Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide)

TL;DR. This ingredient is a blue inorganic colorant used to give makeup, nail products, and some personal care formulas a deep blue tone. It is mainly used for color payoff rather than skin care performance.

What does Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide) do in a cosmetic formula?

This ingredient is a blue inorganic colorant used to give makeup, nail products, and some personal care formulas a deep blue tone. It is mainly used for color payoff rather than skin care performance.

Is Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide) clean?

From a clean beauty perspective, it is generally viewed as a synthetic colorant with low irritation potential because it is highly insoluble. The main friction is clean-standard acceptance and regulatory use limits, especially where certain colorants are not allowed in lip-area products.

Is Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide) sustainable?

This material is made from inorganic mineral-derived salts through controlled synthesis, not from plant or palm feedstocks. It is not biodegradable because it is an inorganic pigment, but it is highly insoluble and typically used at low levels.

Is Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide) COSMOS-approved?

It is not permitted under COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic standards because it is a synthetic inorganic colorant. Its Green Chemistry fit is limited, since it is not renewable or biodegradable, although its insolubility and low use levels reduce mobility in finished-product use.

How does Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide) work chemically?

The molecule is an insoluble mixed-valence iron coordination pigment built from iron centers bridged by tightly bound C≡N ligands, with very low water solubility. It is commonly used in low single-digit percentages in color cosmetics and is generally stable at normal cosmetic pH, while strong acid, strong alkali, or prolonged intense light can shift shade or break down the coordination lattice.

Last updated 2026-05-13