Hair dye stains your skin in the same way it stains your hair. Dye on your skin is easier to remove because your skin replaces itself completely every 27 days. The skin on your face will flake off naturally, but you may not want to wait that long.
If you need to remove hair dye from your skin immediately there are 9 products that can help you accomplish this.
Liquid detergent
Liquid detergent works well to remove stains from clothes. It also works well to slowly remove stains on your skin. Your detergent should be bleach and scent-free. Bleach can cause harm to your skin and hair.
Gently rub the detergent on the affected area and let it sit for 30 minutes. Softly rub it off with a cotton ball soaked in warm water. Repeat until the stain has come out. Be careful not to rub too hard, or you may get a rash.
Pro’s
- Easily available in most homes
Con’s
- Can pull color from your hair
- May burn your eyes
- Can be abrasive on sensitive skin
- Takes more than one try
Makeup remover
Makeup remover is made to remove stains on your face. It is the best option for sensitive skin.
To get the dye off your face using makeup remover add the remover to a cotton ball. Apply the makeup remover to the dyed portion of your face and scalp. Wait five minutes and wipe it off with a new cotton ball.
Pro’s
- Will not harm your skin
Con’s
- Needs to be oil-based and may not be easily available (wipes are better for removing hair dye due to the oil content)
Nail polish remover
Nail polish remover has the active ingredient acetone. Acetone works by stripping the color out of the item it is being used on.
To remove dye with acetone add the acetone to a cotton ball and dab the affected area on your skin. Do not rub as the acetone will pull off skin layers if rubbed hard enough.
Pro’s
- Works quickly to remove color
Con’s
- Very harsh on your face which can cause your skin to go red and may get a rash
Baby oil
Baby oil breaks up the color on your skin and removes the dye stain by creating friction between the color deposits and your skin. Baby oil can also soften your skin and is non-abrasive allowing you to really scrub in areas of your skin that can’t handle more abrasive options.
Rub the baby oil on the affected area and let it sit for a few minutes. Then rub the oil in with a clean dry cloth or towel to remove the oil and stains.
Pro’s
- Not harsh on your skin
Con’s
- Baby oil can cause pimples or acne on sensitive skin
- Not as effective as other options and may need to be applied a few times
- Can leave your hair looking oily the next day
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is used in many face products and hair products. It is a natural option that will not harm or affect the dye in your hair or your skin.
Gently rub the coconut oil on your skin in the affected areas. Let the oil sit for five minutes then rub it in and wipe it off. You may need to repeat this step a few times to get all the color off your skin.
Pro’s
- Will not harm or fade your new hair color
- Good or your skin
Con’s
- Coconut oil is non-abrasive and may need to be reapplied a few times to remove all the color
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide will lighten the color stuck on your skin until it is no longer visible. It can be abrasive and should be used sparingly. Get a cotton ball wet and gently rub the area you want to remove the dye from. Repeat this step until the color is gone.
Hydrogen peroxide is best used if you have already tried other options and need to clean a small spot that is left over.
Pro’s
- Works quickly to remove stains
Con’s
- Peroxide may cause your skin to go white if you rub it too hard
Toothpaste
You will need a non-gel toothpaste with baking soda as the active ingredient for this option to work. Take the toothpaste and apply it to your skin in a thin layer. Leave it on for 10 minutes and wipe it off with a damp cotton ball or towel.
Like your teeth, the toothpaste will lift stains from your skin.
Pro’s
- Easily available
- It Will not affect your hair
Con’s
- Mildly abrasive on your skin and can cause a small rash or redness
- You will need to rub to allow the toothpaste to work
Petroleum jelly
Petroleum jelly will absorb the color stuck in your skin. Apply it to your skin then wait 5 minutes and wipe it away with a clean dry cloth or paper towel.
Pro’s
- It Will not affect the color of your hair
- Will not harm your skin
Con’s
- It May need to be done a few times to remove all the dye
To be proactive when dying your hair you can apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to your skin to keep the skin from staining.
Soap plus baking soda
Soap and baking soda are a great way to clean hair dye residue off your skin or clothing. Baking soda is the active ingredient in most stain removers because of its abrasive nature and ability to whiten without bleaching.
Pro’s
- Works well for people with oily skin
Con’s
- Extremely abrasive and will hurt when scrubbed in
Final Thought
New hair color can make you look and feel great. The leftover dye on your face and scalp will make you look messy.
Removing dye from your skin can be done with many products. The product you use will depend on your skin type and sensitivity. Always test a section of your skin before trying the product.