the tanning process.
But, there is more to it than just that! Your first shower after a spray tan has to be done with only water and no other products at all. This is because if you use soap, you might take away the tan on your body because it will still need a further 24 hours to completely set on your skin. If you are to use soap immediately after a spray tan, not only will you ruin your tan, but it will look very uneven on your skin too!
And this is not just limited to soap. Shampoos, body wash, shaving cream, or any body scrub should be avoided! This is especially the case for any skincare product that has an exfoliating property to it. The tan fades away naturally because your skin is constantly renewing and getting rid of the old skin from the body. The old skin is where the pigments are attached and once that is gone, so will your tan with it. If you were to use an exfoliating cream, you run the risk of removing the tan before it naturally fades! That is why be careful with how you shower after you tan and what products you are using to make sure that your tan remains safe and lasts at least until the 10th day after your spray tan session.
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Tips to Take Care of Your Spray Tan
There are many ways that you take care of your spray tan which will be helpful to keep the tan on for longer. So here are the tips that you can follow to help care for your spray tan!
- Moisturize: keeping the moisture on your skin at optimal levels will make sure that your skin does not run dry.
- Avoid swimming and sweating: the worst enemy for spray tans are sweat followed by water. So avoid activities where these are involved like swimming and exercise.
- Loose-fitting clothes: wearing loose clothes will help by not constricting the skin and giving the tanned skin the ability to breathe.
- Exfoliate before spray tan: make sure that you properly shave your body before a spray tan so that you get an even spray tan on your body.
- Right time for makeup: you should avoid makeup for up to 24 hours so that you don’t rub away the tan.
- Cold showers: warm water will open up your pores and make your tan fade faster, so use cold showers to help keep the tan fresh for longer.
- Wear sunscreen: even with a tan, your body is susceptible to sun exposure so make sure to wear sunscreen whenever you are out in the sun.
- Tan extenders: tan extenders are helpful to keep the tan on your body for a longer time and give an even fade for the tan as well.
- Avoid skin contact: things like crossing your arms and legs will discolor your tan when it is fresh so make sure to let it fully develop before doing so.
- Avoid harsh products and ingredients: things like chemical peels and surfactants can take away your tan so make sure to avoid them.
FAQs
1. What to wash with before your spray tan?
It is important to use a soap or body to help clear your skin off of any dirt and oil so that the spray tan application is as even as possible.
2. Worst body wash for a spray tan?
Any body wash that has ingredients like sulfates should be avoided. Namely, you should avoid Dove body wash on your body because it can remove the tan on your skin.
3. What if I wash my spray tan off too early?
If you wash your body too early, then the spray tan solution will not be able to produce an even tan and what you will be left with is a patchy tan that will not look good!
4. How to wash your face after a spray tan?
The best way to wash your face with a spray tan is to use warm water to rinse your face. But make sure you do this around 6 to 8 hours after the spray tan to allow it to develop your desired tan.
5. What body wash is safe after my spray tan?
Most body wash on the list above are good but I really liked the CeraVe and Aveeno body wash because it kept the tan safe and my body clean!
Final Thoughts
There you have it, the best body washes for spray tan! I really enjoyed getting my spray on and then trying out the body washes on the list for myself. While I couldn’t really find a clear winner out of the lot, I really liked the La Roche-Posay, Aveeno, and CeraVe body wash on the list because of how well they helped my spray tan without affecting it all that much. I hope that you find the body wash you are looking for and rock that spray tan on your body for the summer!
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