There’s nothing wrong with loving a glow. In fact, sunshine can be tied to some of our happiest moments: beach days, vacations, long walks, pool weekends, and time spent outside with the people we love.
But when it comes to your skin, there is an important difference between enjoying the sun and using the sun to tan.
At Peta Jane Beauty, we believe a bronzed glow should make you feel confident, not put your skin health at risk. That is why Skin Cancer Awareness Month is the perfect time to talk about what healthy sun habits actually look like, how UV damage happens, and why sunless tanning is one of the easiest ways to get the color you love without intentionally damaging your skin.
This isn’t about skipping beach days, pool days, or sunshine altogether. Of course not! It’s about changing the relationship we have with tanning - so you can still enjoy summer, vacations, and golden-hour skin while choosing a smarter, skin-conscious way to get the glow you love.
Why Skin Cancer Awareness Matters
Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the United States, and ultraviolet radiation from the sun and indoor tanning is a major preventable risk factor. The good news is that there are simple, everyday ways to reduce your risk while still enjoying time outside.
Sun safety does not mean never going outside. It means understanding when your skin needs protection, how to protect it properly, and why a tan from UV exposure is not the “healthy glow” we were once taught to chase.
Healthy Sun Exposure vs. Unhealthy Sun Exposure
A healthy relationship with the sun is not all-or-nothing. The goal is to enjoy outdoor time while minimizing unnecessary UV damage.
Healthy sun habits look like:
Spending time outside while wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen, seeking shade when possible, covering up with protective clothing, wearing sunglasses, and being mindful of peak UV hours. The CDC recommends using shade, protective clothing, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen together as part of a sun protection routine.
Unhealthy sun habits look like:
Lying in direct sun with the goal of tanning, skipping SPF to “get color faster,” using tanning beds, or letting your skin burn before you start protecting it.
The key distinction is intention. Going outside is part of life. Intentionally tanning through UV exposure is where the risk increases.
What Actually Happens When Your Skin Tans?
A tan is often seen as a sign of health, but biologically, it is your skin’s response to UV exposure. When UV rays reach the skin, the body produces more melanin in an attempt to protect itself from further damage.
In other words: a UV tan is not your skin thriving. It is your skin reacting.
That does not mean you cannot love the look of bronzed skin. It simply means the safest way to achieve that look is not by relying on UV exposure.
That is where sunless tanning comes in.
Why Sunless Tanner Is the Safer Way to Get a Glow
Sunless tanning gives you the bronzed look of a vacation glow without requiring your skin to tan from UV rays.
Unlike lying in the sun or using tanning beds, self-tanner does not require UV exposure to deepen the appearance of your skin tone. That makes it a smarter option for anyone who wants color without intentionally increasing sun damage.
Peta Jane Beauty was created for exactly that reason: to make a believable, confidence-boosting tan feel easy, beautiful, and part of a skin-conscious routine.
A sunless tan is not a replacement for sunscreen, but it is a replacement for intentional UV tanning.
Sunless Tanner Does Not Replace Sunscreen
This is one of the most important things to understand: self-tanner gives your skin color, but it does not protect your skin from the sun.
Even with a fresh tan, you still need SPF.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher for exposed skin. Broad-spectrum sunscreen helps protect against both UVA and UVB rays, and sunscreen should be reapplied regularly, especially after swimming or sweating.
Think of it this way:
Self-tanner gives you the glow. Sunscreen helps protect the skin underneath it.
They work beautifully together, but they do different jobs.
The Best Sun Safety Habits to Build Into Your Routine
Sun protection does not need to feel complicated. A few consistent habits can make a meaningful difference.
1. Wear SPF Every Day You Are Exposed to the Sun
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen on exposed areas of skin. SPF is not just for beach days; UV rays can reach your skin during walks, errands, outdoor lunches, and cloudy days.
2. Reapply When You Are Outside
If you are spending extended time outdoors, reapply sunscreen as directed, especially after swimming or sweating. The AAD notes that sunscreen should be reapplied approximately every two hours, or as often as the label directs.
