Advantages of inorganic pigments:
- They are safe for use on the skin and in color cosmetics
- Great coverage and gives intense color
- They are resistant to light and temperature
- Are chemically stable and do not react with other cosmetic ingredients
- They do not dissolve in water and oils, which makes them stay on the surface of the skin
- They are hypoallergenic and rarely cause allergic reactions
- Last longer on the skin than organic pigments
- They can be matte or pearl – depending on the form of processing
Types of inorganic pigments:
1. IRON OXIDES
These are some of the most popular cosmetic pigments. They are stable and safe for the skin, so they are recommended for mineral and organic cosmetics. They come in a variety of shades:
- Yellow (C.I. 77492) – used in foundations, concealers, powders, eye shadows and lipsticks
- Red (C.I. 77491) – used in blushes, lipsticks, nail polish, and hair coloring products
- Brown (C.I. 77491, 77492, 77499) – a key pigment in bronzers, powders, brow cosmetics and contouring products
- Black (C.I. 77499) – the primary ingredient in mascara, eyeliners, eyeliner and eyebrow cosmetics
2. ULTRAMARINS
These are pigments of natural origin. They are resistant to light and temperature, but can be sensitive to acids, so they may require special stabilizers in some products. Ultramarines have intense shades of blue, purple and pink:
- Ultramarine blue (C.I. 77007) – used in eye shadows, nail polishes, eyeliners
- Ultramarine purple and pink (C.I. 77007) – gives color to blushes, lipsticks, eye shadows
3. PRUSSIAN BLUE (C.I. 77510)
It is an intense blue pigment used mainly in eye cosmetics such as eye shadows, eyeliners, mascaras, as well as in hair coloring products.
4. WHITE PIGMENTS
- Titanium dioxide (C.I. 77891) – a very popular pigment used in foundations, concealers, powders, BB creams, sunscreens (reflects UV radiation), lipsticks, eye shadows
- Zinc oxide (C.I. 77947) – used in sunscreens, powders and salves for sensitive skin
The use of inorganic pigments in cosmetics:
- Makeup – foundations, concealers, eye shadows, lipsticks, blushes, eyebrow pencils
- Hair coloring – hair dyes and toners
- Nail products – nail polishes, bases, top coats
- Skin care cosmetics – powders, bronzers, sunscreens
