Will a Spray Tan Make Me Look Orange? The Truth About Achieving a Natural Glow
One of the biggest concerns people have about spray tanning is the fear of turning orange. We’ve all seen it—someone with an unnatural, streaky, or overly warm tan that looks anything but sun-kissed. But does this actually happen with modern spray tans, or is it a thing of the past? Let’s break it down!
Why Do Some People Turn Orange from a Spray Tan?
If you've ever seen an orange-tinted tan, it likely came from one of these common mistakes:
Choosing the Wrong Shade: Spray tanning isn’t one-size-fits-all. If you have fair skin and choose a solution that’s too dark, it can develop with unnatural undertones. A skilled spray tan artist will match the solution to your skin tone for the most flattering results.
Cheap or Low-Quality DHA: DHA (dihydroxyacetone) is the active ingredient in spray tan solutions. Low-quality DHA or formulas with excessive amounts of it can result in an orange or streaky tan. Professional, high-quality solutions are formulated for a more natural development.
Overdevelopment: Leaving your spray tan on too long before rinsing can cause the color to process too dark and warm. Most solutions need to be rinsed within 2 to 8 hours, depending on the formula. Always follow your technician’s instructions!
pH Imbalance in the Skin: Your skin’s pH level can affect how a spray tan develops. Using bar soap, lotions, or exfoliating with the wrong products before your tan can disrupt your skin’s balance, making the tan oxidize in an orange way. Prepping with pH-balancing products can help.
💡 Did you know? Having your period can impact your skin’s pH balance, which may affect how a spray tan develops. While you can definitely still get a spray tan during your period, it’s a good idea to let your spray tan artist know. They can adjust your prep routine—like using a pH-balancing spray—to help ensure your tan develops evenly and looks as natural as possible!
The Evolution of Spray Tan Ingredients & Why DHA Quality Matters
Spray tanning has come a long way since its early days. Originally, formulas contained high concentrations of DHA, often in a low-quality form, leading to that infamous orange look. Today, advancements in sunless tanning solutions have improved the way DHA interacts with the skin, producing more natural and customizable results.
What Is DHA & How Is It Derived?
DHA (dihydroxyacetone) is a sugar-derived compound that reacts with amino acids in the outer layer of your skin to create a temporary tan. The quality of DHA matters because:
Low-quality DHA is often derived using cheaper processing methods that can cause the tan to develop unevenly, fade in patches, or oxidize into an unnatural orange tone.
High-quality DHA is naturally derived (often from sugar beets or cane sugar) and processed with purer methods to ensure a smooth, even tan with neutral undertones.
Why Cheaper Spray Tans Aren’t Always Better
Not all at-home or professional spray tan solutions are created equally. Even if you’re getting a professional spray tan from a spray tan artist, they may still be using lower-quality products. Just because a service is done by hand doesn’t necessarily mean the solution is high-quality.
If a spray tan service is cheaper than others in your area, that’s a red flag. High-quality spray tan solutions come at a cost, which means reputable salons and technicians will charge more. These premium solutions contain better DHA, skin-nourishing ingredients, and color-correcting technology to ensure an even, natural-looking glow.
On the other hand, budget-friendly spray tans often use:
🚩 Low-grade DHA, which is more likely to develop with an orange or unnatural tone
🚩 Fewer hydrating ingredients, leading to dry, patchy fading
🚩 Artificial additives, which can cause streakiness and uneven absorption
🚩 Higher alcohol content, making the formula more drying and increasing the chances of an uneven, flaky fade
🚩 More bronzer, which can contain lower-quality ingredients that aren’t great for your skin and may interfere with how the tan develops
A high-quality spray tan is an investment in a natural glow that fades evenly and lasts longer—so if a price seems too good to be true, it probably is!
How to Avoid the Orange Look
Want to make sure your spray tan looks flawless? Follow these tips:
✅ Go to a Reputable Spray Tan Technician – A professional will know how to customize your tan based on your skin type and undertones.
✅ Choose the Right Shade for Your Skin – If you’re fair, start with a lighter formula. If you have a medium or dark complexion, you can go deeper without pulling orange.
✅ Use a pH-Balancing Prep Spray – This helps create the ideal base for an even, natural tan.
✅ Follow Rinse Instructions – Don’t leave your spray tan on too long. Stick to the recommended development time to avoid overprocessing. Read more in my blog, How long should you leave your spray tan on?
✅ Hydrate Your Skin – Dry skin can make DHA absorb unevenly, leading to patchiness or unnatural tones. Keep your skin moisturized before (but not right before) and after your tan.
Can People with Very Fair Skin Get a Spray Tan? Absolutely!
If you have very fair skin, red hair, or naturally pink undertones, you might worry that a spray tan will look unnatural or turn orange. It’s a common fear—but the truth is, a spray tan can look beautifully natural on fair skin when done correctly!
Just because your skin doesn’t tan easily in the sun doesn’t mean you can’t achieve a gorgeous, sun-kissed glow. The key is choosing the right shade, solution, and application method.
Here’s how fair-skinned individuals can get the perfect spray tan without looking orange:
✅ Go for a Light, Natural Shade – A professional spray tan artist will use a lighter, more natural shade that complements your undertones instead of overpowering them. Opting for a subtle glow rather than a deep bronze will ensure the most realistic results.
✅ Rinse at the Right Time – For very fair skin, leaving the solution on for too long can lead to overdevelopment. A skilled technician will recommend a shorter development time (sometimes just a few hours) to prevent the tan from going too dark.
✅ Choose a High-Quality Solution – A good spray tan artist will use a premium solution with color-balancing technology that enhances fair skin tones instead of clashing with them. Cheaper solutions with low-quality DHA are more likely to oxidize and create an unnatural tint.
✅ Trust a Professional Who Understands Fair Skin – Not all spray tan artists are trained in working with fair complexions. Finding someone who specializes in customizing shades for lighter skin tones will make all the difference.
So if you’ve been afraid of spray tanning because you think it will look unnatural on your pale skin—don’t be! With the right products and technique, you can achieve a soft, natural glow that looks completely seamless.
The Verdict: Will a Spray Tan Make You Orange?
No—not if done correctly! The orange spray tan effect is mostly a thing of the past, thanks to improved formulations and better application techniques. When you choose the right product, prep properly, and trust a skilled technician, you’ll get a beautiful, natural glow that enhances your skin tone rather than masking it in an unnatural shade.
So, what are you waiting for?
