dihydroxyacetone
/ˌdʌɪhʌɪdrɒksɪˈasɪtəʊn
/noun [mass noun] Chemistry
A synthetic compound with strong reducing properties, used in lotions for colouring the skin in sunlight.
- Chemical formula: (CH2OH)CO.
- All self-tanners contain a chemical called dihydroxyacetone, or DHA, which temporarily stains (within about an hour) the uppermost layer of your skin, called the stratum corneum.
- Some beauty salons have recorded a 20% increase in sales of the treatment, which uses the colour additive dihydroxyacetone.
Origin
Late 19th century: from dihydroxy- (in the sense 'containing two hydroxyl groups in the molecule') + acetone.
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