3. Safety and Marketing Strategies
Pigment Makers' Marketing Considerations
The marketing strategies of pigment producers in the market are diverse, so a realistic approach to their promotional rhetoric is essential. For instance, if a maker's pigments contain iron oxides like CI 77491 (Red Iron Oxide), CI 77492 (Yellow Iron Oxide), or CI 77499 (Black Iron Oxide), they might highlight the benefits of these components.
Marketing of Iron Oxides and Carbon
Despite iron sometimes being classified as a heavy metal, the label "free from heavy metals" is often used by producers whose pigments contain iron oxides. They typically define heavy metals strictly as hazardous substances like lead, mercury, cadmium, or chromium. Pigment contents are then presented as "officially certified" and made from "synthetically processed, refined, and purified iron oxide." Producers operate within legal boundaries and categorize their products in the most favorable light, so those using iron oxide may emphasize the absence of "heavy metals" based on specific classifications that exclude iron.
Safety Aspects - General Safety of Iron Oxides and Carbon
Dermatologists confirm that pigments containing iron oxides are generally as safe as those with carbon black colorants when properly formulated. Both have undergone thorough safety evaluations, are considered non-toxic, and are inert in pigment form. Iron oxides are often synthetically manufactured for purity and are free from harmful heavy metal impurities. Similarly, when properly processed and purified carbon black poses a low risk of allergic reactions or toxicity. The key to their safety lies in the quality of the manufacturing process and the absence of hazardous additives or contaminants.
Pigments' Magnetic Properties and Health Risks
Dermatologists and medical professionals state that the magnetic properties of some semi-permanent makeup pigments, typically due to iron oxides, are not a health risk. These weak magnetic properties have minimal impact on the body's magnetic field or biological processes. For instance, iron oxide particles in MRI contrast agents, larger and more magnetically responsive than those in cosmetic pigments, are still considered safe for most people. In semi-permanent makeup, the minuscule magnetic attributes of pigments do not significantly interact with bodily tissues or systems. Concerns about pigment's magnetic properties are largely unfounded, provided the pigment is high quality, produced under strict manufacturing standards, and free from harmful contaminants.
Marketing of “Fully Organic” Carbon Black (CI 77266)
In the pigment industry, marketing terms can sometimes be misleading. For instance, some manufacturers label their Furnace Black pigments (Carbon Black 2) as "purely organic." This claim is based on the fact that these pigments contain about 55% hydrocarbon compounds, which are chemically considered “organic."
However, it's important to understand that no pigment can be entirely organic if it consists solely of hydrocarbons. Pigments usually contain a mix of compounds, including elemental carbon, which lacks the C-H bonds defining organic compounds. Moreover, these pigments often undergo processes involving inorganic substances and may include additives or other elements for stability and functionality. Therefore, while a pigment might have a significant portion of "organic" components, calling it "purely organic" can be misleading. Furnace Black pigments often contain about 25-30% carbon-related elements, 5-10% elemental carbon (inorganic), and around 10% trace inorganics like potassium (K), chlorine (Cl), and calcium (Ca).
