A woman holding GLOW Self-Tanning Drops by Holytans Beauty against a blue sky

The everyday tan your skin actually deserves.

50,000+professional spray tans before this bottle existed
3 continents.one glow formula.
0orange tones. we checked. obsessively.
10clean ingredients. nothing else.
THE REAL TALK ON WHY SELF-TAN GOES WRONG

Why self-tan doesn't look right on your skin, and how to fix it.

Self-tanners fail you when they don't teach you about your skin. Your shade. Your undertone. That's the variable every other formula skips. When it doesn't match, the result reads wrong. Off. Flat. Like just another product sitting on top of you. GLOW was built around that missing piece. The tan you get is an enhanced version of you. You wear it. It doesn't wear you.

Ask the Skin Oracle →

Your undertone, your depth, and your exact starting drops. The Oracle reads it all.

The Ritual

Four elements. One glow.

Every glow begins with intention and ends in manifestation. This is the ritual.

Fire, set your intention

Set your vibe

Subtle glow, vacation tan, or full bronze. Decide before you begin.

Water, mix into your moisturizer

Mix into your moisturizer

2–8 drops per pump of lotion. Start low, build slow, find your glow.

Air, apply and let it develop

Apply and dry

No mitt, no stains, use your hands. Apply and let dry.

Earth, let it glow

Let it glow

Color within hours. Full results in 6–8 hours. Your tan, your depth, your rules.

Our story

From the studio floor to the bottle.

Two decades of spray tanning. Three continents. Thousands of skin tones. GLOW is everything we learned, in one bottle.

Read the full story →
Glow like your aura. Woman holding GLOW Self-Tanning Drops by Holytans Beauty.
Skin Oracle by Holytans Beauty

What's your hue?


Upload a photo of your face next to your inner wrist in natural light, then answer 3 quick questions. The Oracle will read your skin, reveal your aura, determine your ideal depth, and predict your expected results in less than 60 seconds.

wrist photo
☀️ Daylight🚫 No flash🤍 Inner wrist

No photo? Skip and answer questions only →

Question 1 of 3
When you spend time in the sun, what usually happens?
I burn easily and rarely tan
I sometimes burn first, then tan lightly
I tan and burn equally, depends on the day
I tan easily with a golden result
I tan very easily and deeply, rarely burn
Question 2 of 3
Look at the inside of your wrist in natural light. What color are your veins?
Clearly blue or purple
Mostly blue, some green
Truly blue-green
Mostly green, some blue
Clearly green or olive
Question 3 of 3
Which metal looks best against your skin?
Bright silver
Dark silver or pewter
Both equally
Rose gold
Yellow gold
The Oracle is reading your skin...
Analyzing your photo, vein color, and skin signals
Reading vein color and undertone signals
Cross-referencing sun and jewelry responses
Applying color theory analysis
Calculating your aura and drop count
Your Skin Oracle result
Starting drops
Expected result



Skin Oracle

Still not sure? Show us your skin.

Take a photo. Tell us your vibe. Subtle glow, vacation tan, or whatever you're after. We'll tell you your undertone and the amount of drops to reach your expected result. Personally.

No purchase required.

1

Take a photo showing your wrist and face in natural light, no filter, no flash.

2

DM us on Instagram @holytansbeauty with the message "hey oracle."

3

Get your answer · undertone, drops, expected result, within 48 hours.

DM @holytansbeauty

Free. No purchase required. Responses within 48 hours.

shop / self-tanning drops

GLOW

Self-tanning drops · 1 fl oz / 30 ml · $42

★★★★★ Reviews · read them
$42

Free shipping when you buy 2 · 30-day glow guarantee

Not sure how many drops to use?

Ask the Skin Oracle →
Naturally derived DHA No alcohol Vegan + cruelty-free Face + body No mitt needed No transfer

Ask and you shall receive. GLOW is here. The tan you've been asking the tanning gods for. We go beyond light, medium, and dark and focus on YOU. Your undertone. Your depth. You apply on your time, and we're here as your guides.

Built from years on the spray tan studio floor, delivered straight to your doorstep.

Three easy steps: exfoliate, mix a few drops into your moisturizer, apply. A few hours later, tadah. Your glow comes shining through. Ten clean ingredients. Your glow. And so it is.

