ABSTRACT
The desire for tanned skin alongside increasing awareness of the hazards of ultraviolet (UV) light exposure has led to renewed interest in artificial tanning products. Better formulations of sunless or self-tanners with improved aesthetics are more widely available. As consumer experience with the newer products has grown this category has become more popular, resulting in an increasing proportion of overall suncare sales. Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is the active ingredient in sunless or self-tanners, and is responsible for darkening the skin by staining. DHA is classified in the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook [1] as a colorant or a colorless dye. Tan accelerators containing tyrosine and other ingredients and tanning promoters containing psoralens require UV exposure and will not be discussed here.
