Nasal tanners are products most commonly in the form of a nasal spray — that claim to darken your skin by stimulating melanin production from inside the body. They typically contain a synthetic molecule known as Melanotan II, which mimics a hormone that makes your body produce more pigment. Users inhale the spray through the nose in the hope it will boost tan results without the need for hours in the sun or sunbeds.

Understanding the Concept of Nasal Tanners

How Tanning Normally Works

To understand nasal tanners, it helps to first know how a tan develops naturally:

• Melanin is the pigment that gives skin its colour. When skin is exposed to UV radiation — from sunlight or artificial UV tanning beds — the body produces more melanin to protect itself. This is what we see as a tan.

• Traditional sunless tanners (creams, lotions, sprays) work by applying a colour additive like DHA (dihydroxyacetone) to the surface of the skin, which reacts with skin proteins to temporarily darken it without UV exposure.

Nasal tanners take a very different approach: instead of colouring skin superficially, they claim to increase melanin production from inside the body.

The Key Ingredient: Melanotan II

The central ingredient in most nasal tanner products is Melanotan II, a synthetic analogue of a naturally occurring hormone known as α‑melanocyte‑stimulating hormone. This hormone plays a role in signalling melanocytes the skin cells responsible for making melanin to produce pigment. 

When inhaled through the nose, nasal tanners are designed to deliver this compound directly into the bloodstream via the nasal mucosa — the moist lining of your nasal passages —which is a highly absorptive surface.

Once in the bloodstream, the idea is that Melanotan II will bind to melanocortin receptors in the body and trigger melanin production, leading to a darker complexion. In theory, this means a deeper tan might develop faster when the skin is then exposed to UV light.

Do Nasal Tanners Really Work?

The Claims vs Reality

Many vendors — particularly online and on social media promote nasal tanners as a safe and easy way to get a tan without sunbathing or sunbeds, often with ubiquitous influencer marketing and bold claims. But in reality:

• Melanotan II is not approved by major health regulators (including the UK’s MHRA and the FDA in the US).

• There is no robust clinical evidence demonstrating that nasal tanners are safe or effective for consistent tanning in humans.

• The available research on melanotan peptides is limited and mostly experimental, with early work focused on medical conditions rather than cosmetic tanning.

While some users report seeing darker skin after use, it’s important to note that perceived tanning isn’t the same as safe or controlled tanning, and any darker colour that appears is largely tied to melanin production in response to UV light. Nasal sprays don’t tan skin on their own — they’re designed to potentially augment how the body responds to UV.

How Do Nasal Tanners Enter the Body?

Unlike conventional spray tans, which sit on the surface of the skin, nasal tanners are absorbed internally:

• When sprayed into the nostrils, the compound crosses the nasal mucous membrane and enters the bloodstream quickly.

• From there, it circulates and can interact with receptors associated with skin pigmentation.

This internal delivery is part of what makes scientists and health authorities cautious: delivering biologically active substances directly into your bloodstream without medical supervision or regulation carries inherent risks.

Regulation and Safety: Why Experts Warn Against Nasal Tanners

1. They Are Unregulated and Often Illegal

In countries including the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, and many in the EU, products containing Melanotan II are not approved for cosmetic use. Authorities have issued warnings and taken enforcement actions against suppliers.

The UK’s Cancer Research organisation particularly warns against the use of melanotan nasal sprays, stating they “are not safe and shouldn’t be used” because their safety, quality, and effectiveness are unknown.

2. Unknown Ingredients and Quality

Because these products aren’t regulated, what’s printed on the label may not match what’s inside. There’s no standard for purity, dosage, or contaminants, meaning customers may be inhaling unknown chemical mixtures with unpredictable effects.

3. Potential Health Risks

Health experts and dermatologists have highlighted a variety of possible short‑ and long‑term side effects, including:

• Nausea and vomiting

• Facial flushing or redness

• Changes to mole size and pigmentation

• Increased skin sensitivity and risk of melanoma (skin cancer)

• Respiratory irritation or damage to nasal tissues

• Possible neurological effects

• Rare but serious reports of kidney complications and swelling

There have even been media reports of people being hospitalised after using these products, and warnings from Trading Standards that such sprays may be linked to melanoma and other serious health outcomes.

4. They Can Stimulate Risky UV‑Seeking Behaviours

One of the most concerning aspects is that these products don’t tan skin on their own. For pigment to darken, the melanin pathway still requires UV exposure — which carries its own cancer risks. This may encourage users to spend more time in the sun or use sunbeds, compounding the danger of skin damage and melanoma.

Common Misconceptions About Nasal Tanners

Misconception 1: They’re a Harmless Alternative to Sunbathing

Nasal tanning sprays are often marketed as a safer shortcut to sunless tanning. In reality, because they involve inhalation of biologically active peptides with unknown long‑term effects, they may carry greater risks than many topical sunless tanners.

Misconception 2: They Are Scientifically Endorsed

No reputable medical authority (e.g., British Association of Dermatologists, FDA, MHRA) endorses nasal tanning sprays. In fact, many explicitly advise against their use due to safety concerns.

Misconception 3: Results Are Predictable and Uniform

Even if melanotan peptides do trigger increased melanin production in some individuals, the effect varies widely based on genetics, sun exposure, dosage, and other factors. There’s no consistent, safe tanning protocol established.

Alternatives to Nasal Tanners

If your goal is a safe, convincing tan, there are multiple regulated alternatives that do not carry the same risks:

1. Topical Sunless Tanners

These include lotions, mousses, and sprays containing DHA, which react with the outer layer of the skin to produce a tan‑like effect without UV exposure. These are widely available and considered safe when used as directed.

2. Professional Salon Spray Tans

Administered by trained technicians, professional spray tans distribute pigment evenly and are a safer option than unregulated internal products.

3. Gradual Tanning Lotions

These build colour gradually over a few days and are another safe topical option.

4. Acceptance of Natural Skin Tone

Finally, embracing your skin’s natural tone and protecting it from UV damage with SPF, hats, and shade remains one of the healthiest choices.