Tartrazine (CI 19140)

Tartrazine (CI 19140) is a synthetic, water-soluble yellow azo dye permitted as a cosmetic colorant. Soaps, gels, bath products, and makeup use it for stable lemon-yellow shades and consistent color from batch to batch.
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Ingredient Snapshot

Overview
A synthetic dye that gives products a bright, consistent yellow hue.
Category
Color
Type
Colorant

Ingredient Ratings

Overall Rating

Fair

Comedogenic Risk

None

Skin Benefits

It delivers a bright, uniform yellow tone that improves product aesthetics, and maintains batch-to-batch shade consistency for a polished presentation.

Uses In Skincare & Cosmetics

It's often included in shampoos, body washes, lotions, and liquid foundations for a sunny tint, and used in bath bombs and lip products for vivid coloration.

Comedogenic Rating

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

Safety

It's generally considered safe at approved use levels. A minority may experience irritation or allergy-type responses, especially with azo dye sensitivity. Compliance with regional purity and concentration limits is essential.

Is Tartrazine (CI 19140) a Good Ingredient?

It rates Fair: it's effective for vivid, uniform yellow color but offers no direct skin benefit, and a small subset may experience irritation or sensitization to azo dyes. Its use is regulated with permitted color lists and purity limits, which can constrain formulation choices.

Products with Tartrazine (CI 19140)

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