Common Name(s): Aluminum powder,silver powder,metallic pigment
CAS Number: 7429-90-5
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides metallic silver colour and mirror-like reflection for dramatic metallic cosmetic effects.
Why It's Used: The only approved metal powder for cosmetics providing authentic metallic silver reflection unavailable from any other pigment.
How It Works: Leafing aluminium platelets (1-100ฮผm) align parallel to surface providing specular 'mirror' reflection from metallic aluminium. very high ri of aluminium provides intense silver colour. al2o3 oxide layer on surface provides stability.
Typically Found In: Metallic eyeshadow,silver lipstick,high-impact colour cosmetics
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Colorant โ metal powder pigment
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.01%โ10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ synthetic metal
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Eu cosmetics regulation: restricted to nail products and lip products only (annex iv). not approved for other face applications due to inhalation risk of fine powder forms. must be coated/encapsulated for safe use.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Aluminium's mirror-like reflectivity (>90% at visible wavelengths) is the highest of any stable metal in the atmosphere, arising from its filled d-shell configuration providing free electrons that interact with all visible photons equally and reflectively. this equal-wavelength high reflectivity creates the neutral silver colour โ unlike gold or copper whose d-band transitions preferentially absorb blue/green providing their characteristic warm metallic colours.
Last Verified: Cosing database,eu cosmetics regulation annex iv
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
