There are several types of yellow products, including pigments, food dyes, and cosmetic ingredients. Here are some details about each:
Yellow Pigments:
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Naples Yellow (Lead Antimonate): One of the oldest synthetic pigments, known to have been used in painting since the 15th century. It is a toxic pigment and isnt widely used today. Most Naples Yellow paints are hues, combining a mixture of pigments to imitate the genuine color.
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Synthetic Yellow Iron Oxide (PY 42): Warm, earthy yellow ochre.
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Diarylide Yellow (PY 83): Has a high tinting strength and good lightfastness. It is often used to replace Indian Yellow, a historical pigment apparently made by heating the urine of cows fed on mango leaves.
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Hansa Yellow Medium (PY 97): Mid-yellow. It is a good choice for a neutral yellow in a palette and can be adjusted to become cooler or warmer by adding a touch of green (cool) or red (warm). In watercolor, it is a very staining pigment.
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Isoindolinone Yellow (PY 110): Bright orange-yellow.
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Quinophthalone Yellow (PY 138): Ranges from cool, green-yellow to mid-yellow. It makes a very bright and clean yellow similar to Benzimidazolone Yellow (PY 151) .
Yellow Food Dyes:
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Tartrazine (FD&C Yellow #5): A synthetic yellow food dye made from petroleum. It is one of several azo food dyes and may cause cancer when applied topically.
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Sunset Yellow (FD&C Yellow #6): Another synthetic yellow food dye made from petroleum. It is FDA-approved for use in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
Yellow Cosmetic Ingredients:
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Fd&C Yellow No. 6 (Ci 15985): A synthetic dye produced from petroleum. It is FDA-approved for use in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. It may pose a risk to respiratory health when used in aerosol-based products.
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Talc: A mineral often used in cosmetics as a bulking agent and to absorb moisture.
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Silica: A mineral used in cosmetics as an absorbent and to improve texture.
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Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer: A polymer used in cosmetics as a film-forming agent and to improve texture.
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Mica: A mineral used in cosmetics as a colorant and to add shimmer.
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Dimethicone: A silicone used in cosmetics as an emollient and to improve texture.
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Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride: A mixture of fatty acids derived from coconut oil used in cosmetics as an emollient and to improve texture.
In summary, yellow products can be pigments, food dyes, or cosmetic ingredients. Some are natural, while others are synthetic. Some are toxic, while others are FDA-approved for use in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
