What are Thalitan and tyrosine?
Thalitan and tyrosine are tanning-support ingredients found in some accelerators and maximisers. Rather than adding instant cosmetic colour to the surface of 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 skin colour and the darker colour that develops when skin tans. Because Thalitan and tyrosine are both 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 found in tanning products designed to help support deeper and more even-looking natural colour development.
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.
What is the difference between Thalitan and tyrosine?
Thalitan and tyrosine are not the same ingredient, although both are associated with the skin's natural melanin-producing process.
Thalitan
- What is it? A marine-derived cosmetic active.
- Role in tanning formulas: Designed to support melanogenesis and tyrosinase activity.
- Is it a cosmetic bronzer? No.
- Does it add instant colour? No.
Tyrosine
- What is it? An amino acid.
- Role in tanning formulas: Forms part of the natural melanin-production pathway.
- Is it a cosmetic bronzer? No.
- Does it add instant colour? No.
In simple terms, tyrosine is part of the natural pathway the body uses to produce melanin, while Thalitan is a marine-derived cosmetic active designed to support the processes involved in melanin production. This is why both ingredients can appear in tanning lotions focused on natural colour development.
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 Thalitan nor tyrosine 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?
No. 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.
Which tanning lotions contain Thalitan?
If you are looking specifically for tanning products containing Thalitan, these are some of the products currently available from Sahara Sands.
Money Talks - New Formula with 5% THALITAN, Tyrosine, Carotene and Shea Butter
Even More Black Tanning Accelerator Cream
2bTanned Peach Tanning Accelerator Cream with Thalitan
Rapid Tan Vanilla Baby Advanced Tanning Accelerator 360ml
You can also explore our range of tanning maximisers formulated to support deeper-looking natural colour while helping to keep the skin conditioned throughout your tanning routine.
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