Global Trends in Cosmetic Industry

Cosmetic dyes are widely used for various purposes across various sectors and industries. They especially have a wide variety of uses in the cosmetic industry. They are used across hair dyes, nail polish, lipsticks. Thus the one factor most of us are most concerned about is in regard to the safety. We always wonder how safe using these would be. However before we go into further details of understanding how to make use of the right cosmetic colours and dyes to make your product more attractive and safe for your customer, let us get to know what they are.

Cosmetic dyes and colours: Explained

Cosmetic colours are also known as cosmetic lakes. These colours are produced by taking the help of absorption of dyes that are water soluble onto a substrate. It makes the colour insoluble in water. Cosmetic lake colors are made by making use of unique technology. The technology helps in attaining extremely fine particles. These particles help in achieving shade consistency. In comparison water soluble colours cosmetic lakes are much more stable. They also generate vivacious and brighter colours. It has been seen that cosmetic pigments and lakes are more suitable for food products that contain fats and oils. They are also suitable for those products that do not contain enough moisture for dissolving colours.

Cosmetic dyes, on the other hand are used for making cosmetic colours. These dyes are widely used by the cosmetic manufacturing industries and businesses. They are primarily used for manufacturing hair dyes, lipsticks, nail polishes, shampoo as well as other personal care products. It has been seen that generally water soluble & food dyes are very easy and safe to use. These dyes are mostly used for a wide variety of applications. They include cleaning chemicals, soaps, cosmetic products etc.

Know which ones are safe for use

Be it the use of any type of cosmetic dyes or cosmetic colorants safety of use is a primary consideration. Cosmetic colours and cosmetic dyes often make use of a wide range of synthetic colours. These are often referred to as FD&C colours. They are mainly extracted through coal tar and are basically a by-product of petroleum. Research shows that some particular coal tar based dyes lead to different types of cancer. This is why the FDA regulates them. They also determine the arsenic or lead amount they contain. Thus there are many restrictions in the use of such colours.

Some global trends in Cosmetic dyes and cosmetic colours

World wide it is seen that North America, followed by Europe, has the largest market for color cosmetics. This is due to innovations in color cosmetics. Other factors also include high consumer disposable income and frequent new product launches in color cosmetic market in the region. However Asia too is expected to show high growth rate in the color cosmetics market in next few years. This is on account of the increasing consumer incomes and rising in awareness about personal care products in the region.

The Use and Importance of Colorants

Colorants are widely used by the food, cosmetics and drugs manufacturing companies for imparting color to their finished products or providing them with special physical qualities and features. Today, a growing number of cosmetic lakes manufacturing companies are producing a wide variety of colorants and Lake colours in India to meet the requirements of food, clothing, pharmaceuticals, plastic and a host of other businesses and industries. Here, find out more about colorants and their use and importance.

What are Colorants?
Colorants are essentially synthetic or natural additives, including pigments and dyes that are used for imparting colors or hiding the power of a product or substance. Colorants are basically pigments or dyes that are used across different industries such as paints, clothes, plastics, prints, photographs as well as ceramics. While, dyes are water soluble and primarily used in the textile industry, pigments are insoluble compounds that are widely utilized by the ceramics, plastics and painting industries.

Each of these industries also utilizes Aluminium Lake colours for adding colours to their products. These lakes are basically pigments that are manufactured by combining dyes with mordant-a metallic salt. They are used for the purpose of food coloring, especially when food dyes aren’t efficient or effective enough. In fact, lake pigments are specifically used for coloring all those food products that contain oils and fats. Lakes are also used for manufacturing a wide range of personal care items and products like lipsticks, nail polish, eye shadow and lotions among others.

The Use and Importance of Colorants
Colorants are essentially used for making products appealing and attractive. Additionally, they’re also used for adding bulk and durability to different types of products. Following are some of the other uses of colorants:

• Colorants are utilized for establishing a product recognition or image.
• We live in a world full of colors and colorants are a great option for industries that wish to make their product both alluring and in tune with environment.
• Colorants, including dyes and pigments, are not only used for making a product attractive but are also utilized for the purpose of identification, safety and protection of the products as well as their innovative features.
• In case of food products, they’re used for the purpose of appetizing.

Industries that need to manufacture colorful products often use different types of pigments for preparing the desired colour. However, they need to surface treat the pigments, in order to acquire the desired attributes or properties. Food, drugs, cosmetics and other industries use Surface located pigments in India to alter the physical and chemical properties of the pigments as well as for achieving the desired aesthetic and function appeal. Depending upon the surface properties, surface treatments can transform the surfaces and make them hydrophobic, lipophilic or hydrophilic.

