Carmine (CI 75470) is a bright red natural pigment derived from cochineal insects and standardized for cosmetic use. It's used to give vivid, stable crimson color with strong opacity and lightfastness in lipsticks, blushes, and pressed powders.
A red pigment from cochineal insects used to color makeup.
Category
Color
Type
Pigment
Ratings
Overall Rating
Good
Comedogenic Risk
None
Not typically evaluated for comedogenicity — no standardized rating available.
Our take
Is Carmine (CI 75470) a Good Ingredient?
It delivers highly stable, bold red pigmentation with strong lightfastness and generally low irritation in most users, which earns it a Good rating; its broad regulatory acceptance in cosmetics supports consistent performance across shade ranges.
What it does
Skin Benefits
Delivers intense scarlet color with strong payoff and good wear, and helps shades stay bold without noticeable fading.
Where you'll find it
Uses in Skincare & Cosmetics
Used in lip colors, cheek tints, and pressed powders to create red and pink hues.
Before you use it
Safety
Generally considered safe for topical use; rare allergic reactions, including on lips or around eyes, can occur, so stop use if redness or swelling appears. It is an approved cosmetic colorant in many regions and is often required to be declared by name on labels due to allergy considerations.