Guides / The chemistry of self-tan
Read the bottle, properly.
Self-tan is a working applied chemistry product. The label tells you most of what you need to know, if you know what you are reading. These guides cover the active chemistry, the formulation that delivers it, and the practical trade-offs between formats and application methods.
Guide 01 · Chemistry
DHA: the molecule that turns your skin brown.
Dihydroxyacetone, the Maillard reaction, percentage bands and what they mean, the biscuit smell explained, and what an INCI list actually tells you about depth.
Guide 02 · Formulation
Surfactants: why your mousse foams.
The four families of surfactant — anionic, non-ionic, amphoteric, sugar-derived, amino-acid derived — and how to read for sensitive skin. Why mousses feel different from waters from lotions.
Guide 03 · Compared
Spray booth or bottle? A chemistry comparison.
Professional spray vs at-home tan, compared on DHA percentage, solvent system, application physics, wear and cost. What you are actually paying for in a salon.