How Are Pigment Colours Made?

Pigments are generally coloured, solid powders that are usually insoluble. All paints are made from the ingredient known as pigment. Pigments are not soluble and are not applied as solutions but as solid particles mixed with a liquid. Generally the same pigments are employed in water and oil based paints, printed inks and plastics. They were first extracted from clay or earth. Even though most of the pigment manufacturers use age old process of preparing pigments and then convert them into clay, modern pigments are synthesized in laboratories.

Cosmetic pigments are divided into inorganic pigments and organic pigments. Most of the inorganic pigments lasts longer and are brighter than the organic ones. Organic pigments have been used for centuries for various purposes. However, most of the pigments used today are either synthetic organic ones or inorganic. Synthetic organic pigments are manufactured from coal tars and other petrochemicals. Inorganic pigments are made with the help of simple chemical reactions such as oxidation. When in requirement of bright shades organic pigments are used and they have high colour strength. When manufacturing dull shades inorganic pigments are used. Inorganic pigments have weak colour strength.

Apart from other uses, pigments are also used in cosmetics. Both organic pigments, inorganic pigments are used in the manufacture of cosmetics. Organic pigments manufacturer makes lakes, inorganic pigment manufacturer makes iron oxides. Organic and inorganic colours are used by the cosmetic pigment manufacturer in their cosmetic manufacturing. Both iron oxide and lakes are non toxic in nature and don’t create any reaction on the skin. Most of the cosmetic manufacturer uses these in their makeup since there is no chance of skin allergies.

Iron oxides come in a range of colours such as black iron oxide, yellow iron oxide and so on. The colour tone depends on factors such s pH, temperature, concentration and so on. Lakes are produced by soluble dye with metallic salts. While organic colours are certified, Iron oxides are none certifies but are widely used in makeup products such as foundations, lipsticks, eye shadows etc.

Inorganic pigments include white opaque pigments that are used to lighten other colours and also to provide opacity. The most significant member of the class is titanium dioxide. White extender pigments are added to the paints so as to improve their properties as well as lower their cost. This class includes calcium sulfate, calcium carbonate, china clays and diatomaceous silica. Black pigments are mostly created from particles of carbon. Iron oxide earth pigments create yellow-browns, browns and orange-browns. Certain compounds of chromium create oranges, chrome yellows and greens. Various compounds of cadmium results in oranges, bright yellows and reds.

Organic pigments are synthesized from aromatic hydrocarbons. Organic pigments include azo pigments. They account for most of the organic orange, red and yellow pigments. Copper phthalocyanines provide strong greens and blues. Some pigments like fluorescent ones are dyes that have been rendered insoluble by chemical reaction. In terms of usage both lakes and oxides are good option as they don’t have any side effects. Bothe organic and inorganic pigments can be used irrespective of age or skin types. With regard to cosmetic paints, lakes and oxides are better than industrial paints or ink

5 Things to Know Before Choosing Cosmetic Dyes

Cosmetic colours are widely used to create variety of cosmetics ranging from eye colour, lipsticks, nail elements and much more. They do not pose any harmful effects on the skin and does not result in skin allergies. Cosmetic manufacturers use synthetic as well as organic colours based on customers’ requirements. In the production of such cosmetic colours, cosmetic pigments and cosmetic dyes are used. However, such manufacturers adhere to the rules and regulations strictly while producing cosmetic dyes in India. With each passing day, the cosmetic manufacturers are adding more colour to the cosmetics and customers are looking for buying such products and increase their cosmetic collection.

There are certain things that should be taken into account while choosing cosmetic dyes in India. Some of the factors that are taken into account have been discussed below:

• Organic pigments for personal care and cosmetics:Carbons and other molecules are used to make organic pigments. Usually organic pigments used for personal care and cosmetics are cosmetic colours that are classified as toners, lake dyes and true pigments. The pigments that are used are certified and are of high quality so that there is no reaction the skin. Usually organic pigment colours are much brighter than inorganic pigments.
• Inorganic pigments for cosmetics and personal care:Chromium, ultramarine, iron oxides and so on are very popular among cosmetic manufacturers. These are inorganic pigments that are largely used in cosmetic manufacturing along with other pigments such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Such pigments are more opaque and resistant to solvents.
• Oil soluble colours for personal care and cosmetics:Cosmetic dyes are also available in oil soluble colours for personal care and cosmetics. Depending upon the formulation of the product there are various application for oil soluble cosmetic colours. Some of the oil soluble cosmetic colours include ultramarines and oxides.
• Water soluble colours for personal care and cosmetics:Cosmetic dyes are available in water soluble colours. Such water soluble colours are of high quality and is ideal for personal care products as well as cosmetics. In case of clear products water soluble cosmetic colours give good transparent colours. In case of opaque cosmetic products water soluble cosmetic colours are used to give them a light tint. These are also perfect for soaps, lotion, powders etc.
• Colour solution and colour mud for nail care and lip care respectively:Nail paints and cosmetics for lip care are in high demand and fall under the highest selling categories in cosmetics. Cosmetic colours such as Titanium Dioxide, Mica, iron oxides and organic pigments are used in nail paints. For making nail paints pigments are used. To produce high quality nail care products, the colours need good solubility properties.

