How to Choose the Right Glow Shade for Your Skin Tone
One of the most common questions we hear is: Which Glow shade is right for me?
We understand that choosing a tinted product can be daunting, especially when shopping online and unable to test the shade in person. But here's the beautiful truth about our Glow collection: these aren't traditional foundations with rigid shade matches. They're intelligent, adaptable formulas powered by astaxanthin that work with your natural skin tone to create a radiant, personalised glow.
Let us guide you through finding your perfect match.
Understanding the Glow Collection
Our Glow range comes in three shades: Natural, Darker, and Deeper. Each shade is available in two formats:
- Glow Day Serums – Lightweight serums perfect for layering under moisturiser or makeup.
- Glow Moisturisers – Rich, luxurious all-in-one formulas that hydrate, nourish, and add radiant colour in a single step.
Both formats are powered by astaxanthin, nature's most powerful antioxidant and deliver the same beautiful, adaptable glow. The difference is texture and application: serums are lighter and layer beautifully, whilst moisturisers offer richer hydration with a one-step finish.
Meet the Shades
Glow Natural: Subtle Radiance
Best for: Fair to light skin tones, or anyone who prefers a very subtle, natural-looking glow.
The effect: A delicate coral-tinted formula that blends seamlessly to create a soft, luminous finish. Don't be put off by the pigment in the jar, it melts into your skin, leaving a healthy, dewy radiance that looks like you've just returned from a spa facial.
Perfect if you:
- Want barely-there colour with maximum hydration
- Prefer a no-makeup makeup look
- Have fair or light skin that burns easily in the sun
- Love a fresh, natural glow without any bronzing effect
Choose the serum if: You want a lightweight base to layer under your regular moisturiser or makeup for buildable, customisable coverage.
Choose the moisturiser if: You prefer an all-in-one product that hydrates and adds glow in a single luxurious step.
Glow Darker: Sun-Kissed Warmth
Best for: Light to medium skin tones, or anyone wanting a warm, sun-kissed glow.
The effect: A medium-toned formula with a beautiful bronzed finish. The deep coral hue in the jar transforms into a healthy, radiant warmth on the skin, like you've spent a weekend by the sea. It adapts beautifully to your natural tone, creating dimension and luminosity.
Perfect if you:
- Want a natural-looking tan without the sun damage
- Have light to medium skin that tans gradually
- Love a warm, golden glow year-round
- Want to add subtle definition and radiance to your complexion
Choose the serum if: You want buildable colour that layers beautifully under your moisturiser or foundation for a customisable glow.
Choose the moisturiser if: You want rich hydration with a sun-kissed finish in one effortless application.
Pro tip: Add a touch of our Luna Glow Highlighting Wand to the high points of your face for an effortless, lit-from-within finish.
Glow Deeper: Deep Bronze Radiance
Best for: Medium to deep skin tones, or anyone who loves a rich, bronzed glow.
The effect: Our deepest shade, featuring the highest percentage of astaxanthin for maximum radiance and anti-ageing benefits. The deep red pigment in the jar blends into a gorgeous golden-bronze glow that enhances deeper skin tones beautifully. It's rich, luxurious, and utterly radiant.
Perfect if you:
- Have medium to deep skin that tans easily
- Want a deep, sun-kissed bronze finish
- Love rich, nourishing formulas with visible radiance
- Prefer a more dramatic glow with skincare benefits
Choose the serum if: You want a lightweight, buildable base that won't feel heavy, perfect for layering or wearing alone on warmer days.
Choose the moisturiser if: You want the richest hydration with a bold, bronzed glow that delivers maximum impact.
Pro tip: For a light foundation effect, add a drop of our Luna Highlighter in Bronze Chic to create a flawless, two-step glow-and-go routine.
Serum vs Moisturiser: Which Format is Right for You?
Both formats deliver the same beautiful, adaptable shades—the choice comes down to your skin type, routine, and preferences.
