A recent efficacy study conducted by Institute Dr Schrader in Holzminden, Germany, has revealed that the self-tanning active ingredient DHA Plus from Merck KGaA makes the development of self-tanner formulations with a pleasant smell possible.
In a comparative double-blind study, dihydroxyacetone (DHA) and DHA Plus were both applied to the forearms of 29 test subjects. Thereafter the smell was assessed after different time intervals had elapsed. The subsequent olfactory analysis showed DHA Plus to be the favourite. In comparison with the emulsion containing pure DHA, the smell of the formulation containing DHA Plus was perceived as being far more pleasant. The results thus reflect the findings of scientific investigations at Merck, which were also aimed at comparing the smell of DHA and DHA Plus in cosmetic formulations, with all test subjects giving preference to DHA Plus. According to these studies, DHA Plus is superior to pure DHA with regard to both smell (olfactory perception of the test subjects) in the cosmetic formulation as well as in vivo, i.e. during the tanning reaction. Consequently, self-tanning emulsions need not have an unpleasant smell.
