All Topics

Fact Sheet: Azo dyes

INCI name: CI 1914 (yellow dye), CI 15850 (red dye), CI 15985 (yellow dye), CI 17200 (red dye), CI 16035 (red dye), CI 15880 (red dye), CI 12085 (red dye), CI 16255 (red dye), CI 15510 (orange dye), CI 11680 (yellow dye), CI 16185 (red dye), CI 12490 (red dye), CI 18050 (red dye), CI 18965 (yellow dye), CI 13015 (yellow dye), CI 20470 (black dye), CI 12700 (yellow dye), CI 15865 (red dye), CI 11710 (yellow dye), CI 21108 (yellow dye), CI 21100 (yellow dye), CI 12370 (red dye), CI 14700 (red dye), CI 14720 (red dye).

Function: Cosmetic dye, hair dyeing agent.

Origin: Synthetic.

Concentration allowed by European regulations : Unregulated. Up to 0.5% (CI 17200) in finished cosmetic products. Up to 0.4% (CI 16035) in finished cosmetic products. Up to 3% (CI 12085) in finished cosmetic products. CI 16185 banned in Europe. Purity criteria are specified by European Commission Directive 95/45/EC.

Where to find it / them? : Nail polishes, lacquers, lip inks, lip stains, lip liners, hair masks, tanning lotions, shampoos, night face masks, shower gels, semi-permanent varnishes, blushers, tinted lip balms, hand creams, tanning mousses/lotions, toothpastes, body scrubs, body lotions, face moisturisers, face serums, eyeshadows, mouthwashes, toothpastes[FR1] , shampoos, bubble baths, liquid soaps.

Risks to health: Potential allergen, potential skin and eye irritant, suspected carcinogen (releasers of aromatic amines)

Risks to the environment : Not readily biodegradable, aquatic ecotoxicity.

More information : CI 15880, CI 14700 and CI 12085 are banned in hair dyes in Europe. CI 16255, CI 16185, CI 14720, CI 12490 and CI 11680 dyes are not approved in the United States. CI 12700, CI 21100, CI 21108, CI 12370 and CI 20470 dyes are only authorised in rinse-off products. Do not use CI 15510 and CI 11680 in products intended for the eyes in Europe or the United States. CI 15880, CI 14700, CI 12085 and CI 15850 are banned in the United States in products intended to come into contact with the skin around the eyes. CI 11680, CI 11710 and CI 18050 are banned in mucosal products in Europe.