Pigments Used for Cosmetics | Safe & Vibrant Color Solutions

November 7, 2024

A pigment is a powder used to add color or change the visual appearance of a product. Pigments are a type of compound color that is applied to any material to provide a desirable color. The uses of pigments are popular worldwide in different applications, including cosmetics, fashion, art, medicine, and even computer displays.

In this blog post, we will walk you through different types of pigments used in cosmetics and personal care products. The majority of dyes and pigments applications can be seen in the cosmetic, drugs, food, textile, chemical, plastics, and paint industries. When it comes to using products with these pigments, it is crucial to apply high-quality products to the skin.

No doubt, almost every woman today uses some kind of cosmetics daily, making it crucial to understand what kinds of pigments and color additives they contain in cosmetics. Talking about superior quality pigment colors, Hridhan Chem Pvt. Ltd. is India’s leading manufacturer and supplier of dyes and pigments that follow stringent FDA safety measurements and quality standards to ensure 100% reliability and efficacy.

So, let’s dive right into the different kinds of pigments used for cosmetics. Here we go with the basic definition of pigments.

What Are Pigments?

A pigment refers to a powder that is added to impart color or change the visual appearance of any product, making it more appealing and attractive. Pigments are not soluble and chemically don’t show any reaction when dissolved in water or another binder and medium.

On the other hand, dyes refer to water-soluble color additives at some stage. Pigments are colorants broadly classified into two types – organic pigments and inorganic pigments. Furthermore, cosmetic color dyes and pigments are further classified on the basis of their area of application and properties.

Iron oxides, chromium, ultramarine, etc., are examples of inorganic pigments used in cosmetic manufacturing. In contrast, Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are white colorants most commonly found in cosmetics. The colorants used to produce cosmetics and personal care products tend to be quite opaque and are more resilient to solvents.

Organic Colors

Organic colors are further classified based on:

Botanicals:

These color additives are naturally derived for use in different cosmetic applications.
Beetroot powder and henna are the two most popular botanicals used in cosmetics.
There are limited botanicals approved and permitted for use in cosmetics.
These colorants do not stick well with makeup.
These botanicals are 100% safe to be used on any skin or body.

Synthetic Dyes:

These color additives are produced from coal-tar derivatives and petroleum and are refined in laboratories as they include toxic heavy metals.
Oral cavities around the mouth are used to absorb the pigments.
They can be harmful as they drain the oxygen when they get absorbed into the skin.
Synthetic dyes tend to have bright hues on their list.

Lakes:

Lakes are manufactured through the reaction of a binder, like a dye or metallic salt.
Lakes tend to have carcinogenic properties which are not good for health.
Lakes are best known for imparting bright colors.
It contains aluminum as one of its elements.

Inorganic Colors

Metal oxides and synthetic chemicals are generally used in inorganic pigments, some of which have extremely simple chemical compositions but are widely used in paints and coatings. Furthermore, it used to be that all inorganic pigments were colored chemicals found naturally in nature. The following are the main applications of inorganic pigments:

Mineral compounds contain heavy metals and are available in nature. They are easier to prepare synthetically in laboratories.
These pigments are safer and healthier when compared with synthetically created pigments.
Mineral compounds, such as mica, oxides, and ultramarines are mineral pigments that are less likely to produce vivid, bright bright colors.
They are most commonly used in cosmetics.
They are safe to use and don’t cause any allergic reactions.

Understanding Different Pigments Used in Cosmetics

There is a diverse range of inorganic color pigments containing inorganic colorants, Lo Micron colors, and blended inorganic are used in the formulation of cosmetic product manufacturers. India exports these pigments as well as caters to the pigment needs of locally produced cosmetic products with the help of reputed cosmetic color manufacturers.

Organic color pigments are classified on the basis of regulatory requirements, such as D&C Lake Colors (Drug and Cosmetics Lake Colors), FD&C Lake Colors (Food Drug and Cosmetics Lake Colors), Non-D&C and FD&C Pigments, and EEC Lake Colors.

To meet the needs of the European market for cosmetic products, EEC lake colors are prepared according to the directive from the European Economic Community (EEC). Leading pigment manufacturers in India like Hridhan Chem Pvt Ltd follow FD&C color guidelines to create cosmetics color solutions for the US market.

Conclusion

In the bottom line, it can be concluded that the use of pigments is widespread for the manufacturing of cosmetics & personal care products. There are some stringent rules and guidelines by the FDA on the usage of these pigment colors to ensure the safety and efficacy of a product.

They are advised to use only FDA-certified and approved pigment colors from reliable manufacturers and exporters of synthetic dyes and pigments for the formulation of cosmetic products.

Hridhan Chem is a leading manufacturer and exporter of cosmetic colors and pigments exporting superior quality dyes and pigments to worldwide clients. If you are a cosmetic product manufacturer in need of high-quality synthetic dyes or pigment colors, Hridhan Chem is your go-to choice for your business. For more information on a wide range of colors and pigments that we manufacture at our manufacturing facility, contact us today!

FAQs

1 Which dyes are used in cosmetics?

Organic Dyes such as ‘FD&C’ and ‘D&C, Lakes, Azo Dyes & Pigments, and Botanicals are some of the top examples of cosmetics used worldwide.

2What ingredient gives color to cosmetics?

Iron oxides, mica, minerals, titanium dioxide, plants, insects, and carmine are some examples of cosmetic pigments derived from various natural sources. These pigments offer vibrant, bright colors found in cosmetics while addressing consumer needs for natural ingredients.

3What are makeup pigments made of?

Pigments, also called colorants or color additives are classified as organic and inorganic pigments. Iron oxides, chromium, ultramarine, etc., are examples of inorganic colorants most commonly used when manufacturing cosmetics. On the other hand, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide fall under white colorant and are most commonly used in almost every cosmetic.