What's inside
Naturally derived DHA · the tan Argan oil · nourishment Rosehip oil · tone + radiance Hyaluronic acid · hydration Calendula oil · soothing Vitamin E · antioxidant Vitamin C · brightness

Full ingredient list and what each one does, visit the Glowssary →

Real skin. Real results.

No filters. No studio tricks. Just GLOW on real skin, across every undertone.

Cool Aura, before and after GLOW
Cool Aura

1 drop per area

Neutral Cool Aura, before and after GLOW
Neutral Cool Aura

2 drops per area

Neutral Aura, before and after GLOW
Neutral Aura

2 drops per area

Neutral Warm Aura, before and after GLOW
Neutral Warm Aura

3 drops per area

Warm Aura, before and after GLOW
Warm Aura

4 drops per area

What people are saying
★★★★★

"I have cool undertones and I've gone orange with every self-tanner I've ever tried. GLOW gave me a glow that actually looked like mine."

Fiona, Portland · cool fair

★★★★★

"Started with 5 drops on medium warm skin and woke up to the most natural tan I've ever had. People thought I'd been on vacation."

Daniela, Los Angeles · warm medium

★★★★★

"Deep cool skin, this category has never been made for me. GLOW is the first one that felt intentional about it."

Zara, New York · cool deep

Before you go
Glowssary

Everything in the bottle. Nothing hidden.

Ten ingredients. Each one chosen deliberately. We'll tell you what it is, what it does on your skin, and exactly why it's in GLOW, in plain language, no chemistry degree required.

Full GLOW ingredient list, as it appears on packaging

Aqua (Water), Dihydroxyacetone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Calendula Officinalis Flower Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid

The glow makers

Dihydroxyacetone

also called DHA

the tan itself

DHA is the active ingredient in every self-tanner, including professional spray tans done in studios. It's a naturally derived sugar molecule that reacts with amino acids in the top layer of your skin to produce a brown color. This is the same chemistry responsible for browning bread in an oven. No UV rays. No melanin triggered. Just chemistry on the surface of your skin, which is why it fades naturally as your skin cells shed over 5–7 days.

The reason self-tan goes orange has nothing to do with DHA itself. It comes down to the concentration, the other ingredients it's paired with, and, most importantly, how your skin's undertone and pH interact with it. That's the work GLOW was formulated to solve.

🌿 Why it's in GLOW: Because there is no self-tan without it. But unlike most formulas that stop here, GLOW pairs DHA with oils and antioxidants that support your skin through the development process, so the result is richer, not harsher.

The skin workers

Sodium Hyaluronate

also called Hyaluronic Acid

deep hydration

Hyaluronic acid is your skin's natural water reservoir, it can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in moisture. Sodium hyaluronate is its smaller, more stable form, meaning it penetrates deeper into the skin rather than sitting on the surface. DHA can dry skin out during the development process. Hyaluronic acid works against that, keeping skin plump and hydrated while your tan develops, so the result looks luminous rather than flat.

💧 Why it's in GLOW: Dry skin grabs self-tan unevenly, it's the reason elbows, knees, and ankles go darker than everywhere else. Keeping skin hydrated during development gives you a more even, longer-lasting result.

Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil

also called Argan Oil

nourishment + elasticity

Argan oil is cold-pressed from the kernels of the argan tree, native to Morocco. Rich in oleic and linoleic fatty acids, the building blocks of a healthy skin barrier, as well as vitamin E and squalene. It absorbs quickly without greasiness, deeply nourishing while improving elasticity. In a self-tanning formula it helps the drops blend seamlessly into your moisturizer, giving a more even application with no dry patches pulling excess color.

🌿 Why it's in GLOW: Nourished skin tans more evenly and holds color longer. Argan oil also gives GLOW its soft, skin-loving texture, it should feel like skincare going on, not a tanning product.

Rosa Canina Fruit Oil

also called Rosehip Oil

tone + radiance

Rosehip oil is cold-pressed from the seeds of the wild rose bush. Naturally rich in vitamin A (as beta-carotene), vitamin C, and essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6. These support skin cell renewal, improve uneven tone, and give skin a lit-from-within radiance. Its natural pigmentation gives GLOW a warm, golden tone in the bottle that acts as a gentle guide color as you apply.

