Thalitan & Tyrosine in Tanning Lotions

What are Thalitan and tyrosine?

Thalitan and tyrosine are ingredients found in some tanning accelerators and maximisers. Rather than adding instant cosmetic colour to the skin, they are used in formulas designed to support the skin's natural tanning process and the production of melanin.

Melanin is the natural pigment responsible for the colour of your skin and the darker colour that develops when skin tans. Because both Thalitan and tyrosine are associated with the melanin pathway, they are often used in more advanced tanning lotions aimed at people who want to develop and maintain a deeper-looking natural tan.

What is Thalitan?

Thalitan is a marine-derived cosmetic active developed from brown algae. It is designed to stimulate the biological processes involved in melanogenesis, which is the process through which the skin produces melanin.

One of the ways Thalitan works is by supporting tyrosinase activity. Tyrosinase is an important enzyme involved in melanin production. This is why Thalitan is increasingly found in tanning products designed to help support a deeper and more even-looking natural tan.

What is tyrosine?

Tyrosine is an amino acid naturally involved in the production of melanin. During melanogenesis, tyrosine forms part of the pathway the body uses to create the pigments responsible for skin colour.

Tanning lotion manufacturers may include tyrosine or tyrosine-derived ingredients in accelerators and maximisers intended to support natural colour development during a tanning routine.

Why are Thalitan and tyrosine used together?

Although they are different ingredients, Thalitan and tyrosine are both associated with the skin's melanin-producing process. Combining them allows tanning lotion formulators to approach natural tan development from different parts of the same biological pathway.

Designed to support the skin's natural melanin process
Often found in tanning accelerators and maximisers
Do not rely on instant cosmetic colour to make the skin look darker
Can be combined with moisturising and skin-conditioning ingredients
Popular in formulas aimed at developing deeper-looking natural colour

Are Thalitan and tyrosine bronzers?

No. Neither ingredient should be confused with a traditional cosmetic bronzer or DHA.

Cosmetic bronzers add visible colour to the surface of the skin, while DHA reacts with components in the outermost layer of the skin to gradually create a bronzed appearance. Thalitan and tyrosine are instead used in products designed to support natural melanin production.

Who might choose a lotion with Thalitan and tyrosine?

These ingredients are particularly interesting for people looking for an accelerator or maximiser focused on natural tan development rather than simply adding temporary cosmetic colour.

They may also appeal to regular tanners who have reached a point where their usual tanning lotion no longer seems to be producing the same progression in colour and they want to try a more advanced formula.

Do Thalitan and tyrosine provide sun protection?

Tanning-support ingredients should not be treated as a replacement for sunscreen. Unless a product specifically states that it contains an SPF, you should not assume that a tanning accelerator or maximiser provides protection from UV radiation.