Do You Know What Exactly DHA Is?
With the market for self-tanners growing every year, the name DHA might or might not be familiar to most people. Sure, it is an ingredient that is present in most self tanners, but what exactly does it mean and do?
What Is DHA?
DHA is just something that is needed to make the skin tan. Fun fact: DHA is a 3-carbon sugar that was first identified as a tanning agent in the 1920s, and is essential to the operation of self-tanners. Fun Fact: you won't have to worry about applying any dangerous chemicals to your skin because it is the only active component currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for sunless tanning!
The chemical reaction that takes place when DHA comes into contact with the amino acids in dead skin cells is how this substance makes your skin glow. Just think of it like this: DHA + amino acids = flawless summer glow! It makes your skin appear darker and unfortunately fades after a few days since dead skin cells eventually shed.
How Safe is DHA?
Given that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it as the only active ingredient for sunless tanning, I would assume that self-tanners with DHA are the safest to use. It can be used on all skin types, but if you want a product specifically for yours, brands use their formula to cater to a particular skin type!
However, it should be noted that just because DHA gives you what UV rays would’ve given you, it does not offer UV protection. You can get the necessary protection by combining SPF with your self-tanner.
How Does DHI Beauty Use DHA?
To avoid compromising the clear and uncomplicated formulas, DHI Beauty takes pride in using the finest and purest quality of FDA-approved Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) obtained from sugar beets and sugar cane. 10% DHA is present in our Bronzing Mousse, and its effectiveness can be increased as more is used.
Check out our Bronzing Mousse that contains DHA and our other tanning products here: