Clinical care. Real people.

Clinical
wellness

From formulation to finish, we combine dermatology research, high-performing ingredients and real-world results.

Skin wellness at every step because a beautiful tan is just the beginning.

People at the center. Always.

Dermatologist Developed

Your journey to radiant, sun-kissed skin starts here.

Get your glow

The first breakthrough

Separate the color from the UV.

DHA does not require UV radiation to create visible color.
It reacts with amino acids in the dead surface cells of the epidermis, forming pigments that temporarily darken the stratum corneum. [2]

UV tan: sun-damaged skin with uneven dark spots, compared with an even complexionSunless color: smooth, even golden skin

That distinction matters.

The American Academy of Dermatology advises avoiding tanning beds and recommends considering a self tanning product for people who want the appearance of a tan while avoiding intentional UV tanning, and continuing to use sunscreen. [1]

Sunless tanning does not replace sunscreen. SUNKIS does not provide UV protection.
FDA describes DHA as acting on dead surface cells of the epidermis rather than inducing a UV tan.

The science keeps moving

A new systematic review of 16 studies on DHA safety + clinical use

DHA is still being studied by dermatologists today.

The evidence is evolving. We follow it.

The review found no demonstrated harm from DHA use.

The review called for further research into free radicals and long-term exposure. [3]

Author affiliations

  • Université de Montréal
  • Université de Sherbrooke
  • McGill University

Color science

Natural-looking color is more complicated than “darker.”

Warmth over darkness. Dimension over flat color.

“The magnitude and direction of the colour shift is a critical factor to achieve a natural appearance.” [4]
  • Lightness
  • Redness
  • Yellowness
100Participants
CIELAB colorimetric analysis

Published research on DHA color development; not a clinical trial of SUNKIS.

The second breakthrough

What if self tanner stopped being only about the tan?

The tan becomes part of the skincare routine

Traditional category

Close-up of a flat, deep brown skin tone

Color

SUNKIS philosophy

Close-up of a warm, golden-orange skin tone with natural texture
  • Color
  • Hydration
  • Barrier
  • Antioxidant
  • Visible aging support

Once color no longer requires intentional UV tanning, another question becomes possible: what else should the formula do while it’s sitting on your skin? SUNKIS pairs its tanning system with skincare ingredients independently studied for hydration, barrier support, antioxidant activity and visible signs of skin aging.

Bakuchiol research · British Journal of Dermatology

19%

Reduction in fine-wrinkle surface area at week 12

In a randomized, double-blind 12-week study of 44 participants, a topical bakuchiol formulation significantly reduced fine-wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation. Bakuchiol and retinol both produced significant improvement; participants using retinol reported more scaling and stinging. [5]

Fine-wrinkle surface area, relative to baseline

Schematic of the published 19% reduction in fine-wrinkle surface area.

  • 44 participants
  • 12 weeks
  • Randomized · double-blind
  • Dermatologist-assessed

Published ingredient research

Four more ingredients. Same standard.

  • Niacinamide

    Tone. Texture. Elasticity.

    Significant improvements vs control in fine lines + wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, texture, red blotchiness, sallowness and elasticity.

    Randomized, double-blind, split-face

    50women

    12 weeks

  • Hyaluronic acid

    Hydration has molecular weight.

    Significant gains in hydration and elasticity vs placebo; certain lower-molecular-weight formulations also reduced wrinkle depth.

    Randomized, several molecular weights

    76women

    60 days

  • Ectoin

    Built around water.

    Benefits in moisturization, skin-surface structure and elasticity; also studied in skin with impaired barrier function.

    Randomized, vehicle-controlled

    104women

    4 weeks

  • Resveratrol

    Antioxidant science, applied to skin.

    Remained within layers of the stratum corneum while retaining measurable antiradical activity.

    Human skin research

    6women

    24 hours

Independent published research on each ingredient. Study formulations and concentrations differed from SUNKIS. Results should not be read as a clinical trial of the finished formula.

The convergence

Two sciences. One new approach to tanning.

Color science

DHA
+ Erythrulose

Color development at the skin surface.
No intentional UV required to develop the tan.

Together

SUNKIS
Warmth + Dimension™

A tanning formula that pairs color
with modern skin wellness.

Skin science

Bakuchiol · Niacinamide · Ectoin
Multi-Molecular HA · Resveratrol

Skincare ingredients that support hydration,
barrier function and visible skin wellness.

Science led. Skin first. Sun kissed.

The science didn’t stop.
Neither did we.

That matters to us.

Our standard is to keep following the research across color science, ingredient science, skin barrier science and dermatology and evolve as the evidence does. [3][11]

Shop SUNKIS
Smiling dermatologist in a white coat and navy scrubs

The research library

Research references

  1. [1]

    American Academy of Dermatology Association. How to Prevent Skin Cancer. Updated August 15, 2025. Guidance: avoid tanning beds; consider self tanning products if a tan is desired while continuing sun protection.

  2. [2]

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Tanning Products Sunless Tanning Sprays and Lotions. DHA interacts with dead surface cells of the epidermis to darken skin color and simulate a tan.

  3. [3]

    Laferté C, Oliel S, Petr K. Clinical Use and Safety of Self Tanner (Topical Dihydroxyacetone) in Dermatology: A Systematic Review. 2026. DOI: 10.1177/12034754261418253. PMID: 41757797.

  4. [4]

    A Colorimetric Comparison of Sunless With Natural Skin Tan. 2020. PMID: 33315862. Study evaluated DHA induced color changes in 100 participants and concluded that control of both magnitude and direction of color shift is critical to a natural appearance.

  5. [5]

    Dhaliwal S, Rybak I, Ellis SR, et al. Prospective, Randomized, Double Blind Assessment of Topical Bakuchiol and Retinol for Facial Photoageing. British Journal of Dermatology. 2019;180:289 to 296. DOI: 10.1111/bjd.16918. PMID: 29947134.

  6. [6]

    Bissett DL, Oblong JE, Berge CA. Niacinamide: A B Vitamin That Improves Aging Facial Skin Appearance. Dermatologic Surgery. 2005;31:860 to 865. DOI: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2005.31732. PMID: 16029679.

  7. [7]

    Pavicic T, Gauglitz GG, Lersch P, et al. Efficacy of Cream Based Novel Formulations of Hyaluronic Acid of Different Molecular Weights in Anti Wrinkle Treatment. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2011. PMID: 22052267.

  8. [8]

    In Vivo Assessment of Ectoin: A Randomized, Vehicle Controlled Clinical Trial. PMID: 17519560.

  9. [9]

    Marini A, Reinelt K, Krutmann J, Bilstein A. Ectoine Containing Cream in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Atopic Dermatitis: A Randomised, Comparator Controlled, Intra Individual Double Blind, Multi Center Trial. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology. 2014;27:57 to 65. DOI: 10.1159/000351381. PMID: 23949258.

  10. [10]

    Alonso C, Martí M, Barba C, et al. Skin Permeation and Antioxidant Efficacy of Topically Applied Resveratrol. Archives of Dermatological Research. 2017. DOI: 10.1007/s00403-017-1740-5. PMID: 28389713.

  11. [11]

    Black TA, Hatch J, Laughter MR, Anderson JB. Sunless Tanners in Dermatology: A Review of Ingredients, Efficacy, and Safety Profiles. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2026;25(1).