The face is where self-tanner gets noticed, so build slowly. One light layer, look at it the next morning, then decide whether you want more. Going deeper is easy; coming back from too dark means waiting for skin to turn over.

Keep it off the brows and hairline, where it clings, and wash your hands the moment you are done. Let it absorb fully before anything goes on top of it.

I would not use this the same night as a retinoid or an acid, and I would leave it out entirely until the skin has fully recovered from a peel, a laser or microneedling. Wait until the barrier is back to normal.

One thing worth being clear about: a self-tan gives you no sun protection at all. The color is a reaction in dead surface cells, not melanin, and it does nothing to shield you. Sunscreen every morning regardless.