What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningPEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantDihydroxypropyl PEG-5 Linoleammonium Chloride
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingMelanin
Skin ProtectingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 61570
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propylene Glycol, Dihydroxyacetone, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Caramel, Dihydroxypropyl PEG-5 Linoleammonium Chloride, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol, Melanin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, CI 19140, CI 61570, CI 16035, CI 17200, CI 42090, CI 15985
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCeteareth-25
CleansingMethylparaben
PreservativeParfum
MaskingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
BufferingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingErythrulose
TanningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCI 60725
Cosmetic ColorantSolvent Yellow 33
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Dihydroxyacetone, Alcohol Denat., Decyl Glucoside, Ceteareth-25, Methylparaben, Parfum, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Citric Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Benzyl Alcohol, Erythrulose, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, CI 60725, Solvent Yellow 33, CI 14700
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dihydroxyacetone, or DHA, is the active ingredient in self-tanners.
It's a simply sugar that reacts with the free amino acids in your outermost layer of skin to produce brown-colored compounds called melanoidins.
DHA does not penetrate living skin cells, does not interact with melanocytes, and does not affect actualy melanin production.
There's a "safety controversy" that largely stems from misinterpreted studies:
Once concern is that DHA can generate unstable molecules that can damage cells (free radicals) when exposed to sunlight. This only happens in the outermost layer of dead skin cells and wearing SPF on top takes care of it.
The DNA damage claim comes from lab studies that doused living skin cells in much higher concentrations of DHA than you'd ever find in a self-tanner. That's not really a meaningful comparison to putting self-tanning lotion on your skin.
Regulatory bodies around the world, including the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) and the U.S. FDA consider it safe for use in cosmetics when applied topically (maximum 10%, and most self-tanners contain between 3-5%).
Learn more about DihydroxyacetoneWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water