Color Pigments In Cosmetics: Safety, Usage And More!

Cosmetic lakes and cosmetic pigments have come a long way with innovative research catering to the increasing demand for better shades by consumers. These days, brands are investing heavily in research and development labs. Safety standards continue to emphasize on controlling the presence of heavy metals in cosmetic colours such as color pigments for the prevention of health concerns.

Let’s take a closer look at the world of color pigments for cosmetics.

Purpose Of Cosmetic Colors

In cosmetics, colors are used to indicate a lot of things. The most common reason for giving so much colors is for spoiling the consumer with a choice of numerous shades to go with their attire. This idea is promoted mainly for selling nail colors and lipsticks. Colors can be used to complement the product packaging colors as well.

Different Types Of Color AdditivesIn Cosmetics

For cosmetics, there are two types of color additives: Organic and Inorganic. Organic colors contain carbon atoms while inorganic colors have a mineral base.

Organic colors are of two types: Organic Lakes and Organic Pigments. Synthetic dyes and lake colors such as aluminum lakes come under organic colors. Organic dyes can be oil-soluble or water-soluble. There are very few oil-soluble dyes that are approved for use in cosmetics.  Organic pigments consist of lakes and botanically derived colors.

Inorganic colors consist of pigments such as ultramarines, titanium dioxide etc. Oxides such as zinc oxides, iron oxides etc. are also inorganic colors. Additional treatments are used to enhance the characteristics of the colors. Enhancements such as sheen, UV protection, water-resistance etc. are achieved in cosmetic products by performing specific color treatments.

Safety Before Variety

There are a number of color variants that can be developed using the color additives available in the market. So, can any color be used for making cosmetics? Not really. Specific colors in prescribed consistencies have to be used for the manufacturing of specific cosmetics.

Cosmetic dyes approved for lip products may not be approved by use on the eyes. Also, the colors suitable for people of a specific skin type in one nation may not be suitable for people with varying skin type from another nation. The rigorous nature of the tests for cosmetic colours is put in place by regulatory authorities to ensure that the ingredients in the colors do not harm the end user of the cosmetics.

Cosmetic manufacturers have to, therefore, work along with reputed cosmetic colours manufacturers to develop cosmetic lakes and cosmetic pigments as per the laws of the country where the cosmetic products are intended to be marketed and sold.

Color codes and color numbers on cosmetic labels are clearly printed on the cosmetics for users to understand the approved colors used in the products. USFDA is one of the leading authorities with specific guidelines for use of cosmetic colors. Color Index (CI) is the standard for identifying colors for cosmetics meant for the European Union regions.

To cater to the needs of cosmetics companies, several facilities in Asian counties such as India are well-equipped. Reputed businesses are capable of producing cost-effective, high quality cosmetics using cosmetic lakes, cosmetic pigments and cosmetic dyes in India that comply with the USFDA, EU and other markets where the demand for color cosmetics is high.

Busting The Myth Of Heavy Metal In Cosmetic Colors

There is no denying the fact that impurities or intentional actions can lead to excessive concentrations of heavy metal such as arsenic, lead, mercury, zinc, iron, cadmium, aluminium or chromium in cosmetics. Human skin exposure to these heavy metal elements in cosmetics has been a concern due to the health issues connecting them with nervous system toxicity, reproduction issues, etc. According to a study, metals did not pose a potential health hazard for humans if used as per safety guidelines.

Be it the USFDA, World Health Organization (WHO) or the European Union (EU) standards, there is a parameter of Maximum Allowable Concentration (MAC) or similar with conditions for helping manufacturers and consumers to understand the permissible limits of metals in cosmetic products.If you notice, most studies will tell you about the side-effects of excessive use of heavy metal in cosmetics. This means that consumers can safely use beauty or healthcare products with metal concentrations that are within the safety limits.

With reliable monitoring, testing and quality assurance procedures, safer cosmetic colours can be manufactured for consumers. Today, Koel colors is one of the trusted producers of safety-complaint cosmetic colours because the company follows stringent workflows to control heavy metals in cosmetic dyes and cosmetic pigments.

Learn more about safer color pigments in cosmetics with the assistance of the color experts at Koel Colors. To know more, contact +91 22 6825 2300.

Organic or Inorganic Pigments Which One to Use

The pigment colors happen to be surrounding us in a big way. Almost every single day, we use something that has the pigment colors in it. Even the color cosmetics that we use have got these pigments in them.

Well, why not? After all, the cosmetic manufacturers rely on these pigments to provide the clients and customers with the best of the cosmetic options, right?

Which Is The Better One?

So, there is no doubt about the fact that we use many objects that have the cosmetic dyes or the cosmetic pigments on them.

