Can You Sleep in Self-Tanner or Should You Rinse It Off?

Why I Sleep in My Self-Tanner Every Week

If you've ever applied self-tanner at night, you've probably wondered: Can you actually sleep in self-tanner, or should you rinse it off before bed?

From my experience, you can absolutely sleep in self-tanner. In fact, it's my preferred way to tan. I self-tan every week, usually on Thursday nights, and I've found that allowing my tan to develop while I sleep is one of the easiest ways to maintain a consistent glow.

I've also learned that what you wear to bed can make a difference in how your tan develops. After years of self-tanning, I've found that silk and lightweight, dry-fit-type fabrics work much better for my routine than cotton.

Here's exactly how I sleep in self-tanner and what I've learned from doing it every week.

Can You Sleep in Self-Tanner Overnight?

Yes, you can sleep in self-tanner overnight.

I personally prefer applying my self-tanner at night and allowing it to develop while I sleep. It gives the color plenty of time to develop without requiring me to spend several hours during the day waiting for my tan to process.

For me, nighttime tanning is also much more convenient. I can shower, exfoliate, apply my tanner, let it dry, put on my pajamas, and go to bed. By morning, I'm ready to rinse off the initial layer of tanner and reveal my developed color.

The key is making sure your skin is properly prepared, giving the product enough time to dry before getting into bed, and choosing clothing that works well with your tan.

My White-Sheets Test Changed How I Sleep in Self-Tanner

One of my biggest concerns with sleeping in self-tanner used to be transferring it onto my sheets.

I self-tan every week, so I'm very familiar with the fear of putting fresh tanner on your skin and then getting into bed, especially if you have light-colored bedding.

One Thursday night, I decided to put white sheets on our bed.

For someone who self-tans every week, this felt like a bold move.

I applied my tan, let it dry completely, and put on my silk pajamas before going to bed. When I woke up the next morning, there was no noticeable transfer from the tanner onto my white sheets.

That was the moment I realized I didn't need to be afraid of white bedding and self-tanning.

I now keep white sheets on my bed year-round without worrying about my self-tanner.

A big part of that comes down to the formula I use. I prefer a self-tanner that dries quickly, doesn't feel tacky or sticky, and doesn't heavily transfer onto clothing or bedding.

How to Prepare Your Skin Before Sleeping in Self-Tanner

If you're going to sleep in your self-tanner, I recommend treating your skin like a fresh canvas.

The better you prepare your skin before applying the product, the more evenly your tan can develop.

My nighttime routine is simple.

Shower Before Applying Self-Tanner

Start with clean skin. I prefer to shower before applying my self-tanner so I'm starting with a clean surface.

Shave Before You Tan

If you shave, do it before applying your self-tanner. I don't recommend applying your tan immediately after shaving because freshly shaved skin can be more sensitive.

Exfoliate Your Skin

Exfoliating before self-tanning helps create a smoother surface for the product.

I always make sure my skin is properly exfoliated before applying my tan, particularly around areas that tend to develop unevenly.

Let Your Skin Dry for 20 to 30 Minutes

After showering, shaving, and exfoliating, I let my skin completely dry for about 20 to 30 minutes.

This is an important part of my routine because I don't want to apply self-tanner to damp skin.

Skip Lotion, Deodorant, and Skincare Before Tanning

Before applying your self-tanner, I avoid lotion, deodorant, and other skincare products on the areas I'm tanning.

I want to apply the tanner directly to clean, dry skin without putting another layer of product between my skin and the self-tanner.

Apply Your Self-Tanner

Once my skin is completely dry and prepared, I apply my self-tanner evenly over my body and apply my face tanner to my face.

Let the Tanner Dry Before Getting Dressed

After applying the tan, I let it dry for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

Once it's dry, I put on my pajamas and I'm ready for bed.

What Should You Wear to Bed After Applying Self-Tanner?

This is one of the biggest tips I've learned from my own self-tanning routine: the fabric you sleep in matters.

I prefer sleeping in silk or lightweight, dry-fit-type materials rather than cotton.

In my experience, these fabrics work better with my self-tanning routine and allow my skin to breathe while my tan develops overnight.

Cotton doesn't give me the same results. I've found that when I sleep in cotton, my tan doesn't seem to develop as dark. I still get color, but it isn't the same depth that I get when I sleep in silk or a lightweight, breathable material.

For me, a silk pajama set is the perfect option. It's comfortable, lightweight, and doesn't interfere with my tan while I'm sleeping.

Does Cotton Affect How Your Self-Tanner Develops?

In my experience, yes.

When I sleep in cotton, I've noticed that my tan doesn't develop quite as dark as it does when I wear silk or a dry-fit-type material.

I can't say that this will happen to everyone or with every self-tanner, but after repeatedly tanning every week, it's something I've personally noticed.

