CI 19140 / YELLOW 5.[2][3] ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a synthetic colorant used to give products a bright it shade in aqueous formulas, makeup, hair care, bath products, and oral care where permitted.
What does CI 19140 / YELLOW 5.[2][3] do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a synthetic colorant used to give products a bright it shade in aqueous formulas, makeup, hair care, bath products, and oral care where permitted.
Is CI 19140 / YELLOW 5.[2][3] clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it has friction because it is a synthetic certified color additive with labeling requirements and occasional sensitivity reports in susceptible people. Many stricter clean standards limit or exclude synthetic colorants of this type.
Is CI 19140 / YELLOW 5.[2][3] sustainable?
This material is typically petrochemical-derived and not a strong fit for renewable sourcing goals. It is water-soluble, but synthetic colorants in this class can create wastewater management concerns and are not generally treated as readily biodegradable.
Is CI 19140 / YELLOW 5.[2][3] COSMOS-approved?
It is not permitted under COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic standards for cosmetic coloring. Its Green Chemistry alignment is weak because it relies on nonrenewable feedstocks and has persistence-related concerns compared with mineral or plant-derived color options.
How does CI 19140 / YELLOW 5.[2][3] work chemically?
The molecule is an anionic, water-soluble monoazo colorant, usually supplied as a salt with sulfonate groups that help it dissolve in water. It is used at very low shade-adjusting levels, often well below 0.1%, and is generally compatible with water-based systems but can be affected by strong oxidizing or reducing conditions.
Last updated 2026-05-13