🌹 Why it's in GLOW: Most self-tan drops are clear, no guide during application. Rosehip oil's natural warmth means you can see where you've applied, making the process easier and the result more even.

Calendula Officinalis Flower Oil

also called Calendula Oil

soothing + repair

Calendula is extracted from marigold flowers and has been used in skin healing for centuries. Rich in flavonoids and triterpenoids, compounds with proven anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. On reactive or sensitive skin it calms redness, reduces irritation, and supports the skin's natural repair process. DHA can sometimes cause mild sensitivity, particularly on fair or reactive skin. Calendula counteracts that.

🌼 Why it's in GLOW: Sensitive skin deserves a glow too. Calendula makes GLOW gentle enough for reactive skin types without compromising the tan result, a balance most self-tan formulas don't bother to strike.

Tocopheryl Acetate

also called Vitamin E

antioxidant protection

Vitamin E is one of the skin's primary antioxidant defenders, it neutralizes free radicals caused by environmental stress. Tocopheryl acetate is its most stable form, staying active in the bottle and on your skin. It also supports the skin barrier, reduces moisture loss, and works synergistically with vitamin C to give a brighter, more even-toned result over time.

🛡 Why it's in GLOW: Vitamin E protects the skin during the oxidation process, the hours after application when your tan is developing. It helps the result look cleaner and last longer.

Ascorbic Acid

also called Vitamin C

brightness + evening

Vitamin C is the gold standard brightening ingredient in skincare, it inhibits excess melanin production, fades uneven tone, and supports collagen synthesis. In GLOW it ensures that color develops evenly across your skin tone, preventing the patchy oxidation that makes self-tan look unnatural. It also works with vitamin E in a well-documented antioxidant partnership, each one extends the other's effectiveness.

Why it's in GLOW: Vitamin C is the ingredient that keeps GLOW from reading as a tanning product and starts reading as skincare. Your skin is actively being treated while your tan develops.

The formula workers

Aqua

also called Water

base carrier

Water is the base that carries every other ingredient to your skin. In GLOW it's listed first, meaning it makes up the largest proportion of the formula. That's intentional. A water-first base keeps GLOW lightweight and fast-absorbing, so it blends into your moisturizer without leaving residue or heaviness. It also means GLOW doesn't rely on alcohol to thin the formula, a common shortcut that dries skin out and worsens the orange effect.

💧 Why it's in GLOW: The base determines the feel. A clean, water-first formula means GLOW feels like skincare, because it is.

Phenoxyethanol

preservative

formula stability

Phenoxyethanol is a globally approved cosmetic preservative that prevents bacteria, yeast, and mold from growing in water-based formulas. Without a preservative, any product containing water would spoil within days. In GLOW it's present at a low concentration, enough to keep the formula stable and safe throughout its shelf life, nothing more. No parabens, no formaldehyde-releasing compounds.

🔒 Why it's in GLOW: Every water-based skincare product needs a preservative. We chose phenoxyethanol because it's effective, well-studied, and one of the gentlest options available.

Polysorbate 20

emulsifier

formula stability

Oil and water don't mix, creating a challenge when combining a water base with argan, rosehip, and calendula oils. Polysorbate 20 bridges the water and oil phases so GLOW stays as a smooth, stable, uniform formula from the first drop to the last. Derived from sorbitol, a naturally occurring sugar alcohol, it's considered one of the mildest emulsifiers used in cosmetics.

Why it's in GLOW: The oils in GLOW are what make it a skin-caring formula. Polysorbate 20 keeps those oils evenly distributed, so every drop delivers the full formula, not just water.

FAQ

Real questions. Straight answers.

No fluff, no marketing speak. Just everything you actually want to know before you open the bottle, answered by someone who has done this professionally for years.

The orange question

Orange happens when the DHA in a self-tanner reacts with warm or yellow undertones in the skin and produces a brassy result. Most formulas are designed for a generic skin tone that doesn't actually exist, so people with cool, pink, or very warm undertones often end up with a color that fights their skin rather than working with it.

