App Showcase: SPF

What it does

SPF is a tanning assistant that aims to help users get a tan safely and effectively. The app uses an AI-driven selfie analysis and a personalization quiz to generate custom tanning routines. It provides step-by-step guidance, incorporates local UV index and weather data, and features timers to ensure users tan for the right amount of time. The core goal is to replace guesswork with a data-driven plan for skin protection and tanning.

Where it shines

The app's strength lies in its highly structured and persuasive onboarding flow. It begins by creating a sense of deep personalization with an AI selfie scan (00:06), making the user feel seen from the first moment. The culmination of this process at 01:23 is particularly clever. The app presents the user's personalized routine, but blurs the details behind a paywall. This creates a powerful 'cliffhanger' effect, motivating the user to subscribe not for generic features, but to unlock the specific plan made just for them.

UX highlights

• Personalization as the first step: The app immediately asks for a selfie to analyze the user's skin, making the entire experience feel tailored from the start.
• Action-oriented dashboard: The main screen (01:43) is focused, showing the current UV index prominently and providing clear calls to action like "Create Full Routine" or "Quick Tan".
• Checklist-based routines: The full routine view (02:05) breaks down the tanning process into a simple, manageable checklist, reducing cognitive load for the user.
• Integrated timers: The tanning timer (02:55) is clean and provides clear visual feedback on progress, with distinct steps for tanning the front and back.
• Progress feedback loop: After a session, the app encourages users to take another selfie to track their tan (03:12), closing the loop and reinforcing the app's value.

Monetization & growth

SPF employs a hard paywall strategy, meaning users cannot access the main app functionality without subscribing. The monetization happens at the end of the onboarding flow. After building a personalized plan, the app presents it in a blurred state at 01:23, with a call-to-action to start a 3-day free trial, which then converts to a $5.99/week subscription. This model focuses on demonstrating personalized value upfront to maximize conversion before granting access.

Who it’s for

The app is designed for individuals who are deliberate about tanning and want to do it more safely and effectively. This includes both beginners who need guidance and more experienced tanners who want to optimize their routine based on environmental factors like the UV index. The focus on planning, skin protection, and progress tracking suggests a target audience that is health-conscious but still desires a tan.

Notes & opportunities

The onboarding is very effective but also long and has a hard gate. Users who are hesitant to provide a selfie or subscribe upfront may drop off. An opportunity could be to offer a limited-access mode, perhaps allowing users to track the UV index without the full personalized routine. Additionally, the post-tan selfie feature at 03:12 is powerful, but the app could enhance it further by creating automated before-and-after comparison visuals to make the progress even more compelling.