Use a Lemon

Put all those extra lemons in your kitchen to good use before your next self-tanning day. “Before applying fake tan, glide a lemon across your lower legs. The low pH of the fruit helps the DHA (the active ingredient in fake tan) to develop the color quicker and more effectively,” Carter claims. Using a lemon is also a good way to remove self-tanner, so this will also help to remove any tan that’s lingering on your skin. Just be sure to rinse and dry before applying new tanner.

Start Dry Brushing

Achieving a good self-tan on the legs is the result of having a great base to start with. Evans recommends dry brushing before your next self-tanning session. “The better condition the skin, the better your self-tan will look and last. For the legs, I recommend dry body brushing prior to showering. Body brushing will help to remove dry, flaky skin as well as help to prevent ingrown hairs. Evans says, “It will also help to tone the skin by boosting circulation (by bringing the blood to the skin’s surface).”

Try a Scrub

In addition to dry brushing, you’ll also want to exfoliate your legs with a scrub, especially if you’re dealing with old self-tanner from previous sessions. It’s important to note that you should definitely use an oil-free scrub for best results.

“When you take a shower if you have any old self-tan remaining and are still a little flaky I would use a non-oil based body scrub like the St. Tropez Tan Enhancing Body Polish. Just use a scrub that does not leave residue behind which can effect your self-tan development,” says Evans.

Exfoliate with a Mitt

As an alternative to a physical scrub, there are exfoliating gloves that are made for this very reason– to scrub your skin ahead of self-tanning. Or to remove leftover tan. Similar to dry-brushing, a textured mitt will slough dead skin off, leaving behind a smooth, even surface.

Try an AHA Exfoliant

Scrubbing isn’t your only avenue for exfoliation. Alpha-hydroxy acids, like lactic or glycolic, provide a less abrasive alternative to more traditional methods of physical exfoliation. By sloughing away the dead skin cells on the top layer of the dermis, the newer, smoother skin beneath is revealed. This not only eliminates the dry patches that contribute to uneven tans but extends the life of the tan by producing a fresher and healthier canvas to apply the self-tanner to.

Make Sure Skin is Completely Dry

Most experts recommend showering before applying self-tanner as this is the best way to ensure skin is clean and free of any oils or products that could interfere. But it’s important not to rush into tanning straight away. Wait at least 10 minutes post-shower to ensure the skin has completely dried and there’s no lingering moisture.

Apply Moisturizer Carefully

We’ve all heard the tips—don’t moisturize your skin or use any oils if you want the best looking tan. However, that might not be entirely true. Some areas, like elbows, around the ankles, and the knees might actually need a bit of hydration for an even glow. “A good self-tan will hydrate the skin, but there are areas we always should moisturize,” explains Evans. “For the body, always use a non-oil based moisturizer and apply lotion to the knees, whole of the foot and back of the heel, elbows and the whole of the hand and back of the wrist. If you have any severe dry skin like eczema, I would moisturize that area as well to prevent the tan grabbing and developing too dark on the dry patch.”

Note that the moisturizer should only be applied to specific spots rather than the entirety of the legs. If you slather the legs in moisturizer, it will reduce the amount of self-tanner that can be absorbed by the skin and produce a much lighter tan.

Be Patient

Sometimes you need a tan ASAP, but it might be in your best interest to wait at least eight hours after exfoliating before your application, as Evans suggests. “If we really want to get technical and get ultimate tanning results, I would suggest exfoliating a good eight hours prior to self-tan application. Skin that has a neutral pH level [that] will achieve the best self-tan results,” she explains. “The best time to tan is when your skin is comfortable and neutral and has found its perfect pH level which showering and cleansing can effect.”

Plan Hair Removal Accordingly

If you wax your legs or use a hair removal cream, you’ll want to schedule it around your self-tan. According to Evans, both wax and hair removal cream can remove self-tanner, so plan any hair removal at least 24 hours in advance of your tanning session to ensure the legs tan properly.

“With waxing, you must wait 24 hours to prevent the self-tan sitting in the pores and looking spotty,” she explains. “Shaving is also a form of exfoliation, but is much milder than waxing.” Your hair thickness will determine when you can shave. She says, “If you have very fine, thin body hair, shaving prior to tanning is fine.” Also, shaving after is okay, but not ideal. While it will not remove your self-tan completely, it can tamper with the results. Evans says this is especially true “if you have very strong, dark hair growth.” In which case, “you may find it better to tan on stubble than shave the next day to achieve a perfect smooth result.”

Double Up on Tanning Your Legs

The skin on the legs tends to be thicker and actually produces less melanin than the rest of the body, two factors that can definitely lead to your legs not tanning as well. Because of this, they may warrant a second layer of self-tanner should you desire a darker look.

Try a Darker Formula

While it’s not ideal to require two self-tanners for tanning, if doubling up on self-tanning your legs is too tedious, it could be an easier option. Most tanners come in multiple shades, so if you’re using light or medium on the rest of your body, it might be beneficial to go for medium or dark on your legs.