GLOW was developed by a professional spray tan artist who has seen this happen thousands of times and formulated specifically to avoid it. The naturally derived DHA concentration, paired with rosehip and argan oil, produces a result that reads bronze rather than orange across all undertones.

Still worried? Use our Skin Oracle guide to find your Skin Oracle and exact drop count. Or DM us on Instagram and we'll read your skin for free.

Cool undertones are the most vulnerable to orange results, and the most underserved by the self-tan category. The reason is almost always too many drops, too fast, on skin that wasn't prepped. Cool skin needs a slower build and a lower starting point.

For cool-fair skin we recommend starting at 2–3 drops mixed into your moisturizer and building gradually over several days. Done correctly, the result on cool skin is a sun-kissed rose-gold, not a baked bronze.

Using GLOW

It depends on your undertone and skin depth, which is exactly why we built the Skin Oracle guide. As a starting point: fair skin 2–4 drops, medium skin 4–6 drops, deep skin 6–8 drops. Mix into one full pump of moisturizer, apply, see where you land after 6–8 hours, and adjust from there.

First time? Start lower than you think. A subtle glow built over three days always looks more natural than going in hard on day one.

Any moisturizer you already use and love, that's the whole point of drops. A medium-weight lotion or body cream gives the best blend. Avoid anything too heavy or oil-based as a base, as it can slow DHA absorption. For your face, use your regular face moisturizer.

Yes, GLOW is formulated for face and body. For the face, use 1–2 drops mixed into your face moisturizer. Apply at night and let it develop while you sleep. Always blend down into your neck and décolletage, nothing reveals a self-tan like a line at the jawline.

Yes, and this is the step most people skip when things go patchy. Exfoliate 24 hours before your first application, not immediately before. Freshly exfoliated skin can be slightly sensitized and DHA reacts more intensely on it. Pay extra attention to knees, elbows, and ankles.

Pro tip from the studio: After exfoliating, apply a thin layer of moisturizer to dry areas before your drops. It acts as a barrier and keeps the color even.

No, that's one of the advantages of drops over mousse or lotion tanners. Because GLOW is mixed directly into your moisturizer before application, you apply it exactly as you would your regular lotion. No mitt, no gloves, no waiting to dry. Wash your hands after as you normally would.

The result

GLOW develops in 6–8 hours. You'll start to see color appearing within 2–3 hours. The full result is visible the morning after an evening application. If you want to go deeper, apply again the following evening.

Anywhere from 5–7 days with regular moisturizing. DHA works on the outermost layer of your skin, it fades as those skin cells naturally shed. Keeping skin hydrated slows that process.

On the face, the tan tends to fade a little faster, facial skin is thinner, more exposed to daily cleansing, and experiences more surface activity than the body. This is the normal cycle of your skin.

For best results, lightly exfoliate before adding more drops so your glow stays consistent with no buildup.

GLOW goes on clear, so there's no immediate surface color to transfer after application. The DHA reaction happens within the skin, not on top of it. Once your moisturizer has absorbed, give it 5–10 minutes, you're free to dress, get into bed, or do whatever you'd normally do.

Honestly, every skin is different. GLOW contains no added fragrance and the quality of our naturally derived DHA means the reaction is cleaner than most. That said, some people may notice a subtle scent during development. It's caused by the chemical reaction between DHA and the amino acids in your skin and that's completely natural. GLOW's argan, rosehip, and calendula oils help soften that. In our testing phase, none of our testers reported a scent.

Yes. You can apply makeup as normal after your moisturizer has absorbed. GLOW develops beneath the surface of your skin, so foundation, concealer, and any other products won't interfere with the process. The only thing to avoid is washing your face or using a cleansing cloth before the development window is complete, give it at least 6 hours before any water or cleansing touches the skin. After that, your routine is yours.

Skin concerns

GLOW was formulated with sensitive skin in mind. Calendula oil, one of the most effective botanical anti-inflammatory ingredients, is in the formula specifically to calm reactive skin during the development process. There's no alcohol, no synthetic dye, and no harsh actives. We still recommend a patch test before full-body application.

DHA is widely considered safe for topical use during pregnancy, it reacts only with the outermost layer of dead skin cells and is not absorbed into the bloodstream. That said, we always recommend consulting your doctor or midwife before introducing any new skincare product during pregnancy.

