Tanning Pills - Choosing the most effective and the safest amongst them
Written by JAMES THOMAS
For a long time the best alternative to the two aforementioned options was to use skin tanning lotions aka pour-ons. These lotions feature an active ingredient i.e. dihydroxyacetone (DHA), and which is a colourless sugar that eliminates the dead cells atop the skin’s epidermis. This interaction results in the skin becoming tanned and the effect can last for up to a week. However, as a result of the skin shedding its dead cells everyday and the body renewing the epidermis after forty days, the tan effects also die away, leaving behind unsightly patches.
With tanning pills the script is entirely different. Tanning tablets provide two solutions. The first looks to address the component of the skin responsible for the golden brown colour i.e. melanin, and whereby the tanning vitamins that influence melanin production are introduced. The other solution is to produce an artificial tan by introducing pigmentation ingredients to the body. Most of these products also contain minerals and other vitamins that are necessary for protecting the skin against the risks of exposure to the nasty UV rays.
Melanin is located in the basal layer of the epidermis, and this is probably why the pour-on lotions could not effectively influence it. Tanning pills on the other hand introduce tyrosine, and which is the amino acid that the body needs to produce melanin. These tablets are therefore supplements which see to it that the melanin levels in the body remain adequate. In addition, these supplements also contain copper, an element that is often deficient in our regular meals but which is a key component in facilitating the synthesis of melanin.
rnAs for the pigmentation option, tanning tablets contain carotenoids, and which are organic compounds responsible for the coloration of the living tissue in both animals and plants. The most common forms of the carotenoids are the alpha and beta carotenes, and which when introduced to the body generate a bright brown colour. Beta carotene is the preferred pigment, not only for its red-orange coloration effects but also for its other benefits which include protection against night blindness, skin disorders, flu, colds and other opportunistic infections. Further, it is an antioxidant and it thus protects the body cells, in addition to helping to slow down the ageing process.
While conducting your research for quality tanning pills you are likely to come across products containing canthaxanthin as the pigmentation contributor. People are discouraged from using this product as it has a side-effect, Canthaxanthin Retinopathy, and which can be described as the formation of yellow pigments on the eye’s retina. As such, carotenoid and tyrosine pills are considered to be the best tan products, and which may be combined so as to achieve that deep, enhanced, darkened and prolonged tan.
Article author
About the Author
Further reading
Further Reading
Article
Contact Lens and Glasses Prescriptions: A Complete Guide
Learn about the difference between contact lens prescriptions and glasses prescriptions. Learn about the different values involved in contact lenses such as sphere, cylinder, axis, base curve, and diameter. You will learn why you should never use your glasses prescription to get contact lenses.
September 22, 2026
Article
Thin Upper Lip but Don’t Want More Volume? What to Know About a Lip Flip in 2026
Thin upper lip but do not want fillers? Learn how a lip flip differs from filler, what the research shows, and what to discuss with a qualified medical professional.
September 18, 2026
Article
How General Dentistry Supports Patients Preparing For Cosmetic Improvements
Think of your smile like a house. Cosmetic dentistry is the paint, fixtures, and decor. General dentistry is the foundation, wiring, and plumbing.
September 14, 2026
Article
Why ToneWell is The Best Whoop Alternative in Wellness Tracking?
ToneWell positions itself as the strongest WHOOP alternative by trading the strap for a 30-second voice scan, offering a Wellness Report built from acoustic patterns instead of heart-rate and sleep data.
September 5, 2026