FD&C Red 40 Aluminum Lake, Cosmetic & Food Grade Red Pigment 24–30%

FD&C Red 40N Lake sits within Kolortek's D&C Lakes series as a matte, opaque red colorant — distinct from the pearlescent, metallic, and special-effect pigments that make up the broader Kolortek portfolio. Where effect pigments deliver shimmer, color travel, or light reflection, lake pigments provide flat, saturated, body color. FD&C Red 40 Lake specifically fills the role of a dual-listed (food and cosmetic) red that formulators can specify across multiple regulated product categories without sourcing separate colorants for each.

The 24–30% dye content specification (the "N" grade designation) indicates the concentration of active dye precipitated onto the alumina substrate. This loading range represents a standard commercial grade — formulators who need higher tinting power without increasing pigment volume benefit from confirmed dye content rather than working with unspecified lake grades where dye loading can vary significantly between suppliers.

Technical Specifications

Key Technical Characteristics

Confirmed dye loading at 24–30%: Lake pigment quality varies considerably with dye content. Unspecified or low-loading grades require higher inclusion rates to achieve target color depth, which increases formulation cost and can affect texture — particularly in pressed powder and nail lacquer where pigment volume loading is constrained. A confirmed 24–30% dye content grade gives formulators a defined starting point for use-level calculations and batch-to-batch color consistency.

Non-migrating in anhydrous and lipid systems: The alumina substrate renders CI 16035 insoluble. FD&C Red 40 Lake will not dissolve into wax, oil, or solvent-based nail lacquer matrices — preventing the color bleed that occurs with the soluble dye form (FD&C Red 40) in these systems. For lipstick, lip gloss, and matte nail formulations, the lake form is the correct specification.

Orange-red hue with broad blending range: CI 16035 produces an orange-toned red. In cosmetic formulations, this hue sits between the cooler blue-reds (such as D&C Red 27 Lake) and the warm brick-reds (such as D&C Red 7 Lake). It is widely used as a primary red in coral, tomato-red, and warm-pink color ranges, and blends predictably with yellow and white lakes to produce a broad range of peachy and salmon tones. The orange bias makes it less suitable for true cool-red or berry shades without correction.

Matte texture in nail lacquer: Alumina-substrate lake pigments contribute a degree of surface matteness to dried lacquer films — a functional property in addition to color. FD&C Red 40 Lake is used in matte nail formulations both for its red colorant contribution and for the physical texture the alumina carrier imparts to the film surface.

Dual food and cosmetic regulatory listing: FD&C Red 40 is one of the most widely approved synthetic food colorants globally. The lake form carries the same FD&C listing, making it specifiable across food products, food-contact cosmetics (lip products), pharmaceutical tablet coatings, and personal care in a single sourcing decision. EU buyers should verify E129 food use conditions and Annex IV cosmetic restrictions applicable to their specific product type and market.

Application Range

Formulation Notes

Use-level starting point: At 24–30% dye content, typical use levels in cosmetic formulations range from approximately 0.5–5% depending on the substrate color, desired depth, and product type. Nail lacquer and lip products generally run toward the higher end of this range for full-color opacity; pressed powder blush formulations often achieve sufficient depth at lower inclusion levels. Confirm through bench trials in your specific base.

Dispersion in anhydrous systems: FD&C Red 40 Lake disperses in standard cosmetic lipid and solvent systems using conventional mixing equipment. Pre-milling with a three-roll mill or dispersing in a small volume of castor oil or isopropyl myristate before adding to the batch improves particle size distribution and color uniformity, particularly in high-viscosity wax bases.

Hue adjustment: The orange-red bias of CI 16035 responds predictably to blending. Adding D&C Red 7 Lake shifts toward a cooler, deeper red; adding D&C Yellow 5 Lake intensifies the orange character. White titanium dioxide reduces saturation and produces coral and salmon tones. Small-batch color matching before production scaling is standard practice.

Kolortek has supplied D&C and FD&C lake pigments as part of its cosmetic colorant range for over 20 years. Certificate of Analysis documentation covering dye content confirmation and heavy metal impurity levels (lead, arsenic, mercury, antimony) is available for each supplied lot — the standard requirement for cosmetic and food ingredient supplier qualification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the "24–30%" specification mean for FD&C Red 40 Lake?
A: The percentage refers to the dye content — the amount of active Allura Red AC (CI 16035) precipitated onto the alumina substrate. Lake pigments are available at different dye loading levels (commonly 10–15%, 15–20%, and 24–30%). Higher dye content means greater tinting strength per gram of pigment used. The 24–30% grade (designated "N" in some classification systems) is a standard commercial grade that allows formulators to achieve target color depth at lower inclusion rates compared to lower-loading grades.

Q: What is the difference between FD&C Red 40 and FD&C Red 40 Lake?
A: FD&C Red 40 is a water-soluble monoazo dye. It dissolves readily in aqueous systems but migrates through wax, oil, and anhydrous matrices. FD&C Red 40 Lake is the insoluble form: the dye is precipitated onto alumina, converting it to a dispersible pigment that will not bleed through lipid-based or wax-based formulations. For nail lacquer, lipstick, and pressed powder, the lake form is the correct specification.

Q: Is FD&C Red 40 Lake approved for eye-area use?
A: No. Under FDA regulations, FD&C Red 40 Lake is not approved for use in the area of the eye. Formulators developing eye shadow, eyeliner, or mascara for the US market must use colorants from the FDA's approved eye-area list. The EU regulatory position should be verified separately under Annex IV of the EU Cosmetics Regulation.

Q: Can FD&C Red 40 Lake be used in lip products?
A: Yes. FD&C Red 40 Lake is approved under FDA for use in lip cosmetics. Its insolubility in wax and oil matrices makes it well-suited for lipstick, lip gloss, and lip balm formulations where color migration from soluble dyes is a product stability concern. Verify current 21 CFR approval status before specifying for production.

Q: What documentation is available for regulatory submissions?
A: Kolortek provides TDS, SDS, and Certificate of Analysis on request. The CoA documents dye content (confirming the 24–30% specification) and heavy metal impurity levels — the two parameters most commonly required for cosmetic and food ingredient supplier qualification files. Contact us to discuss documentation requirements for specific market submissions.

Request Samples or Technical Documentation

Whether you are qualifying a new supplier for an existing red cosmetic formulation or developing a new lip or nail product line, evaluating FD&C Red 40N Lake in your own system is the most direct path to a specification decision. Contact Kolortek to request a sample, Certificate of Analysis confirming dye content, TDS, or SDS — the standard documentation package for cosmetic and food colorant supplier qualification.

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