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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Cosmetics

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Color Additives Permitted for Use in Cosmetics: Table

April 30, 2008; Updated June 20, 2008 and February 22, 2010

The tables below are provided as a supplement to the information in the Summary of Color Additives Listed for Use in the United States in Food, Drugs, Cosmetics, and Medical Devices. They are intended for quick reference to help in determining which color additives may be used in different types of cosmetics, as provided for in Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Subpart C of Part 73 (Listing of Color Additives Exempt from Certification), Subpart C of Part 74 (Listing of Color Additives Subject to Certification), and Subparts C and D of Part 82 (Listing of Certified Provisionally Listed Colors and Specifications). For additional information on the permitted use, specifications, and restrictions that apply to each color additive, please refer to the appropriate listing regulation, using the links provided in the tables. For more information on the use of color additives in cosmetics in general, please see Color Additives and Cosmetics.

Color Additives That Are Exempt from Certification and Permitted for Use in Cosmetics
(21 CFR Part 73 Subpart C—Cosmetics)
Color AdditiveEye AreaGenerally
(Includes
Lipsticks)
External UseSpecific Limitations
and Comments
21 CFR
Section
Aluminum powderYesNoYes 73.2645
AnnattoYesYesYes 73.2030
Bismuth citrateNoNoSubject to limitationsHair on the scalp73.2110
Bismuth oxychlorideYesYesYes 73.2162
Bronze powderYesYesYes 73.2646
CaramelYesYesYes 73.2085
CarmineYesYesYes 73.2087
β-CaroteneYesYesYes 73.2095
Chromium hydroxide greenYesNoYes 73.2326
Chromium oxide greensYesNoYes 73.2327
Copper powderYesYesYes 73.2647
DihydroxyacetoneNoNoSubject to limitationsFor use in tanning preparations73.2150
Disodium EDTA-copperNoNoSubject to limitationsShampoos73.2120
Ferric ammonium ferrocyanideYesNoYes 73.2298
Ferric ferrocyanideYesNoYes 73.2299
GuaiazuleneNoNoYes 73.2180
GuanineYesYesYes 73.2329
HennaNoNoSubject to limitationsHair on the scalp73.2190
Iron oxidesYesYesYes 73.2250
Lead acetateNoNoSubject to limitationsHair on the scalp; ≤0.6% lead73.2396
Luminescent zinc sulfideNoNoSubject to limitationsExternally applied facial makeup and nail polish; <10%; for infrequent use (e.g., Halloween)73.2995
Manganese violetYesYesYes 73.2775
MicaYesYesYes 73.2496
Potassium sodium copper chlorophyllin (chlorophyllin-copper complex)NoNoSubject to limitationsDentifrices; ≤0.1%73.2125
PyrophylliteNoNoYes 73.2400
SilverNoNoSubject to limitationsFingernail polish; ≤1%73.2500
Titanium dioxideYesYesYes 73.2575
UltramarinesYesNoYes 73.2725
Zinc oxideYesYesYes 73.2991

 


Color Additives That Are Subject to Certification and Permitted for Use in Cosmetics*
Includes Straight Colors and Lakes
(21 CFR Part 74 Subpart C—Cosmetics, and 21 CFR Part 82 Subpart C--Drugs and Cosmetics and Subpart D--Externally Applied Drugs and Cosmetics)
Color AdditiveEye Area**Generally
(Includes
Lipsticks)
External UseSpecific Limitations
and Comments
21 CFR
Section
D&C Black No. 2Subject to LimitationsSubject to LimitationsSubject to LimitationsEyeliner, brush-on-brow, eye shadow, mascara, lipstick, blushers & rouge, makeup & foundation, nail enamel74.2052
D&C Black No. 3Subject to LimitationsNoSubject to LimitationsEyeliner, eye shadow, mascara, face powder74.2053
FD&C Blue No. 1Yes, also Al lakeYesYes 74.2101
D&C Blue No. 4NoNoYes 74.2104
D&C Brown No. 1NoNoYes 74.2151
FD&C Green No. 3NoYesYes 74.2203
D&C Green No. 5YesYesYes 74.2205
D&C Green No. 6NoNoYes 74.2206
D&C Green No. 8NoNoSubject to Limitations≤0.01%74.2208
D&C Orange No. 4NoNoYes 74.2254
D&C Orange No. 5NoSubject to LimitationsYesMouthwashes, dentifrices; ≤5% for lipsticks74.2255
D&C Orange No. 10NoNoYes 74.2260
D&C Orange No. 11NoNoYes 74.2261
FD&C Red No. 4NoNoYes 74.2304
D&C Red No. 6NoYesYes 74.2306
D&C Red No. 7NoYesYes 74.2307
D&C Red No. 17NoNoYes 74.2317
D&C Red No. 21NoYesYes 74.2321
D&C Red No. 22NoYesYes 74.2322
D&C Red No. 27NoYesYes 74.2327
D&C Red No. 28NoYesYes 74.2328
D&C Red No. 30NoYesYes 74.2330
D&C Red No. 31NoNoYes 74.2331
D&C Red No. 33NoSubject to LimitationsYesLipstick products ≤3%; mouthwash, dentrifices74.2333
D&C Red No. 34NoNoYes 74.2334
D&C Red No. 36NoSubject to LimitationsYesLipstick products ≤3%74.2336
FD&C Red No. 40Yes, also Al lakeYesYes 74.2340
D&C Violet No. 2NoNoYes 74.2602
Ext. D&C Violet No. 2NoNoYes 74.2602a
FD&C Yellow No. 5Yes, also Al lakeYesYes 74.2705
FD&C Yellow No. 6NoYesYes 74.2706
D&C Yellow No. 7NoNoYes 74.2707
Ext. D&C Yellow No. 7NoNoYes 74.2707a
D&C Yellow No. 8NoNoYes 74.2708
D&C Yellow No. 10NoYesYes 74.2710
D&C Yellow No. 11NoNoYes 74.2711

 

*Includes straight colors and lakes 

**Excludes lakes except where noted. Only aluminum lakes on alumina are permitted for designated lakes.

 

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