Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Swim proof fake tan for holiday!

33 replies

rebekahnorris · 04/04/2023 16:29

Is there such a tanning product that is swim proof? I am going on holiday in July and want to tan my pale skin but also will be going in the pool with my daughter. Does anyone know of any?

OP posts:
Calculater · 04/04/2023 16:42

Aren't they all? Obviously not the temporary make up type things but none of the fake tans wash off?

bostonchamps · 04/04/2023 18:09

Calculater · 04/04/2023 16:42

Aren't they all? Obviously not the temporary make up type things but none of the fake tans wash off?

Chlorine and other chemicals in pools just strips them right off.

OP I've found the Isle of Paradise oil one, two coats a day apart is marginally better. And a really moisturising SPF! I've also been known to mix tan luxe drops into my SPF to keep it topped up.

Sofitella · 04/04/2023 21:57

Place marking!

JMAngel1 · 04/04/2023 22:17

I need to know too!

TheOGCCL · 04/04/2023 22:50

I feel like fake tan and swimming are incompatible. I’m pale and swim and have to time any fake tanning v carefully or it’s a waste of time.

Rainbowshit · 05/04/2023 00:48

I take a gradual tanner with me and apply every day. Make sure you don't use oil based sunscreen.

Freshlysteamedvajayjay · 05/04/2023 07:12

I do two applications in the days leading up to my holiday so it’s a little darker than usual, then top up when I’m there every other day. I use one with a guide colour which is not too dark and put it on before going out in the evening. I also use a spray fake tan for any topups in between. Seems to work without being too much faff.

Freshlysteamedvajayjay · 05/04/2023 07:15

Should add, St Tropez seems to last reasonably well (I use mousse for main application and the water spray for top ups).

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 05/04/2023 07:22

Chlorines a bleach so it will strip it. Any strong chemical will, mineral oils or sunblocks destroy tans.

Greenfairydust · 05/04/2023 07:48

Just enjoy yourself and your holiday rather than worry about fake tan.

sausage767 · 05/04/2023 07:53

I've never had a problem with this.

Bondi Sands express tan foam. I've just come back from 2 weeks in Thailand, was in the pool, ocean most of the day most days. I applied one coat of foam on the first day, then gradual tan every couple of days. Then in the second week loofahed everything and reapplied the express foam.

The only real problem I have with tan wearing off is on my feet with sandal straps or sneakers.

For anyone where it's immediately coming off in the pool, I wonder if you are prepping your skin properly.

SilverGlitterBaubles · 05/04/2023 08:03

Recently tried Bare by Vogue which seems to work really well and gives a very natural look. I have not tested it with swimming yet however if anyone has I would love to know.

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 05/04/2023 20:58

Slight derail but foes anyone else find their legs will not tan in the sun AT ALL? Seriously wonder if mine have any melanin in them at all Confused

MickyTwig · 06/06/2023 21:19

I've read that using the exfoliating scrub sponges that are laced with fragrance really helps legs to tan. (Never tried it myself as I'm so pale I reflect the sun!)

Rainbowshit · 06/06/2023 23:00

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 05/04/2023 20:58

Slight derail but foes anyone else find their legs will not tan in the sun AT ALL? Seriously wonder if mine have any melanin in them at all Confused

My legs don't change colour. The rest of me needs factor 50 but my legs seem immune to sun.

nutmegnook · 06/06/2023 23:14

sausage767 · 05/04/2023 07:53

I've never had a problem with this.

Bondi Sands express tan foam. I've just come back from 2 weeks in Thailand, was in the pool, ocean most of the day most days. I applied one coat of foam on the first day, then gradual tan every couple of days. Then in the second week loofahed everything and reapplied the express foam.

The only real problem I have with tan wearing off is on my feet with sandal straps or sneakers.

For anyone where it's immediately coming off in the pool, I wonder if you are prepping your skin properly.

Thanks for this. Which gradual tan do you use? X

honeyy123 · 06/06/2023 23:16

When you apply fake tan the mousse kind that you leave on for 6-8 hours and then wash off that's water proof and lasts about a week before it starts to fake away I use this regularly and I take baths/showers everyday and it doesn't come off straight away it will start to fade within a week or so unless you shave while you have it on then it will fade quicker

overthehillswegoo · 06/06/2023 23:45

honeyy123 · 06/06/2023 23:16

When you apply fake tan the mousse kind that you leave on for 6-8 hours and then wash off that's water proof and lasts about a week before it starts to fake away I use this regularly and I take baths/showers everyday and it doesn't come off straight away it will start to fade within a week or so unless you shave while you have it on then it will fade quicker

Its waterproof but chlorine in a pool will still strip it

PeppaPigIsMyLife · 08/04/2025 21:53

Anyone know of a chlorine resistant fake tan? I'm going on a week's holiday where I'll be in the pool a lot with my daughter, so I'm in need of a decent fake tan that will last...

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 08/04/2025 22:00

They all fade in pools, chlorines a bleach.

MickyTwig · 09/04/2025 06:41

I bought an Ambre Solaire Factor 50 Spray Tan from B&M at the weekend. I'm going to try that for my holiday; reapplying after going in the pool. Alternatively, if that doesn't work, I'll stay pale by the pool in the day, and put Body Shop fake tan on visible skin every evening. It has instant colour and a pleasant smell.

PeppaPigIsMyLife · 09/04/2025 11:04

MickyTwig · 09/04/2025 06:41

I bought an Ambre Solaire Factor 50 Spray Tan from B&M at the weekend. I'm going to try that for my holiday; reapplying after going in the pool. Alternatively, if that doesn't work, I'll stay pale by the pool in the day, and put Body Shop fake tan on visible skin every evening. It has instant colour and a pleasant smell.

Let me know how that works for you!

MickyTwig · 09/04/2025 11:17

PeppaPigIsMyLife · 09/04/2025 11:04

Let me know how that works for you!

Show quote history

I would be happy to let you know about the Ambre Solaire factor 50 fake tan, but I only go away in August... however, I've done the "pale in the day and Body Shop fake tan in the evening" before and that works out well; I feel better being dressed up with a glow, even if it's fake lol. I wear decorators vinyl gloves to apply it, and with some talc in the gloves they last for dozens of applications.

Hope you have a fab holiday!

DaisyYellowGold · 09/04/2025 11:25

Last time I went on holiday I used gradual tan every night (top half one day, bottom half the next so it didn’t feel like it took too long)
Then I made sure to use the poolside showers to wash off the chlorine anytime I went in the pool. Helped to make sure the bleach wasn’t sitting on my skin so long. Although there was one time I was in the pool for ages and when I got out the tan had all disappeared so def try to keep the time down!

Ladymeade · 13/04/2025 18:01

Rainbowshit · 06/06/2023 23:00

My legs don't change colour. The rest of me needs factor 50 but my legs seem immune to sun.

Show quote history

Absolutely the same for me! I tan easily and my thighs go nice and brown but below the knee eff all! 🫤