CI 74160
CI 74160, also known as Pigment Blue 15 or copper phthalocyanine, is a synthetic blue pigment. It belongs to the phthalocyanine family: ring-shaped molecules bound to copper that produce an intense blue colour. It is therefore used as a coloured powder or dispersion, rather than as a plant extract or an oil.
CI 74160: what it is
CI 74160, also known as Pigment Blue 15 or copper phthalocyanine, is a synthetic blue pigment. It belongs to the phthalocyanine family: ring-shaped molecules bound to copper that produce an intense blue colour. It is therefore used as a coloured powder or dispersion, rather than as a plant extract or an oil.
The CI 74160 name groups this pigment within the colour nomenclature found on ingredient lists. Pigment Blue 15 can occur in different crystal forms, including alpha and beta forms. They retain the same basic identity but may affect shade and how the material behaves during manufacture. Its origin is industrial chemical synthesis, not a plant part.
CI 74160: what it does in cosmetics
CI 74160 is used to make a cosmetic formula blue or to adjust its final shade. In a gel, cleanser, cream or make-up product, a small amount can tint the base, contribute a cooler tone or balance other pigments. What it adds is colour; it is not a moisturiser, exfoliant or skin treatment.
In the European Union, CI 74160 appears on the list of colourants permitted in cosmetic products. That helps explain its place on a label: its contribution is visual, either in the look of the product or in colour left on application. The final result depends on the amount used and on the other pigments, powders or colourants present.
Restrictions and conditions of use
Products containing this ingredient
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