Cosmetic Multicolor Pearl Pigments

Technical Description

Colored pearlescent pigments for cosmetics are produced by combining the light-interference mechanism of TiO₂-coated mica or borosilicate substrates with selectively deposited or co-processed colorants. The base pearl luster comes from the substrate and TiO₂ coating; the color is contributed by the colorant layer, which absorbs specific wavelengths while the substrate continues to reflect and refract light. The result is a pigment that shows pearl depth and shimmer alongside a defined color — rather than the flat, opaque color of conventional cosmetic colorants.

The Kolortek cosmetic multicolor series uses this approach across seven distinct sub-series, each with a different substrate and colorant chemistry suited to different formulation requirements and regulatory profiles:

Series Overview

Sub-Series Selection Logic for Formulators

The choice between sub-series depends primarily on three factors: substrate preference (natural vs. synthetic mica vs. borosilicate), colorant regulatory status in the target market, and the required visual effect. Synthetic mica grades (699000, 706000) offer higher substrate purity and fewer dark inclusions than their natural mica counterparts (68800, 660000). The borosilicate series (68800000) produces a distinctly different sparkle character — higher brightness and more defined diamond-like reflection — compared to all mica-based grades. The 6992000 series uses FD&C dyes, which are required in certain US cosmetic applications where only FD&C-listed colorants are permitted. The 655000 series uses a simplified, inorganic-only colorant system designed to meet multiple regulatory frameworks simultaneously.

Key Features & Benefits

Applications

Regulatory colorant status varies by market and product category. Confirm INCI compliance, colorant listing status, and any applicable regional cosmetic regulations before finalizing grade selection. Full INCI names and CAS numbers available on request per grade.

For more product images and technical information, please contact us.

Industry Solutions

Cosmetic formulators sourcing colored pearlescent pigments face a problem that industrial pigment buyers rarely encounter: regulatory fragmentation. A colorant that is approved for eye use in the EU may not be approved for lip use, and a colorant that is FD&C-listed for US use may have a different regulatory status in Japan, Korea, or Australia. Formulators developing products for multiple markets frequently need to maintain separate pigment specifications for the same visual effect — increasing SKU complexity, procurement cost, and the risk of specification errors. At the same time, the visual performance requirements differ by application: an eyeshadow formulator may need a high-sparkle borosilicate grade, while a lip product formulator needs a clean INCI profile with lip-safe colorants, and a setting powder formulator needs fine-particle, skin-tone-appropriate inorganic grades. Sourcing all of these from different suppliers means managing different quality systems, lead times, and batch consistency standards simultaneously.

The Cosmetic Multicolor Pearl Pigment series is structured specifically to address this sourcing complexity. The seven sub-series cover different substrate types (natural mica, synthetic mica, borosilicate) and different colorant regulatory profiles (inorganic-only, carmine-inclusive, FD&C dye-based, organic pigment-extended) — allowing formulators to select the sub-series that matches both the visual requirement and the colorant regulatory framework of their target market, while sourcing from a single manufacturer. The 655000 series, with its simplified inorganic ingredient list, is specifically designed for formulators who need maximum regulatory flexibility across multiple markets without reformulating. The 68800000 borosilicate series provides a visually differentiated diamond-sparkle effect for premium product positioning. With 20 years of effect pigment manufacturing experience, Kolortek maintains consistent colorant deposition and particle size distribution across production batches — the variables that determine shade consistency between production runs in color-critical cosmetic applications.

Sample sets by sub-series and color, grade-specific INCI data, TDS, SDS, and pricing are available upon inquiry. Contact Kolortek's technical team with your target application, colorant regulatory requirements, and market to identify the appropriate sub-series and grade.