A close-up of a smiling woman holding a bottle of Peta Jane Medium Tanning Mist and Ultra Dark Tanning Mousse while wearing a tanning mitt for the FAQ page.

Faq

Products

Our Tanning Mousse is your go-to for a deeper, event-ready full-body tan. Use it with a mitt and our brushes for the most flawless finish. The Tanning Mist is perfect for a lighter, buildable tan and is especially great for spot-tanning the face and quick touch-ups. Our Gradual Tanning Lotions (face and body) build a subtle, natural-looking tan with up to applications per week.

The Mousse gives you more control and a deeper color payoff — you apply it with a mitt and it's ideal for full-body tanning. The Mist is an ultra-fine spray that's lighter and a faster application, best for face, hands and feet or quick touch-ups.

We have four Mousse shades: Light, Medium, Dark, and Ultra Dark. If you're new to self-tanning or have a fair complexion, start with Light or Medium and build from there. Already a tanning pro? Go for the Dark or Ultra Dark. If you tend to pull orange with other brands, it's usually a prep and technique issue, not a shade issue. Follow our application tips before assuming you need a lighter shade. Our mist currently only comes in our Medium shade. The gradual tanning lotions are customizable, the more often you apply it the deeper your tan will be.

Start with our Gradual Face Tan and Gradual Body Tan if you want zero-stress, buildable color you can control. If you want a one-session result, grab a Mist or Mousse, plus a Tanning Mitt or Brush, and follow the prep + timing steps below. Our Starter, Essential, and Gradual Glow bundles are perfect for this.

We designed our product to dry fast and minimize transfer. However some transfer is possible from the color guide used for application. To avoid transfer of color guide, let it fully dry, wear loose dark clothing while it develops, and avoid tight friction. If transfer does occur to clothes or sheets simply throw them in the wash and any color guide transfer will come off. Avoid sweating or moisture immediately after applying. After you was off the color guide your tan will fade naturally!

No. Self-tanners don't protect you from the sun. We recommend wearing a SPF to protect from harmful sun rays.

Depends on use. The full-size Mousse gives you approximately 6–8 full-body applications depending on how much you use per session. The Mist lasts for about 4-5 full-body applications. Our Mini Mousse is designed for 2–3 targeted applications (face and touch ups) — perfect for travel or trying a shade.

How To

Exfoliate and shave 24 hours before you tan — not the same day. On application day, start with clean, completely dry skin and skip lotions, oils, and deodorant. Those create barriers that block even development and cause patchiness.

Pump onto your Tanning Mitt and work one section at a time (legs, arms, torso, back). Blend quickly and evenly before it starts to set. Use whatever's left on the mitt for hands and feet — never pump fresh product directly onto those areas. Use a brush to buff out any harsh lines.

Hold the bottle about 12 inches away and spray in smooth, sweeping passes. For your face, keep your eyes and mouth closed and avoid breathing it in. A few light layers beats one heavy coat. Mist continuously for best results. We recommend having a mitt or a brush on hand in case you need to blend any areas out.

These dry zones absorb more pigment, which is how you end up with dark knuckles or patchy ankles. Use less product, blend longer with a brush, and pre-soften very dry areas with a thin layer of moisturizer before applying so they don't "grab" the color.

Dry-to-touch within a few minutes. Wait until it feels completely dry before putting on loose clothing while the tan develops.

Most of our formulas develop over 6–8 hours. For the deepest result, leave it on the full window. When you rinse, use lukewarm water only — skip soap on that first rinse. What you see washing off is guide color, not your actual tan don’t panic. Your tan develops over the next 12–24 hours.

Guide color is the temporary tint you see immediately after applying — it helps you see where you've been so you don't miss spots. It rinses away when you shower. Your real, developed tan comes from DHA reacting with your skin over 6–24 hours. If you think your tan "washed off," you're almost certainly seeing guide color rinse away while your real tan is still developing underneath.

Wait until after your tan has fully developed and you've done your first rinse. Sweating and friction during development cause uneven fade. Once you've rinsed, you're good to go.

Ingredients & Safety

Our formulas use organically derived DHA (the active tanning ingredient), along with plant-based ingredients like beet and sugar extracts. Our formulas are vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, and made in the USA.

DHA (dihydroxyacetone) is the active ingredient in sunless tanners. It reacts with the amino acids in the outermost layer of your skin to create temporary color — no UV exposure needed. It fades naturally as your skin renews, just like a real tan.

DHA is applied topically and reacts only with the outer skin layer. However, we recommend avoiding inhalation exposure and contact with eyes and mouth, especially with our Mist and any spray applications. Please consult your doctor or dermatologist before use with any new product.

Stop using the product and rinse the area with water. If irritation persists, check in with your dermatologist. We always recommend a small patch test before your first full application.

No. Our products do not contain sunscreen. Please apply SPF before any sun exposure. Your PJB glow looks amazing, but it won't protect your skin from UV damage.

Results

A well-prepped tan lasts up to 7 days and fades naturally, just like a sun tan. You'll get the longest wear by moisturizing daily, avoiding harsh exfoliants, and patting (not rubbing) dry after showers.

Yes. Your face sheds skin cells faster than your body, especially if you use active skincare (retinoids, AHAs, vitamin C). Our Gradual Face Tan is designed for easy daily use to keep your glow consistent.

Chlorine and prolonged water exposure speed up fading and can create patchiness in friction zones (bikini line, inner thighs). Plan to moisturize well after swimming, and you may want to do a light touch-up with the mist if you're spending a lot of time in the water.

