You've perfected your application, your colour has developed beautifully and you're loving your glow.
Then suddenly, a few days later, you're wondering:
Why has my fake tan disappeared already?
While every tan naturally fades as your skin sheds, the right preparation and aftercare can help you get more from your glow and encourage a smoother, more even fade.
Here's how to make your fake tan last longer – and keep it looking good while it does.
Start With the Right Base
If you want your tan to last, think about what you're applying it to.
Dry, flaky or uneven skin can make your tan fade unevenly and cling to certain areas.
Before applying fresh tan, remove old colour and gently exfoliate where needed. Then make sure your skin is properly hydrated.
This creates a smoother base and helps prevent the cycle of applying new tan over dry, leftover colour.
Don't Skip Your Primer
One of the easiest ways to improve your tanning routine is to make skin preparation part of it.
Lusso Tan PH Balancing Primer is designed to cleanse, hydrate and prepare the skin before tanning, helping create a smoother base for your chosen formula.
It's a simple extra step, but one that can make your overall tanning routine feel much more like skincare.
And we believe that's exactly how tanning should feel.
Keep Your Skin Hydrated
If there's one thing your tan loves, it's hydrated skin.
Use your perfecting perimer regularly after your tan has developed, paying particular attention to areas such as your elbows, knees, ankles and hands.
As skin becomes dry, your tan can begin to fade unevenly.
Think of primer as part of your tan maintenance routine rather than something you only reach for when your skin feels dry.
Hydrate every day. Glow for longer.
Be Careful With Hot Showers
We know how tempting a long, hot shower can be.
But if you're trying to maintain your glow, extremely hot water isn't your best friend.
Keep showers comfortably warm and avoid unnecessary scrubbing of the skin.
When drying yourself, gently pat rather than aggressively rubbing your towel across the skin.
Small changes like these can help keep your colour looking more even.
Don't Over-Exfoliate
Exfoliation is important before a fresh tan, but you don't need to constantly exfoliate while you're trying to maintain one.
Once your tan has developed, avoid harsh scrubbing and abrasive products that could encourage your colour to disappear faster.
When you're ready for your next application, that's when it's time to focus on removing the remaining colour and creating a fresh base.
Top Up Your Glow
You don't necessarily need to apply a full layer of self tan every few days.
If you simply want to maintain a subtle glow, The Daily Gradual Tanner can be incorporated into your routine to build and refresh your colour gradually. Lusso currently describes it as a gradual, full-body, fragrance-free tanning option.
This can be particularly useful when your original tan is beginning to fade but you don't feel ready for a complete reset.
Know When It's Time to Start Again
Sometimes the best way to make your tan look better for longer is knowing when to stop topping it up.
If your colour has become patchy or you're noticing a build-up around your hands, knees, elbows or ankles, it's probably time for a reset.
Remove the remaining tan, gently exfoliate and start again.
Trying to continuously layer over an uneven base can eventually make your tan look less natural – exactly the opposite of what we're trying to achieve.
Your Long-Lasting Glow Routine
Before tanning:
Remove old colour + exfoliate + hydrate + prep.
On tan day:
Apply evenly and allow your tan to develop without water, sweat or friction.
After rinsing:
Moisturise regularly and treat your skin gently.
Between tans:
Top up gradually if needed.
When your tan becomes uneven:
Reset rather than endlessly layering.
Because a long-lasting tan isn't just about the product you apply.
It's about how you look after your skin before, during and after your glow.
Discover the Lusso Tan routine at LussoTan.com.
