You may know Peta Murgatroyd as the ballroom queen who has lit up the Dancing with the Stars stage with her signature grace and killer footwork—but off the dance floor, she’s just as fierce.
As a pro dancer, Peta spent years wrestling with streaky, underwhelming self-tanners—so she took matters into her own (perfectly bronzed) hands and created a glow-worthy solution. Enter Peta Jane Beauty—a sunless tanning line eight years in the making (science-backed, of course), crafted with the same precision and performance she brings to every routine. The product met her need for professional-grade results at home and quickly turned into a viral beauty empire.
Importantly, however, this isn’t all about shimmer and shine. Having grown up in the Aussie sun, Peta is passionate about skin health, wellness, and making sure every formula works as hard as she does. We sat down with Peta to talk about entrepreneurship, glow goals, and what it really takes to build a beauty brand that breaks the mold (and the internet).
You went from ballroom dancing to beauty boss—what sparked your mission to create the perfect self-tanner?
As a professional dancer on a hit TV show, I never got the tan I wanted. It would look great on stage under the lights, but it would never look great the next day, and for the rest of the week. It would turn orange, flake off my skin in patches, and I would smell horrendous. That’s really what sparked my mission: I wanted to fill the gap and create a self-tanner that gave you that professional feel without all the hassle or compromise.
What was the hardest part of bringing Peta Jane Beauty to life—and the most rewarding?
I think the hardest part was perfecting the formula. Eight years is a long time to focus on one thing, but I was determined to get it right. Even the smallest detail, something that might seem insignificant to someone else, would send me back to the drawing board. There was a lot of back and forth, but that process was necessary to create something I could truly stand behind.
The most rewarding part has been seeing other people enjoy it. Self-tanning gives people such a boost of confidence, whether it’s for everyday wear or a big event. Knowing that my product gets to be a part of those moments for people is incredibly special to me.
How did your background as a dancer inform the performance and feel of your products?
As a professional dancer and being on television for so many years, I can’t even begin to tell you how many beauty products I’ve tried. It gave me a really well-rounded perspective on what works, what doesn’t, and what I’d want to avoid in my own line.
That experience helped me focus on the texture and tone to the way it feels at application, the scent, and how long it lasts—all things I used to consider every time before applying a self-tanner. It was important to me that this be a long-lasting product, not something that turns patchy after a shower or two.
What makes a Peta Jane tan different from every other sunless tanning experience out there?
I’ve always been mindful about skin health, so creating a product that was safe and skin-loving was non-negotiable for me. As an athlete and someone who’s passionate about wellness, I wanted a formula that not only gives you a beautiful, natural glow but also nourishes your skin with ingredients that promote hydration, smooth texture, and long-lasting wear. And as a mom, I’m really conscious about what I put on my skin and bring into my home, so I hold Peta Jane Beauty to that same standard. I wanted Peta Jane to be something you can feel good about using.
How do you balance skin health awareness with your love of a good glow?
Sun safety was always a big part of my life. I’ve seen firsthand the damage that too much sun exposure can cause, so I’ve always been conscious about protecting my skin. At the same time, I’ve always loved that healthy glow that just makes you feel confident and alive. Creating Peta Jane Beauty was my way of finding that balance.
Any hints at what’s next?
I’m so proud of how far Peta Jane Beauty has come, but in many ways, it still feels like we’re just getting started. My long-term vision is to keep expanding and creating well-thought-out, fun products that make people feel confident. I can’t share too much just yet, but there are definitely some exciting things in the works for 2026 that I think our community is going to love.