There is a reason why we use it so much, though. It is because the pigment manufacturers in India are delivering this content with an enthusiasm like never before. When it comes to cosmetics, India is certainly not left behind in the race. However, when it comes to deciding between the organic and the inorganic pigments, it can be a tough deal. Let’s sort that out first.

1. Inorganic Pigments: Weighing Out The Pros And Cons

There are many positive properties present in the inorganic pigments for those who need it. You know what that means right? It means that it is one of the best options for those who want to have better and quality results. When mixed up with polymers, these pigments get more resistance to open air and heat as well. Apart from that, one other great quality that we think makes inorganic pigments a great choice is a price. From an economic point of view, the inorganic pigments are a really smart choice as well. What else do you need? Also, they are more accessible and easy to use.

However, despite all the benefits, there are some negatives here as well. These pigments that are inorganic have a very short life. Many people consider the inorganic pigments for the tonality. But that is only possible when these are mixed up with the organic dyes. When you sober up from this revelation, there is another huge problem in the inorganic pigments. It is the lead salts that are present in their composition.

2. Organic Pigments: Weighing Out The Pros And Cons

The cosmetic manufacturers in India make use of the organic pigments as well. However, we cannot really decide which one is the best unless we know about the pros and cons of both of them. Well, organic pigments are also not free from their own list of pros and cons. There are many different varieties of organic pigments. Some of them generally tend to resist the light and heat. Also, there is no presence of the heavy metals so that doesn’t endanger the environment as well. So, why wouldn’t anyone choose the organic pigments, right? Well, wait till you hear out the cons of the pigments.

When compared to the inorganic ones, the advantage of organic pigments still remains that it doesn’t harm the environment like the former. It is a surprise that the organic pigment colors have not yet gotten the much-needed recognition in most of the products. If the disadvantages are to be counted, the different varieties of organic cosmetics have different ones.

It really depends on the manufacturer and the client on which type of cosmetic pigment to use.

The Cosmetics Pigment Manufacturing Industry: Where it’s Been and Where it’s Going

Over the years, the rise in the usage of cosmetics and personal care products has led to the growth of the color cosmetics pigments industry. The major challenges for pigment manufacturers in India came in the form of regulatory issues due to the stringent regulatory standards controlling the industry globally. The good news is, as per a research report by Markets and Markets, the cosmetics pigments market will reach up to US$ 790 Million by 2022.

Understanding Cosmetic Pigments

Cosmetic pigments are available in natural and synthetic forms. The cosmetics pigments segments can be classified in to organic colourants and inorganic cosmetic pigments. Lakes, True colours and Toners are part of the organic color cosmetics colourants. Inorganic cosmetic pigment colours consist of Chromium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Iron Oxides and Titanium Dioxide.

The global cosmetic pigments sector can be further classified on the basis of technology i.e. pigment dispersion and surface treatment.As per industry reports, inorganic cosmetic pigments are consumed more than organic cosmetic colours in the global pigments industry. Factors such as exposure to sunlight, contact with water etc. affect the properties of cosmetic products. With time, the products also tend to fade out.

Treatments are incorporated in the production pipeline to enhance the product properties and prolong the shelf life of the products. In today’s market, pigment colours are added in color cosmetics such as eye makeup, lip products, nail care products, hair products, facial makeup and so on. Again, the regulations become more stringent for use of cosmetic colours in pharma products for skin care solutions such as skin moisturisers, lip balms etc.

Growth DriversOf Cosmetic Pigments Industry

• Rising Income of people in emerging economies has led to the increase in consumption of color cosmetics products such as nail polishes, eyeliners, lipsticks, hair colours etc.
• Fashion trends keep changing across the world. With acceptance of global trends across geographies, more and more consumers these days spend on latest cosmetics.
• There is an increase in collaboration between product manufacturers. There are more agreements and joint ventures to introduce new innovative products to meet the rising demand.
• In recent times, the number of new product launches by various brands along with existing product line expansions have increased to give diversify product portfolios.

Future forecast for pigment colours

Today, Europe is the largest consumer of color cosmetic pigments. Facial make-up is the most sought-after cosmetic product by the huge customer base in Europe. This demand in the European continent will definitely propel the growth of the global cosmetics pigment market. Asia-Pacific markets are also growing. Technology upgrades and better R&D initiatives will strengthen the cosmetic pigment colours segment in the emerging nations.

As per the Markets and Markets research report, the global dyes and pigments market was worth 30.42 billion US dollars in 2016. This figure is expected to reach 42 billion US dollars by 2021. With innovative technologies and rising competition in the end product markets, pigment colours will witness remarkable developments.

