Dihydroxyacetone used in cosmetics industry is mainly used as the formula material of cosmetics, especially as sunscreen, which has special effects, can prevent excessive evaporation of skin moisture, and plays a role in moisturizing, sunscreen and ultraviolet radiation protection.

In addition, the ketone functional group in DHA can react with the amino acid and amino group of skin keratin to form a brown polymer, which can make people's skin produce an artificial brown color. Therefore, it can also be used as a simulator of sun skin color to obtain brown or brown skin that looks the same as the result of long-term exposure to sunlight, making it look beautiful.