Why does fake tan never ‘take’ on my shins?

[WellTidy]

I’ve used proper fake tans and gradual tanners. I exfoliate before and my legs are moisturised (but I don’t moisturise immediately before putting the tanner on anymore). It takes on the rest of my legs and on my body, but I get no change in colour whatsoever on my shins, and very little on my calves. Knees and feet fine though (nice!).

I’ve used isle of paradise pre-tanner and that’s made no difference.

Any ideas?!

The only one that does my shins is Bondi Sands gradual tan

I think the skin can be drier there.

try rinsing your legs in warm water after you've showered/bathed. Sometimes, the exfoliator can act like a barrier and stop skin absorbing, even though you think you've washed it off, there's an invisible layer left behind (unless you're using gloves, and not a product, and then I have no suggestions!).

Right! I will try the bondi sands and make sure that there is no exfoliated residue left. I apply with my hands, not a mitt.

What tan are you using?

I think you need the mot to get coverage!

MIT

I have the same problem but I recently exfoliated with one of those eyebrow shavers/dermaplaners and was shocked at the amount of dry skin that came off my legs! I’ll link the thread from here that I first heard about them on. My fake tan worked properly on my shins since doing this and it was about 2 months ago now, just normal exfoliating since!www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/3768375-OMG-this-is-amazing-I-need-someone-else-to-try-it

I found I couldn't tan my legs, real or fake, until I started using a Lumea and only shave every so often. I think it was a combination of shaving the tan off but also the shaving was making my shins drier.

Right! I’ve bought the razor things and will see if that makes a difference. I hope it does, as they’re only £2.99 and a lumea is significantly more! Thank you.

Hope it works, it’s also great fun!

I've read a bit about this, as I find my chest area hard to tan. It's because the skin is thinner. One tip I read was to wipe area with lemon juice..so tan adheres better. Also, others recommend using your facial tan on areas with thinner skin, like your shins. Google it.

Same OP! Fake tan takes everywhere on my body but under the knee, nope. It’s like different skin! It goes a bit light and streaky, everywhere else is fine.

Is it shaving?