It is quite evident that cosmetic pigments will play a key role in the growth of pigments. India is growing at a rapid pace with developments in every sector of the economy. With innovative techniques,technological advancements and expansion of production facilities, manufacturers will meet the demand in domestic and international markets.

From textiles and printing inks to cosmetics and personal care products, pigment manufacturers in India are geared up for adding vibrant colours with better functional properties to products in the future.

Top 5 Trends in Cosmetic Dyes & Pigments

Cosmetics are desired for their ability to transform appearances across the world. Colours, mild or bold shades, reflect the personality of the user. And today users await new colours and features in colors. Cosmetics and pigment manufacturers in India are able to please these end users with the industry trends working their favour.

Eye makeup, lip products, facial makeup, nail products and hair colours are some of the major segments of the global cosmetic pigments industry. Organic and inorganic colourants with necessary treatments give cosmetic products the desired colour and characteristics.

5 recent trends in cosmetic dyes and pigments that are pushing the industry’s growth are as follows:

1. Emerging Asian countries

Research reports clearly indicate the growth of industries in Asia. For cosmetics, world’s leading brands look for fruitful associations in Asia to procure cosmetic dyes and pigments. India is one of the leading providers of pigment colours. With labour costs comparatively lower than western nations for producing high-quality colours, pigment manufacturers in India are preferred by cosmetic manufacturers.

2. Comprehensive solutions

To survive in a competitive market, cosmetic manufacturers have to ensure that their innovative colour cosmetics are safe and comply with regulatory standards. So, cosmetic colour manufacturers offer product and application development services through their specialized laboratories. High-end techniques are used to test the products by colour manufacturers. These comprehensive services are sought by cosmetic colourant seeking companies because it turns out to be more cost-effective for them to receive tested colours that are more likely to get a clearance from regulatory authorities to be quickly introduced in the desired markets.

3. Enhanced properties

Cosmetic manufacturers continue to look for pigment colours that can help them to create long-lasting products. Waterproof eye liners with a longer shelf life will sell better in the market than regular colour eye liners. Lip colours in revolting shades are welcomed by users. But offering moisturising properties with these shades and presenting them in convenient packaging makes it appealing for users.

4. Growing use of cosmetic pigments

Recent research reports have indicated Europe and North America to be the biggest market for cosmetic manufacturers. In Asia, China and India will have huge requirements for cosmetics in the coming years. Rising economies with greater income possibilities for their citizens are making it easier for them to spend on cosmetics.

5. Innovative cosmetic colours

At present, cosmetic colours manufacturers are offering a huge palette of shades through chromium dioxides, ultramarines, iron oxides, etc. To expand product portfolios, the cosmetic dyes and pigment colours industry has been witnessing enormous amounts of dollars being poured by stakeholders into research of innovative colours.

More and more people across the world are spending on cosmetics to enhance their looks for personal as well as professional reasons. Giving the right colours and products to satisfy their growing demands and growing their market share is what cosmetics manufacturers are striving for. Quality and innovation with stringent compliance will help cosmetic colours manufacturers and leading brands to roll out new products and stay on top in the industry in the coming years.

Difference between Organic Pigments and Inorganic Pigments

Colours play a significant role in our lives. Organic pigments and inorganic pigments are colorants extremely important for cosmetic manufacturers. India is a leading producer of pigment colours for cosmetics. These colours are supplied by pigment manufacturers in India to the domestic markets as well as imported to international markets.

Let’s take a look at the key differences between organic pigments and inorganic pigments.

Composition of pigments

Pigments colours can be used to give colour to other objects by coating them or blending them with the product ingredients. Organic and inorganic pigments are types of pigments based on their method of formulation. Organic pigments are generally derived from plants. Inorganic pigments use chemical formulations to get the desired product properties for various applications.

Compounds obtained from inorganic metallic compounds and salts such as chromates, metallic oxides, sulphates etc. are used in inorganic pigments. Organic pigments are made up of carbon rings and carbon chains. Chemical compounds can be used during colour production to stabilise the organic pigments. Inorganic compounds primarily use chemical compounds based on a specific chemical composition to create colours.

Based on the properties, the following characteristics make organic pigments different from inorganic pigments:

• Particle Size

Organic pigments have smaller particle size compared to inorganic pigment colours.

• Brightness

Organic pigments are brighter compared to inorganic pigments. But for long-lasting products, inorganic pigments are preferred because fading and exposure to sunlight or chemicals can take away the bright colour of organic pigments.

• Colours

The variety of colours available in inorganic pigments is greater than the variety available in organic pigment colours. Titanium dioxide; Iron oxide, etc. are examples of inorganic pigments. Lake colours are examples of organic pigments.

