Natural, high-performance haircare ingredients are in high demand, with formulators looking for plant-based ingredients that deliver real benefits while aligning with clean beauty principles. The Phytoessentials™ range by Carrubba, now available through HARKE UK & Ireland, offers 5 unique solvent-free botanical juices extracted from nutrient-dense microgreens.
Continue reading
Self-tanning products can offer a safe, effective and natural-looking alternative to sun exposure. But not all tans are created equal! Formulators today are searching for high-performance ingredients that deliver a more even colour, last longer, and have added skin benefits.
HARKE UK & Ireland is proud to offer a high performing range of active ingredients for sunless tanning and tan enhancement. From streak-free self-tanners to skin-friendly tan boosters, these ingredients give formulators powerful tools to create effective and on-trend tanning products.
Sunsafe® DHA (INCI: Dihydroxyacetone) is a sunless tanning agent derived from glycerol. It is the most popular sunless tanning ingredient on the market and the only one approved by the American FDA. Sunsafe® DHA works by binding to amines, peptides, and free amino acids in the outer layers of the stratum corneum to trigger a Maillard reaction. This leads to the formation of brown-coloured compounds known as melanoidins, which develop into a natural-looking tan.
A visible tan appears within two to three hours after application and continues to darken for up to six hours, delivering a warm bronze tone without UV exposure. According to Uniproma, Sunsafe® DHA provides consistent performance across different skin tones, and the resulting tan can last several days to a week depending on the formulation.
Sunsafe® DHA can be used in bronze concealers and emulsions as well as self-tanning sprays.
Erythrulose by Kraeber (INCI: Erythrulose) is a natural keto-sugar made from non-GMO European maize. It works synergistically with Sunsafe® DHA to deepen and even out colour while reducing the risk of streaking or patchiness. Its smooth, honey-like texture makes it ideal for use in drops, serums, sprays, and creams, especially in sensitive or allergen-free ranges.
Kleensolve™ DMI (INCI: Dimethyl Isosorbide) is a multifunctional solvent from KCI that boosts the delivery and effectiveness of Sunsafe® DHA and Erythrulose. By enhancing skin penetration and improving solubility, Kleensolve™ DMI helps to optimise tanning performance without irritation.
Together, Erythrulose and Kleensolve™ DMI make a perfect pairing with Sunsafe® DHA for boosting tan intensity, evenness, and longevity.
Tyrostan® PF (INCI: Potassium Caproyl Tyrosine) is a melanin-boosting active ingredient by Sinerga that is derived from L-Tyrosine, the amino acid involved in the skin’s natural tanning response. Unlike self-tanners, Tyrostan® PF works with the skin’s own melanin production process, enhancing the tan that develops with sun exposure or supporting natural pigmentation when used over time.
Testing by Sinerga has shown that Tyrostan® PF at 5% concentration significantly boosts pigmentation compared to placebo, with up to 77% more visible colour after three weeks of UV exposure. In sunscreen formulations, it also increased melanin levels and the skin’s resistance to erythema.
Tyrosinol (INCI: Caproyl Tyrosinic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Glyceryl Oleate) is an oil-soluble active ingredient by Sinerga with many of the same benefits as Tyrostan® PF. Thanks to its stimulating action on melanin production, Tyrosinol promotes a long lasting and homogeneous suntan. It is ideal for applications such as suncare oils, emulsions and lipogels.
Whether you’re working on a high-performance self-tanner, a tan booster serum, or a sun care product that supports natural pigmentation, this selection of tanning ingredients offers proven results and formulation flexibility.
To find out more, or to request a sample, get in touch with the HARKE UK & Ireland team today. We look forward to hearing from you.
At HARKE Pharma, we source reliable, pharmaceutical grade excipients that help our customers formulate safely and efficiently. Preventol® CMK PG from LANXESS is one of those proven workhorses, a high-quality preservative with broad antimicrobial properties that’s been used for decades across pharma and healthcare.Continue reading
Naternal™ Care XTRA is a bio-based, responsibly sourced conditioning polymer designed to transform the care of highly damaged hair.Continue reading
