Need Training?

Build a solid foundation in science, formulation and product development—find out more!

Most Popular in:

Color Cosmetics

Excerpt Only

Email This Item! Print This Item!

Mentor Series—Self-Tanners: Formulating with Dihydroxyacetone

By: Ratan K. Chaudhuri and Christina Hwang, Rona/EM Industries Inc.
Posted: May 6, 2003, from the September 2001 issue of Cosmetics & Toiletries.

Purchase This Article

  • From Cosmetics & Toiletries
  • September 2001 issue, pg 87
  • 8 pages

Article Keywords:

Available Formats:

  • Adobe PDF for download
  • Printed copies mailed to you

From $9 an article

The majority of cosmetic formulation are designed to improve biological surfaces through some physical interaction. For example, shampoos help physically remove oil and dirt from hair; makeups physically change the color of skin. While these products significantly modify the appearance of their targeted sufaces, the effects are temporary because they do not chemically modify the surface.

There are, however, a few cosmetic product types that rely on chemical reactions with the biolocal surfaces to create more "permanent" effects. In hair care, these types include dyes, perms and relaxers. In skin care, the most common type is sunless tanners.

This is only an excerpt of the full article that appeared in Cosmetics & Toiletries, but you can purchase the full-text version.