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.

Koel is the author of this article on cosmetic dyes in india here.