Are tanning pills good for getting a tan?

Traditional tanning puts us at risk of sunburn, premature aging and skin cancer. However, there is a newer and less common alternative that supposedly makes tanning even easier: tanning tablets.

Just taking a pill can we get a tan without any risk? Although this method does not put the skin at risk of UV exposure, tanning tablets have many other side effects. Also, they can make the skin look more orange than tan.

What are they made of?

Tanning tablets contain compounds similar to beta-carotene. This form of vitamin A is responsible for giving carrots and sweet potatoes their orange color. Canthaxanthin is the most common ingredient in tanning pills.

Canthaxanthin itself is a red-orange carotenoid found naturally in certain foods, such as fruits and vegetables. It is also used as a food additive for orange and red dyes. Most likely, we already have a small amount of this compound stored in our bodies from the food we eat.

Some tanning tablets sold online may also contain one or more of the following ingredients: beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, and turmeric. All of these ingredients have orange to red compounds. The idea is to darken the skin over time with prolonged use.

Tanning tablets do not contain the ingredients that we might find in sunless tanning lotions. They usually contain an ingredient called dihydroxyacetone .

How do they work?

The most common active ingredient in tanning tablets is a food dye called canthaxanthin. When we ingest this color additive, we supposedly release compounds that change the pigment in the skin, and long-term use will cause the skin to darken.

Still, not all tanning methods are created equal. While actual sun tanning causes the skin’s melanin to darken, tanning tablets work from the inside out, releasing color additives throughout the skin. The result ends up looking more orange compared to the coveted bronze tint that many aspiring tans seek.

Tanning tablets may technically work, but there are several caveats to their effectiveness:

  • It can take up to two weeks for the dyes to build up in the body enough to show up on the skin.
  • The resulting color will likely look more orange than brown compared to the tan color that many people look for in tanned skin.
  • Tanning tablets will not work without risk. The ingredients are not natural and can cause some serious side effects.

Are they safe?

Although tanning pills are a relatively new trend in the sunless tanning market, preliminary evidence shows that these supplements are not safe . They are also not approved by any body, so we would be using these pills at our own risk.

Canthaxanthin itself is approved, but only as an ingredient used to color foods. It is not approved in doses as large as those seen in these pills. Canthaxanthin is only considered safe when consumed in small amounts in the foods we eat.

Other tanning accelerators taken by mouth can also be dangerous. These may contain an ingredient called tyrosine, a type of amino acid. Taking too much beta carotene can cause vitamin A toxicity.

pastillas bronceadoras funcionan

Side effects

Tanning pills can cause serious side effects, including:

  • Hives and welts
  • Gastrointestinal problems, such as abdominal cramps and diarrhea
  • Hepatic injury
  • Retinopathy (eye damage)
  • vision changes
  • Sight loss

Another side effect is orange peel skin . Although this does not necessarily affect health, orange peel skin can still be an unintended consequence of taking tanning tablets. Also, jaundice can develop from taking too much vitamin A. This can make the eyes and skin look yellow. Beta carotene can lead to a high intake of vitamin A in the body.

What’s even more concerning is that we can be at risk of these side effects for years after taking tanning tablets. Some reports have noted that canthaxanthin has stayed in some people’s bodies for between 2 and 7 years.

safer alternatives

The sunless tanning market is starting to gain a foothold in Europe. People who want to tan their skin without exposure to the sun, and without taking supplements, have many options.

Cosmetic products

A temporary effect can be achieved by the use of makeup, including tinted moisturizers and brush-applied “bronzing” powders. In this case, the colorants that manufacturers use in these products are more likely to meet with expert approval.

They also approve dihydroxyacetone (DHA) for external use in self-tanning products. DHA reacts with amino acids on the skin’s surface and darkens the color. Experts explain that “external use” means avoiding the lips and any part of the body covered by a mucous membrane, such as the eyes and the inside of the nose.

spray tans

Spray tans reduce the risk of uneven color and streak lines that plague inexperienced self-tanners. However, it is not approved for use around the eyes, lips, and mucous membranes, and it can be difficult to avoid exposure to these areas in a tanning booth.

Experts recommend that anyone considering using a spray tan or tanning booth protect their lips and eyes. It also warns that chemicals can come into contact with mucous membranes inside the body when a person inadvertently inhales or swallows the mist.

Alternative tanning tablets

Manufacturers are developing other tanning tablets. These pills contain tyrosine, a protein that can stimulate melanin production.

The creators claim that people who take these pills will tan more quickly, which could reduce UV exposure times. However, for now they are considered potentially dangerous.

perlas sol mercadona

Mercadona tanning pills

Mercadona’s tanning pills are sold under the name “Perlas de Sol”. They are a food supplement with Beta-Carotene, lutein and copper. The brand ensures that they prepare the skin for the action of the sun and help achieve an intense tan. They stimulate melanin, the natural pigment that protects the skin against the effects of ultraviolet rays in sunlight and is responsible for tanning.

These Sun Pearls are composed of fish oil (Omega-3), lutein, beta-Carotene: pro-vitamin A, copper, vitamin C and vitamin E. However, their price is around €4 for a package of 30 pearls. , so it is a high-cost add-on. Most of these vitamins can be decently consumed through diet alone.