If you're new to luxury tanning products, it can seem daunting to figure out the right order to use them on your face.

It's actually very straightforward once your establish your Lusso Tan routine, so in this post, we'll share our recommended routines and answer one of our most frequently asked questions: "In what order should I use Lusso Tan's products for the face?"

Achieving the perfect tan requires more than just applying products in the right order. Skin health is a big factor so before you dive into the order of application, you should prioritise nailing a consistent skincare routine and prepare a fresh canvas prior to tanning.

Step 1: Cleansing

Start by cleansing your face with a daily cleanser suited to your skin type. This will remove any dirt, oil, or makeup from your skin and create a smooth base. Rinse your face thoroughly with warm water and pat it dry with a clean towel.

Step 2: Exfoliating

After cleansing, exfoliate your skin using a gentle exfoliator. Exfoliating isn’t required daily, unless you’re opting for something like Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant. As tan only adheres to the cells on the top layers of the skin, exfoliating will help to remove dead skin cells and create an even surface.

Be gentle when exfoliating, especially if you have sensitive skin. Rinse your face thoroughly with warm water and again pat dry with a clean towel.

Step 3: Serum

If you use already use a serum or a mix of serums in your routine then apply it as your next step. The reason being that serums are lighter in consistency and can be fully absorbed into the skin leaving your canvas free for tanning.

As a sidenote, it can be tricky to know where to spend money in your skincare routine but we feel passionately that serums are one of the areas where investing more money is going to make a world of difference. As the main product that is going to target the skincare concerns you might have, they tend to include a higher concentration of key actives.  

Step 4: Primer

Next, apply your Lusso Tan Primer or Moisturising Mist all over your face, neck, and decolletage. Both products will add hydration to the skin, rebalance the ph. and neutralise any product residue which may effect your tanning results.

The key difference between these products is that Moisturising Mist has been formulated specifically for the face and contains a hydration boost in the form of Hyaluronic Acid.

Step 5: Golden Glow

Give the skin a few seconds to drink in your Lusso Tan Primer or Moisturising Mist and you’re ready for the tan application.

Mist your Golden Glow formula onto the Sunless Tanning Brush, rather than directly onto the face because this gives you better control of the product distribution. This lightweight and nourishing formula is infused with antioxidants & Vitamins A & E which work to boost skin health and banish blemishes leaving you with a sunny, happy complexion. Be sure to blend well into the hairline and down onto the neck and chest for flawless results.

Step 6: Moisturiser or SPF

With your facial moisturiser or SPF, it's best to wait until the Golden Glow Mist has had some time to settle into your skin before applying. Although tan loves hydrated skin, moisturisers and SPFs typically form a barrier on the top of the skin and act as a barrier to the tan formula - predevelopment. Applying in this order will prevent any barrier, improving your colour pay off and ensuring streak free results.

Alternatives

Dry or particularly sensitive skins.

If you have particularly dry or sensitive skin, an alternative option is to complete your usual night time skincare routine, then wait a few hours before misting on the Primer/ Moisturising Mist and applying the Golden Glow Tanning Mist. This will give your skin time to absorb the other skincare products fully but may require a second application to build up the colour over another night.

Switching out Golden Glow for Mousse or Lotion.

If opting for Mousse or Lotion (or anything with a tinted guide colour) finish your skincare routine and include moisturiser before the tan application. We recommend adding moisturiser as a barrier in this case, because the skin on the face (and hands) tends to me more porous and formulas with a guide colour will develop darker in these areas. Apply the moisturiser before the tan or mix your moisturiser with the tan on the mitt and apply with your Tanning Brush.

Switching out Golden Glow for Tanning Balm.

If opting for Tanning Balm, follow the same steps as Golden Glow. It’s a personal choice, whether to follow up with your moisturiser after - the balm is likely to have similar properties.