GLOW does not contain pore-clogging ingredients, argan and rosehip oil are both non-comedogenic. The formula is water-based and lightweight. For your face, use 1–2 drops mixed into a non-comedogenic moisturizer you already know suits your skin. If you use active acne treatments like retinol or acids, apply GLOW on nights you're not using those actives.

The formula

DHA can be produced synthetically or derived from natural plant sources, typically sugar beet or sugar cane. Naturally derived DHA goes through a fermentation process and produces the same chemical compound, but without synthetic processing. We chose it because it's consistent with the rest of GLOW's ingredient philosophy: effective, clean, purposeful. For the full breakdown of every ingredient, visit the Glowssary.

Yes. GLOW contains no animal-derived ingredients and is not tested on animals. All ten ingredients are either plant-derived or synthetically produced without animal involvement.

No. Many self-tanners use alcohol to thin the formula and speed drying. We don't. Alcohol dries the skin, worsens the DHA smell, and contributes to uneven fading. GLOW uses a water and oil base that keeps skin hydrated throughout the entire process.

Questions nobody has ever answered you.

Until now.

Wait at least 8 hours before any water contact, ideally overnight. Once GLOW has fully developed, you can swim, but know this: chlorine breaks down the DHA reaction on your skin and accelerates fading. A pool session after a fresh tan will shorten your result by a day or two. Salt water is gentler but still drying. Hot tubs are the hardest on your tan, the heat opens pores while the chemicals work faster than a standard pool. If you're swimming the next day, moisturize before you get in, rinse off immediately after, and pat dry. Never rub.

Give it 24 hours. Sweat during the development window interferes with DHA bonding to your skin, you'll end up with an uneven result where sweat ran or pooled. Apply GLOW at night, sleep, and by your morning workout your tan is set and yours. After that, sweat all you want.

Retinol, glycolic acid, lactic acid, AHAs and BHAs all speed up cell turnover, which is exactly what makes them great for your skin and exactly what makes your tan fade faster. If you use actives regularly, apply GLOW on the nights you skip them. Pause retinol 48 hours before applying for the longest-lasting result. After your tan is fully developed, you can return to your routine, just know the actives will shorten the lifespan of your glow.

Before, always. Waxing is actually the best pre-tan prep you can do. It exfoliates deeply and leaves skin perfectly primed. But timing matters: wax 2–3 days before applying GLOW, not the same day. Fresh post-wax skin has open pores that grab color unevenly and create dark spots. Give your skin 48 hours to settle, then apply. Never wax over a developed tan, it will lift the color with it.

Yes. DHA reacts with amino acids in the outermost layer of your skin, tattoo ink lives in the dermis, below where GLOW works. Your tan develops normally over tattooed skin. The one thing you may notice: heavily saturated dark ink can make the surrounding tan look slightly lighter by contrast, and lighter or colored ink areas may read differently once the tan develops. It won't damage your ink and your ink won't affect the formula.

Yes, and you should. SPF does not interfere with DHA development. Apply your sunscreen as normal during the day. UV exposure degrades the skin cells where your tan lives, so SPF actively extends your glow. The one exception: if your SPF contains AHAs or exfoliating actives, that will shorten your result. A clean mineral or chemical SPF is your tan's best friend.

This is the one we always say: check with your doctor first. Accutane thins the outer layer of skin significantly, which means DHA can react more intensely and unpredictably than expected. Antibiotics can make skin photosensitive. Certain topical medications can interfere with the DHA reaction or cause irritation. We're not doctors and we won't pretend to be, but we are the only self-tan brand that will tell you this is a question worth asking yours before you apply.

Honestly, that word is worth questioning before you trust it on any beauty product. Here's what the science and regulation actually say.

The FDA does not define or regulate the word "organic" for cosmetics. That means any brand can print it on their packaging without meeting a single standard. The only legitimate organic claim in the US requires a certified USDA Organic seal, which means at least 95% of ingredients are certified organic by weight. Without that seal, "organic" is a marketing word, not a regulated one.

GLOW does not carry the USDA Organic seal and we won't claim it does. What we will tell you is this: our formula contains ten ingredients, all named and explained in the Glowssary. Our DHA is naturally derived. Our oils, argan, rosehip, calendula, are plant-based. There are no synthetic dyes, no fillers, no alcohol. We chose every ingredient deliberately and we explain every one of them.

