How to Keep Fake Tan from Rubbing Off

August 08, 2025 Zoe Klein

We’ve all been there — you’ve nailed the perfect bronze, you’re feeling like a glowing goddess… and then, the fear sets in. Clothes. Sheets. The dreaded toilet seat. All just waiting to snatch your tan.

So how do you keep your fake tan on your skin and off everything else? Here’s the glo-down.

1. Nail the Prep

A long-lasting tan starts before you even pick up the mitt. Smooth, hydrated skin will hold colour better and fade evenly.

Exfoliate 24 hours before tanning to banish dry patches.
Moisturise any stubbornly dry spots like elbows, knees and ankles.
Why? Because flaky skin doesn’t hold tan — it sheds it (and takes your glow with it).

2. Use the Right Formula

Some tans are just… clingier than others. Look for a professional-quality mousse that’s streak-free, fast-drying, and made to last — like Ohh My Glo’s express or ultra-dark green base formulas. They’re designed to give olive-golden tones that stay.

3. The Game-Changer: Set It in Place

Here’s the part most people skip — and where the magic happens.

Enter: Ohh My Glo Self-Tan Setting Spray.

This Aussie-first formula locks your tan in seconds with a soft, matte-dry finish. No stickiness, no transfer, no “hovering naked for an hour after tanning.” It creates a weightless, invisible shield that:

Stops colour from rubbing onto clothes, sheets, or seats
Speeds up drying time so you can get dressed immediately
Helps your tan last longer without patchy fade

It’s basically hairspray for your tan — minus the crunch.

4. Treat Your Tan Like Skin (Because It Is)

Avoid anything that’s going to strip your glow too soon.

Swap hot showers for warm ones
Pat dry with a towel instead of rubbing
Moisturise daily with a tan-friendly lotion

The gentler you are, the longer your bronzed look will stick around.

The Bottom Line

If you want your fake tan to stay flawless — and your clothes to stay clean — you can’t skip the set. The Ohh My Glo Self-Tan Setting Spray is the don’t-even-think-about-skipping-it step that keeps your glow exactly where it belongs.

Glow stays on. Clothes stay spotless. You stay smug.