Common Name(s): Carmine,cochineal,crimson lake,natural red 4

CAS Number: 1390-65-4

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides the most intense natural red colour with exceptional stability in a ph-adjustable hue.

Why It's Used: Most concentrated natural red – carmine provides intensity matching synthetic dyes at lower concentrations, with extraordinary stability that has maintained red robes and paintings for centuries.

How It Works: Carminic acid (hydroxyanthraquinone glucoside) provides red colour at ph 5-7 from al³⁺ lake. colour shifts from orange (ph<4) through red to purple (ph>9) via anthraquinone proton tautomerism. extremely photostable anthraquinone chromophore.

Typically Found In: Lipstick,blush,eye shadow,red cosmetics

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Colorant – natural red dye

Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning

Application Areas:

Typical Concentration Range: 0.001%–5%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: No - animal-derived

Halal Status: Contested - insect-derived; jurisdiction-dependent, refer to certifier stance (region rules)

Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: insect-derived; genuinely contested between certifying bodies, not resolvable by documentation. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Eu requires declaration on ingredient list as 'cochineal' or 'carmine' due to potential allergen reactions. ci 75470 labelling required.

Works Well With: Standard skincare actives

Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Carmine's aluminium lake formation (precipitation of the carminic acid-al³⁺ complex) provides insolubilization in cosmetic matrices while maintaining colour intensity. the aluminium coordination to carminic acid's catechol-like oxygen groups creates a chelate that shifts and stabilizes the absorption to a more neutral red vs the orange of free carminic acid – ph and metal ion control of cosmetic dye colour.

Last Verified: 2026-03-12

Primary Sources: Cosing database,fda 21 cfr color additives