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.
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.