Choose the Glow Day Serum if you:
- Prefer lightweight, layerable products
- Want to customise your routine (serum + your own moisturiser)
- Like buildable, adjustable coverage
- Wear makeup and want a radiant base underneath
- Live in a humid climate or have oily skin
- Want a product that absorbs quickly
Choose the Glow Moisturiser if you:
- Want an all-in-one product that simplifies your routine
- Love rich, luxurious textures
- Have dry or mature skin that needs extra nourishment
- Prefer the sensory experience of essential oils (ylang-ylang, frankincense, neroli, jasmine, rose)
- Want maximum hydration with your glow
- Enjoy a spa-like skincare ritual
Can't decide? Many customers use the serum during warmer months or under makeup, and switch to the moisturiser in winter or for evening wear. You can also layer them, serum first, then moisturiser, for ultimate radiance and hydration.
Still Not Sure? Here's How to Decide Your Shade
If you're between shades or unsure which to choose, ask yourself these questions:
1. What's your natural skin tone?
Fair/light → Start with Natural
Light/medium → Try Darker
Medium/deep → Go for Deeper
2. How do you tan?
Burn easily, rarely tan → Natural
Tan gradually with some sun → Darker
Tan easily and deeply → Deeper
3. What look do you prefer?
Subtle, barely-there glow → Natural
Warm, sun-kissed radiance → Darker
Rich, bronzed luminosity → Deeper
The Magic of Astaxanthin: Why the Colour Adapts
Here's what makes our Glow collection truly special: astaxanthin, the powerful antioxidant that gives our formulas their distinctive coral-to-red pigment, is incredibly intelligent. When blended into the skin, it adapts to your natural undertones, creating a personalised glow that looks uniquely you.
This means even if you're between shades, the formula will work with your skin—not against it. The key is to blend thoroughly and allow the product to settle for a few minutes. You'll be amazed at how naturally it melds with your complexion.
Application Tips for the Perfect Glow
For Glow Day Serums:
- Shake the bottle vigorously before use
- Apply 4-8 drops to your face and neck each morning
- Use in place of or before your moisturiser
- If wearing makeup, apply to damp skin for seamless blending
- Build coverage gradually—start with fewer drops and add more as needed
For Glow Moisturisers:
- Start with clean skin
- Warm a small amount between your fingertips
- Massage gently onto your face and neck in upward, circular motions
- Blend thoroughly until fully absorbed
- Extend into the hairline and jawline for seamless, natural-looking coverage
- Blot with a dark towel if needed to minimise transfer to clothing
Can You Mix Shades or Formats?
Absolutely! Many of our customers blend two shades to create their perfect custom colour, or layer formats for different effects:
- Mix shades: Natural + Darker for a light-medium glow, or Darker + Deeper for a rich, warm bronze
- Layer formats: Apply serum first for buildable colour, then seal with moisturiser for extra hydration
- Customise coverage: Use serum alone for sheer coverage, or layer with moisturiser for more intensity
Choosing by Season
Some customers like to switch shades or formats seasonally:
- Winter: Natural shade in moisturiser format for maximum hydration and a fresh, healthy glow
- Spring: Natural or Darker serum for lightweight, buildable coverage as the weather warms
- Summer: Darker or Deeper serum for a bronzed, sun-kissed look without the weight
- Autumn: Darker or Deeper moisturiser for rich hydration as skin transitions back to cooler weather
The Glow Guarantee
Whichever shade and format you choose, you're getting premium skincare that nourishes, protects, and enhances your natural beauty. These aren't just tinted products—they're anti-ageing treatments powered by astaxanthin, one of nature's most potent antioxidants.
Every application delivers:
- Antioxidant protection from astaxanthin (up to 6,000 times more powerful than vitamin C)
- Deep nourishment from jojoba, rosehip, and botanical oils
- Skin regeneration support
- A radiant, personalised glow that adapts to your unique skin tone
Ready to Glow?
Choosing your Glow shade and format doesn't have to be complicated. Trust your instincts, consider your natural skin tone, your routine preferences, and the look you love. Remember, these formulas are designed to adapt and enhance, not to rigidly match.
Still unsure? Start with the shade closest to your natural tone in the format that suits your lifestyle. You can always explore the others as your confidence grows (and your glow addiction deepens!).
Discover your perfect glow and experience the transformative power of astaxanthin-driven skincare.
Powered by Astaxanthin. Personalised by you.
