The ultimate guide to getting and maintaining the perfect goGLOW and working out!
There are few things as certain to make you feel amazing as a goGLOW spray tan; looking good with a goGLOW at the gym is a close second. But is your spray tan rubbing off on sports bras or athletic gear in the first few days from constant or excessive sweating? goGLOW skin experts to the rescue!
How to Choose the Best Spray Tan for Your Active Lifestyle
- Check the Ingredients: Look for spray tan solutions where aqua is the primary base, serving as a solvent for other skin-loving ingredients. Quality formulas often include nourishing oils like avocado oil to hydrate and support skin health and radiance. Caffeine is another beneficial ingredient, acting as an antioxidant that helps tighten skin and improve tan longevity. Caprylyl glycol and sodium metabisulfite are commonly added to preserve product stability and provide additional skin conditioning benefits. DHA, derived from natural sources, is the key ingredient responsible for developing a sun-kissed color by reacting with amino acids in the epidermis. The science behind these formulations ensures that active ingredients penetrate the deepest layer of the epidermis for longer-lasting results. Non-transfer formulas help minimize contact with clothing and bedding, reducing the risk of unwanted stains.
- Match Your Skin Type and Tone: Modern spray tan solutions are formulated for a wide range of skin types, ensuring inclusivity and a natural look for everyone. Choose a product that matches your undertone and desired depth of color.
- Brand Reputation and Reviews: Select brands known for their expertise and positive feedback. Professional spray tan providers tailor their approach to each client, ensuring optimal results based on individual needs. Choosing the right product and application method can help avoid common mistakes like streaks or uneven fading.
After selecting your product, remember that your tan will continue to develop and deepen over several hours after application. Understanding this process is the secret to achieving a flawless, natural-looking glow.
- Spray Tan vs. Self Tan: Tanners designed for active lifestyles allow sweat to pass through the tan without disrupting the development process. The importance of steady spraying techniques ensures even coverage and minimal transfer, helping you maintain a streak-free finish even during workouts.
Choosing the Right Product for Sweat-Proof Tanning
Achieving a truly sweat-proof tan starts with selecting the right product for your unique needs. With so many spray tan and self tan solutions on the market, it’s important to find one that matches your skin type, lifestyle, and tanning goals. Here’s what to look for when choosing your next sweat-resistant tanning product:
- Match Your Skin Type and Tone: Not all tans are created equal. If you have sensitive skin, opt for formulas labeled as hypoallergenic or fragrance-free to avoid irritation. For deeper skin tones, look for products designed to enhance melanin and deliver a richer, darker tan. The right match ensures your glow looks natural and even.
- Consider Your Active Lifestyle: If you’re always on the move or love hitting the gym, choose a sweat-resistant or sweat proof formula. Products infused with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin E help lock in moisture, protect against sun damage, and keep your tan looking fresh—even after a tough workout.
- Spray Tan vs. Self Tan: Decide whether you want the instant, professional finish of a spray tan or the gradual, buildable color of a self tan. Spray tans are perfect for quick, even coverage, while gradual tan lotions and mousses let you control the depth of your glow over time.
- Check the Ingredients: Scan the ingredient list for nourishing oils and extracts, such as seed oil, seed extract, and caramel, which help hydrate and protect your skin. Avoid products with harsh chemicals or ingredients known for harmful effects. Look for formulas infused with antioxidants like vitamin E to support skin health and longevity.
- Rinse Time and Longevity: If you’re short on time, opt for a solution with a quick rinse time—some can be rinsed off in as little as 1-2 hours. For those seeking a tan that lasts, choose products formulated for extended wear, offering up to 7-10 days of glow with proper care.
- Brand Reputation and Reviews: Before you commit, check out reviews from other clients and explore the brand’s reputation. Trusted brands with positive feedback are more likely to deliver a consistent, streak-free tan that stands up to sweat and daily life.
By considering these factors, you’ll be able to choose a spray tan or self tan product that’s perfectly suited to your skin, lifestyle, and tanning goals. With the right solution and a little know-how, you can achieve a sweat-proof, radiant glow that lasts—no matter how active your day gets.
Proper Exfoliation: The Key to a Long-Lasting Tan
First, to prevent your goGLOW spray tan from rubbing off with sports bras and athletic clothing, your skin needs a proper exfoliation 1-2 days before the goGLOW application.
What is a proper exfoliation?
Exfoliating thoroughly before your spray tanning at goGLOW involves softening your skin with steam while using our EXFOLIATE mitt to scrub away dead skin and product buildup. Pay special attention to elbows and knees, as these areas are prone to dryness and uneven tan development. Don’t forget to exfoliate your underarms as well to ensure even application.
You should see little pills of dead skin and product build up accumulate on the skin. Rinse the exfoliating mitt and your body in between scrubbing each section of your body, using lukewarm water to avoid drying out your skin. Hot water can cause your tan to fade faster and leave your skin dry, which may result in streaks. If you experience any irritation or redness, wash your body with our sulfate-free hyaluronic acid rich CLEANSE Why does this make a difference in terms of sweat?