When it comes to purchasing surface treated pigments or colorants, industries must turn to renowned colorant manufacturers who possess the desired capabilities, expertise and infrastructure for customizing the colours and further treat them in accordance with the client’s requirements. This would eventually aid them in acquiring fresh and improved products with ease.

Cosmetic Colors and Cosmetic Dyes – Are they Safe?

Selecting an appropriate colour for the desired product can be extremely confusing. With cosmetic colours and cosmetic dyes, food, drugs, cosmetics and other industries can not only achieve the desired color for their products but also use them for attracting their customers. Here, find out more about cosmetic colours and cosmetic dyes in India and which ones are safe to use.

Cosmetic Colours and Cosmetic Dyes Explained
Cosmetic colours or cosmetic lakes are produced with the help of absorption of dyes that are water soluble onto a substrate that renders the colour insoluble in water. Cosmetic lake colors are created using unique technology that further aids in attaining extremely fine particles. These particles are helpful in achieving shade consistency. In comparison to the colours that are easily soluble in water, the cosmetic lakes are way more stable and generate vivacious as well as brighter colours. In fact, cosmetic pigments and lakes are more suitable for food products that contain fats and oils or even those products that do not contain enough moisture for dissolving colours.

Superior quality colour pigments do not dissolve in solvents and produce bright and attractive colours. They are stable against light, alkalis and acids and bleed less in water.

Cosmetic dyes, on the other hand, are used for producing cosmetic colours. Dyes are extensively used by the cosmetic manufacturing industries and businesses. They are primarily used for manufacturing hair dyes, lipsticks, nail polishes, shampoo and other personal care products. Water soluble & food dyes are very easy and safe to use. They are used for a wide variety of applications including that of cleaning chemicals, soaps, cosmetic products etc.

Which ones are safe?
Cosmetic colours and cosmetic dyes are used in a wide range of synthetic colours. These synthetic colours are referred to as FD&C colours and are essentially extracted through coal tar, which is basically a by-product of petroleum. Since some of the coal tar based dyes are known to cause different types of cancer, the FDA regulates them and determines the arsenic or lead amount they contain, thereby limiting them to 10 parts/million. As far as the U.S. is concerned, the country permits its industries to use the below mentioned artificial colours:

• FD&C Blue No. 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF, E133)-used in the manufacturing of lotions and soaps.
• Blue No.4. FD&C Black No.2 and No.3. FD&C Brown No.1. FD&C Green No. 3
• FD&C Orange No. 4, 5, 10 and 11. FD&C Red 4, 6, 7, 17, 21, 22, 27, 28, 30, 31, 33, 34, 36, FD&C Red No. 40 (Allura Red AC, E129).
• FD&C Violet No.2. FD&C Yellow No. 5 (Tartrazine, E102). FD&C Yellow No. 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF, E110) and F&G Yellow No: 7, 8, 10, 11.

A couple of Synthetic lake colors are safe to be used for coloring of products. These include disperse black 9, which is commonly used for manufacturing Henna based hair dye. On the other hand, HC yellow 2 is less hazardous and is perfectly safe when used at concentration level of 3 percent.

Evaluating Health Issues Possibility with Aluminium Lake Colours

For people outside the food services industry, the term lake means what it should usually mean. However, for anyone involved with food processing and packaging, it has a completely exclusive significance. Essentially, the ‘lake’ is a generic term defining aluminium based coloring pigments used for food preservation and marketing. Obviously, anyone may feel that it is unhealthy to ingest something that consists of a metallic ingredient. In order to clear your confusions, rely upon scientific facts and the insights derived thereon. About using the Aluminium lake colours, you should be sure of partnering with a reputed provider with utmost safety standards at the production and processing unit. The following pointers intend to assist clients clear their confusions on the use of edible pigments.

It consists of Alumina
The Lakes do not contain of elemental aluminium, but in its oxide form or as Alumina. This compound itself is not the pigment, but a carrier of the pigment one would use with the food product. The typical colour of Lakes is blue, but they are also available in a variety of other shades. The Food and Drug Administration in the US permits the use of these colours on edibles. On your part, make sure that the production unit employs the best methods to prevent the presence of impurities in the Lake. Look up the R&D section of the service website in having a clear assurance of quality.

