FAQs

If you’re unsure we recommend starting with the light/medium. The actual difference in colour between the dark and light/medium has a lot to do with your skin and how it develops the tan.

Once applied you can wash skin after just 1 hour, but for a deeper, longer lasting tan leave on for up to 8 hours. As it really is personal choice, you may need to test it out a few times before knowing what suits you best. And after washing off, you can always re-apply if you’re after a deeper tan. You can also check out our online shop’s product section or Instagram page @bondisands to see our customers before and afters.

Your tan should stay even and streak-free while exercising, however heavy sweating on a regular basis can result in fading.

Our Self Tan ranges can be washed off after just 1 hour, but for a deeper tan we advise avoiding showering, swimming, and perspiring for 6 - 8 hours to allow your tan to develop fully on the skin.

Our Self Tanning Foams, Oils, Lotions and Mists dry in seconds to reveal a rich, natural looking tan which lasts between 5-7 days.

Our Everyday Gradual Tanning Products build a golden bronze colour gradually over time. Once you’ve achieved the golden tan you’re after, you can apply every 2 - 3 days to your liking. A great start if you're hesitant to try a self tanning product straight away or perfect for maintaining your Bondi Sands tan!

DHA (Dihydroxyacetone) is the active ingredient in self tanning products. It is a sugar molecule that reacts to the amino acids on the surface of the skin. The level of DHA controls how dark and natural the colour looks. Bondi Sands uses a high level of DHA that is carefully formulated to create a natural looking tan – balanced with moisturisers to guarantee a smooth, streak-free application and glow.

It really does come down to personal preference. We recommend checking out the Bondi Sands Chatbot to help decide which product is for you. You can also visit our Bondi Sands YouTube channel for various tutorials, application tips and tricks.

All Bondi Sands tanning products are derived from salon quality formulas. That is, a formula defined by a premium green/blue dye that results in a natural looking tan. Many other tanning brands’ formulas are based on an orange/yellow dye, using lower quality ingredients, which can result in an orange skin tone.

Your Bondi Sands tan should last between 5 - 7 days, and with good preparation and moisturising it can last even longer. However, everyone's skin naturally exfoliates at a different rate. Our Gradual Tanning Products are is the perfect to help prolong your tan.

All Bondi Sands products can be used on the face. However, being a generally sensitive area it’s important to patch test first. Some people like to mix a small amount of self tanner with their daily moisturiser, but if you do have sensitive or problematic skin, we recommend our Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk For Face, which is specially formulated for the area.

It is typically only the top layer of the skin that’s affected by DHA, and shouldn't have any harmful effects while pregnant.

If you’re unsure, it’s always best to double-check with your doctor. To be extra cautious we recommend covering your mouth, nose and eyes when applying to prevent inhaling the products. Additionally do not apply to the breast area if breastfeeding.

It can also be helpful to do a skin test before self-tanning, as hormone levels can fluctuate throughout pregnancy.

We recommend wearing loose, dark clothing for up to 8 hours while your tan develops. Until washing the excess tan off, please be mindful that the colour may transfer onto items of clothing or bedding. Bondi Sands does however dry quickly and any transfer will be minimal.

Bondi Sands products are formulated green based, so that our customers result in a natural warm beautiful tan that doesn't appear orange. This being said, colour development is very dependent on the skin’s pH levels.

Unfortunately, everyone’s skin is different and can react differently to self tanning products. An orange result may also occur naturally depending on the makeup of your skin. Not all skin types react the same when exposed to DHA (the active ingredient that changes the colour of the skin). Applying too much DHA or tanning product may also result in an orange tan, and this is accentuated when applied to pale or lighter skin types.

A patch test will determine how your skin will react to the product.

Although Bondi Sands self tanning products are transfer resistant, if you are to sleep in your tan, we recommend using dark coloured sheets, or wearing full length, loose fitting, dark coloured pyjamas.

Should any self tan come into contact with the sheets, rest assured, all ingredients in our products are water soluble and should easily wash out - there are no staining agents in the products.

If you find any transfer on your sheets, we recommend machine washing them as soon as possible.

All Bondi Sands self tanning products have a fresh coconut scent.

Yes, you can still get a tan from the sun while wearing Bondi Sands. It's important to know that our self tanners do no offer any sun protection. Our products allow you to experience a beautiful natural tan without the need for harmful solariums or sun rays. We always recommend applying Bondi Sands Suncare when exposed to the sun.

