Common Name(s): 3-aminophenol,meta-aminophenol
CAS Number: 591-27-5
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides violet-red colour contribution as an oxidative coupler in permanent hair colour systems.
Why It's Used: Violet coupler for cool, red-violet, and purple-tinged hair colour compositions.
How It Works: M-aminophenol's amino and hydroxyl groups in meta-positions provide specific coupling to oxidised primary intermediates forming violet chromophores. combines with primaries to produce purple-red shades.
Typically Found In: Permanent hair colours
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Hair colourant – coupler
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%–2%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional - supplier confirmation required
Halal Status: Unverified - supplier confirmation required
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: the record's own source_notes does not assert a non-animal origin, or instructs the reader to verify with the supplier; "yes" asserts knowledge the record does not hold. 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 annex iii restricted. warning label required.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
M-aminophenol's colour contribution (violet) vs p-aminophenol's colour (blue-violet) demonstrates how amino/hydroxyl positional isomerism on the benzene ring determines coupling chromophore geometry and therefore colour. the meta position provides coupling at different ring positions, creating different resonance structures in the indophenol product that absorb at shorter wavelengths (violet) than para isomer products (blue).
Last Verified: 2026-03-12
Primary Sources: Cosing database,eu annex iii