Dihydroxyacetone is the simplest ketoe or a ketotriose compound. It is an isomer of glyceraldehyde also known as glycerone.

The formula of this simple carbohydrate is C3H6O3. DHA is a hygroscopic white crystalline powder with sweet taste. Having no chiral center, it is the only one that has no optical activity. The normal dimer form is soluble in one part water and 15 parts ethanol. The monomer is very soluble in water, ethanol, diethyl ether, acetone and toluene. DHA may be prepared with glyceraldehyde, by oxidation of glycerol, with hydrogen peroxide and a ferrous as catalyst. It is phosphorylated to dihydroxyacetone phosphate by triokinase in erythrocytes, takes part in glycolysis, and it is an intermediate product of fructose metabolism. In combination with naphthoquinones it acts as a sunscreening agent. DHA is primarily used as an ingredient in sunless tanning products. It is derived from plants such as sugar beets and sugar cane, and by the fermentation of glycerin. The skin browning effect is non-toxic because the dead skin cells are the tinted part of the sunless tan, and it is similar to the Maillard reaction. DHA reacts with the amino acids in the skin, which are part of the protein containing keratin layer on the skin surface. Various amino acids react differently to DHA, producing different tones of coloration from yellow to brown. It may be used alone or combined with other tanning components such as erythrulose. DHA is considered the most effective sun-free tanning additive which does not damage the skin, and is considered a safe skin coloring agent and nutritional supplement. During the wine making process, the formation of dihydroxyacetone results in a sweet taste added to the finished product. It can also add a aroma to the wine described by as "crust-like." salt