Colourants in our makeup and cosmetics

COLOURS IN OUR COSMETICS

At the most basic level, cosmetic colourants can be divided into three groups: organic, inorganic, and fruit/vegetable colourants.

ORGANIC COLORANTS
In this case, ‘organic’ just means it contains carbon atoms. It doesn’t have the conventional meaning of ‘organic’ that we usually associate with food or cosmetics. All organic colourants are either classified as dyes or pigments.

Organic Dyes: water-soluble colourants that are synthetically produced from petroleum oil or coal/tar derivatives. They’re usually labeled with D&C or FD&C at the beginning. Often contaminated with lead or arsenic, these ingredients have been linked to cancer and organ system toxicity.

Organic Pigments: oil dispersible colourants commonly used in cosmetics. Many are produced from FD&C dyes and carry most of the same risks and characteristics.

INORGANIC COLOURANTS
Inorganic colourants are derived from mineral compounds like zinc oxide and iron oxide. Considered safe for use in cosmetics, no adverse health effects have been reported.

FRUIT & VEGETABLE COLOURANTS
Derived from bright fruits and vegetables like beets, cherries, grapes, blueberries, peaches, tomato and more.

Toxic colourants to avoid:
❌CARBON BLACK-CI 77266 OR BLACK NO. 2 D&C

❌LAKE PIGMENTS- THE MAIN PIGMENTS TO WATCH OUT FOR/AVOID: ORANGE 5 LAKE (CI 45370), RED 6 LAKE (CI 15850), RED 7 LAKE (CI 15850), RED 21 LAKE (CI 45380), RED 27 LAKE (CI 45410), RED 30 LAKE (CI 73360), RED 33 LAKE (CI 17200), BLUE 1 LAKE (CI 42090), YELLOW 5 LAKE (CI 19140), YELLOW 6 LAKE (CI 15985)

❌RESORCINOL-RESORCINOL, 1,3-BENZENEDIOL, RESORCIN, 1,3- DIHYDROXYBENZENE (M-HYDROXYBENZE, M-DIHYDROXYPHENOL)

✅ Mica-Check your Mica to ensure it is ethically sourced. Choose a reputable brand and always ask questions about where and how it is sourced. Mica, C1 77019, Potassium Aluminum Silicate, Glimmer, Kaliglimmer, or Muskovit.

✅ Iron Oxides & Titanium Dioxide (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, 77891) Check your Titanium dioxide is non nano size and ideally not in a loose mineral powder that can be inhaled.