Most tanning pills, like the ones sold by My Tan, are said to give a healthy tan in about two weeks after taking the first dose. And while you may notice your skin change color within that time frame, it may not be the natural bronzed glow you hoped for. In fact, it could turn you an unsightly orange color instead.

This is because one of the main additives in tanning pills is called canthaxanthin, which, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, can give the skin a shade ranging from "orange to brownish," depending on the person. While canthaxanthin can be found in other foods in smaller doses and is FDA-approved for that use, tanning pills contain more significant amounts and are not approved by the FDA.

While some natural-based tanning pills don't include canthaxanthin and may be considered "safer" alternatives, the ingredients list is usually compromised of "a bunch of common, everyday vitamins," per Selftanning.com, thus leading to the conclusion that natural tanning pills won't help you achieve a tan.