In case of cosmetic colours for lip care it is available in the form of inorganic and organic pigments. Since high quality colours are used application of such cosmetics on sensitive skin does not result in any side effects. Colour mud is available in wide range of colours such as green, yellow, purple and more.

Significance of Color Quality of Pharmaceuticals & Food Products

Color is one of the primary things through which you remember the taste and quality of the food. Not just appearance, color also signifies the quality of the food and the ingredients used in it. For the pharmaceutical and food manufacturers, you need to know that in order to make the food appealing you must use the right colors. Apart from this, to maintain the psychological reason you must understand the relation between food colors and the client’s taste. To help you understand this better and to make this simpler, the food color measurement equipment's come to the rescue. If you want to know more about the significance of color quality of pharmaceuticals and food products read out here:

Role of color quality
Each color has its own importance and role play in food. For instance, colors such as yellow and red appeal a lot of people and compel them to grab the food. This is because both these colors are associated with hunger and provokes it. If you have seen carefully, most food chains or outlets use these two colors or either one of these in their logos to draw your attention. As such the pharmaceutical colors manufacturers make colors, keeping many things in their minds. However, if the color manufactured is meant for food coloring, then several things are strictly taken into consideration. When you measure the color quality as well as the food significance it gives you the batch concentration. This helps you maintain the best quality of the color to be used. Now, when you are able to verify the batch concentration, the rejection level also drops down. This in return helps you avoid rejection of a large quantity of product and save money. Next, when it comes to the pharmaceutical ones, the safety and quality of the colors become a primary concern. Some factors include color temperature like warm colors, neutral colors and many more.

The effect on pharmaceutical and food products
When it comes to pharmaceutical packaging, color choice is based on visual appearance. Just like the color of a medication is believed to have an impact on the consumer’s mind, similarly the pharmaceutical dyes used in packaging it has an effect that shapes the consumer’s expectations. There is no doubt, this is one of the reasons as why most companies use eye catching colors in their food products and pharmaceutical products. Packaging colors such as brown, red and gray are used to mark serious illness medicines.

How does it help?
The food color is one of the most important factors in determining the acceptance. Usually every person wants to see their food in natural color. There are many people who associate natural color with high quality pharmaceuticals and food products. The quality of pharmaceutical colors is also important for the manufacturers as it matters to the customers a lot.

Importance of color quality
Be it food products or pharmaceutical product color quality is always one of the primary concerns of the manufacturers and the consumers as well. These products also have a significant effect on the people’s health. For instance, a quality color can have a calming effect on your mind while others might not. Above all, no matter what color the manufacturers choose, it all depends on the consumer how they take it and what impact it has on them.

How to measure consistency?
As earlier said, to have a proper impact on the customers, it is important to have a proper level of intensity of these pharmaceutical colors. Accurate measurement of these colors not only help you enhance the look of the product, but also help you identify the quality and quantity of the ingredients used. When it comes to measuring the pharmaceutical dyes and its consistency, the manufacturers use pharmaceutical measurement devices to get the accurate result. These devices help you analyze the color consistency of the product which again help in verifying batch consistency of product. Coming to color measurement, there is a significant device available for use which is known as the color measurement instrument. Almost all of these color measurement devices are portable and gives the most accurate result possible. Due to this reason, many leading industries use the device to check color quantity and quality used in their products.

With that being said, there are several factors that contribute to the importance of color quality in both food products and pharmaceutical products. The importance of color quality of pharmaceuticals are many and hard to ignore when it comes to the quality of the food.

Organic Pigments vs Inorganic Pigments for Cosmetic Makeup

Cosmetics are both loved by men and women these days. But often people have a confusion between organic and inorganic pigments that are used in makeup items. However, there are only two types of pigments such as the iron oxides which are inorganic and the lakes which are organic. Interestingly, the cosmetic pigment manufacturer uses both inorganic and organic colors in their pigments. If you want to more about these two types of pigments go through this page and get enlightened:

Why use the pigments?

There are several reasons for using the cosmetic pigments in makeups. For instance, iron oxides are used since it is the most common and stable form of elements. Also, these are non toxic and available in different colors for use. Coming to organic ones, these are similar to the inorganic ones as they don’t react on the skin. In fact, most cosmetic manufacturers use these straight away in their makeup since there are no chances of skin allergies.

