Contact Dermatitis, Unlabeled Ingredients Among Concerns in Self-Tanners

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is the universal active ingredient in popular sunless tanning products, with minimal inclusion of SPF.

• New research shows nearly 2% of user reviews mention skin reactions, including dermatitis and pigmentation issues.

• Dermatologists should counsel patients on safe use and reinforce the need for sunscreen with self-tanners.

A recent review in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology raised some concerns regarding ingredient safety and adverse reactions.

Researchers on the study analyzed the top 50 best-selling sunless tanning products on Amazon as of March 2025 and included 37 formulations (excluding non-applicable items like bundles and applicators). All products contained dihydroxyacetone (DHA) as the primary tanning agent, with erythrulose appearing in 38% of products, melanin in 11%, and tyrosine derivatives in 5%. One product (3%) included sunscreen. Less common ingredients included troxerutin, melanotan, and melanoidins.

An analysis of user reviews showed an average of 1.96% referenced adverse skin reactions, mainly irritant and allergic contact dermatitis. The study authors also noted pigmentary alterations that could confound dermatologic evaluations or mimic pathology.

“Sunless tanners provide a popular alternative to traditional tanning through UV exposure, offering a safer option for individuals seeking a darker complexion," the authors wrote in their conclusion. "While DHA remains the primary active ingredient, the inclusion of additional ingredients can influence both the efficacy and final tone, leading to a wide range of outcomes across different formulations. Given the variation in individual preferences, determining an "optimal" sunless tanning formulation remains challenging."

Source: Black TA, et al. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2025;25(1):9360.