Are Oral “Tanning Drinks”, Pills and Drops Safe?

While there is always some new crazy, idea on social media, this one isn’t new.  But due to its recent social media popularity, it’s time to shoot this one down again.

Tanning products that you ingest are nothing new.  In fact, I knew a dermatologist who used one over 25 years ago.  Reminder, just because one dermatologist says it’s OK, does not mean it’s safe for all.  Let’s cut to the chase – these products are not safe!  While I am happy that some people are looking for ways to look tan in ways other than damaging their skin with the sun.  This is NOT a good choice.

What are ORAL “tanning” products?  These products come as a drink, gummies, drops, nose sprays, capsules and more.  These products “work” by staining your skin from within.  When my kids were young, I fed them lots of carrots and sweet potatoes and their noses turned a yellow orange color.  This is the same concept on a much larger scale.

What is in these “tanning” products?  I looked at a number of these on Amazon and through google.  Most of the top ingredients are not “BAD” at normal levels.  Many are vitamins or food additives.

Beta Carotene, Lycopene Lutein – The pigment in yellow and orange fruits.  This can be helpful in lower levels.

“Xanthin”  of some sort. – These can include canthaxanthin, zeaxanthin and xastaxanthin most commonly.  This is a dye that is FDA approved to use in low levels as a food colorant, but the FDA ruled against using it at doses required to get a “tanning” effect. 

Vitamin C, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12 –  These are water soluble vitamins that are relatively impossible to overdose on, so that part is safe.

Vitamin A and E.  These are fat soluble vitamins that you CAN overdoes on.  High doses of Vitamin A orally can be harmful to the liver.

Copper and Iron – Minerals that can cause problems when ingested at super high levels.

L-Tyrosine  – Is an amino acid that is a precursor in the pigmentation pathway.  However, the “tanning” effect does not come from actual melanin pigment production but staining of the skin from the first ingredients above. 

Who tests and regulates these? Are they safe?   No one tests and/or regulates the contents or claims of these supplements. No oral “tanning” supplements are approved by the FDA.  In the past studies have shown that these ingredients in high doses can be harmful to the eyes and the liver most importantly.

How are these different than sunless tanners that are applied to the skin?   Externally applied products contain  Dihydroxyacetone that safely stains the outer layer of dead skin.  What is the bottom line? Avoid oral tanners, tanning booths and baking yourself in outdoor sun.  If you need to look tan, topical sunless tanners are the safest.

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