I'm a tan-addict beauty editor and this is how to get fake tan off your hands, fast

Tanning regrets, I've had a few. If anyone knows how to get fake tan off their hands it's a Scottish beauty editor with limited patience and an unlimited supply of new self-tanners to try.

If there's a bronzing disaster you can think of, I've experienced it, plus plenty you can't (pasty tear-track on an otherwise golden face at a wedding, anyone?) But, a side effect of my misadventures with even the best self tan is that I'm now equipped to deal with any issue that could possibly arise.

And as tanning issues go, stained hands are right up there. You can't cover them with gloves unless it's deepest, darkest winter or you're attending a Bridgerton ball. Plus, tangerine palms don't just say fake tan amateur, they also make you look a bit, well, grotty and unwashed, to be honest.

One way to avoid this whole debacle is to use the best instant tan that's easily washable. But assuming you prefer a developing formula, it's worth learning my favourite ways how to remove fake tan. They are efficient, effective and involve products you more than likely already have at home. Mandarin mitts begone.

All the ways I know how to get fake tan off your hands

1. Create a stain-blocking barrier

Is any advice more annoying than 'prevention is better than cure?' Probably not but here goes anyway: Barrier cream. That's taking any old thick moisturizer you have lying around and spreading it onto your palms before you apply the self-tanner.

This blocks the absorption of tan's active ingredient DHA, which reacts with dead cells on the skin's surface to create golden tones. Using barrier cream stops the DHA from getting its claws into your palms, where thicker skin and more dead cells = rapid tan development and unreasonably intense colour. Advanced tip: Pro spray tanner, Harriet Morrall told me over breakfast to take any excess cream on your fingers and create a light 'half moon' where your palm meets your wrist, for a seamless blend.

2. Wipe, don't wash

If your tan starts to develop and you spot build-up lurking at the base of your palm, don't start scrubbing away like Lady Macbeth. "You cannot wash your hands after using tan as this could result in smudges and washing the tan off completely" agrees Nadia Suliaman, co-owner of Forbici London, a Treatwell salon partner.

Instead, Dampen a cloth (ideally muslin, but the corner of a tea towel will do) and gently wipe the area back and forth. It's a good idea to give your cuticles a little swipe here too, as DHA hones in on that dry skin like wasps to a can of Coca-Cola. Be fast, be targeted, and also be very gentle when turning the taps on to avoid splashing water and splattering the carefully-applied and still-developing tan on your arms. Been there.

3. Break down the DHA

You've rinsed your tan to reveal a body that says 'fortnight in Santorini' but hands that say 'fortnight without soap'. Ingredients that are known to be bad for fake tan and, therefore good at removing it, are oils and acids. I've had my best success combining both. Prep with a glycolic acid peel pad or toner, like Pixi Glow Tonic to loosen the joins between dead skin cells, slather oil on the area, then gently buff with a cloth to shift.

The internet suggests soaking your hands in warm water and lemon juice. I've found this to be a) ineffective and b) counterintuitive as it can strip tan from the fronts of your hands leaving ghostly 'gloves' that look just as odd as orange mitts. If going down the lemon route, be targeted, "you can use lemon and salt scrub for the palms of the hands, this will help lighten some of the tan but will not remove it completely," advises Suliaman.

4. Use a dry exfoliation tool

For particularly stubborn tan stains, a bit of good old-fashioned elbow grease with a physical exfoliator should sort you out. Any of the best body exfoliator tools could work, so loofahs, dry body brushes, or my personal favourite, Korean skincare peeling 'mitts' you can buy on Amazon for peanuts. Use it dry for maximum resistance and effectiveness.

Again, be very targeted and very careful. Rub back and forth on the affected area only, and don't be aggressive (the answer to is fake tan bad for your skin may be no, but scrubbing yourself red raw absolutely is) Finish with a dab of something nourishing that also contains oil. You'll enjoy instant stain-lifting gratification, which will get better with time as dead cells that have been softened naturally drop off.

And finally...

If you've had a fake tan disaster from top-to-toe and want to call the whole thing off, there's no need to slather on a job lot of lemon and salt scrub. Instead, run a hot bath (tans hate steam) pour in some tan eraser, and have a nice, relaxing soak.