I find that silk and lightweight performance fabrics give my skin more breathing room throughout the night, which is why they're my preference when I'm sleeping in self-tanner.

If you're trying to get the deepest, most developed color possible from your overnight tan, experimenting with your sleepwear may be worth trying.

Will Self-Tanner Transfer Onto Your Sheets?

This is probably one of the biggest concerns people have about sleeping in self-tanner.

The answer depends on the formula, how well you allow it to dry, and what you're wearing to bed. For a full breakdown, here's whether self-tanner stains clothes and sheets and how to prevent it.

I specifically prefer formulas that dry quickly and don't feel sticky or tacky once they're on my skin.

MAKAI's self-tanning formula is one of the reasons I feel comfortable sleeping in my tan. It dries quickly and doesn't have that heavy, sticky feeling that can make sleeping in self-tanner uncomfortable.

Once my tan has dried, I don't feel like I'm sleeping in something sticky on my skin. That makes a huge difference when you're wearing self-tanner overnight.

And, of course, my white-sheets test gave me plenty of confidence that I didn't have to sacrifice white bedding just because I self-tan every week.

What Should You Do the Morning After Sleeping in Self-Tanner?

When you wake up, it's time to rinse.

I recommend getting into the shower and rinsing off that initial layer of tanning product.

You don't need to aggressively scrub your skin or use heavy soaps. I prefer to simply rinse that first layer of tanner off and let the developed color underneath remain. If you're wondering what's actually washing off, here's the difference between bronzer vs. self-tanner.

After your shower, pat your skin dry rather than aggressively rubbing it with your towel.

Your tan will continue to settle into its final color after you rinse, so don't be alarmed if the color looks different immediately after your shower. From there, here's how long self-tanner lasts and how to keep your color going.

How Long Should You Sleep in Self-Tanner?

The amount of time you should leave self-tanner on depends on the specific formula you're using, so always follow the directions for your particular product.

For my personal routine, I apply my tan at night, allow it to dry for about 10 to 15 minutes, sleep in it overnight, and rinse it off in the morning.

That's what works best for me and gives me the color and routine I'm looking for. For more on development time and what your color should look like at each stage, see the self-tanning results you can actually expect.

My Best Tips for Sleeping in Self-Tanner

After self-tanning every week, these are the things that make the biggest difference in my routine:

• Shower, shave, and exfoliate before applying your tan.
• Let your skin completely dry for about 20 to 30 minutes.
• Avoid lotion, deodorant, and skincare before applying your self-tanner.
• Apply your self-tanner evenly to your body and face.
• Allow the product to dry for approximately 10 to 15 minutes before getting dressed.
• Wear silk or a lightweight, dry-fit-type material to bed.
• Choose a self-tanner that dries quickly and doesn't leave your skin feeling sticky or tacky.
• Rinse your tan in the morning rather than aggressively scrubbing it off.
• Pat your skin dry after showering.
• Don't automatically assume you need to sleep on dark sheets. A low-transfer formula can make a big difference.

So, Should You Sleep in Self-Tanner or Rinse It Off?

For me, sleeping in self-tanner is the clear choice.

I've made nighttime tanning part of my weekly routine because it's convenient, comfortable, and gives my tan plenty of time to develop while I sleep.

The biggest things I've learned are to properly prepare your skin, let your tanner dry before getting into bed, and pay attention to the fabric you're sleeping in. Personally, I reach for silk or a lightweight, dry-fit-type material rather than cotton.

And if you've been avoiding white sheets because you're afraid of self-tanner transfer, take it from someone who self-tans every week: you don't necessarily have to choose between a beautiful tan and white bedding.

With the right preparation and a self-tanner that dries quickly and doesn't heavily transfer, you can comfortably sleep in your tan and wake up ready to rinse and reveal your color.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you sleep in self-tanner?

Yes. You can sleep in self-tanner overnight and rinse it off in the morning. Prep your skin first, let the tanner dry for about 10 to 15 minutes, then get dressed and go to bed.

Will self-tanner get on my sheets?

It depends on the formula, how well it dries, and what you wear to bed. With a quick-drying formula that doesn't feel tacky, plus silk pajamas, there was no noticeable transfer onto white sheets in our own test.

What should you wear to bed after applying self-tanner?

Silk or a lightweight, dry-fit-type material. In our experience, a tan doesn't develop quite as dark when sleeping in cotton.

How long should you leave self-tanner on?

Follow the directions for your specific product. For an overnight routine, apply at night, sleep in it, and rinse in the morning.

How should you rinse off self-tanner in the morning?

Rinse off the initial layer in the shower without aggressive scrubbing or heavy soaps, then pat your skin dry instead of rubbing it with your towel.