It’s simple. The fresh layer of skin you have will allow the goGLOW solution to penetrate deeper into the dermis and hold more evenly. This means a spray tan will not rub off as easily with friction, tight garments (think sports bras), and sweat. After application, talcum powder can be your friend for managing sweat-prone areas like elbows, knees, and underarms to help prevent tan transfer. Skipping proper exfoliation or using harsh products is a common mistake that can lead to uneven results.
When Will I Notice My Tan Wearing Off?
The time it takes for your tan to wear off depends on your activity level, sweat, and the tightness of your sports gear. Typically, it may start rubbing off after 3-4 days. Hot showers or excessive sweating can make your tan fade faster and may cause streaks. To help prevent transfer and maintain an even tan, avoid direct contact with tight clothing or bedding, especially while your tan continues to develop. You can prolong your tan with our at-home self-tan products like EXTEND lotion and TOUCH UP spray, which can be your friend in maintaining color and correcting any mistakes or streaks that appear.
Will my tan sweat off?
Simply, no. Your tan won’t sweat off in a single workout or sauna session, but daily sweat production or heated workouts may cause it to fade more quickly. Some tanners are specially formulated to allow sweat to pass through without disrupting the tan, helping to ensure a longer-lasting, streak-free result.
Pro tip; keep a travel sized CLEANSE in your gym bag so that you never have to worry about showering with sulfate-sudsy locker room soaps! These will leave a film on your skin that can impact your goGLOW spray tan application, and also dehydrate your skin and strip your skin of its naturally occurring oils so that your skin feels tighter, irritated and overall dry. Remember, your tan will continue to develop and deepen for several hours after application, so avoid activities that could disrupt this process for the best results.
Other Spray Tan Tips to Maintain Your Glow With an Active Lifestyle
The key to a true sweat-proof spray tan or a smudge-proof tan lies in proper tan aftercare on your part.
Specifically:
- Do not sweat while your goGLOW is processing. Wait at least 12 hours between getting a goGLOW + sweating. The tan will continue to develop and deepen during this time, so patience is key.
- Choose comfy gym clothing that does not rub too much. Friction from tight sports gear and seams in clothing can cause the color to unnecessarily rub off. Opt for breathable, sweat-absorbing clothes like seamless activewear or loose tracksuits to prevent transfer and protect your tan during workouts. Minimizing contact with tight clothing or bedding will also help avoid transfer.
- Apply a little setting powder to areas that you sweat. Setting powders can help absorb excess sweat and prevent it from sitting on your skin for too long. Be sure to apply powder to your knees, elbows, and underarms to absorb moisture and prevent streaks or transfer. You can also use a wide range of body powders meant to absorb sweat. For example, we love the Megababe line of body powders and thigh chafing sticks! Talcum powder can be your friend in maintaining your tan and managing post-tan sweating.
- Avoid chlorinated pool water or taking a dip in salty sea water too soon, as both will dry your skin and increase the rate your spray tan solution will wear off. Plus, you still sweat while doing activities in the water, even if you don’t notice it. If you must take a dip in a pool or at the beach, make sure to heavily apply moisturizing lotion like goGLOW’s HYDRATE, and also use waterproof sunscreen that can act as a barrier between the salt or chlorinated water and your skin’s surface.
- Also avoid sun exposure and tanning beds as part of your tan aftercare routine. Not only because you need to avoid sweat, but also because UV rays will lead to both skin damage and dryness, further putting your gorgeous glow at risk. Apply plenty of moisturizer and waterproof sunscreen.
- Take cool & quick showers after your workouts and avoid saunas or steam rooms. Even long steamy showers will fade your goGLOW spray tan faster. Hot water can make your tan fade faster and cause streaks, so always use cool or lukewarm water.
- Moisturize immediately after your showers, on damp skin. Apply HYDRATE lotion as soon as you get out of the shower. Well hydrated skin is key to maintaining a healthy looking glow that does not fade!
- When you notice overall lightening of your color, apply our tan extender, the EXTEND gradual tan lotion all over your legs, stomach and arms. Just a few of these tanning drops to prevent visible smudges or discoloration. You can also mist a light layer of TOUCH UP spray over your face, hands and neck or anywhere that needs an extra boost. Using a tan extender or touch-up spray can be your friend in maintaining your glow and correcting any mistake.
When choosing a tanner, look for formulas designed for active individuals that allow sweat to pass through the tan without disrupting the color, helping to prevent transfer and streaks.
During application, a steady hand ensures even coverage and reduces the risk of streaks.
So, as you can see, for that sweat proof spray tan, the essential two ingredients are: proper prep and tan aftercare.
Tan aftercare mostly consists of effective skin hydration treatment, respecting rinse times, and making sure to keep sweat away for as long as possible from your goGLOW spray tan. The tan will continue to develop over the next several hours, and the secret to a flawless finish is steady aftercare and attention to detail.
