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.

Growth in Dyes and Pigments Market

The growth witnessed by the dyes and pigments market contributes to the growth of the global economy as well. At the moment, Europe leads the global cosmetic industry and dominates the cosmetic pigment colours market. The majority of global demand is shifting to the emerging markets in Asia where the economy is booming. Let’s take a look at the growth in dyes & pigments market with a focus on colour cosmetics.

Role of Dyes and Pigments

To begin with, dyes are colours that get absorbed on textiles, food, etc. while pigments are colours used for coating rubber, cosmetics, plastics and others. Export quality organic colours such as Lake of Phloxine, Calcium lakes, aluminum lakes etc. are offered by reputed pigment manufacturers in India. Inorganic pigment colours such as chromium oxide green, ultramarine blue, iron oxide red, manganese violet and titanium dioxide are some of the most popular ones used in colour cosmetics. Pigment colours also allow products enhancements based on the composition of the colours. For example, the white-coloured titanium dioxide adds sheen in cosmetic products such as powders, foundations and blushes.

Growth forecast by researchers

According to Maximize Market Research, the cosmetic pigments market will grow at a CAGR of 7.4% and reach US$987.42 million by 2026. Asia Pacific (APAC) region is among the rapidly growing regions for cosmetic pigments with India and China being major contributors of the expected growth. Cosmetic pigments consist of several segments based on application. The segment with high demand is that of facial make-up applications such as feature-rich powders and creams. Demand for lakes and toners in lip products as well as facial makeup will grow more than other cosmetic products.The rising demand for organic pigments such as toners and lakes will add to the growth in the global cosmetics market.

Here are some of the predictions inother industry research reports indicating the growth of dyes and pigments market:

• According to a Markets and Markets report, the cosmetic pigments markets will grow at a CAGR rate of 7.5% to reach US$ 790 million by the year 2022.
• As per Grand Research, the dyes and pigments market will be worth US$46.4 Billion by the year 2025.
• A Research & Markets study indicates that Asia Pacific will showcase the highest CAGR growth between 2017 and 2022. Developing economies are growing at a faster pace in Asia. Asia-Pacific will be followed by Europe and America in terms of ranking in the dye and pigments market.
• Databridge Market Research report indicates that the Global Cosmetic Pigments market is slated to touch US$ 1004.03 million by the year 2025.

Pigment manufacturers in India are expanding their production lines and upgrading their technology infrastructure to prepare for the upcoming market demand. Export opportunities are pushing Indian dyes and pigments businesses to strengthen their distribution network in different countries. International cosmetic brands are investing in India to expand their facilities and to manufacture high quality cosmetics for fulfilling demand in domestic and international markets. Strategic partnerships between cosmetic companies and reliable manufacturers will push the growth of the global dyes and pigments market.

Koel colours is one of the trustworthy cosmetic manufacturers India and a respected supplier of pigment colours for colour cosmetics. To meet the market demand for cosmetic manufacturers offers high quality dyes and pigments through known companies such as Koel. To discuss your requirement of cosmetic colours, you can contact Koel colours at sales@koelcolours.in.