Canthaxanthin

PhytochemicalXanthophyll

What is it

Canthaxanthin is a red-orange carotenoid pigment found in some mushrooms, fish, and crustaceans, and is also produced industrially. It is used as a food color additive and historically was sold as a 'tanning pill' to give skin a tanned appearance.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Skin tanning effect (cosmetic)

Mixed Evidence

Effective at producing skin color change but not safe at the doses needed; banned or restricted as a tanning aid in many countries.

How it works

Canthaxanthin accumulates in skin and adipose tissue after oral ingestion, giving skin a yellow-orange tint that resembles a suntan. Unlike actual UV-induced tanning, it does not protect against UV damage. It has antioxidant activity in laboratory studies, but at the high doses used historically for skin tanning, it deposited as visible orange-red crystals in the retina (canthaxanthin retinopathy), which led to regulatory restrictions in many countries.

Dosage

There is no recommended or safe supplement dose for skin coloring. Food-use canthaxanthin (as an approved color additive) is consumed in much smaller amounts. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives set an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 0.03 mg/kg body weight/day.

When and how to take it

Not recommended as a supplement. As a food color, it is consumed in approved processed foods following normal eating patterns.

1 commercial form

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Food-color canthaxanthin

Approved as a color additive in many countries at low concentrations.

Lipophilic; absorbed with dietary fat.

Safety

High-dose canthaxanthin (used in 'tanning pills') has caused canthaxanthin retinopathy - visible crystal deposits in the retina that may impair vision and resolve only slowly. The FDA has not approved canthaxanthin for human cosmetic use as a tanning aid in the U.S. Food-use levels are considered safe.

Who should be cautious

Avoid using canthaxanthin as a tanning pill. Avoid high-dose supplements entirely. Pregnant women should rely on dietary amounts only. People with eye disease or impaired vision should be especially cautious.

Interactions

No significant medication interactions reported at food-use levels.

Food sources

Wild salmon

Amount
3 oz (85 g)
%DV
—

Chanterelle mushrooms

Amount
1/2 cup
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

Is taking canthaxanthin to get a tan safe?⌄

No. The doses needed to produce visible tanning have caused eye damage (canthaxanthin retinopathy). The FDA does not approve it for cosmetic tanning, and it should not be used this way.

Is the canthaxanthin in food dangerous?⌄

Food-additive levels are well below the doses that have caused problems. Normal dietary exposure is considered safe by international food safety authorities.

References

Canthaxanthin on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Canthaxanthin (ChEBI:3362) — ChEBI link

Canthaxanthin (PubChem CID 5281227) — PubChem link

Canthaxanthin on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Canthaxanthin (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.