3. Seek Shade During Peak Sun
Shade is one of the easiest ways to reduce direct UV exposure, especially during the strongest parts of the day. The CDC recommends using shade along with sunscreen and protective clothing when outdoors.
4. Wear Protective Clothing
Long sleeves, wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and UPF clothing can help protect skin from UV exposure. The Skin Cancer Foundation notes that clothing is one of the most effective forms of sun protection because it physically blocks or absorbs UV radiation.
5. Skip Indoor Tanning
Tanning beds are not a safer alternative to the sun. If your goal is color, choose a sunless tanner instead.
Can You Still Enjoy the Sun?
Yes. Absolutely.
Skin cancer awareness is not about avoiding every moment outdoors. It is about changing the way we think about tanning!
You can still go to the beach. You can still sit by the pool. You can still take the vacation photos, wear the dress, go on the walk, and enjoy the warm weather.
The shift is this: get your glow before you go outside, not from the sun itself.
Apply your Peta Jane Beauty tan ahead of time, then protect your skin with SPF, shade, sunglasses, and clothing when you are outdoors.
That way, you get the confidence of a tan without relying on UV damage to create it.
The PJB Better Glow Routine
The best glow routine starts before you step into the sun. Instead of using UV exposure to build color, get your tan first, then protect your skin when you head outside.
For a deeper, event-ready glow, start with The Essential Bundle, which includes PJB’s Self-Tanning Mousse, Self-Tanning Mist, and Tanning Mitt for a full-body bronze plus face, hand, and touch-up detailing. The mousse is designed for more controlled color payoff, while the mist is ideal for lighter, buildable color and smaller areas.
For a lower-maintenance glow, use the Gradual Tan Duo. The Gradual Body Tan applies like a moisturizer and develops over 6–8 hours, while the Gradual Face Tan gives subtle, buildable color without clogging pores. PJB recommends using both 3–4 times per week for best results.
Once your tan has developed, apply broad-spectrum SPF before going outside and reapply as needed throughout the day. Add shade, sunglasses, hats, and protective clothing whenever possible.
The rule is simple: get your glow from Peta Jane Beauty, and get your protection from SPF.
A Smarter Way to Glow
Loving a tan and caring about your skin health can exist at the same time.
The goal is not to scare anyone out of enjoying the sun. The goal is to help more people understand that a UV tan is not the only way to look bronzed, confident, and summer-ready.
With sunless tanning, you can have the glow without making sun damage part of the process.
So this Skin Cancer Awareness Month, consider this your reminder: protect your skin, check in with it often, wear your SPF, and choose the glow that loves your skin back.
Is sunless tanning safer than tanning in the sun?
Yes. Sunless tanning is a safer way to achieve a bronzed look because it does not require UV exposure. A tan from the sun or a tanning bed is caused by UV exposure, while self-tanner gives the appearance of a tan without intentionally exposing the skin to damaging rays.
Does self-tanner protect your skin from the sun?
No. Self-tanner does not replace sunscreen. Even if your skin looks tan, you still need to wear broad-spectrum SPF when spending time outdoors.
What SPF should I wear with self-tanner?
Dermatologists generally recommend a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher for exposed skin. Reapply according to the product directions, especially after swimming or sweating.
Can I still go outside if I am trying to prevent sun damage?
Yes. Sun safety is about protection, not avoidance. Wearing SPF, seeking shade, using protective clothing, and avoiding intentional tanning can help reduce unnecessary UV exposure.
What is the healthiest way to get a tan?
The healthiest-looking glow is one that does not come from UV damage. A sunless self-tanner is the safer option for achieving bronzed skin without tanning in the sun or using tanning beds.
I used this stuff one time. The mousse. It did get all over my sheets. Soooooo disappointed
How does the spray mist do on skin with dark spots?? Is it just like the regular… Instead of camouflage it makes them darker??