Tanning Pills?

Tanning pills come in two forms: those that contain tyrosine and those that contain a concentrated dose of beta-carotene. Let’s start with tyrosine. The FDA has debunked tyrosine as a tanning accelerator. The marketing pitch is that tyrosine is needed by your body to produce melanin, which is a true statement. Ergo, the logic (albeit flawed) follows: taking pills with tyrosine will increase melanin production. It just isn’t true—only exposure to UVA or UVB sun rays can activate tyrosine and other elements in skin to initiate (or trigger) melanin production, the pigment we see as a tan.

The FDA reports in their Office of Cosmetics and Colors Fact Sheet (June 27, 2000), “Lo­tions and pills marketed as ‘tanning accelerators’ generally contain tyrosine (an amino acid), often in combination with other substances. Tanning accelerators are marketed with the claim that they enhance tanning by stimulating and increasing melanin formation. FDA has concluded that these ‘tanning accelerators’ are actually unapproved drugs, and the agency has issued warning letters to several manufacturers of these products. There are no scientific data showing that they work; in fact, at least one study has found them ineffective.” Companies that sell these types of tyrosine pills or lotions play on the fact that tyrosine is an amino acid that is a precursor for the production of melanin. Yet no research supports the oral consumption of tyrosine as having any effect on the color of skin. In another report, the FDA stated “In fact, an animal study reported a few years ago demonstrated that ingestion or topical application of tyrosine has no effect on [melanin production]. The [FDA] has… issued warning letters to several major manufacturers of these products (Source: www. fda. gov/ora/inspect_ref/igs/cosmet. html).

Another self-tanning pill, called Elusun, shows up on many Internet sites. Elusun’s claims are at best misleading and, at worst, potentially dangerous. Elusun says that it can prevent the skin from aging during sun exposure, a claim that’s not only completely false information, but also a truly harmful statement. Without sunscreen that contains UVA-protecting ingredients, all sun exposure is damaging, and no oral vitamin or supplement can change that.

Does Elusun color the skin? Yes, by giving the body high doses of beta-carotene (an FDA-approved vitamin supplement and food-coloring agent). Beta-carotene is the stuff that makes carrots orange and, if you consume enough of it, it can alter the skin’s color. However, according to the FDA, megadoses of beta-carotene “enter the blood stream and are partially deposited in skin tissue, giving the skin a tan-like color… [but they are not] approved for [tanning] use, and products containing them are considered adulterated. Some reports of adverse reactions associated with ‘tanning pills’ have mentioned stomach cramps, hepatitis, nausea, diarrhea, and deposition of the color in the retina of the eye.” Megadoses of beta-carotene can be harmful (Source: www. fda. gov/ora/inspect_ref/igs/cosmet. html).

Aside from pills that contain beta-carotene, there are others that contain another food­coloring substance called canthaxanthin. This ingredient works much like beta-carotene, but according to the FDA, “At least one company submitted an application for the approval of canthaxanthin-containing pills as a tanning agent, but withdrew the application when side effects, such as the [formation] of crystals in the eye, were discovered.”

The FDA also states on its Web site that “In recent years, ‘suntan accelerators’ have ap­peared on the market. They claim to enhance tanning by stimulating and increasing melanin formation…. One type of suntan accelerator is based on bergapten (5-methoxypsoralen) which is found in bergamot oil and is a well-known phototoxic substance (responsible for Berloque dermatitis). Bergapten increases the skin’s sensitivity to ultraviolet light, intensifies erythema [redness] formation, and stimulates melanocytes to produce melanin. It has also been reported to be photo-carcinogenic in animals” (Source: www. fda. gov/ora/inspect_ref/ igs/cosmet. html).

Updated: September 14, 2015 — 1:22 am