What it does
Beam is a smart tanning app designed to help users achieve a safe, effective tan. It functions as a personal sun exposure coach, creating personalized routines based on a user's skin type, goals, and local UV index. The app provides timed, step-by-step guidance for tanning sessions, safety alerts for high UV, and tools to track tanning progress and Vitamin D intake.
Where it shines
The app's strength lies in its highly tangible and interactive personalization. The onboarding doesn't just rely on a standard quiz. It requires users to take a selfie for a 'skin scan' (00:55), which then generates a detailed report on their skin type, undertone, and hydration (01:06). This makes the subsequent personalized plan feel scientific and trustworthy. Another standout moment is the full-screen social proof wall (01:20) that appears just before the paywall, using an energetic montage of TikTok-style videos to build excitement and validation.
UX highlights
- Selfie-Powered Personalization: At 00:37, the app turns data collection into an engaging activity by using the camera to analyze skin, making the process feel custom and credible.
- Gamified Progress Tracking: The 'Glow Passport' (07:17) is a creative way to visualize tanning history, framing it as a collectible journey rather than a simple log.
- Multi-Modal Routines: The app offers different tanning modes like 'Advanced Routine,' 'Beach Day,' and 'Quick Tan' (05:47), catering to various user contexts and time commitments.
- Actionable Info Cards: Instead of burying information, the app surfaces guides on SPF, temperature, and sun times in tappable cards on the main dashboard (04:50), providing context where it's needed.
- Integrated Health Tracking: Beam connects to Apple Health to sync Vitamin D intake (05:03), positioning itself as a holistic sun-health tool, not just a tanning timer.
- Contextual Location Features: The 'Beaches near you' feature (02:51) not only finds spots but also shows crowd capacity, directly addressing a common user pain point.
Monetization & growth
Monetization is centered around a premium subscription, introduced after the full personalization flow. The app presents a soft paywall (01:51) offering a 3-day free trial for a yearly plan. It effectively builds value and trust through the quiz and selfie scan before the ask. The paywall itself uses social proof (a 4.8-star rating) and breaks down the price to a weekly cost to reduce sticker shock. The app also features an integrated shop (04:29) with affiliate links to sun care products, creating another potential revenue stream.
Who it’s for
Beam targets individuals who want to tan but are concerned about safety and effectiveness. This includes both novice tanners looking for guidance and experienced sunbathers who want to optimize their results. The app's focus on data, safety alerts, and progress tracking appeals to users who appreciate a structured, scientific approach to achieving their desired skin tone. The social and sharing features also suggest a target audience active on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
Notes & opportunities
While the onboarding is strong, the 'Sun-Ready' reminder list (01:16) feels a bit static and could be more interactive. The app heavily relies on Memoji-style avatars, which might not resonate with all demographics. The main dashboard is dense with information, which is powerful but could benefit from a clearer visual hierarchy to guide new users to the most important actions. For example, the free session CTA (02:08) could be more prominent.