10 Questions You Should Know about Iron Oxide Pigment Supplier

A Quick Guide to Colourants

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When considering adding color to a product, there are several factors to think about. Questions such as "What color should it be?", "Do I want opacity along with the color?", "How long does the color need to last?", and "What will be the end use of the product?" are all crucial. Additionally, solubility is a significant factor. Many often ask about using different colorants in recipes, prompting a detailed overview of the various colorants I use, why I choose them, and their best applications.

Clays

Solubility:

Insoluble

Colours available:

More natural shades of brown, beige, green, pink, red, and white

Will they oxidize or fade?

Not in my experience

Potency:

Depends on the clay, but generally somewhere below oxides and above botanicals

I love clay because it offers benefits like slip (in soap), cleansing, moisture management, and of course, color. Australian and French clays are commonly used for color purposes. They're available in various muted tones, are smooth, light, and are great additions to many products. However, clays might shift colors when wet, making them unsuitable for applications that go from wet to dry. Furthermore, variations within the clay category can occur.

In soaps, clays act as an excellent colorant, retaining their color through saponification. I also use them in cosmetics, such as lipsticks, where they don't dry out thanks to the oil base. However, in powders like blushes, the color from clays often needs supplementation from oxides to achieve the desired concentration.

Oxides

Solubility:

Insoluble

Colours available:

Natural shades of brown, green, teal, black, red, green, and yellow

Will they oxidize or fade?

No

Potency:

Very potent, even in small amounts

Iron oxides are incredibly potent and reliable for adding color. They don't fade over time and can be used in very small amounts, making them ideal for various formulations. These are synthesized to avoid heavy metal contamination and are chemically identical to naturally occurring rust.

Oxides are great in soaps and cosmetics, especially when you need to ensure the final product isn't predominantly white due to other ingredients like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Their stability helps maintain consistent color in products over time.

Ultramarines

Solubility:

Insoluble

Colours available:

Vibrant shades like cobalt blue and bright lavender

Will they oxidize or fade?

No

Potency:

Very potent, even in small amounts

Similar to oxides, ultramarines are synthesized and are excellent for creating vibrant colors. Their synthetic version is derived from ingredients like sulfur, clay, and charcoal, offering irreplaceable bright blue pigments used in stunning blends with carmine.

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Micas

Solubility:

Insoluble

Colours available:

All the colours of the rainbow

Will they oxidize or fade?

No

Potency:

Fairly low

Micas are shimmery powders that add sparkle. They are often colored with oxides and FD&C dyes, making them less natural. While they can provide a strong visual punch in products like lip balm tubes, their skin coloration is less potent. Pairing micas with iron oxides can enhance the final color.

Dyes & Liquid Oils

Solubility:

Varies

Colours available:

Varies, depending on how natural you want to keep things

Will they oxidize or fade?

Varies

Potency:

Varies

This category includes a range of options. FD&C dyes offer a multitude of bright, long-lasting colors. Natural liquid dyes can also provide colors but may come with scent or flavor issues. Oils like raw hemp seed and buriti oil can add greens and oranges to products.

Carmine

Solubility:

Water soluble, oil dispersable

Colours available:

Bright, vibrant red/pink

Will it oxidize or fade?

No

Potency:

Extremely strong

Carmine is highly potent and irreplaceable in the natural world, providing brilliant reds and pinks. It's water soluble, making it versatile for products like lip and cheek stains. However, it is not vegan, as it is derived from cochineal insects. While red iron oxide can be a substitute in some products, it won't match carmine's vibrancy.

Botanicals (Beet root powder, rose hip extract, etc.)

Solubility:

Water soluble

Colours available:

Natural shades of red, pink, beige, brown, green, etc.

Will they oxidize or fade?

Yes

Potency:

Low

Despite their appeal, botanical colorants are often impractical due to rapid oxidation and low potency. While they can add color to bath products or work when infused in oils, they typically turn brown or black in soap and have limited effectiveness.

For more insights or if you're considering iron oxide pigments for your products, please refer to additional resources or suppliers for reliable information and materials.

This post was updated November 29, 2016.

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Grinding Cosmetic Pigment Oxides

If you're looking to grind pigments yourself, a glass muller from an artist's supply shop can be useful. However, be cautious as using IPA might lead to quick evaporation. It may be more practical to purchase pre-dispersed pigments.

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