FDA Logo U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationCenter for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
horizontal rule

CFSAN/Office of Cosmetics and Colors


Color Additives Permitted for Use in Cosmetics

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), Subparts C of Part 73 (Listing of Color Additives Exempt from Certification) and of Part 74 (Listing of Color Additives Subject to Certification). 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 Additive Eye Area Generally Includes
Lipstick
External Use Specific Limitations
and Comments
21 CFR
Section
Aluminum powderYesNoYes  73.2645
AnnattoYesYesYes  73.2030
Bismuth citrateNoNoNoHair on the scalp 73.2110
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
DihydroxyacetoneNoNoNoExternally applied cosmetics to color the body 73.2150
Disodium EDTA--copperNoNoNoShampoos 73.2120
Ferric ammonium ferrocyanideYesNoYes  73.2298
Ferric ferrocyanideYesNoYes  73.2299
GuaiazuleneNoNoYes  73.2180
GuanineYesYesYes  73.2329
HennaNoNoNoHair on the scalp 73.2190
Iron oxidesYesYesYes  73.2250
Lead acetateNoNoNoHair on the scalp; ≤ 0.6% 73.2396
Luminescent zinc sulfideNoNoNo Externally applied facial makeup and nail polish; <10%; for infrequent use (Halloween) 73.2995
Manganese violetYesYesYes  73.2775
MicaYesYesYes  73.2496
Potassium sodium copper chlorophyllin;
Chlorophyllin-copper complex
NoNoNo Dentifrices; ≤ 0.1% 73.2125
PyrophylliteNoNoYes  73.2400
SilverNoNoNoFingernail 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
(21 CFR Part 74 Subpart C—Cosmetics)
Color Additive Eye Area* Generally Includes
Lipstick
External Use Specific Limitations
and Comments
21 CFR
Section
D&C Black No. 2Subject to LimitationsSubject to LimitationsSubject to Limitations Eyeliner, brush-on-brow, eye shadow, mascara, lipstick, blusher & rouge, makeup & foundation, nail enamel 74.2052
D&C Black No. 3Subject to LimitationsNoSubject to Limitations Eyeliner, eye shadow, mascara, face powder 74.2053
FD&C Blue No. 1Yes (Al lake)YesYes  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 lipsticks 74.2255
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, dentrifices 74.2333
D&C Red No. 34NoNoYes  74.2334
D&C Red No. 36NoSubject to LimitationsYesLipstick products ≤ 3% 74.2336
FD&C Red No. 40Yes (Al lake)YesYes  74.2340
D&C Violet No. 2NoNoYes  74.2602
Ext. D&C Violet No. 2NoNoYes  74.2602a
FD&C Yellow No. 5Yes (Al lake)YesYes  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

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

horizontal rule
horizontal rule