Color ingredients

Coming to the color ingredients, iron oxides are available in a range of various colors such as yellow iron oxide, black iron oxide and many more. The color tone also depends on several factors such as the temperature, pH, radius, concentration,etc. In case of lakes, these are produced by soluble dye with metallic salts. These are known as the metal salts and these are certified colors. Organic colors are also certified and safe to use.

Iron oxides are non certified colors and are widely used in coverup makeup products.Presently, iron oxides are being used in makeup items such as lipsticks, foundations, eye shadows, etc. Interestingly, various skin colors are being produced using the iron oxides under different conditions.

Product viscosity

This depends entirely on the technician and they choose the viscosity according to their need. For instance, when it comes to cosmetic pigments there is the oil painting makeup as well the sumi painting makeup. The former involves a permanent makeup style, whereas the latter is given to those who aren’t sure if they want a permanent makeup.

Which is a better option?

In terms of use both oxides and lakes are a good option. Both of these don’t have any side effects or cause skin allergies, so are safe to be used on your skin. In fact, both organic and inorganic pigments are a good choice, irrespective of your age since it suits all skin types. Also, when it comes to cosmetic pigments oxides and lakes are better than inks or industrial paints. Even though oxides fade over time, but it doesn’t make you look old as in the case of ink.

With that being said, both the pigments are equally popular and widely used in cosmetic makeup. One of the primary reasons for this is because they are safe on your skin. So, now as you know all the details about these pigments used in cosmetic makeup choose your preferable one and give yourself the desirable look.

Why pharmaceutical colours are so important?

Every colour has an influence on the human mind. No wonder, colour science remains significant in the consumption behaviour of medicines by patients. Colour is not merely selected by pharma companies but it is carefully chosen after extensive research. Pharmaceutical colors manufacturers follow certain standards to create the suitable colours for various medicines because colour properties can expedite the wellness of patients and provide other benefits.

Colour – The Healer

Every colour signifies something. If blue is for calmness then red is for vitality. The colour itself starts the healing process even before the medicine is consumed. Colour enhances the effect of medicine on different illnesses.

Identify better with colour

Apart from the visual appeal, colours are used in medicine to differentiate them and thus, avoid confusion. Elderly patients will find it easier to find the right medicine based on colour codes. Pharmaceutical Colour Measurement devices help to select the right consistency and attain accuracy in colours. The exact proportion of colour should be used as per the guidelines of regulatory authorities for appropriate usage of colours in pharma products.

Follow standards for wellness

Pharmaceutical colours can be used in internal medicines such as tablets; capsules etc. or for external applications such as ointments, gel etc. These colours have to be prepared as per the methods and tests put forward by governing authorities. Any kind of lapse on following the guidelines can lead to low quality of products and sometimes lead to permanent problems for patients that can even prove fatal.

Better sales with colours

On the business side, colours affect sales figures too. For example, a tablet in yellow colour of a specific shape can be related to a brand which the patients can easily connect to. On the other hand, a white tablet in a commonly available shape gets lost among many other similar looking tablets in the market. The colour of the medicine gives it a distinct identity.

Certain colours such as natural colours are exempt from certification while other chemical-based colours need to be certified by pharmaceutical color manufacturers. Metal oxides, aluminium lakes and non-synthetics are pigments used in colours for pharmaceutical products. Water soluble colours are used in medicines for dispersion properties that help consume the medicine. Pharma colourants such as organic, inorganic or water-soluble are selected based on their properties.

Control of batch to batch colour variation is of utmost importance for pharmaceutical colors manufacturers. Any variation can lead to quality concerns in colour coating. Manufacturing of these colours depend on the uncompromising quality standards set by the governing authorities and varies from country to country.

Koel colour is a leading manufacturer of colours for pharmaceutical products. The company is a specialist in organic colourants, inorganic colourants and water-soluble colours for pharma. The high-quality and well-researched pharmaceutical colours including pharmaceutical dyes by Koel colours are widely used by leading pharma companies with stringent policies.

What’s your take on significance of colours? Any insights on pharmaceutical colours that you find fascinating?

What is the Difference? – Pigments vs Dyes

Ever wondered about the type of colours used in cosmetics. Based on the applications, cosmetic colours also known as colourant are classified into two types, dyes and pigments. Understanding the difference between cosmetic dyes and cosmetic pigments helps to choose the appropriate colourant for cosmetic manufacturers.

How different is the colouring process for cosmetic dyes and cosmetic pigments?

• The process of dyeing involves physical and chemical reactions. Pigments are colour particles that require a binding or dispersion agent to bind to the surface of the material to be coloured.
• Dyes have molecules that are smaller than pigment particles.
• Dyes are soluble in water and in certain types of solvents such as oil, alcohol, glycerine etc. Pigments are insoluble in water and many other solvents.
• Molecular study is required in choosing the dyes while it is not required in pigments. Crystal structure, particle properties, surface area & absorption, binder type and application are considered in the selection process of a pigment. Quantity of pigment to be used also makes a difference for products.

