Erythrulose

Erythrulose is a sugar that is naturally occurring and is used in the cosmetic industry as a self-tanning agent. It is often combined with dihydroxyacetone (DHA) to create a longer-lasting self-tan.

Chemical Structure and Properties

Erythrulose is a tetrose carbohydrate with the chemical formula C4H8O4. It is an isomer of threose. It has a sweet taste and is readily soluble in water.

Uses

Erythrulose is primarily used in the cosmetic industry, specifically in self-tanning products. It reacts with the amino acids in the skin to produce a brown color. It is often combined with DHA to produce a more even and longer-lasting tan.

Safety

Erythrulose is generally considered safe for topical use. However, like all self-tanning products, it does not provide any protection against UV radiation from the sun. Therefore, it is important to use sun protection in addition to self-tanning products.

See Also

• Dihydroxyacetone
• Self-tanning
• UV radiation