Dihydroxyacetone (/ˌdaɪhaɪˌdrɒksiˈæsɪtoʊn/ ( listen); DHA, also known as glycerol, is a simple sugar (triose). DHA is primarily used as an ingredient in sunless tanning products. It is often derived from plant sources such as sugar beets and sugar cane, and glycerol fermentation.prepare[edit]DHA can