Many people avoid artificial colours in their foods, but don't check out the colours in cosmetics and personal care products. It is only in recent years that cosmetics have started to carry a full list of ingredients on their packaging.
Making sense of the ingredients can be difficult for the lay person. This is particularly true for colourings, which often go under the guise of numbers rather than names.
In many countries colours in cosmetics are listed as colour index numbers. C.I. numbers are allocated by the Society of Dyers and Colourists. The scheme covers colours used in food, personal care products, cosmetics, household products and fabric dyeing. So, for example you will not normally see ‘tartrazine’ listed in your lipstick ingredients, but it may be there listed as C.I. 19140. Erythrosine will be listed as C.I. 45430, and so on.
The USA uses a different system: the FD & C colors have been categorised by the American Food & Drink Administration for use in foods, drugs and cosmetics. So in this system tartrazine is FD & C yellow 5, and amaranth is FD & C red 2.
The ‘E Number’ system is used by the European Community (EC). This is a system of giving code numbers to food additives, some of which are also used in cosmetics and personal care products. This system is also used in some other countries but without the E prefix, so E102 becomes simply colour ‘102’.
All this confusion for the average consumer would not be important, but for the fact that some of these colours are known to cause problems in susceptible individuals. For example, tartrazine (also known as FD & C Yellow 5, CI 1914 and EI02) can cause migraines, itching, rhinitis and agitation in susceptible individuals. Many individuals avoid its use in food, but do not realise how extensively it is used in cosmetics, such as lipstick, and personal care products.
The big worries in terms of colours in cosmetics and personal care products are lipstick, coloured lip balms, lip gloss and lip pencils, because anyone who uses these regularly ‘eats’ a fair quantity over their life time, but these colours also appear in skin cream, foundation, mascara and so on too. (Remember also that these colours can also be in 'natural' cosmetics and skin care products.)
Another worry is that even the 'experts' cannot agree on an international 'safe' list of colours, so that a colour may be allowed in one country, but banned elsewhere. For example, quinoline yellow is allowed within the European Community and in some other countries, but is banned in Japan, Norway and the United States.
As ever, the advice is: keep yourself informed and read the label. Here is a list of the different names and numbers that common colourings go under:
Tartrazine: E102 or FD & C Yellow 5 or C.I. 19140
Quinoline yellow or E104 or C.I. 47005
Sunset yellow or E110 or FD & C Yellow 6 or C.I. 15985
Amaranth or E123 or FD & C Red 2 or C.I. 16185
Ponceau 4R or E124 or C.I. 16255
Erythrosine or E127 or FD & C Red 3 or C.I. 45430
Red 2G or E128 or C.I. 18050
Allura red AC or E129 or FD & C Red 40 or C.I. 16035
Patent blue V or E131 or C.I. 42051
Indigo carmine or E132 or FD & C Blue 2 or C.I. 73015
Brilliant blue FCF or FD & C Blue 1 or C.I. 42090
Fast green FCF or FD & C Green 3 or C.I. 42053
Green S or E142 or C.I. 44090
About the author:
Jane Thurnell-Read researches and writes on health and well-being. Visit her site http://www.healthandgoodness.comfor well-researched articles on a whole range of topics. She's not trying to sell you anything - this is an information web site. the most common unsolicited comment from people who surf this site is "brilliant".
Learn About The Latest
Trends In Cosmetics Now
by: Bridget Allen
The days of bright blue eye shadow and slathered on blush are gone with
the wind! If you are in desperate need of a make up freshen up, consider
these hot trends in cosmetics. These latest colors, tips, and techniques
are just what anyone needs to update a look or make the change into a new
season. Remember that your cosmetics do have an expiration date, so keep
this in mind when shopping for new make up. With each season, carefully
look through your make up kit and discard any items that are outdated.
This is critical, especially with eye make up that can expire and
potentially cause painful infections. Also, remember not to share your
make up with anyone else to prevent spread of germs and infection.
Today’s latest trends in cosmetics reflect the fashion trends—shimmer
and shine! From super glossy lip gloss to candy like eye make up with
glitter to make your eyes truly pop. This trend only applies to eyes,
lips, and nails, however, since cream and matte finishes is hot for
foundations, powders, and blush. In addition to shimmer and shine, the
color of eye and lip make up is quite subtle. Gone are the vibrant colors
and eye popping shades of eye shadow. Instead, pale browns, ivories,
grays, tans, and other natural colors are all the rage. Lip shades are
also a bit more subdued, with a nude lip or a sheer pink gloss being
incredibly hot.
Lipstick is out today, with lip gloss taking over the first place in
purses all over the country. These lip glosses are made in every color
under the sun and many mimic the appearance of lipstick with a much
smoother and glossier look. For individuals looking to care for their lips
and enjoy that terrific nude lip look, consider using a simple hydrating
stick. The all natural brand, Bert’s Bees, produces a phenomenal product
that can be applied under a gloss or used by itself.
The days of pressed powder may be numbered; as today’s hot products
include cream powders that go on thick but dries sheer and ultra light.
This option is great for individuals who would like a bit more coverage
than pressed powder offers, but do not want to deal with the mess and
hassle of using foundation. Another popular trend along this line is the
cream blush, which also goes on like a cream but dries a powder. Also,
cream blushes prevent that unnatural coloring that appears on many women’s
cheeks.
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