CI 42090/Blue 1 ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a synthetic colorant used to tint formulas and standardize product shade. It is used at very low levels because small amounts produce visible color.
What does CI 42090/Blue 1 do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a synthetic colorant used to tint formulas and standardize product shade. It is used at very low levels because small amounts produce visible color.
Is CI 42090/Blue 1 clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it has friction because it is a synthetic petroleum-derived dye and is often restricted or excluded by stricter retail standards. Certified cosmetic grades are controlled for impurities, and routine skin sensitization is uncommon.
Is CI 42090/Blue 1 sustainable?
This material is typically made from petrochemical feedstocks through multi-step synthesis. It is water soluble but not readily biodegradable, so wastewater persistence is the main environmental concern.
Is CI 42090/Blue 1 COSMOS-approved?
It is not permitted under COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic standards as a cosmetic colorant. Its petrochemical origin, synthetic processing, and limited biodegradability make it a poor fit with Green Chemistry preferences for renewable feedstocks and benign end-of-life profiles.
How does CI 42090/Blue 1 work chemically?
The molecule is an anionic, sulfonated aromatic colorant supplied as a highly water-soluble salt and used mainly in aqueous systems. Typical use is trace-level color adjustment, often below 0.01%, with shade and stability affected by pH, light exposure, and strong oxidizing or reducing ingredients.
Last updated 2026-05-13