Are Drinkable Tanning Drops Safe

The short answer is: it depends on what is in them. Drinkable tanning drops formulated with natural supplement ingredients have a very different safety profile from synthetic peptide-based alternatives — and the two are not the same product. This guide explains the difference clearly, covers what our drops contain, what to realistically expect from them, and how to use them responsibly.

If you are also weighing up our nasal tanning sprays, our separate guide on nasal tanner safety covers the same ground for that product category.

What are drinkable tanning drops — and what are the different types?

Drinkable tanning drops are liquid supplement products, typically added to water or juice, that claim to support or enhance colour development from within. The concept has gained significant attention on social media — but the category covers products that are fundamentally different from one another, and that difference is what matters most when it comes to safety.

There are two distinct types in the market:

Synthetic peptide-based drops

Some products in this category are formulated with synthetic peptides. These have attracted health warnings in the UK, are not licensed for use as medicines, and carry a different and less well-characterised risk profile. These are not what 2 Damn Dark sells.

Natural supplement-based drops

The second category — which includes our drinkable tanning drops — is formulated with natural ingredients such as beta-carotene, L-tyrosine, copper, and vitamins. These work by providing nutritional support to the skin's pigmentation processes. They have a well-understood safety profile as dietary supplements and are a completely different product type from synthetic alternatives.

For a fuller explanation of how the different formats work, read our guide on how tanning drops work. For a grounding in the broader product category, what are tanning drops? covers the essentials.

What are the ingredients in natural drinkable tanning drops?

This is where the trust case for natural supplement drops is made or lost — so here is the actual breakdown of what goes into them, and what each ingredient does.

Beta-carotene. A naturally occurring carotenoid found in carrots, sweet potatoes, and other orange-pigmented foods. It contributes to skin tone and is one of the most widely studied supplement ingredients in the world. At recommended doses it is well tolerated; high doses over extended periods can cause a harmless but visible orange tint to the skin — which is why following dosage guidance matters.

L-tyrosine. An amino acid that serves as a building block in the body's natural pigmentation process. It is a standard ingredient in dietary supplement formulations and has a long track record in supplement science.

Copper. A trace mineral that plays a supporting role in melanin synthesis. It is found in many standard multivitamin formulations and is well established as a safe supplement ingredient at recommended levels.

Vitamins (typically vitamin C, vitamin E, B vitamins). These support general skin health and cellular function. All are standard supplement ingredients with extensive, well-documented safety profiles.

Taken together, these are dietary supplement ingredients — not synthetic hormones or peptides. The colour result they produce is a gradual, natural-looking warmth to skin tone, building over several weeks of consistent use. It is a different mechanism and a different outcome from UV-activated tanning, and it is worth being clear about that distinction from the start.

Are there any side effects?

For natural supplement-based drops, side effects are generally mild and most commonly linked to taking more than the recommended dose rather than the product itself. Here is an honest account of what can occur:

Skin discolouration (carotenodermia). High doses of beta-carotene over time can cause a yellowing or orange tint to the skin — most visibly on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. This is harmless and reverses when intake is reduced. It is avoided entirely by following the dosage guidance on your product.
Mild digestive sensitivity. A small number of users experience mild stomach sensitivity when starting a new supplement, particularly on an empty stomach. Taking drops with food or temporarily reducing the dose usually resolves this quickly.
Potential supplement interactions. As with any supplement, interactions with certain medications are possible. Anyone taking prescription medication should check with a GP or pharmacist before starting a new supplement regime.

The absence of serious adverse effects associated with natural supplement-based drops at recommended doses is one of the meaningful distinctions from synthetic peptide alternatives. That said, it is worth repeating: dosage guidance exists for a reason, and exceeding it does not accelerate results — it only increases the risk of the effects listed above.

Do drinkable tanning drops actually work?

Yes — with an important qualification on what 'work' means in this context. Natural supplement drops do not produce the same depth of colour as UV tanning or DHA-based self-tan products. What they do produce is a gradual, subtle warmth and enhancement to your natural skin tone — often described as a healthy glow rather than a deep tan.

Results are most noticeable on fairer skin types, where the shift in skin tone from a warmer baseline is more visible. They develop over several weeks of consistent daily use — expecting visible results in a few days will lead to disappointment, but four weeks in is where most people start to notice the difference.

They work best as part of a broader routine rather than as a standalone solution. Pairing drinkable drops with gradual tanning drops applied topically, or using them alongside sunbed sessions, tends to produce more noticeable results than either approach alone. For those with fairer skin, the tanning drops for fair skin range is worth exploring — formulated specifically for skin types that respond more gradually to conventional tanning methods.

Consistency matters more than dose. Taking twice the recommended amount on a given day will not accelerate results — the ingredients work gradually and cumulatively. Skipping days will slow progress; daily use at the recommended dose will build it steadily.

For a detailed explanation of the mechanism behind different drop formats, the how do tanning drops work? guide goes into the science.

How to use drinkable tanning drops safely

Follow these steps for the best and safest results:

Follow the dosage guidance on your product — do not exceed the recommended daily amount.
Add to water, juice, or your preferred cold drink. Avoid mixing with hot liquids, as heat can affect certain ingredients.
Take at the same time each day. Treating it like a daily supplement — consistent, routine — produces the most reliable results.
Allow 2–4 weeks of consistent use before assessing results. Colour develops gradually.
Do not take alongside other high-dose beta-carotene supplements — combined intake can push above recommended levels.
Stop use and consult a GP if you experience any unexpected or persistent reaction.

The full range of safe natural tanning drops includes usage instructions on every product page.

Who should not use drinkable tanning drops?

As with any dietary supplement, there are groups for whom use is not appropriate:

Under-18s — these products are not suitable for use by minors.
Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals — consult a GP or midwife before taking any new supplement during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
People taking prescription medication that may interact with any of the listed ingredients — check with a GP or pharmacist before starting.
Anyone with a known allergy or sensitivity to any ingredient listed on the product — check the full ingredient list before purchase.

The bottom line

Natural supplement-based drinkable tanning drops are a different product category from synthetic peptide alternatives — in their ingredients, their mechanism, and their safety profile. Used at the recommended dose and as part of a consistent routine, they produce a gradual, natural-looking enhancement to skin tone with a mild and well-understood side effect profile.

The key, as with any supplement, is knowing what you are buying and following the guidance on your product. If you have questions about ingredients or usage, the product pages in our drinkable tanning drops range include full ingredient information and dosage instructions. For those wanting to combine drops with other tanning products, the safe natural tanning drops collection and our tanning bundles are good places to start.