Fake Bake Blog

As days grow shorter, it’s easy to feel like your dark summer glow disappears with the season. But just because fall brings cooler weather and cozy sweaters doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to your golden skin. With the right self-tanning routine, skincare habits, and product picks, you can carry on with your radiant summer look. Below are smart strategies to keep your tan looking fresh, natural, and healthy all season long.

Exfoliate - Gently & Frequently

During summer, your skin may have been exposed to salt water, chlorine and hours in

the sun, which can leave it dry and flaky. As you move into fall, a gentle exfoliation routine is essential to create a smooth canvas for self-tanner. Use a mild scrub and our In The Buff Exfoliating Mitt one-to-two times per week for best results. Focus on areas where product tends to cling, like your elbows, knees and ankles. Removing dead skin ensures your self-tanner develops evenly and lasts longer, reducing streaks or patchiness.

Apply Self-Tanner Gradually For A Natural Glow

As your natural summer tan begins to fade, autumn is the ideal season to shift from bold, deep applications to a more gradual tanning routine. Rather than applying a full-strength formula all at once, build your color slowly with products designed to deliver a subtle, layer-by-layer glow. This approach not only makes your tan look more believable in softer fall lighting, but it also gives you more control over the depth of color you want to maintain. Our gradual tanning products are especially effective because they nourish your skin while enhancing it with a touch of warmth each day. With regular use, your complexion develops into a smooth, even bronze that looks like it belongs—not like it came from a bottle. The best part? You can easily adjust your glow as the season changes, keeping it natural, radiant, and perfectly suited to your autumn wardrobe.

Hydration Is Key To A Lasting Self-Tan

One of the biggest challenges to keeping your self-tan looking flawless in autumn is dry skin. As temperatures drop, the air outside becomes crisper while indoor heating pulls even more moisture away from your skin. Add in lower seasonal humidity, and you have the perfect recipe for flaking, tightness, and uneven fading of your sunless tan.

The good news? Hydration is your tan’s best friend. When your skin is properly moisturized, it creates a smooth, supple surface that holds onto pigment more evenly and for much longer. That means fewer patchy spots, less frequent reapplication, and a glow that looks healthy instead of artificial.

• Look for skin-loving ingredients: Many of our self-tanning formulas are infused with hyaluronic acid, which attracts and locks in moisture while your tan develops. This dual-action approach nourishes your skin as it builds color, helping your glow appear more natural and luminous.
  

• Layer in daily hydration: Applying a dedicated moisturizer—like our Mistifier Oil-Free Moisturizer—is a simple way to keep your skin balanced and comfortable. Use it right after showering, when your skin is still slightly damp, to lock in hydration for hours.
  

• Don’t skip problem areas: Elbows, knees, ankles, and hands often dry out faster and can cause tans to appear darker or patchy there. A little extra moisturizer goes a long way in keeping these spots even.
  

Pro Tip: Think of moisturizing as “insurance” for your self-tan. The more consistent you are with hydration, the smoother your color will fade, giving you that seamless, lit-from-within glow well into the cooler months.

Refresh Your Sunless Tan With Targeted Touch-Ups

Your self-tan doesn’t always fade evenly. Some areas tend to lose color much faster than the rest of your body. This happens because they’re constantly exposed to the elements, washed more frequently, and come into contact with products like cleansers or hand sanitizer that strip color away. Instead of applying a full layer of self-tanner every few days, focus on targeted touch-ups to extend the life of your glow.

Hands & Wrists: These fade the quickest. Use a tanning mousse with a mitt or a tanning water mist applied lightly. Blend carefully at the wrists to avoid noticeable lines.

Face & Neck: Switch to tanning drops mixed with your daily moisturizer for more control and a natural fade. This also allows you to adjust depth depending on the season.

Chest & Décolletage: Because these areas see sun and friction from clothing, they may lighten faster. Apply a thin layer of gradual tanner to keep them even with the rest of your body.

Legs & Ankles: If you wear jeans or boots often in fall, rubbing can fade color around the ankles. A quick top-up with a gradual lotion smooths everything out.

By refreshing only the spots that need attention, you’ll avoid the hassle of frequent full-body applications while maintaining a balanced, streak-free glow. Think of it as “maintenance mode” for your tan: easy, efficient, and foolproof!

Recommended Products For Fall Self-Tan Maintenance

Gradual Self-Tanners: Ideal for building a subtle, long-lasting glow.

Mistifier Oil-Free Moisturizer: To lock in moisture and extend your tan.

In The Buff Exfoliating Mitt: Perfect for regular exfoliation and smooth application.

Keeping your summer glow alive in fall is all about adapting your routine for the season. By switching to gradual tanners, prioritizing hydration, and making small touch-ups, you’ll enjoy a warm, radiant complexion long after summer ends. Glowing skin never has to be seasonal. It can be your signature year-round!