Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is commonly found in which type of product?

Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is a colorless sugar that reacts with the amino acids in the skin's surface to create a bronzing effect, which is the basis for self-tanning products. When DHA is applied to the skin, it undergoes a chemical reaction with the keratin proteins, leading to the formation of a brown pigmentation known as melanoidins. This reaction typically takes several hours to fully develop, resulting in a tan-like appearance that can last several days as the outer skin cells naturally shed.

Self-tanning products are specifically formulated to utilize DHA for achieving a sun-kissed look without exposure to harmful UV rays. The effectiveness and safety of DHA in these formulations are well established, making it a staple ingredient in the self-tanning industry.

While DHA can influence the formulation of some other types of products, like moisturizers that might incorporate it for its skin-conditioning properties, its primary use and market association is firmly with self-tanning products.