If you're looking for a product with self tan and sun protection, we recommend using our Protect and Tan SPF 15 Tanning Oil.

Unfortunately due to regulations beyond our control we are unable to send any of our aerosol products internationally as aerosol cans are considered 'dangerous goods'.

No, Bondi Sands is opposed to animal testing and none of our products have been tested on animals.

Yes, Bondi Sands products are suitable for all ages.

To learn more about the Bondi Sands Money Back Guarantee, please click here.

First of all, make sure you are freshly showered. Get rid of that dead layer of skin by exfoliating from head to toe. Once you get out of the shower, make sure you are completely dry and do not put on any moisturiser or deodorant. You want your skin to be like a blank canvas, completely bare and ready to be painted. If you wish, you can put a little bit of moisturiser on your hands, feet, elbows and knees. The moisturiser will work like a barrier to the tan and by applying to those areas you will find they do not go too dark! (The tan likes to grab to those areas more than others)

Now that your body is prepped, find somewhere with good lighting, in front of a mirror. Being able to see where you applying will ensure you have covered all areas and blended it all in for a flawless finish. For an even streak free application try the Bondi Sands Application Mitt.

For more useful tanning tips and tricks, visit the Bondi Sands YouTube channel.

The most common mistake when applying self tanning products is in the application method itself. We generally recommend following the below steps for optimum results:

First of all, make sure you are freshly showered. Get rid of that dead layer of skin by exfoliating from head to toe. Once you get out of the shower, make sure you do not put on any moisturiser or deodorant. Also make sure you are completely dry. You want your skin to be like a blank canvas, completely bare and ready to be painted. If you wish, you can put a little bit of moisturiser on your hands, feet, elbows and knees. The moisturiser will work like a barrier to the tan and by applying to those areas you will find they do not go too dark! (The tan likes to grab to those areas more than others)

Now that your body is prepped, find somewhere with good lighting, in front of a mirror. Being able to see where you applying will ensure you have covered all areas and rubbed it all in.

For an even streak free application try the Bondi Sands Application Mitt. Using an Application Mitt will also eliminate the chance of ending with tanned palms.

Once applied you can wash the tan off after just 1 hour, but for a deeper long-lasting tan leave on your skin for up 8 hours. It really is personal choice. You might have to test it out a few times, to work out what suits you the best!

Once you wash it off, continue to pat yourself dry after showering, and why not try our Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk to moisturise the skin and prolong the life of your tan.

You can reapply once a week or once every two weeks. It is a personal choice and it is all about finding out what works best for you!

For more useful tanning tips and tricks, visit the Bondi Sands YouTube channel.

We highly recommend keeping your skin hydrated after self tanning to prolong your tan. Skin dryness speeds up the skin’s natural exfoliation process and you don't want your tan to fade too soon!

Exfoliation, prolonged water submersion, or heavy sweating can also lighten the tan, as these all contribute to rapid dead skin cell exfoliation, so we recommend avoiding these activities!

Even better if you can get your hands on our Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk. This product is hydrating and enriched with antioxidants, aloe vera and vitamin E so it's great for the skin while prolonging your tan! We recommend using it daily after self tanning.

If you wish, you can put a little bit of moisturiser on your hands, feet, elbows and knees. The moisturiser will work like a barrier to the tan and by applying to those areas you will find they do not go too dark! (The tan likes to grab to those areas more than others).

All of our products are TGA (Australian Product Regulator) approved and are safe for full body application including the face. As with any skin care product, we would recommend you test patch first. To tan your face, use the leftover residue on your application mitt to blend gently onto your face.

If your skin is sensitive or prone to breakouts, you may be interested in our Everyday Face Gradual Tanner which has been specially formulated for the face. We made this formula thinner and unscented, so it is much less likely to clog the pores, cause breakouts or irritate the skin.

We recommend using an Application Mitt for all other self tan products for an even, streak-free, flawless finish every time.

You can definitely leave your Bondi Sands Foam on as long as you'd like, some people prefer to sleep with it on overnight!

Once applied you can wash the tan off after just 1 hour, but for a deeper long lasting tan leave on your skin for up 8 hours. It really is personal choice. You might have to test it out a few times, to work out what suits you the best! For best results, we recommend letting your tan develop 6-8 hours.

Ensure you’re applying your preferred product at least an hour after showering and 24hrs post shaving. Keep your application light and don’t be too concerned about the spots you’re seeing, since the colour guide will completely rinse off after development time and it would be rare for your tan result be affected by this.