All You Need To Know About Dyes and Lakes

Food colour is divided into two broad categories, artificial and natural. The former is also known as certified colour and each batch of this colour when manufactured is tested by the FDA (Food and Drug Organization). When this institute approve of the sample tested, the product obtains certification which declares it fit for consumption according to the predefined standards set by the government. Therefore, it is known as certified colour; however, there are some colours which can be used for drugs and cosmetics dyes but not for food products.

There are numerous groups which are interested in natural colours however; most food and confectionery products are now created using artificial colours. Listed below are the seven dyes commonly used for food products.

• FD&C Red 3 – It offers a pink shade when dissolved in water.
• FD&C Red 40 – It provides a red shade when dissolved in water.
• FD&C Yellow 5 – This dye offers a yellow shade after being dissolved in water.
• FD&C Yellow 6 – This dye on being dissolved in water offers orange shade.
• FD&C Blue 1 – This dye offers sky blue shade on being dissolved.
• FD&C Blue 2 – This dye creates dark blue shade on being dissolved in water.
• FD&C Green 3 – With this dye one can get a bluish green shade on dissolving it in water and it is one of the most rarely used food colours. It is also the most expensive dye and is not exactly a green shade. It is much closer to aqua and can be created using Yellow 5 and Blue 1, without having to such a high price for the original dye. By adding the above mentioned colours in combinations one can create almost any shade of cosmetic lake colours.

All the FD&C colours are created by using dyes or aluminium lakes. Listed below are some prominent differences between Dyes and Lakes.

Dyes are distinct chemicals which on being dissolved in water display their colouring power. They are water soluble, do not mix with oils and can be purchased as power format granular form which is comparatively less dusty.

Aluminium lake colours are insoluble substances which offer tints on being dispersed. Lakes are created using dyes and can be dispersed in oil. However, they are not soluble in oil and therefore are often mixed with oils and fats. These substances can also be dissolved in other carriers including sugar solution and glycerine.

Application of Lakes

• Colouring a fat based product – Chocolate and other compound coatings are some of the products used, and for creating the colour, lakes are dispersed in highly stable and premium quality vegetable oil. This dispersion is then added directly to the chocolate to dye it according to the colour one requires.
• Resistance in bleeding – Dyes are soluble and therefore bleed, and move from part of the product to another. This is problematic in case of products with multiple colours and well defined boundaries. If bleeding is an issue lakes might be substituted instead of dyes.
• Hard panning – This is the technique used for dyeing the outside layer of pills or gum balls. For this purpose a sugar and water dispersion is created.

Why Are Colouring Agents Added To Medicines?

From the times of Ancient Egyptians up to the 20th century medicinal pills were generally rounds and white. All over the counter medications were available is pasty pastel or ghostly white hues, and prescription medicines were simple colourless pills in transparent vials.Now, pills and even liquid medicines are available in a wide array of colours, so the question that rises is whether colour has any significance. Many might think colour only makes the pills attractive to the eyes, but it has several other reasons and has become necessary now.

These colours for pharmaceutical products are beneficial for both pharmaceutical companies as well as consumers.

• The primary function ofcolour is that it allows customers to recognize one pill from another and also between prescription/non-prescription drugs and other capsules or tablets. Elderly patients often get confused when all pills are of the same size, colour and shape. Also, the bright coloured medicines make individuals suffering for longer duration feel happier with the addition of colours to their life, even if the colourful objects are tablets. Therefore, colour combinations and colours appeal to emotions and also significantly lower the chances of medical errors.
• Another important fact is that patients often respond to the colour of the medication, as blue signifies deep sleep at night, while dynamic red is for speedy recovery from any ailment. Even though we do not eat pills, it is an old belief that humans eat with eyes as well as palates. This is the reason why butter has been yellow coloured ever since the 1300s. We swallow pills however; some of them leave behind their taste, which makes them difficult to swallow. Therefore, by associating it with colour, the process of associating it with a positive image becomes easier.

Other than these functional benefits for customers, colour is now being used for creating brand images instead of just simple white pills. Pharmaceutical companies are now conducting thorough research on colours and making pharmaceutical dyes accordingly as colour is now being considered a powerhouse. Colour now signifies the personality of the drug, and offers feedback not only about the how a customer might feel when consuming it, but also as a mark of the brand which is creating it. It also differentiates it from other brands therefore, displaying its benefits of belonging to a reputable brand.

Today, most consumers purchase over the counter drugs rather than prescription drugs, which is why most pharmaceutical colours manufacturers are making the drugs more and more colourful. As these colours appeal to customers and also assist in recognizing a particular brand which they trust.

In some cases the colour of the drug does not signify its effect, like Viagra, as it is blue in colour. Colour might not play a significant role in future as in case of individuals with lengthy durations of illness they might have micro-dispensers planted inside the body. Through this dispenser the quantity of drug present in one’s body will be tested and then the required quality will be released.

Use cosmetic lake colors to expand your product line

Today, we live in a world that mesmerizes our senses with the impressive effects of a wide colour spectrum. Among these are the cosmetics that promote ravishing lip shades and attractive eye shadows. Cosmetic colours are used to add those catchy colours in cosmetic products. These colours are made using dyes and pigments. Lake pigments are primarily used in cosmetics.

Why use Lake colors?

The Britannica encyclopaedia defines lake pigments as ‘any of a class of pigments composed of organic dyes that have been rendered insoluble by interaction with a compound of a metal.’ The purity of the dye content determines the hue and shade of the lake colour. Lake colours are widely used because they are insoluble in water.

Food, Pharma and Cosmetic industries use lake colours in their various products. Extensive choice of cosmetic colours is the reason behind the variety of cosmetic products in the market today. Leading manufacturers of lake colours in India follow global standards to create export-quality products. The characteristics of lake colours such as particle size, moisture content, oil adsorption, pH stability and gravity ensure the right level of consistency while creating batches of colours for use in products.

There are natural as well as synthetic lake colours. In cosmetic colours, aluminium lake colours are widely used. Aluminium lake colours are responsible for some of the stunning cosmetics in the market today. Brilliant blue lake, Amaranth lake, Sunset yellow lake, Indigo carmine lake, Quinoline yellow lake, Allura red lake, etc. are some commonly used aluminium lake colours. Calcium and Zirconium lakes can also be used in cosmetics.

Listed below are four popular uses of cosmetic lake colors:

1. Eye Makeup – Cosmetics lake colors for eyes are to be created strictly as per the guidelines of the relevant authorities and law of the country. Manufacturers have to give special attention to cosmetic colour ingredients for eyes as any lapse can lead to loss of eyesight.
2. Lip care – Lips just like eyes are sensitive and therefore, only the prescribed colours are to be used in lipsticks. Due to their insoluble nature, lake colours prevent bleeding of colours which helps in making the best lipsticks.
3. Nail care – Nail art is all about beautiful colours. For a consistent spread of colours, cosmetic lakes are used in the manufacture of colours for nail paint and nail lacquers.
4. Blush and Compact Powder – Cosmetic lake colors are used in a dry mix form to render bright and beautiful shades in blush and compact powder product lines.

To conclude, cosmetic lakes are chosen because of their physical characteristics of brightness and consistency. Reputed manufacturers who understand the legalities and have the expertise of utilising colour characteristics produce high-quality lake colours in India. We are experts in producing lake colours. We can guide you to choose the right palette of cosmetic lakes to expand your cosmetic products line.

Which colours would you like to use in your products? What are your concerns about cosmetic lakes?