CI 19140 (Yellow 5 / Tartrazine) vs Mica (Cosmetic): which is worse?

What is CI 19140 (Yellow 5 / Tartrazine)?

CI 19140 (tartrazine) is an azo dye that produces a bright lemon-yellow color. It is approved for use in food (as FD&C Yellow 5) and cosmetics in the US. In cosmetics, it is used in products applied to the skin, nails, and hair.

What is Mica (Cosmetic)?

Mica is a naturally occurring silicate mineral that provides a sparkling, pearlescent shimmer in cosmetics. It is either mined from the earth or synthetically manufactured (synthetic fluorophlogopite). Mica is extensively used in color cosmetics, mineral makeups, and highlighters.

Documented risks

CI 19140 (Yellow 5 / Tartrazine): CI 19140 is considered safe for cosmetic use by the CIR when used at regulated concentrations in rinse-off and leave-on external products (excluding eye area). The EU restricts its use and requires allergen labeling for tartrazine-sensitive individuals. It is not approved for use in products applied near the eyes in the EU. Some aspirin-sensitive individuals may also react to tartrazine. There is no evidence of carcinogenicity or systemic toxicity from topical cosmetic use.

Mica (Cosmetic): Cosmetic-grade mica is considered safe. The primary safety concern is not toxicity but rather the ethical issue of child labor in mica mining, particularly in India. From a toxicological standpoint, cosmetic mica is inert and non-toxic at topical use levels. Inhalation of mica dust in occupational (mining) settings is associated with respiratory disease, but this is not relevant to consumer cosmetic use. Synthetic mica (synthetic fluorophlogopite) addresses both the child labor and purity concerns.