Can I Use Retinol and Still Keep My Spray Tan?
October Glow Guide by Après Soleil Tans – Lafayette’s Luxury Spray Tan & Beauty Boutique
If you love glowing, healthy skin, you’ve probably found yourself balancing two beauty must-haves: your skincare routine and your spray tan. But here’s the question we hear all the time…can you use retinol (or other active ingredients) and still keep your tan looking flawless?
The short answer: yes! But with a few adjustments.
Why Actives Can Fade Your Tan
Retinol, glycolic acid, lactic acid, vitamin C, and exfoliating toners are all considered active skincare ingredients. They’re amazing for promoting cell turnover, smoothing texture, and brightening skin, but that’s exactly why they can fade your tan faster.
Your spray tan lives in the top layer of your skin, so anything that speeds up exfoliation (like retinol or acids) will cause it to shed sooner.
Tan-Safe Skincare Routine
If you use actives regularly, here’s how to adjust your routine around your spray tan appointment:
Before Your Tan:
Pause Retinol + Acids 48 hours before. This helps your skin’s pH balance normalize and ensures even color absorption.
Exfoliate once using a gentle scrub or mitt the day before your appointment. We love the Après Soleil Exfoliating Mitt. It creates a clean, smooth base for color.
Avoid heavy moisturizers or oils on the day of your tan.
After Your Tan:
Wait 24 hours before returning to your actives.
When you resume, spot treat areas like your face or chest rather than applying all over if you want to keep your glow longer.
Use a hydrating cleanser and tan-safe moisturizer daily to extend your color. Try the Got Me Whipped Nourishing Body Butter or the Everyday Oil from our boutique—both nourish your skin without stripping your tan.
Try from our shop:
Face Care Tips for Active Lovers
Your face naturally fades first because of cleansing and skincare. To maintain an even glow:
Use the Loving Tan Deluxe Face Tan between tans to refresh color.
Choose gentle, hydrating serums like hyaluronic acid or ceramide blends instead of exfoliating acids.
If you can’t live without retinol, apply it every other night and tan in the morning to rebalance your glow.
The Bottom Line
You don’t have to give up your actives for a beautiful tan, you just need to use them wisely. Schedule your retinol nights strategically, focus on hydration, and use tan-safe skincare that supports both your skin goals and your glow.
Your best glow comes from balance, and we’re here to help you find it.