If fake tan is part of your routine, the prep you do beforehand can make a real difference to how even, smooth and clean the final result looks.
You do not need an overly complicated ritual. In most cases, the best fake tan prep is a calm routine that removes surface build-up, smooths dry areas and leaves your skin feeling ready rather than overworked.
Why exfoliation matters before fake tan
Fake tan often clings more strongly to dry, rough or flaky areas. That is why elbows, knees, ankles and hands can sometimes look darker or patchier than the rest of the body.
Gentle exfoliation before tanning helps by:
- smoothing the skin’s surface
- lifting away loose dead skin
- giving you a cleaner base
- helping the tan go on more evenly
The key is not to scrub aggressively. You want the skin to feel prepped, not irritated.
When should you exfoliate before applying fake tan?
A gentle exfoliation session the day before, or earlier on the same day, usually works well for most people.
That gives your skin enough time to settle while still leaving the surface fresh and smooth.
If your skin is sensitive, it often helps to exfoliate earlier rather than right before tanning so everything has time to calm down.
A simple fake tan prep routine
Here is a routine that keeps things straightforward:
Step 1: Shower first
Warm water helps soften the skin and makes exfoliation feel easier and more even.
Step 2: Use a body scrubber with light pressure
Work in gentle circular movements over the body. You do not need to rush, but you also do not need to press hard.
Step 3: Spend a little longer on dry areas
Pay extra attention to:
- elbows
- knees
- ankles
- heels
- any rough-feeling patches
Step 4: Rinse thoroughly
Make sure any product or residue is washed away.
Step 5: Dry the skin gently
Pat dry rather than rubbing hard with a towel.
Step 6: Moisturise dry patches if needed
If some areas are especially dry, a light moisturising step can help them feel more balanced before you tan.
What not to do before fake tan
A few common mistakes can make prep less effective:
Scrubbing too hard
Harsh exfoliation can leave the skin uncomfortable, which is the opposite of what you want before tanning.
Leaving prep until the last second
If your skin becomes reactive easily, give yourself a bit of breathing room before applying tan.
Ignoring dry areas
Those are often the places that need the most attention during prep.
Trying too many new products at once
Keep the routine simple. Fake tan prep works best when it feels controlled and predictable.
Why a body scrubber can be useful for fake tan prep
A body scrubber works well here because it helps you keep the process consistent.
It lets you:
- use light, even pressure
- focus on rough patches easily
- make prep part of a normal shower
- repeat the same routine before each tan
That is usually more useful than doing a very harsh one-off scrub.
If you want broader body-routine support, you can also read how often you should exfoliate your body and how to use a silicone body scrubber for smoother skin.
Where ScrubMeBody fits
If you want a body scrubber that feels easy to use before fake tan, ScrubMeBody is built for exactly that kind of regular shower prep routine.
It is a good fit for people who want:
- a simple exfoliation step before tanning
- something easy to rinse after use
- a smoother-feeling shower routine overall
If you want more product-specific support, see the ScrubMeBody help and product guide.
A quick fake tan prep checklist
Before your next tan, aim for this:
- shower first
- exfoliate gently
- focus on dry areas
- rinse thoroughly
- dry the skin carefully
- moisturise dry patches if needed
- keep the whole routine calm and even
Final takeaway
The best fake tan prep is not about scrubbing harder. It is about preparing your skin properly.
A gentle body scrubber routine can help you create a smoother-feeling base, give extra attention to dry areas and make your whole pre-tan routine feel more consistent from one application to the next.
