FD&C Yellow 5 (CI19140)

FD&C Yellow 5 (CI 19140) is a certified synthetic, water-soluble monoazo dye used in a range of personal care items. It's selected for clear lemon-yellow shades, better color matching across batches, and improved product appearance.
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Ingredient Snapshot

Overview
A synthetic yellow dye that colors products a clear lemon shade.
Category
Color
Type
Colorant

Ingredient Ratings

Overall Rating

Good

Comedogenic Risk

None

Skin Benefits

Gives products a clear lemon-yellow tint that keeps color consistent from batch to batch. Blending it with other dyes helps distinguish one product's shade from another.

Uses In Skincare & Cosmetics

Found in liquid soaps, shampoos, toners, and gel moisturizers where a water-soluble yellow color is desired.

Comedogenic Rating

This ingredient is not typically evaluated for comedogenicity, and no standardized rating is available.

Safety

Most people tolerate it fine in cosmetics, though rare irritation or sensitivity reactions do happen. Follow label directions, skip it on compromised skin if you have known dye sensitivities, and stop use if irritation shows up.

Is FD&C Yellow 5 (CI19140) a Good Ingredient?

This lands as Good rather than Great because it does its one job well: consistent, reproducible color with tightly defined purity specs. But it's purely cosmetic and adds nothing to skin health, and a small share of users are sensitive to the dye, which keeps it from a higher mark for reactive skin.