After you fake tan, you need to stay dry and you can’t wear deodorant. Maybe you’ve heard about baby powder after spray tan. Does it really help?
Yes, baby powder helps with a spray tan. It’s the easy way to keep a fake tan from getting sticky and streaking if you sweat. You should definitely powder after a spray tan if it’s a hot, humid day.
You don’t even have to put talc on after tanning – there are safer options like baby powder with cornstarch. One popular spray tan finishing powder recipe includes arrowroot powder, tapioca, and mica for a subtle sparkle. Many times the professional powder is tinted to not leave a white cast.
How to apply powder after a spray tan
The official spray tech tips from a top spray tanning brand recommend using baby powder or finishing powder after air-drying or blow-drying the skin.
Wait until the body is completely dry, then dust on the powder with a soft brush like you’d use for makeup.
Concentrate on the folds of the body like elbows, armpits, between the fingers and toes, and behind the knees as well as under the breasts.
Apply again at bedtime if needed.
Here’s a professional post-tanning finishing powder with a slight tint and pleasant scent.
Norvell Post Sunless Tan-Lucent Talc-Free Tinted Drying Powder
Norvell was recently rated the number one sunless tanning brand. Although it typically sells to spray tanning salons and independent spray techs, retail customers can also enjoy the benefits of using professional spray tan products like this finishing powder. Like everything from this brand, it’s vegan and cruelty-free, made without parabens, phthalates, and talc.
The powder’s base ingredients include sparkly mica and silica as well as absorbent kaolin clay. It has a soft coconut vanilla fragrance, too. It’s designed to absorb excess moisture and prevent odors, which is why it’s perfect for use after a spray tan. It keeps the body from getting sticky and prevents the streaking that could occur if the skin gets damp. Plus, the light tint ensures that it blends into the skin, making it virtually invisible.
It comes in a spray bottle to feather a light layer into place without the need for a brush. However, there’s a downside: this is a small bottle and it’s significantly more expensive than regular baby powder.
Pros:
- Professionally-formulated finishing powder from a major sunless tanning brand
- Absorbs moisture and prevents odors
- Contains no talc, parabens, phthalates, or animal ingredients – also cruelty-free
- Subtle tint and a hint of sparkle
- Soft coconut vanilla fragrance
- Packaged in a spray bottle for hands-free convenience
Cons:
- Not as inexpensive as regular baby powder
SunFX Post Spray Tan Finishing Powder
Our team debated on whether this is the best spray tan finishing powder or if the honors should go to Norvell’s drying powder. Both products are little pricey when compared to regular baby powder or plain cornstarch, but they have significant benefits.
For example, this particular powder is made with ethically-sourced organic arrowroot and tapioca powder with a hint of mica, a reflective mineral. It’s lightly tinted so that it blends in with the skin and won’t leave a white residue.
Moreover, the tropical burst fragrance is not only uplifting to smell but also good for preventing post-tan odor.
Lastly, it’s talc-free and comes in a resealable pouch plus a soft applicator brush with its own storage case.
Pros:
- Made with organic arrowroot and tapioca powders plus mica
- Lightly tinted to blend in without a white residue
- Talc-free
- Tropical burst fragrance prevents post-spray tan odor
- Comes with an applicator brush
Cons:
- Not as cheap as basic baby powder
Can you put talc on after tanning?
Up until now, we’ve shown you two spray tan finishing powders that are talc-free. So what’s the big deal with talcum powder and why shouldn’t you use it after tanning?
A little while ago, Johnson & Johnson switched to making cornstarch-based baby powder because of a lawsuit the brand lost. The concern was that talc-based powder was exposing people to asbestos, thereby leading to cancer (1).
Unfortunately, asbestos and talc are often intermingled in nature. When humans are exposed to asbestos, they can develop lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and other forms of illness. It’s really best to avoid talc and in this manner steer clear of asbestos at the same time.
Furthermore, there’s no need to spend a lot of money on expensive post-tan products. Regular baby powder like this one works well:
Johnson’s Lavender Baby Powder
It’s cheap, it smells nice, and it keeps moisture under control. Use a fluffy makeup brush to apply this powder in all the folds of the skin so you don’t get oily or sweaty while your spray tan is developing. It keeps the fake tan from smearing and streaking but it won’t mess with the color. What’s more, the lavender fragrance is relaxing and mild.
The formula is based on cornstarch and has no artificial color, phthalates, or talc. It’s dermatologist-tested for sensitive skin and safe for babies, too.
Pros:
- Relaxing fragrance and silky texture
- Soaks up moisture and oil to protect a new spray tan
- Safe enough for babies, tested for sensitive skin
- Handy for managing sweat to prevent streaking
- Cuts down on odor
Cons:
- May leave a visible white residue
How to apply powder after a spray tan
Picture this: you’ve just gotten a spray tan and every inch of your body is evenly coated and drying. But the moment you put your arms down and start moving around, you’re going to sweat. All that moisture will potentially cause the spray tan to look patchy and streaky. Worse, since you can’t wear deodorant right now, you might start to stink a little bit.
The straightforward solution is to put on powder. If you’ve used baby powder before, you probably dumped it into your hand and patted it into place. But now you don’t want to mess up the fake tan. No worries as long as you have a spare makeup brush.
Once your skin is completely dry, pour the baby powder into the palm of your hand and pick up the brush. Dip the brush into the powder and dust it anywhere you might sweat. Cover your armpits, under the boobs, inside the elbows, behind the knees, between your fingers and toes (and don’t forget your bum).
