THE MOST GORGEOUS COLOR

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.

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.

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).

Orders typically process within 1–2 business days, then ship via standard carrier. Ground shipping is usually 5-7 business days and Expedited/ Priority Mail 3-5 business days depending on geographical location. Overnight delivery does not apply to orders placed on the weekend.

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.

Returns are 30 days from purchase date.
Check our Returns & Shipping page for full details and to start a return.

Please reach out to our support team at hi@petajanebeauty.com, and they’ll be happy to assist you with obtaining a return label.

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.