Summer may be ending, but your glow doesn't have to.
As temperatures cool and the seasons change, your skin can become drier…which means your self-tanning routine needs to change, too. Dry, rough skin can make achieving that smooth, even, natural-looking self-tan a little more challenging.
The secret to a beautiful fall self-tan? Exfoliation, hydration, a buildable self-tanner, and the right aftercare.
Here's your ultimate fall self-tanning skincare routine for maintaining a gorgeous glow long after your natural summer color begins to fade.
Should You Self-Tan in the Fall?
Absolutely! Fall is one of the best times to transition from your natural summer color to a sunless, buildable glow.
Instead of trying to maintain your summer tan through UV exposure, self-tanner allows you to control your color and gradually adjust your glow as your natural tan fades.
And because self-tanner creates color without requiring UV exposure, you can maintain that natural glow look throughout fall and winter.
Why Does Your Self-Tanning Routine Need to Change in Fall?
Cooler weather, lower humidity and indoor heating can all contribute to drier skin.
That's important when you're self-tanning because your tan develops in the outermost layer of your skin. When skin is dry, flaky or has areas of dead-skin buildup, self-tanner can appear darker in certain areas or fade less evenly. Check out the Ultimate Guide For Smooth, Hydrated Skin, From Head To Toe HERE
That's why fall self-tanning starts with skincare first and color second.
Think of it as your seasonal glow reset.
Step 1: Exfoliate Before Applying Self-Tanner
A smooth self-tan starts with smooth skin.
Before applying your self-tanner, remove dead skin cells, dry patches and any remaining old self-tan. Pay particular attention to areas that tend to be drier or thicker, including:
- Elbows
- Knees
- Ankles
- Heels
Hands and wrists
The Elan Pure Korean-Style Exfoliating Mitt makes this step incredibly simple. Using water only, the mitt helps lift away dead skin and buildup without leaving behind the oily residue that some body scrubs can.
You'll actually see the dead skin roll away.
The result? Incredibly soft, smooth skin that's perfectly prepped for your next glow.
Fall glow tip: Don't exfoliate immediately before applying your self-tanner. Give your freshly exfoliated skin time to settle before tanning for the smoothest application.
Step 2: Focus on Hydration
If summer self-tanning is all about maintaining your bronze, fall self-tanning is about maintaining your skin's hydration AND your glow.
Hydrated skin creates a smoother canvas for self-tanner and can help your tan appear more even as it fades.
That's one reason Elan Pure Self-Tanner was created to be more than simply a tanning product.
Our skincare-infused formula includes hydrating and skin-loving ingredients such as:
Glycerin + Hyaluronic Acid + Cucumber + Calendula + Apple Amino Acids
So while you're building your glow, you're also giving your skin ingredients designed to help it feel soft and hydrated.
Step 3: Transition to a Buildable Fall Glow
Your perfect fall tan doesn't necessarily have to look exactly like your midsummer tan.
As your natural summer color begins to fade, try transitioning into a softer, buildable glow rather than trying to maintain your deepest summer color.
Elan Pure combines plant-derived DHA + organic erythrulose to gradually develop natural-looking color.
Start with one layer and see how your color develops. If you want a deeper glow, you can build your color gradually.
The goal for fall?
Healthy-looking, natural color that looks like you — just with a little extra glow.
Step 4: Moisturize Every Day
Here's one of the easiest ways to help prevent a dry, patchy-looking fade:
Moisturize. Every. Single. Day.
Don't wait until your skin feels dry.
Consistent hydration helps keep your skin soft and smooth as your self-tan naturally fades.
Pay extra attention to areas prone to dryness, including your legs, elbows, knees, ankles and heels.
And stay tuned... because Elan Pure has something NEW coming this fall that will take maintaining your glow between self-tan applications to an entirely new level.
Step 5: Skip the Long, Hot Showers
When the weather gets cooler, we know how tempting those long, steaming-hot showers can be.
Your self-tan would prefer otherwise.
Hot water and long showers can contribute to dry skin, exactly what we're trying to avoid when maintaining a smooth self-tan.
Choose warm or lukewarm water instead and gently pat your skin dry rather than rubbing it with your towel.
And remember: your first shower after applying Elan Pure Self-Tanner should be a water-only rinse 8–10 hours after application.
Want the complete shower routine? Read our guide: How to Shower After Your Self-Tan for Best Results.
Step 6: Maintain Your Tan as It Fades
Don't wait until your self-tan is completely gone before thinking about your next application.
Pay attention to your skin.
If your color is still even but you'd like a deeper glow, you may be able to gradually build your color.
If your tan has become uneven or you have old self-tan buildup, it's time to gently exfoliate and create a fresh canvas before applying another full layer.
The goal isn't to continuously pile new self-tanner over old color.
Smooth skin + hydration + thoughtful reapplication = a more even-looking fall glow.
How Often Should You Self-Tan in Fall?
There's no one schedule that works for everyone.
How frequently you apply self-tanner depends on your desired depth of color, your skincare routine, how quickly your skin naturally sheds and how well you maintain hydration.
Instead of tanning according to the calendar, let your skin and your color guide you.
If your tan is fading evenly, focus on hydration and maintaining your glow. Once you notice uneven fading or buildup, gently exfoliate before beginning your next full self-tan application.
Can You Self-Tan If You Have Dry Skin?
Yes, but skin prep and hydration become even more important.
If you have dry skin, avoid aggressively scrubbing or repeatedly exfoliating in an attempt to create smoother skin. Over-exfoliating can leave skin feeling even drier and more irritated.
Instead, gently remove dead skin and buildup, keep your skin consistently moisturized, and choose a self-tanner formulated with hydrating skincare ingredients. Check out the Ultimate Guide For Smooth, Hydrated Skin, From Head To Toe HERE
Your Fall Self-Tanning Routine at a Glance
For a smooth, natural-looking fall glow:
-
EXFOLIATE
Remove old self-tan, dead skin and buildup. -
HYDRATE
Keep your skin moisturized and pay extra attention to dry areas. -
BUILD YOUR GLOW
Transition from your summer color with a natural-looking, buildable self-tan. -
MOISTURIZE DAILY
Don't wait until your skin feels dry. -
PROTECT YOUR TAN
Choose lukewarm showers, avoid unnecessary exfoliation and pat your skin dry. -
RESET WHEN NEEDED
When your old tan becomes uneven, gently exfoliate and start with a fresh canvas.
Summer May Be Ending. Your Glow Isn't.
Fall is the perfect time to rethink self-tanning as more than simply adding color to your skin.
It's skincare + self-tanning.
By exfoliating properly, prioritizing hydration, building your color gradually and caring for your skin between applications, you can maintain a smooth, natural-looking glow throughout fall — and well into winter.
Elan Pure's #1 Patch-Free Self-Tanner combines plant-derived DHA + organic erythrulose with hydrating skincare ingredients for buildable, even-fading color without dyes or synthetic fragrance.
Because your summer tan may fade.
Your glow doesn't have to.
SAVE 10% with code PINTEREST10.
