secure payment and fast shipping
Free shipping from 35.00 € (GER) Free shipping from 35.00 € (GER)

Dyeants in cosmetic products


Dyeants in cosmetics are a much-discussed topic. On the one hand, they give a product that certain something, but on the other hand, there are many dyes that are not harmless according to ÖKOTEST or Codecheck. Colors have a significant influence on the intensity and type of scent perception and the aromacological effect. They are therefore a part of our holistic overall concept. Color psychology studies have shown that coloring makes a significant contribution to the overall effect of a bath product.

Most dyes can be recognized in the list of ingredients by the letters CI in combination with a number (color index number). In general, cosmetic dyes within the EU are subject to the strict requirements of the EU Cosmetics Regulation. If a dye is on this list and the restrictions and specific application concentrations listed are observed, it can be assumed that it has no harmful effect in a product. When it comes to the legal regulation of the dyes permitted in cosmetics, the EU Commission follows the suggestions of a scientific advisory committee made up of representatives from science and industry, whose assessments are based on the results of existing studies on toxicology, compatibility, environmental aspects, etc. The list of permitted dyes includes both synthetic dyes and dyes obtained from natural sources ("natural dyes"). There are also plant extracts that are used due to their skin-care properties and have a coloring effect, for example beetroot (red), red cabbage (purple), gardenia fruit or saffron (yellow).

Why have many colourants fallen into disrepute?

Cosmetic ingredients are not only tested and evaluated by the EU's scientific advisory body, but also regularly by independent institutes. Colourants in particular have been increasingly criticised in this process and their purpose has been called into question. It is often the manufacturing conditions and the accompanying substances that lead to the critical assessment of colourants, e.g. in the case of azo dyes, which are classified as "very harmful". Azo dyes are characterised by high colour and light fastness and are therefore very popular dyes, especially for hair dyes or hair tints and in decorative cosmetics. However, according to ÖKOTEST*, azo dyes are suspected of being carcinogenic and can trigger allergies. The potential dangers of some dyes depend heavily on the way we come into contact with them: through the skin or nose, but also through food. The best example of this is the colourant titanium dioxide. This white pigment, with the colour index CI 77891, is often used in decorative cosmetics (eye shadow, blusher, lipstick) and in a special form as a UV filter in sun creams. Inhalation of the substance is classified as carcinogenic, but no harmful effects have been found on contact with the skin. Another case is carmine red (CI 75470). This red colourant has fallen into disrepute because it is produced from animals. More precisely, the colourant is extracted from the cochineal louse. However, there is a synthetic alternative, cochineal red A (CI 16255), which is also approved as a food colouring and which we use.

Colourants in bath additives

That all sounds pretty worrying at first. But how dangerous is a discredited colourant in a bath additive really? As colouring agents usually have a very intensive colouring effect, i.e. they have a high colouring power, they are only contained in very small quantities in the product. In a full bath with the recommended dosage, the colourant comes into contact with the skin in extremely diluted form so that it has no negative effect on the body. Every cosmetic product that is placed on the market in the EU receives a safety assessment in advance, in which the safety of the ingredients for the intended use is also considered and evaluated.

Which colourants does Dresdner Essenz use?

We at Dresdner Essenz always follow current developments very closely and regularly adapt our formulas to the latest scientific findings. However, this presents us with a great challenge, because our bath additives should continue to provide a brilliant colour experience. After all, bathing with all the senses involves not only a great fragrance and care experience, but also a beautiful colour effect - naturally with colourants that we have classified as safe! We use the ÖKOTEST* cosmetics list as a source of evaluation. We also always match the water colour exactly to the fragrance of a product, because both components support each other in their effect on our senses. With some of the food colourings we use, we assume that a significantly higher amount of colourings is absorbed through food compared to dermal application (on the skin) and that the colourings have been assessed as safe and harmless in this respect. These colourings are suitable for both food (oral intake) and cosmetics (application on the skin). In our natural cosmetic products from the Need You!, Naturell and Dreckspatz series, the colouring is more of a side effect of the skin-caring plant extracts used. For example, we regularly use the green natural colourant chlorophyllin sodium (CI 75810) and the ultramarine blue pigment CI 77007. We use gardenia yellow (INCI: Gardenia Jasminoides Fruit Extract) for yellow colours, gardenia blue (INCI: Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract) for blue colours or gardenia red (INCI: Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract) for red tones as skin-caring plant extracts that also have colouring properties. In the case of synthetic colourants used in our products, it is important to us that there is no evidence of a carcinogenic effect, even if the substance is harmless in its low concentration in the product. * Source: Öko-Test Cosmetics List No. J 1005