Ultramarine Blue, Iron Oxide Yellow, Chromium Oxide Green, Manganese Violet, Titanium Dioxide etc. are the colours available in inorganic pigments. India also exports the blended inorganic colourants such as Iron Oxide Burgundy, Iron Oxide Sienna, Iron Oxide Amber etc. Inorganic pigments also comes in Lo Micron Iron Oxide variants such as red, yellow and black.

Organic Pigment colours consist of lake colours such as Lake of Allura Red, Lake Patent Blue, Lake of Indigo Carmine etc. Since organic pigments are derived from minerals, the colours can also be classified on the basis of mineral lakes such as Aluminium (Al) Lakes, Calcium (Ca) Lakes, Barium (Ba) Lakes, and so on.

• Cost

Inorganic pigment colours are more economical and cost-effective than organic colorants.

• Dispersion

Compared to organic pigments, inorganic pigments are easier to disperse and therefore used for various applications. Particle size and surface chemistries of the compounds used for making pigments are different. Stabilization of the particles poses a challenge in the pigment dispersion process. Incorrect processes can lead to improper dispersion.

The dispersion process affects the economics and quality of the finished pigment colours. So, pigments needing minimum dispersion are frequently chosen to boost the output quantities in manufacturing units.

As per a recent market research report by Technavio, the inorganic pigments industry will progress at a CAGR of 4% by the year 2021. High stability of inorganic pigment colours and high particle dispersion makes it a popular choice for the manufacture of cosmetics and pharma products. Industry researchers feel that the dispersion benefits of the inorganic pigment will push the industry growth and development of the worldwide inorganic pigment market in the coming years.

Pigment colours for Cosmetics and Personal Care Products

When it comes to pigment colours, leading pigment manufacturers in India have to follow certain standards and guidelines. For each market, the common industry best practices may be similar but the regulatory guidelines for specific colours that have be followed, varies from one country to another.

Also, there are stringent regulations for different types of pigments. India is home to some of the leading pigment suppliers for cosmetic and personal care products. Depending on the product composition, pigment colours are used for making products such as soaps, face wash, creams etc.

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Variety of Pigments Colours

A wide range of inorganic colour pigments consisting of Inorganic Colourants, Blended Inorganic and Lo Micron colours, are formulated for colour 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 companies.

On the basis of regulatory requirements, organic colour pigments are classified as D&C Lake Colours (Drug and Cosmetics Lake Colours), FD&C Lake Colours (Food Drug and Cosmetics Lake Colours), Non D&C and FD&C Pigments, and EEC Lake Colours.

FD&C colour guidelines are followed by pigment manufacturers in India to create cosmetics colour solutions for the US market. EEC Lake colours are prepared in accordance with the directive by the European Economic Community (EEC) for pigment colours used in cosmetics for the European markets.

Popular Inorganic Pigments

• Titanium Dioxide or Zinc Oxide is used for manufacturing white colour cosmetic products such as nail colours, lip balms, etc. Titanium dioxide is a key ingredient in most of the sunscreen cream formulations.
• To add dark blue colouring to cosmetics, Iron Blue or Ferric Ferrocyanide is used.
• Mica is used mainly in powder-based cosmetics such as makeup foundation, blush powder etc.
• Iron oxide is added to achieve red, yellow and black colours for cosmetics.
• Chromium dioxide is widely used for making green-coloured cosmetics.
• Ultramarines lend brighter cosmetic colours such as bright violet, bright blue, green and pink.
• Manganese Violet is utilised in cosmetics such as nail paints, hair colours, lip sticks etc. and a number of personal care products such as skin creams, shower gels etc.

Other pigment colours

Blended Inorganic pigments are used for creating Amber, Sienna, Tan and Burgundy shades. Organic pigments are generally available in the form of colour lakes made using minerals such as calcium, barium, etc. Red, Yellow, Orange, Blue and a number of other shades can be developed using organic pigments.

Why are ingredients important for cosmetics colour composition?

To create the vibrant colours, pigment colours are made using chromium dioxide, iron oxides, ultramarines, and so on. But as per region-specific laws and regulations, use of some of the pigments is restricted or limited for manufacturing of certain products in specific nations.

For every colour that is manufactured, extensive research is required with rigorous testing procedures. Also, additional certifications may be required for conforming to regulatory standards. These regulations are in place to ensure safer use of colours for its various applications.

Bright and luscious cosmetics receive their colours and sometimes, even functional attributes with pigment colours. But pigment manufacturers in India have to pay attention to the quality control, regulatory guidelines and other specifications which varies from client to client.

Finally, with great quality pigment colourants, product manufacturers are able to deliver great cosmetics and personal care products to users.