Can I use it before self-tanning, and how does it fit into a body care routine?

Yes — pre-tan preparation is one of the main reasons people use a scrub like this. Self-tanner develops unevenly on rough skin and clings to patches of dead cells, especially on knees, elbows and ankles. Exfoliating first removes that uneven surface layer, so the tan applies more smoothly and fades more evenly.

Timing tips for self-tanner:

• Scrub the day before or a few hours before tanning, then rinse very thoroughly — any charcoal or clay residue left on the skin could interfere with even application.
• Skip moisturizer immediately before applying self-tanner (a film of cream can create patchiness), but do moisturize daily once the tan has developed.
• Don't shave and scrub in the same session right before tanning; do both at least a day ahead so the skin has settled.

In a general routine, the logical order is: scrub 1–2 times a week in the shower → rinse → pat dry → apply body cream or oil. Exfoliated skin also takes up moisturizers more readily, so many people time the scrub before their richer body creams rather than after. If you also use other exfoliating body products (acid lotions, exfoliating mitts), alternate rather than stack them — combining several exfoliation methods in the same period is the most common way to end up with tender, over-scrubbed skin.