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

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

Beyond the active dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which delivers the colour, there are other properties that make the serum well-suited for dry skin. —Megan Decker, refinery29.com, 6 Oct. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dihydroxyacetone

• dihydrotestosterone
• medroxyprogesterone
• acetone
• anglophone
• baritone
• bourguignon
• buspirone
• chaperon
• chaperone
• cobblestone
• collarbone
• cornerstone

Medical 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