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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web 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
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
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