AYU Sunless

We are so excited to announce our third speaker at our Masterclass! Introducing Breanne Hight (), owner and founder of Shade in San Francisco! Swipe through to read about Breanne’s presentation, and we hope to see you here in Chattanooga this July 11th, tickets available at ayusunless.com!

DMI is a real cosmetic ingredient. The sweat-resistant claim attached to it is not scientifically accurate.
As a cosmetic chemist, I want to explain why.
DHA creates your tan through a reaction with amino acids in the outermost dead cell layer of the skin, the stratum corneum. That is its site of action.
A pe*******on enhancer like DMI is designed to help certain ingredients move more readily through the skin barrier. In the context of DHA, that is not necessarily an enhancement. DHA does not need a deeper target to create a better tan.
A longer-lasting, better-fading tan comes from the right DHA concentration, formula pH, skin preparation, and consistent aftercare. Not one ingredient.
If a client switches to a DMI formula and notices better longevity, the most likely explanation is the overall formula system. DHA percentage, pH, humectants, emollients, application, and aftercare all play a role. Not DMI alone.
The full chemistry breakdown is on the Sunless Smart blog.

We are thrilled to introduce our second guest speaker, Marilyn Spatola! She will talk about how she carved a niche in spray tanning around competitive body building! This will be exclusive to the AYU Sunless Masterclass, happening July 11th, 2026 in Chattanooga, TN, tickets still available!

Introducing our first guest speaker, Vanessa Prinzo! We are so excited to have her at our first ever AYU Sunless Masterclass, this July 11th in Chattanooga, TN!

DHA is often discussed as if it needs to go deeper into the skin to work better. It does not.

DHA is not an anti-aging active. It is a tanning active that works on the outermost dead skin cells, where the sunless tanning reaction takes place.

That is why skin condition matters so much.

When the surface of the skin is balanced, smooth, and properly prepared, the reaction tends to look more even. When the skin is dry, rough, compromised, or uneven, the final color can reflect that.

This is also why prep should never be treated like an extra step. Prep is part of the chemistry behind the result.

In sunless tanning, deeper is not better. Better surface condition is better.

There’s been growing conversation suggesting that DHA in sunless tanning damages the skin and accelerates aging.
This narrative blends partial chemistry truths with incorrect skin biology.
DHA reacts only with amino acids in the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of dead skin cells. It does not pe*****te into living skin where collagen exists.
While brief surface-level oxidative activity can occur during color development, there is no clinical evidence that DHA causes collagen breakdown or premature skin aging.
Premature aging is driven primarily by UV exposure, chronic inflammation, and long-term barrier disruption.
Science-based education will always matter more than fear-based skincare claims.

Saved for anyone who wants clarity over noise.
Full science explanation now on the blog. Sunless Smart

Cocoanilla Espresso in production.

A depth-driven solution formulated to create a red-carpet glow, what many artists describe as “photoshop in a bottle,” achieved through balanced development and skin-first formulation.

If you have questions, read through the slides. They answer the most common ones we receive about Cocoanilla Espresso, from depth and DHA to development and skin condition.

Healthy Skin Defined 🤎