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Is dihydroxyacetone safe during pregnancy?

Reviewed by · Last reviewed

Pregnancy-Safe Ingredients Database — 28,000+ Ingredients Rated
dihydroxyacetone
NO KNOWN RISKS
93
/100
0

Pregnancy-safe products containing dihydroxyacetone

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Authoritative references used to score this ingredient.

Frequently asked questions

Is dihydroxyacetone safe during pregnancy?
SCCS (final opinion, Mar 4, 2020) concluded DHA is safe for cosmetic leave‑on use up to 6.25% (hair) and up to 10% (self‑tanning/face creams), with no reproductive/pregnancy hazard identified. Published reviews note topical use gives minimal systemic uptake (~0.5%), so systemic exposure in pregnancy is low but measurable. ([health.ec.europa.eu](https://health.ec.europa.eu/publications/dihydroxyacetone-dha-13-dihydroxy-2-propanone-cas-no-96-26-4_en))
Is dihydroxyacetone safe while breastfeeding?
No authoritative classification or evidence of reproductive or lactation hazard; SCCS assessed cosmetic safety and did not flag breastfeeding/lactation risks. Dermal use produces low but measurable systemic levels, so exposure via milk is theoretically possible but not documented. ([health.ec.europa.eu](https://health.ec.europa.eu/publications/dihydroxyacetone-dha-13-dihydroxy-2-propanone-cas-no-96-26-4_en))
Is dihydroxyacetone safe for baby skin?
No infant‑specific developmental or dermal toxicity data were identified and authoritative reviews (SCCS) did not flag child/infant hazards. Because DHA has measurable dermal absorption in adults (low), baby skin exposure is increased (immature barrier, higher SA:BW), so exposure score is increased by +1 relative to adults. No evidence found to increase hazard or mechanism scores. ([health.ec.europa.eu](https://health.ec.europa.eu/publications/dihydroxyacetone-dha-13-dihydroxy-2-propanone-cas-no-96-26-4_en))
How does VeriMom score dihydroxyacetone?
VeriMom scores dihydroxyacetone at 93/100 (no known risks) based on EU CosIng status, ECHA hazard classifications, and peer-reviewed PubMed studies. Our scoring pipeline is fully transparent.
What are pregnancy-safe alternatives to dihydroxyacetone?
See our curated list of pregnancy-safe alternatives to dihydroxyacetone based on similar function and a no-known-risks safety band.

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Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Safety scores are based on publicly available data and may not reflect all risks. Always consult your healthcare provider before using any product during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

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