Adaptability with Aluminium
While you contemplate on the effects of lake colours on the body, it should be necessary to note a few important aspects about this. Alumina, although not so well-known, yet is actually one of the most abundant elements in earth’s crust. The third abundant element has been used since long to prepare cooking and dining utensils. It is also a common ingredient in almost any toothpaste you would normally use.

The point here is that your body is not alien to process this metallic residue, unless of course it is in excess amount. Therefore, your priority should be to obtain the colours from a production unit maintaining stringent quality control parameters in preparation of the pigments. Limit the percentage of using the dye by only the minimum required amount, just to be safe about the edible product.

Scientific data
Available scientific data shows that the body has excellent adaptability with this chemical. A 1981 study showed that even when subjects were given over 350 mg/meter cube of respirable Alumina for 10 minutes daily over a long period, the adverse results were only minimal. Although some people may hold the view that alumina causes Alzheimer’s, but this connection is also at the best tenuous due to lack of scientific corroboration.

Selecting Indian provider
On choosing a suitable provider for lake colours in India, you need to be sure about a few things. Firstly, make sure that it is a reputable and licensed service. See if they also serve export operations to first world countries. That should prove very well the commitment to international quality standards. Always discuss all your issues directly with the support staffs at your preferred service.

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.

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?

What are Artificial Colors?

Artificial colors are widely used in different types of products and items available in the market today. Right from nail polish, medications, toothpaste, food products and almost every other item today consists of artificial colors. In fact, our clothes, shoes, bed linens and carpets also consist of artificial colors or cosmetic colors that make them look more attractive and appealing. Read on to find out more about artificial colors and their usage.

Artificial Colors Defined

Artificial colors are basically a combination of seven artificial dyes that have been approved by the food authorities. These colors include Blue 1, Green 3, Blue 2, Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 6 and Yellow 6. Thus, the manufacturers can use certain combination of colors for creating cosmetic pigments depending upon their choice and preference. The artificial colors are basically sourced from a combination of different food dyes.

Reasons for Avoiding Artificial Colors in Food

It is no hidden secret that artificial colors consist of different types of chemicals that are usually extracted from petroleum based products. Thus, they can cause numerous health problems such as allergy problems, cancer and other behavioral changes. Some of the common problems caused by artificial colors include ADHD, Confusion, Eczema, Frustration, Hyperactivity, Itchiness, Mood Swings and Sleep Disturbances and Violent outbursts among other health issues. As a result, a number of European food manufacturing companies are not using artificial or cosmetic colors in their products.

• Hyperactive Children: Artificial colors often make children more hyperactive and impact their learning ability negatively. According to the washingtonpost, artificial food colors can cause children with no behavioral issues inattentive and hyperactive.
• Do Not Add Any Value: Artificial colors do not add any value to our food items. The truth is that artificial colors are only used for making food and beverages attractive and appealing. Hence, the food and drug authorities are now banning the use of artificial colors in food products.However, they have permitted the use of cosmetic colors or artificial colors in production of cosmetic products. A growing number of cosmetic companies use cosmetic lakes, consisting of iron oxide, titanium dioxide and ultramarines, at the time of manufacturing their beauty products and items.
• Cause Obesity Problems: Another reason why artificial colors must not be included in food products is because they cause obesity problems. Both adults and children are easily attracted to junk food items simply because they are more colorful and appealing. This often causes obesity in them and many of them tend to gain unnecessary weight.

Given the above scenario, an increasing number of food products manufacturing companies are now replacing artificial colors with natural or organic colors. In fact, in the U.S. alone around 40 percent of food and beverage manufacturers have replaced artificial colors with natural colors. These natural colors are extracted from organic or natural sources and are undoubtedly good for health. Consumers must therefore go through the labels on their food packets and products and find out whether the ingredients and colors used for making them are natural or artificial.

5 Myths of Organic Colors

Organic colors are increasingly preferred by consumers in their food, cosmetics as well as beverages. In fact, a growing number of consumers want colors to have organic pigments derived from natural and quality sources. According to a recent study, around 66 percent of consumers demand organic colors instead of synthetic colors in their food, beverages and other products. Needless to mention, color is one of the main things that people use for recalling the quality and taste of their favorite food items. This is precisely why almost every company and brand is now using natural color pigments at the time of designing and creating of their products. However, there are several myths and misconceptions about organic colors. Here, find top 5 myths about organic colors.

