Tanning pills are taking over TikTok. If that sentence confuses you, allow us to enlighten you. According to the internet, you can now purchase both edible gummies and pills that claim to tan your skin from the inside out. Yep, you read that right: these are ingestible tanning supplements.
Do a quick Google search for “tanning gummies” and you’ll come across plenty of different options available for purchase – some for as little as $13 a bottle. But what exactly are they, and are they safer than tanning in the sun? Are they a better option than sunless self-tanning products? Of equal importance: do they actually work?
Ahead, we chat with experts who answer all of our burning questions about the trending “treat,” like whether or not they live up to the claims and if they’re safe to use. Keep scrolling to learn more.
Experts Featured in This Article
Kunal Malik, MD, FAAD, is a New York-based, board-certified dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology.
Alexis L. Young, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist with Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey.
What Are Tanning Pills?
Tanning pills and gummies are ingestible supplements that contain ingredients like astaxanthin, a chemical compound found naturally in a number of plants that can cause your skin to mimic a tan without sun exposure. Remember when TikTok user Isabelle Lux went viral for saying she changed her skin tone just from eating carrots every day? The idea behind tanning pills is kind of similar. “Astaxanthin is naturally found in certain marine organisms, such as algae, salmon, and shrimp,” dermatologist Dr. Kunal Malik, MD, FAAD, tells PS. “Canthaxanthin is another carotenoid family member that has been used in tanning pills. It can mimic a tan as it deposits itself in the fat layers of the skin.”
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Do Tanning Pills Work?
The short answer? Yes, you might see a change in your skin tone if you take tanning pills, but there are plenty of caveats. First of all, the exact tint you’ll get is based on your natural skin tone as well as a host of other factors.
Ingestible tanning supplements could leave you looking orange or even purple. Plus, it’s all cosmetic. “The color change from an astaxanthin- or canthaxanthin-containing supplement is purely cosmetic and not a sign of increased melanin,” Dr. Malik says. “[It’s] important to note that the skin’s color change to orange/brown with this is not due to increased melanin production but rather the artificial deposition of pigment in the skin.”
What Risks Are Associated With Tanning Pills?
Before you go placing an order, make sure you read this section thoroughly because it’s important.
Let’s start off with the risks of canthaxanthin as an ingredient. “The most notable adverse effect of canthaxanthin is canthaxanthin retinopathy, characterized by the formation of crystals in the retina, which can lead to visual disturbances and potential blindness,” Dr. Malik says. “This condition has been observed in both human and animal studies, particularly at high doses of canthaxanthin.”
Other potential ingredients to be aware of are beta-carotene and L-tyrosine. “While generally considered safe, excessive beta-carotene intake can be harmful, especially for smokers, as it may increase their risk of lung cancer,” says Dr. Alex Young, MD, dermatologist. “L-tyrosine may interact with certain medications and can worsen preexisting conditions like hyperthyroidism.”
OK, but what if you follow the dosage instructions exactly as prescribed on the label? “Even if you follow the dosage instructions on tanning pills, they are not considered safe,” Dr. Young says. “The potential risks, particularly for skin cancer and liver damage, outweigh any perceived benefits.”
Additionally, both Dr. Malik and Dr. Young note that these products have not been approved by the FDA as safe or effective.
Safe Tanning Alternatives
Rather than opting for an ingestible tanning supplement, some recommendations from Dr. Malik and Dr. Young include sunless tanners like lotions, mousses, and sprays, and professional spray tans. “The safest approach is to avoid tanning altogether and embrace your natural skin tone,” Dr. Young says. “Protecting your skin from sun damage is crucial for maintaining long-term health and preventing skin cancer.”
Renee Rodriguez is a staff writer and social producer for PS. She writes across all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for the PS TikTok and Instagram accounts.