There’s no need to rub it in, but you can knock off the excess powder with a light touch of the brush. Now, go relax and enjoy.
Talc-Free Baby Powder, Natural Vanilla Amber, by Ora’s Amazing Herbal
How does this natural baby powder compare to name-brand cornstarch baby powder? Well, the thing we like best is that it’s scented with essential oils instead of an artificial fragrance. It smells like vanilla and amber and that’s an appealing scent for both women and men.
It has a pleasant, silky texture and it’s surprisingly absorbent. The ingredients include kaolin clay from the USA, arrowroot, organic planting leaf, and a little bit of odor-fighting baking soda. As mentioned, the aroma comes from natural amber resin and organic vanilla.
Moreover, this brand ensures that the powder is lead-free and gluten-free. Then, there’s the advantage that it’s safe and natural and contains no corn or grains, parabens, or harmful chemicals.
Reviewers say the powder prevents sticky skin, smells great, and doesn’t leave an obvious residue.
Pros:
- Natural and organic ingredients like arrowroot and kaolin clay
- Pleasant texture and fragrance (from essential oils)
- No chemicals, gluten, lead, corn, or grains
Cons:
- Not as cheap as basic baby powder but not as pricey as some options
Besides baby powder, how else can you protect a new spray tan?
Baby powder is good for setting a new spray tan and keeping it from streaking. Besides that, you can also help your new tan look awesome by waiting the right amount of time before showering.
Depending on the spray tan formula, you’ll need to wait anywhere from two hours to eight hours before getting wet. Rapid tan formulas develop a sun-kissed glow within an hour or two, but traditional spray tan takes at least six hours. The longer you wait before showering, the deeper the color will get – at least up to a certain point.
This is why regular tanners often get the spray tan done at night. Then, when they wake up, they can shower.
The first shower is key. It’s sometimes called a “bird bath” because it’s done with lukewarm water and no shampoo or soap. It simply rinses the guide color off the skin.
Then, for the next shower, you can use your regular body wash and hair care products. However, steer clear of bath oils and exfoliating products for the first few days if you want your tan to last as long as possible. We’ve heard that bath soap with titanium dioxide might also whiten the skin faster.
Finally, moisturizing keeps a fake tan looking good for longer.
How to dry a fake tan quickly
Can you use baby powder after a spray tan to dry the tan quickly? No.
Please wait until the skin is completely dry after spray tanning before you put on powder.
How can you dry your skin faster after spray tanning? The spray tech probably has a blowdryer or you can use your own at home. Put it on the cool setting to keep it from heating up your skin and getting sweaty. Also, you can stand in front of a fan or air conditioner (but the latter may feel a little chilly!)
In a few minutes after you’re all dried off, dust on some baby powder like this one:
Noodle & Boo DELICATE BABY POWDER
What happens if you blend cornstarch with oat flour? Ooo la la, you get the perfect texture that makes for silky smooth skin.
What’s more, this baby powder features aloe juice and allantoin to keep the skin hydrated. Not to worry, it doesn’t leave it moist – to the contrary, it’s very absorbent.
Adults love it for their babies because it prevents diaper rash. Plus, they use it on themselves because it prevents chafing.
If you’re willing to splurge on a luxurious treat, this talc-free powder is the softest ever and it smells delicious.
Pros:
- Pleasant scent and silky texture gives it a luxurious feel
- Keeps skin comfortable and hydrated with aloe and allantoin
- Talc-free and made with oat flour and cornstarch
Cons:
- A bit of a splurge
Can baby powder mess up a spray tan?
As long as you put on the baby powder after your skin is dry, it won’t harm a spray tan at all.
The active ingredient in a sunless tanning product is (usually) DHA or dihydroxyacetone. It interacts with the top layer of the skin like how a sliced apple turns brown when exposed to the air. As long as the DHA doesn’t get wet, the chemical process continues and the skin darkens naturally.
This chemical process is the reason why you can’t wear deodorant when you spray tan. The deodorant chemicals will turn green, and nobody we know wants green armpits. Brush baby powder on those pits instead and you’ll stay fresh and sweet-smelling until you can shower.
Burt’s Bees Baby 100% Natural Dusting Talc-Free Baby Powder
Here’s a pediatrician-tested baby powder with a hypoallergenic formula. It’s made with cornstarch, bentonite clay, and baking soda with nary a bit of talc in sight. Furthermore, it has myrrh leaf, a healing botanical to keep the skin calm.
Although it has an artificial fragrance, it’s derived from natural ingredients. Reviewers say the aroma is like honey.
Moms love it, women with hot flashes say it keeps them comfortable, and now spray tanners are turning to this powder, too.
Pros:
- Talc-free with cornstarch, bentonite, and baking soda
- Features healing myrrh and other botanicals
- Soft honey fragrance
Cons:
- Not as cheap as some options
In conclusion, we hope that you found the answers you need here today. We also love to know if you’ve tried one of these baby powders after spray tanning. Let us know how it worked for you in the comments below.
Source:
1. https://www.npr.org/2020/05/19/859182015/johnson-johnson-stops-selling-talc-based-baby-powder-in-u-s-and-canada?t=1649151381203 Johnson & Johnson Stops Selling Talc-Based Baby Powder In U.S. And Canada, by Vanessa Romo, May 19, 2020