D&C Red 6 Barium Lake, Cosmetic Grade Red Pigment for Matte Effects

Within Kolortek's D&C Lakes series, Red 6 Barium Lake occupies a specific position as a warm-toned, high-opacity matte red — distinct from the cooler, more bluish-red character of D&C Red 27 Lake. It is the go-to option when a formulation calls for a saturated orange-red or coral base without pearl or shimmer contribution. The barium lake format also differentiates it from aluminum lake variants: barium lakes tend to carry higher dye content and produce more intense color at equivalent loading levels, which is a practical advantage in pigment-dense formulations like nail lacquer and full-coverage lip color.

Kolortek supplies this pigment with impurity filtration to cosmetic-grade standards, removing regulated heavy metals (arsenic, lead, mercury, antimony) to levels consistent with cosmetic use requirements. Batch-to-batch color consistency — a function of over 20 years of lake pigment manufacturing — is documented via Certificate of Analysis on request.

Technical Specifications

Technical Highlights

Barium lake substrate — higher dye content vs. aluminum lakes: The barium precipitation process typically yields a higher dye-to-substrate ratio than aluminum lake equivalents. In practical terms, this means stronger color intensity at equivalent loading levels — relevant for formulators optimizing pigment efficiency in cost-sensitive production runs or high-coverage lip products.

Non-migrating in anhydrous and wax-based matrices: As an insoluble dispersed pigment, D&C Red 6 Barium Lake does not recrystallize or bleed through wax, oil, or powder carriers during storage or under thermal cycling. This is a critical performance requirement for lip crayons, wax-based lipsticks, and pressed blush where dye migration would compromise shelf appearance.

Matte texture in nail lacquer: In nail enamel formulations, azo barium lake pigments contribute to a matte dried-film texture alongside their colorant function. This dual contribution — color and surface effect — makes them efficient components in matte nail lacquer development without requiring a separate matting agent at the same loading level.

Predictable blending behavior: The warm orange-red hue of Red 6 Barium Lake is well-characterized within the D&C color system. It blends consistently with D&C Red 7 Calcium Lake (cooler red) to produce mid-range reds, and with D&C Yellow 5 or Yellow 6 lakes to shift toward coral or tangerine tones. Formulators with established blend ratios from other suppliers will find the hue position reliable for cross-supplier substitution.

Application Matrix

Regulatory note: D&C Red 6 Barium Lake is not on the FDA approved list for eye-area use. Formulators developing eye shadow or eyeliner for the US market should consult the current FDA color additive list before specifying. EU permitted use conditions may differ — confirm against Annex IV of the EU Cosmetics Regulation for your specific product category.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between D&C Red 6 and D&C Red 6 Barium Lake?
A: D&C Red 6 is the soluble azo dye form — it dissolves in certain solvents and can migrate through lipid-based systems. D&C Red 6 Barium Lake is the insoluble form, produced by precipitating the dye onto a barium substrate. The lake form disperses rather than dissolves, making it the correct specification for wax-based, anhydrous, and powder cosmetic applications where color stability and migration control are required.

Q: How does D&C Red 6 Barium Lake compare to D&C Red 7 Calcium Lake?
A: Both are azo lake pigments used in lip and nail products, but their hue positions differ. Red 6 Barium Lake has a warmer, more orange-red tone; Red 7 Calcium Lake is a cooler, truer red. In practice, formulators blend the two to dial in specific red shades — increasing Red 6 proportion shifts the blend warmer and more coral; increasing Red 7 cools and deepens it. The substrate difference (barium vs. calcium) also affects dye content and tinting strength, with barium lakes typically carrying a higher dye load.

Q: Is barium considered a safety concern in cosmetic formulations?
A: Barium in soluble form is regulated due to toxicity concerns, but in the lake pigment form the barium is insoluble and bound within the pigment structure. Regulatory frameworks for D&C color additives address this distinction — D&C Red 6 Barium Lake is an approved color additive under FDA regulations for its specified use categories. Kolortek supplies heavy metal impurity data via Certificate of Analysis, and soluble barium content is controlled to limits consistent with cosmetic-grade standards. Contact us for documentation.

Q: What dispersion equipment is suitable for this pigment?
A: D&C Red 6 Barium Lake disperses in standard cosmetic manufacturing equipment including three-roll mills, high-shear mixers, and bead mills. For lipstick and lip crayon production, milling the pigment into a portion of the wax/oil base before combining with the full batch improves color uniformity. For nail lacquer, pre-dispersion in butyl acetate or ethyl acetate before addition to the resin phase is standard practice. Contact us for formulation guidance specific to your base system.

Q: What documentation can Kolortek provide for ingredient qualification?
A: TDS, SDS, and Certificate of Analysis documenting heavy metal impurity levels and dye content are available on request. For supplier qualification submissions or regulatory dossiers, contact the technical team to discuss what additional documentation may be available.

Request Technical Documentation or Samples

For supplier qualification, formulation development, or production sourcing of D&C Red 6 Barium Lake, contact Kolortek to request a sample, TDS/SDS package, or Certificate of Analysis. If you need formulation guidance on dispersion method, loading level, or blend ratios with other D&C lakes, the technical team can advise based on your specific base system and target application.