September is nearly here, and while we're ready for cosy knits, autumn evenings and a little reset after summer, our skin can sometimes feel differently about the change in season.
As temperatures begin to drop and we swap warmer days for cooler air and indoor heating, skin can start to feel drier, tighter and more in need of hydration.
And if you fake tan regularly, you might notice the difference in your glow too.
Dry skin can make tan more likely to catch on certain areas, appear uneven and fade less seamlessly. That's why the transition into autumn is the perfect time to rethink your tanning routine - putting hydration and skin prep at the centre of it.
Here's how to keep that healthy-looking summer glow going long after summer ends.
Why Does Skin Get Drier in Autumn?
Your skin is exposed to a completely different environment once the seasons begin to change.
Cooler air, wind, lower humidity and eventually central heating can all contribute to skin feeling less hydrated than it did throughout summer.
You may start to notice dryness around your elbows, knees, ankles or legs, or that your skin simply doesn't feel as soft and comfortable as usual.
For self tan lovers, this matters.
Tan will always look its best when the skin underneath it is smooth, hydrated and properly prepared.
So rather than waiting until winter dryness sets in, September is the ideal time to start giving your skin a little extra attention.
Start With Hydrated, Prepped Skin
We often think about tanning as beginning the moment we apply our self tan.
In reality, a beautiful tan starts before that.
Preparing the skin properly can make all the difference to how your tan applies, develops and fades.
This is where Lusso Tan Perfecting Primer can become an important step in your autumn tanning routine.
Designed for the face and body, the Perfecting Primer is the first step in the Lusso Tan tanning ritual, helping to cleanse, plump and protect the skin before you tan.
When skin starts feeling more dehydrated as the weather changes, taking the time to prep it means you're not simply applying tan onto a dry base.
Think of it in the same way you would think about your makeup.
You wouldn't expect foundation to sit beautifully on dry, unprepped skin - and your fake tan is no different.
Better-prepped skin creates a better canvas for your glow.
Make Hydration Part of Your Tanning Routine
One of the easiest changes you can make heading into autumn is to stop treating hydration and tanning as two completely separate routines.
They should work together.
Keep your skin regularly moisturised between tanning days, paying particular attention to areas that naturally become drier, such as the elbows, knees, ankles, hands and feet.
Then, when tan day arrives, make sure your old tan has been properly removed and your skin is prepped before applying your fresh colour.
The aim is to avoid the cycle of allowing skin to become extremely dry, scrubbing it heavily and immediately applying another layer of tan.
Prep. Hydrate. Tan. Maintain.
Your skin - and your finished colour - will thank you for it.
Try a More Skincare-Focused Way to Tan
Autumn is also the perfect time to reconsider the type of tanning formula you're using.
If your skin is craving more nourishment as the weather gets colder, a skincare-infused tanning product can be a great addition to your routine.
Lusso Tan's Summer Meadow Tanning Balm isn't a traditional tanning mousse. It's a skincare-infused tanning balm designed to combine your glow with ingredients you'd expect to see in bodycare.
The formula is infused with Shea Butter, Aloe Vera, Vitamin A and Vitamin E, helping to nourish the skin while delivering a natural, streak-free glow.
That makes it a particularly lovely option as we move into the colder months.
Rather than thinking of tanning as simply adding colour to your skin, the Tanning Balm lets you bring tanning and body care together in one routine.
Why Choose a Tanning Balm for Autumn?
Summer tanning is often about speed.
You're getting ready for holidays, weddings, festivals, nights out and last-minute plans.
Autumn feels different.
It's the season for slowing things down and putting a little more care into your routine.
The creamy, skincare-infused approach of a tanning balm fits perfectly into that shift.
Instead of the familiar mousse format, the Lusso Tan Tanning Balm is designed for effortless application and a flawless, healthy-looking finish.
And there's something about applying a nourishing balm that just feels right when the colder evenings start creeping in.
Don't Forget to Maintain Your Glow
What you do after tanning matters too.
Once your tan has developed, keep moisturising regularly to help your skin stay feeling soft and hydrated.
Try to avoid excessively hot showers - tempting as they might be when it's freezing outside - and be gentle with your skin between tanning applications.
When it's eventually time for a fresh tan, remove your old colour properly rather than continually layering new tan over old, dry patches.
Your next application will look so much better for it.
Summer Skin, Autumn Routine
The end of summer doesn't mean saying goodbye to glowing skin.
It just means changing how you look after it.
As we move into September, swap the summer tanning mentality for a routine that's a little more focused on prep, hydration and nourishment.
Start with properly prepared skin using Lusso Tan Perfecting Primer, keep hydration high between tanning days, and consider switching your usual formula for a skincare-infused Tanning Balm when your skin is craving something more nourishing.
Because your summer glow doesn't need to disappear when the temperature drops.
Your tanning routine just needs to move with the seasons.
