The invention relates to the use of specific disaccharides and derivatives thereof as self-tanning substance or as tanning enhancer for dihydroxyacetone or for a mixture of self-tanning substances comprising dihydroxyacetone. The invention furthermore relates to the use thereof for the modulation of the hue which is achieved on tanning with dihydroxyacetone or by the mixture or preparation comprising dihydroxyacetone. The invention furthermore relates to the use thereof in a mixture or preparation comprising at least dihydroxyacetone as self-tanning substance as contrast-reduction agent. The use of such compounds facilitates a significantly improved colouring result of the skin.