Tanning pills are oral supplements marketed to change skin pigmentation and create a tanned appearance without requiring exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. These products appeal to consumers seeking a sun-kissed look while attempting to avoid the harms of sunbeds and natural sunlight. However, the pursuit of an internal tan has raised considerable public concern regarding the safety and effectiveness of these cosmetic supplements, as they carry documented health risks that far outweigh their cosmetic benefits.
Primary Ingredients and Mechanisms
Most oral tanning products rely on high doses of Canthaxanthin, a carotenoid pigment used as a food coloring. When ingested over time, this fat-soluble compound is absorbed into the bloodstream and saturates the body’s fatty tissues. This deposition causes the pigment to build up in the outermost layers of the skin, resulting in a colored tint.
A second, less common type of tanning pill contains the amino acid L-Tyrosine, often mixed with various herbs and vitamins. Manufacturers claim L-Tyrosine stimulates melanocytes to increase the natural production of melanin. Although L-Tyrosine is a building block for melanin, scientific evidence does not support the claim that ingesting it orally induces a visible or safe tan. Both pill types attempt to bypass the skin’s natural response to UV light, substituting it with an artificial dye or an unproven accelerator.
Documented Health Risks
The primary health risks are linked to the high doses of Canthaxanthin required to achieve a visible change in skin color. A common adverse effect is Canthaxanthin-induced retinopathy, where golden-yellow crystals of the pigment deposit within the retina. While many individuals are initially asymptomatic, these deposits can occasionally lead to subtle changes in visual acuity or color perception.
These crystalline deposits can persist in the eye for a significant period, sometimes remaining detectable for two to seven years after stopping the supplement. Beyond ocular harm, the high systemic load of the pigment can lead to other organ dysfunctions. Users frequently report gastrointestinal distress, including nausea, cramping, and chronic diarrhea.
Reports also include liver damage, such as drug-induced hepatitis, demonstrating the strain placed on the body’s detoxification systems. High-dose Canthaxanthin has been linked to potentially fatal blood disorders, such as aplastic anemia. Skin reactions are also common, with some users developing dermatological issues like urticaria (hives or welts).
Regulatory Status and Consumer Protection
Despite the documented dangers, these products remain widely accessible because they are classified and sold as “dietary supplements” rather than pharmaceutical drugs. This classification means they are not subject to the rigorous pre-market testing for safety and effectiveness required of medications. Consequently, a product can be sold until a regulatory body proves it is unsafe, a process that is often slow and reactive.
While Canthaxanthin is approved as a color additive in certain foods, it is only approved in very small amounts for that purpose. The high concentrations found in tanning pills have never been approved for cosmetic skin coloring, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has historically issued warnings against their use.
The lack of standardized quality control in the supplement industry means the actual amount of Canthaxanthin can vary dramatically between batches or brands. This substantially increases the consumer’s risk exposure.
Effectiveness and Safer Alternatives
For the effort and risk involved, the cosmetic results of Canthaxanthin pills are often underwhelming and unnatural. The resulting skin color is typically an orange or bronze hue, rather than the golden-brown of a natural sun tan. Achieving this visible change requires consistent ingestion for weeks to months, and the color change is not instantaneous.
Consumers seeking a safe, sunless cosmetic tan have a better alternative in topical sunless tanning products containing Dihydroxyacetone (DHA). DHA is a simple sugar derivative approved for external use and is the active ingredient in most quality sunless tanners. The chemical works through a non-enzymatic process, reacting with amino acids in the stratum corneum, the dead outermost layer of the skin.
This reaction, known as the Maillard reaction, produces temporary brown pigments called melanoidins, which mimic the look of a tan. Because DHA only affects the surface layer of dead skin cells and does not require oral ingestion, it avoids the systemic organ damage and ocular risks. DHA-based products offer a reliable, temporary cosmetic result without introducing internal hazards.