Ingredient spotlight: pigments in make-up

17 Oct 2010 04:57 AM | Posted by Editor

Pigments are compounds used in make-up to create the desired colour of a product. They are completely insoluble (meaning they can’t be dissolved), which is how they differ to dyes, which are dissolvable colour compounds.

There are generally three types of pigments used in make-up – organic, mineral and nacreous (otherwise known as, ‘pearlescent’), with the latter two being the most widely used.

Mineral pigments are generally used to provide a range of colour to a product – some of the most common being chromium for green, cobalt for blue, and iron for red, yellow and clay tones – and tend to take the form of titanium dioxide or other variants of iron oxide. Nacreous pigments (those used to create a frosted or light enhanced effect) usually have a mica base, which is then combined and coated with other mineral compounds.

Pigments deliver the world of colour to make-up, and it’s not necessarily just for the sake of fashion. A new study, known as the ‘psychology of cosmetics’ has shown that make-up products significantly contribute to the general health and well being of women, providing psychological stimulation to satisfy personal desires for self-improvement and self-adornment.

So the next time you feel guilty for purchasing that hot new eyeshadow shade, you can rest easy knowing that you’re doing yourself a psychological service!

Try: NIVEA Visage Q10 Plus Anti-Wrinkle Tinted Day Cream

 

What's the last make-up purchase that made you really happy?