Our products carry our signature PJB scent, which is noticeably better than most self-tanners. Some DHA odor during development is normal — it's the chemistry of the ingredient reacting with your skin. The best ways to minimize it: follow the recommended develop time, moisturize after rinsing, and avoid applying to underarms where heat intensifies scent.

Our formulas are designed specifically to avoid the orange/green cast that some self-tanners are known for. If you're experiencing unexpected color, it's almost always a technique issue: over-application on dry patches, not enough prep, or using products that alter skin PH. Follow the prep and timing guidance above, and build gradually.

The Mist delivers a lighter, more buildable color, so it may appear to fade sooner than the Mousse simply because the initial deposit is lighter. For maximum longevity with the Mist, layer 2–3 coats and follow the same maintenance routine (daily moisturizer, gentle pat-dry).

Value & Pricing

We use organically derived DHA and plant-based ingredients — not the synthetic shortcuts that cause orange tones, bad smell, and skin irritation. Our formulas took years to develop with a lab that has decades of experience in sunless tanning. You're getting a professional-quality at-home tan that actually looks natural, doesn't stink, and won't wreck your sheets. The cost per application is comparable to or less than a spray tan appointment.

Yes — our bundles are designed to give you everything you need in one purchase (mousse + mitt + exfoliating prep + brush). They're genuinely better value than buying individual items, and they set you up for the best possible result. Check our Bundles collection for current options.

Our VIP Membership gives you savings on every order, free shipping perks, and exclusive gifts at milestones. You can manage your delivery schedule and skip, pause, swap, or cancel anytime from your account. No commitments, no hassle.

Shipping & Returns

Orders typically process within 1–2 business days, then ship via standard carrier. Most US orders arrive within 3–7 business days. Free shipping on orders over $55 — during promotions, thresholds may vary, but your cart will always show the current status.

Yes! We ship internationally through our shipping partner, Passport. International orders typically arrive within 8–14 business days once shipped. You'll receive tracking information via email after your order is fulfilled, and you can follow your package every step of the way — including through customs. Shipping rates are calculated at checkout based on your location. For international shipping questions, visit Passport's Help Center.

All applicable duties and taxes are calculated and included at checkout. This is handled through our international shipping partner, Passport, which ensures a smooth customs clearance process. If you have questions about duties or tracking for a specific order, visit Passport's Help Center.

Contact our support team within 30 days with photos of the packaging and product. We'll get a replacement sorted as quickly as possible.

We accept returns within 30 days of delivery.
Check our Returns & Shipping page for full details and to start a return.

VIP Membership

VIP Members get a percentage off every order, free shipping perks, and surprise gifts at order milestones. You choose your products and delivery schedule — we handle the rest.

Log into your account → Manage Subscription. You can skip a shipment, pause, swap products, or cancel anytime. Just make changes before the cutoff window (shown in your account) to catch the next billing cycle.

Troubleshoot

You almost certainly washed off the guide color (the temporary tint that helps you see where you've applied), not your actual tan. Your developed color comes through over the next 12–24 hours. Other common causes: applying over oils or heavy lotion, rinsing too early, or using soap on your first rinse. Next time: apply on oil-free skin, wait the full development window, and rinse with water only.

Don't panic and don't start aggressively exfoliating. Moisturize the patchy areas and let the tan fade naturally over a few days — it often evens out. For a full reset: soak in a warm bath, use an exfoliating mitt to remove the old tan completely, then reapply with proper prep.

Orange results usually come from over-application on dry areas (hands, elbows, knees, ankles) plus inadequate prep. Fix: exfoliate 24 hours before, moisturize dry zones before application, use less product on joints, follow the recommended develop time, and build gradually rather than going maximum shade on your first try. Alternatively, using products that alter skin PH (ex: bar soap) could be the reason why your tan is turning orange.

Work in smaller sections and move quickly. Pump onto the mitt, apply to one area (like one leg), blend fully, then move to the next.

Some odor during development is normal with any DHA-based tanner — it's the chemistry of the ingredient reacting with your skin. PJB's signature scent minimizes this significantly compared to other brands. Best mitigations: rinse at the right time (don't over-develop), moisturize after rinsing, and avoid applying to underarms where heat and sweat intensify scent. Additionally, exfoliating thoroughly before applying the tan is key in minimizing the DHA smell.

Soak in a warm bath for 15–20 minutes, then use an exfoliating mitt in circular motions. For stubborn spots, a tan remover product or a paste of baking soda and coconut oil can help. Let your skin rest for 24 hours before reapplying.

A gentle exfoliating scrub, or a quick soak followed by mitt exfoliation will lighten them. Prevention is easier: use residual product (what's already on the mitt) for hands and feet, blend well, and wash your palms immediately after application.

Wait at least 8 hours after application (and after your first rinse) before swimming. Chlorine and saltwater accelerate fading, especially in friction zones. Moisturize well after, and plan for a touch-up if you're spending a full day at the pool or beach.

Face Tanning

All PJB products can be used on the face. For the most face-friendly option, our Gradual Face Tan is formulated to be non-pore-clogging and designed for daily use. You can also use the Mousse (apply a small amount with your Face Brush for control) or lightly mist with the Tanning Mist.

Our Gradual Face Tan is formulated to be gentle on acne-prone skin. We always recommend a patch test first. If you use active skincare (retinoids, AHAs, BHAs), apply your self-tanner after your skin has fully absorbed your skincare — or on alternate nights.

Your face sheds skin cells faster, and active skincare products (especially exfoliating acids and retinoids) speed that up. The Gradual Face Tan is designed for exactly this — use it 3–4 times per week to maintain a consistent glow. Think of it like a tinted moisturizer that builds over time.