• Myth One: The Shade Vibrancy must be Sacrificed: The truth is that based on the type of the application, one can achieve vivid and bright shades. A number of food items from Europe lack the vibrancy that is usually found in food products from North as well as South America. However, the fact is the food manufacturing companies in Europe started using colored natural pigments much before the companies in North or South America. Apart from this, Europe’s food manufacturing companies use coloring food that offers minimal vibrancy. On the other hand, consumers in North America always prefer using natural color obtained from natural sources.
• Myth Two: Shade Should Be Variable: It is not necessary for food manufacturing companies to maintain variability at the time of using organic colors. Companies that manufacture natural colors maintain the requisite standards, quality and consistency during the production of organic colors.
• Myth Three: Organic colors leave Behind Unwanted Off- Flavors: While, it is true that there are plenty of organic colors sources that leave off-flavors behind, however, with the advanced purification and filtration technologies available today, one can easily get rid of the undesirable flavors obtained via natural sources. Thus, organic color products and solutions can be easily customized to achieve the desired shade without leaving any undesired flavor behind.
• Myth Four: Organic Colors are Not Very Stable: This is a very common misconception among consumers. However, this isn’t really true. In a recent study conducted on panned chocolate, the organic color was much more stable in comparison to the synthetic color.
• Myth Five: Organic Colors Are Very Expensive: This is yet another common myth and one that certainly needs to be clarified. When it comes to buying any food item, consumers usually pay heed to both color and flavor. Thus, organic colors are not always expensive. In fact, synthetic colors are much more efficient.

To sum up, organic colors are absolutely safe and can be conveniently included in the different types of food products, beverages and other items. In fact, many consumers in North America are now demanding organic colors in their products. As a result, organic color manufacturing companies are now using technologies and tools to improve the quality, performance and cost of the organic colors.

Explore more shades with Cosmetic Colours today!

Cherry Red or Pretty Purple, with more colours, the excited consumers get more product variants and the manufacturer earns more profits. Colours play a very important role in the cosmetics industry. A lot of effort goes into finalizing the right colours for the right product in the cosmetic industry.

Although, the cosmetics industry is perceived as glamourous, it is a very serious business. Manufacturers and users of cosmetic colours in India have to stricty follow certain stringent regulations and adhere to the BIS quality standards. This inturn, ensures a safe product for consumers too.

Types of cosmetic colours

Cosmetic colours or colour additives can be classified into two categories: Cosmetic Dyes and Cosmetic Pigments.

Pigments can be inorganic pigments or organic pigments. Inorganic pigments consist of iron oxides, chromium dioxides, ultramarines, pealescent pearls etc. Organic pigments consist of cosmetic lakes, toners or true pigments.

Lakes are pigments used in cosmetics for their suitable chemical properties and colour characteristics. Cosmetic Lakes are created by absorbing the dye on a substrate and the dye turns into a water-insoluble colour by adapting the property of the substrate.

Dyes Vs Pigments

Cosmetic pigments are insoluble in most liquids including water while cosmetic dyes are water-soluble and soluble in many solvents. Cosmetic dyes are used mainly to create natural colours because dyes are made of organic compounds. On the other hand, pigments are generally made of inorganic compounds, sometimes with highly toxic contents. Dyes are combustible in nature while pigments are non-combustible in nature. In terms of shelf-life, pigments last longer than dyes.

Selecting the right colours

Colour selection for cosmetics depends on various factors as given below:

• Be it natural light or sunlight, the source of light where the colour will be viewed makes a lot of difference in the way it will be seen.
• Certain ingredients are restricted in specific type of cosmetics such as eye pencil, lipstick etc.
• Who sees it or what medium views the final colour can also give different results as the colour is perceived differently by human eyes and by an external object such as a camera or others.
• Accuracy in shade values ensures consistency in cosmetic colours.

Regulations for using cosmetic colours

Appropriate care is to be taken while preparing the colours for cosmetics. Any small error in mixing the ingredients or inclusion of incorrect amount of toxic substances can lead to undesirable consequences and even stringent legal actions. Manufacturers of natural cosmetic dyes in India face lesser challenges compared to ones making synthetic pigment colours.

The business of cosmetic dyes in India is growing as always with great demand for natural colours. Certified colour providers do the necessary testing and follow industry standards to meet the demands of the cosmetic colour requirements of personal care product manufacturers.

So, add more glamour to the cosmetics industry with vibrant cosmetic colours.

Do you have any interesting new shades in mind? What kind of cosmetic colours would you prefer?