dihydroxyacetone

noun

di·​hy·​droxy·​ac·​e·​tone ˌdī-hī-ˌdräk-sē-ˈa-sə-ˌtōn How to pronounce dihydroxyacetone (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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

Time Traveler
The first known use of dihydroxyacetone was in 1895

Dictionary Entries Near dihydroxyacetone

Cite this Entry

“Dihydroxyacetone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dihydroxyacetone. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

dihydroxyacetone

noun
di·​hy·​droxy·​ac·​e·​tone ˌdī-hī-ˌdräk-sē-ˈas-ə-ˌtōn How to pronounce dihydroxyacetone (audio)
: a glyceraldehyde isomer C3H6O3 that is used especially to stain the skin to simulate a tan
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!