Key facts about Dyes

• Dyes can be organic or synthetic dyes. Organic dyes are obtained from natural resources.
• Brighter colours can be obtained through dyes.
• Dyes showcase poor fastness to light.
• Special-purpose Dyes can have properties such as heat-resistance, UV resistance, weather resistance etc.

Key facts about Cosmetic Pigments

• Cosmetic pigments are further divided into organic pigments and inorganic pigments. Organic pigments are of three types namely- Lakes, toners and true pigments. Inorganic pigments are made of different chemical types such as chromium dioxides, iron oxides, ultramarines etc.
• Organic pigments have high color strength while inorganic ones have weak colour strength.
• Bright shades can be obtained through organic pigments compared to dull shades by inorganic pigments.

Dyes are generally used for making hair dyes, lipsticks etc. Pigments such as oxides and more are used for giving vibrant shades to nail paints, blushes, face powders etc. In certain cases, it is possible to combine pigments and dyes for specific applications. Specific dyes and pigments are approved or restricted for use in cosmetics for application in certain body areas or cosmetic types. Dyes and Pigment manufacturers conduct tests and follow international standards with the prescribed amount of ingredients to ensure safe application of the colourants.

Natural colours derived from natural sources do not need to be certified in most places across the world. Synthetic organic colours have to be certified though. Reputed dyes and pigment manufacturers are aware of these certifications and laws for cosmetic colours that prevail in different parts of the world.

Koel Colours is a leading manufacturer of cosmetic colourants including cosmetic dyes, organic pigments and inorganic pigments. Since every cosmetic needs a specific colourant, Koel colours can lend their expertise to clients for choosing the compatible colours as per their needs.

Cosmetics are chosen based on colours most of the time. Any suggestions on selection of colours for cosmetics? Which cosmetic colour works well for you and why?

What is the Difference? – Pigments vs Dyes

Ever wondered about the type of colours used in cosmetics. Based on the applications, cosmetic colours also known as colourant are classified into two types, dyes and pigments. Understanding the difference between cosmetic dyes and cosmetic pigments helps to choose the appropriate colourant for cosmetic manufacturers.

How different is the colouring process for cosmetic dyes and cosmetic pigments?

• The process of dyeing involves physical and chemical reactions. Pigments are colour particles that require a binding or dispersion agent to bind to the surface of the material to be coloured.
• Dyes have molecules that are smaller than pigment particles.
• Dyes are soluble in water and in certain types of solvents such as oil, alcohol, glycerine etc. Pigments are insoluble in water and many other solvents.
• Molecular study is required in choosing the dyes while it is not required in pigments. Crystal structure, particle properties, surface area & absorption, binder type and application are considered in the selection process of a pigment. Quantity of pigment to be used also makes a difference for products.

Key facts about Dyes

• Dyes can be organic or synthetic dyes. Organic dyes are obtained from natural resources.
• Brighter colours can be obtained through dyes.
• Dyes showcase poor fastness to light.
• Special-purpose Dyes can have properties such as heat-resistance, UV resistance, weather resistance etc.

Key facts about Cosmetic Pigments

• Cosmetic pigments are further divided into organic pigments and inorganic pigments. Organic pigments are of three types namely- Lakes, toners and true pigments. Inorganic pigments are made of different chemical types such as chromium dioxides, iron oxides, ultramarines etc.
• Organic pigments have high color strength while inorganic ones have weak colour strength.
• Bright shades can be obtained through organic pigments compared to dull shades by inorganic pigments.

Dyes are generally used for making hair dyes, lipsticks etc. Pigments such as oxides and more are used for giving vibrant shades to nail paints, blushes, face powders etc. In certain cases, it is possible to combine pigments and dyes for specific applications. Specific dyes and pigments are approved or restricted for use in cosmetics for application in certain body areas or cosmetic types. Dyes and Pigment manufacturers conduct tests and follow international standards with the prescribed amount of ingredients to ensure safe application of the colourants.

Natural colours derived from natural sources do not need to be certified in most places across the world. Synthetic organic colours have to be certified though. Reputed dyes and pigment manufacturers are aware of these certifications and laws for cosmetic colours that prevail in different parts of the world.

Koel Colours is a leading manufacturer of cosmetic colourants including cosmetic dyes, organic pigments and inorganic pigments. Since every cosmetic needs a specific colourant, Koel colours can lend their expertise to clients for choosing the compatible colours as per their needs.

Cosmetics are chosen based on colours most of the time. Any suggestions on selection of colours for cosmetics? Which cosmetic colour works well for you and why?