Sunless Tanners in Dermatology: A Review of Ingredients, Efficacy, and Safety Profiles

January 2026 | Volume 25 | Issue 1 | 9360 | Copyright © January 2026


Published online December 19, 2025

T. Austin Black BSa, Jonathan Hatch DOb, Melissa R. Laughter MD PhDc, Jaclyn B. Anderson MDd

aJohn P. and Kathrine G. McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX
bTrinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital, Ypsilanti, MI
cRonald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY
dDepartment of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA

Abstract
Background: Sunless tanners offer a safer alternative to ultraviolet (UV)-based tanning but may cause adverse skin reactions, including irritant and allergic contact dermatitis. This study examines the composition, efficacy, safety, and reported side effects of commonly used sunless tanning products.
Methods: The top 50 sunless tanners on Amazon's Best Sellers list (March 2025) were reviewed. After excluding bundles, applicators, and non-self-tanning cosmetics, 37 products were included. Ingredient lists were analyzed, and customer reviews were screened for reports of skin reactions using predefined keywords.
Results: All products contained dihydroxyacetone (DHA), 38% included erythrulose, 11% contained melanin, and 5% included tyrosine derivatives. Only one product (3%) also contained sunscreen. On average, 1.96% of customer reviews mentioned skin reactions.
Discussion: DHA remains the predominant active ingredient, with erythrulose, melanin, and tyrosine derivatives used less frequently. Emerging or less common agents such as troxerutin, melanotan, and melanoidins raise safety and regulatory concerns. Reported adverse effects include contact dermatitis and pigmentary changes, which may complicate dermatologic assessments.
Conclusion: While sunless tanners provide a UV-free tanning option, dermatologists should educate patients on ingredient safety, potential adverse effects, and proper application techniques. Given their minimal UV protection, patients should be advised to continue regular sunscreen use.

INTRODUCTION

Sunless tanners offer an alternative to traditional tanning methods that involve exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Dermatologists have long advised patients to avoid excess exposure to UV radiation due to its well-documented association with an increased risk of skin cancer and photoaging.1 Yet, many patients still desire to have a darkened or tanned complexion. To meet this demand, a variety of products commonly referred to as sunless or self-tanners have been developed to darken the skin without the harmful effects of UV radiation. According to a Market Research Report by Fortune Business Insights, the sunless tanner market was valued at 1.04 billion United States Dollars (USD) in 2022 and is expected to grow to 1.7 billion USD by 2030.2 While sunless tanners are generally considered safer than UV-based tanning, they are not without risks, including allergic and irritant contact dermatitis, among other dermatologic conditions.3,4

In this article, we aim to provide dermatologists with practical, up-to-date information to better counsel patients seeking sunless tanning options. To inform our review, we analyzed ingredient lists and consumer-reported reactions from top-selling sunless tanning products on Amazon.com to identify which ingredients patients are most likely to encounter. We then examined the mechanisms of action, efficacy, and adverse effects of both widely used and emerging tanning agents, along with best practices for optimizing cosmetic outcomes and minimizing skin-related complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To better understand which sunless tanning ingredients patients are most likely to encounter, we conducted an ingredient and review analysis of the top-selling sunless tanning products on Amazon.com as of March 2025.5 Amazon's Best Sellers list was used as a proxy for consumer popularity and product usage patterns. A total of 50 products were screened, with 13 excluded as bundles, applicators, or non-self-tanning cosmetics. For each included product, ingredient lists and customer reviews were collected and analyzed. Ingredient lists were examined for self-tanning agents previously reported as commonly used in sunless tanners, as described by Martini.6 Customer reviews were screened for mention of skin reactions using the keywords: "allergic," "allergy," "hives," "rash," and "reaction." Reviews containing these terms were subsequently assessed to ensure proper context.

RESULTS

Of the products analyzed, all (n=37) contained dihydroxyacetone (DHA), 38% (n=14) contained erythrulose, 11% (n=4) contained melanin, and 5% (n=2) contained tyrosine/tyrosine derivative.
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