dihydroxyacetone
noun
di·hy·droxy·ac·e·tone
ˌdī-hī-ˌdräk-sē-ˈa-sə-ˌtōn 
: a glyceraldehyde isomer C3H6O3 used especially to stain the skin to simulate a tan
—abbreviation DHA
Examples of dihydroxyacetone in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Fake tan lotions typically contain an ingredient called dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a color additive that darkens the skin by reacting with amino acids in the skin's surface.
—
Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
Instead, Parker recommended sticking with a sunless tanner that contains the ingredient dihydroxyacetone (DHA).
—Gillian Mohney, Verywell Health, 7 Mar. 2025
While self-tanning products are considered safer than spray tans or natural tans, some concerns have arisen surrounding dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which is the ingredient in fake tanning products that gives skin a brown pigment.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 3 July 2024
Pradas said this is a false claim, since basically all tans include DHA (dihydroxyacetone), a color additive derived from sugar that turns dead skin cells brown.
—Annie Goldsmith, Town & Country, 15 Feb. 2023
The magic behind self-tanner begins and ends with dihydroxyacetone, better known as DHA.
—Jasmine Washington, Seventeen, 13 June 2022
Yeah, the active ingredient in spray tanning is DHA, dihydroxyacetone, and the tanning solution comes in different percentages of DHA.
—Jailynn Taylor, Essence, 3 June 2022
Ideal for dry, dull skin, this serum uses dihydroxyacetone derived from sugar beet to lightly deepen the skin’s tone while hyaluronic acid helps keep skin soft and supple.
—Cristina Montemayor, SELF, 27 May 2022
However, compared to the self-tanning ingredient dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which turns the outer layer of skin dark in a matter of hours, dihydroxy methylchromonyl palmitate can take as long as 10 days.
—Kirbie Johnson, Allure, 4 Feb. 2022
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Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
Instead, Parker recommended sticking with a sunless tanner that contains the ingredient dihydroxyacetone (DHA).
—Gillian Mohney, Verywell Health, 7 Mar. 2025
While self-tanning products are considered safer than spray tans or natural tans, some concerns have arisen surrounding dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which is the ingredient in fake tanning products that gives skin a brown pigment.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 3 July 2024
Pradas said this is a false claim, since basically all tans include DHA (dihydroxyacetone), a color additive derived from sugar that turns dead skin cells brown.
—Annie Goldsmith, Town & Country, 15 Feb. 2023
The magic behind self-tanner begins and ends with dihydroxyacetone, better known as DHA.
—Jasmine Washington, Seventeen, 13 June 2022
Yeah, the active ingredient in spray tanning is DHA, dihydroxyacetone, and the tanning solution comes in different percentages of DHA.
—Jailynn Taylor, Essence, 3 June 2022
Ideal for dry, dull skin, this serum uses dihydroxyacetone derived from sugar beet to lightly deepen the skin’s tone while hyaluronic acid helps keep skin soft and supple.
—Cristina Montemayor, SELF, 27 May 2022
However, compared to the self-tanning ingredient dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which turns the outer layer of skin dark in a matter of hours, dihydroxy methylchromonyl palmitate can take as long as 10 days.
—Kirbie Johnson, Allure, 4 Feb. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Dihydroxyacetone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dihydroxyacetone. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
dihydroxyacetone
noun
di·hy·droxy·ac·e·tone
ˌdī-hī-ˌdräk-sē-ˈas-ə-ˌtōn
: a glyceraldehyde isomer C3H6O3 that is used especially to stain the skin to simulate a tan
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