Clean, transparent, and honest is what we are. "Organic" without a seal is a word, and you deserve more than a word.

The glow guarantee

Then we make it right. Every order is covered by our 30-day glow guarantee: if GLOW doesn't work for you, contact us within 30 days of receiving your order and we'll refund you. No need to mail anything back.

Before you go there, though, reach out. Nine times out of ten a wrong result is a drops or prep issue, and a quick adjustment fixes it. DM us your undertone and what happened. We'll walk you through it. We walk together, remember?

One note: the guarantee covers one bottle per customer.

Didn't find your answer?

Send us your question and we'll get back to you within 48 hours.

Our story

GLOW started as a remedy for clients who couldn't wait for their next appointment.

The Holytans studio in Los Angeles has seen thousands of clients walk through its doors over the years, women and men of every single undertone, and one question on the way out the door: "How do I keep this going at home?"

The honest answer, for a long time, was: you can't. Not really. The self-tanners on the market were generic. They went orange on cool skin, muddy on olive skin, flat on deep skin. And time and time again, clients came back frustrated, never getting the results they were promised. Until the requests started sounding like this: "You should bottle my color. It's just perfect on my skin."

So we did.

Holytans Beauty delivery truck
"I began to take notes. What worked on warm skin. What to avoid on cool. How many drops of what gave each undertone a natural result. After a few years those notes became a formula. The formula became GLOW." — Michele, Founder · Holytans Beauty
Meet the founders
Michele and Mari, co-founders of Holytans Beauty
"I started spray tanning almost two decades ago, built a studio in Los Angeles, refined the color with tan techs in Australia, rooted everything in my Brazilian heritage approach to skin and beauty. After thousands of clients and just as many skin tones, I realized the secret wasn't only in the technique. It was also understanding the skin underneath." — Michele, Founder · Holytans Beauty
"I spent most of my career in fashion dressing people's bodies. Then I had my first spray tan and something shifted that no outfit ever had. I wasn't thinking about what to wear anymore. For the first time, fashion followed me, not the other way around. As a light-skinned Brazilian who chooses to stay out of the sun, I had never felt that before. Fashion gave me style. GLOW gave me something deeper. When Michele showed me what GLOW could do, I didn't hesitate. I made it my goal to bring that same feeling to everyone I can." — Mari, Co-Founder · Holytans Beauty
The journey

Three countries. One formula.

As Brazilians, we look at beauty as tactile, personal, and unapologetically warm. Our relationship with skin is taken seriously from a very young age. Not as a trend, but as a way of being.

As a professional spray tan artist, Michele worked with Australian products for years and always said the same thing: "Australia is light years ahead of the rest of the world when it comes to tanning." She knew the best would come from there. So the formula's backbone came from Australia.

And it all came together in Los Angeles, home of the Holytans studio. Michele's expertise in product and client care, Mari's in sales and marketing, and three continents of knowledge, all meeting the most diverse clientele on earth. Brazil gave GLOW its soul. Australia gave it its science. Los Angeles gave it its home.

50K+professional spray tans before GLOW was formulated
3continents where the expertise was built
10clean ingredients, nothing more
9skin profiles tested before launch
Brazilian Warmth, Australian Beach Light, LA Studio, the three places that shaped GLOW
The studio problem that became an industry answer

What the studio made clear, over time, was that the self-tan category had a structural problem. It sold by shade. Light, medium, dark. As if skin were a single variable. It ignored undertone entirely. And undertone is everything.

A fair-skinned client with cool, pink undertones needs a completely different approach than a fair-skinned client with warm, peachy tones. Both might reach for the same "light" shade on a shelf and get completely different, and often wrong, results.

"No one was teaching this." — Michele, Founder · Holytans Beauty

What Holytans Beauty is here to do.

To bring professional knowledge into your self-tanning journey, accessible to every skin tone, everywhere. To teach you before we sell you. We walk together. GLOW is the beginning. The education is the point.

Ready to find your glow?

Start with your skin. 60 seconds with the Skin Oracle to find your depth, and exactly how many drops to use.