FD&C Yellow 6 Aluminum Lake, Cosmetic & Food Grade Yellow Pigment

Within Kolortek's D&C Lakes series, FD&C Yellow 6 Lake is the warm-yellow option with an orange bias — positioned between the greenish-yellow of D&C Yellow 10 Lake (CI 47005) and a neutral yellow. Its CI 15985 chromophore delivers a clean, warm orange-yellow that performs as a primary colorant in yellow-to-orange cosmetic shades and as a secondary modifier in coral, peach, and amber formulations. The FD&C listing extends its utility into food and pharmaceutical applications, which is commercially relevant for manufacturers who consolidate their colorant supplier base across regulated product categories.

Technical Specifications

Regulatory Status by Market

Buyers should verify current approved use categories against the relevant regulatory frameworks before production specification. The table below reflects established regulatory standing as a reference starting point.

EU labelling note: E110 (Sunset Yellow FCF) is subject to mandatory warning labelling in EU food products under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 — "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children." This requirement applies to the food application; it does not affect cosmetic labelling. Buyers producing food products for EU distribution should confirm current labelling obligations with their regulatory team before specifying.

Technical Characteristics for Formulation

Non-migrating in lipid and wax systems: The alumina substrate converts the soluble monoazo dye into a dispersible, insoluble pigment. FD&C Yellow 6 Lake will not dissolve into wax, oil, or solvent-based nail lacquer matrices — eliminating the color bleed that occurs with soluble FD&C Yellow 6 in these systems. For lip products, wax-based pencils, and matte nail formulations, the lake form is the correct technical specification.

Orange-yellow hue and blending behavior: CI 15985 produces a warm yellow with a clear orange bias — its hue sits noticeably warmer than D&C Yellow 5 Lake (tartrazine, CI 19140) and distinctly warmer than D&C Yellow 10 Lake (quinoline yellow, CI 47005). In formulation practice, FD&C Yellow 6 Lake is widely used as the primary yellow in coral, peach, amber, and orange color ranges. Combined with FD&C Red 40 Lake, it produces orange tones; combined with D&C Red 7 Lake, it shifts toward warm brick-red. For cooler or greener yellows, D&C Yellow 5 Lake is the more appropriate starting point.

Matte texture in nail lacquer film: Like other alumina-substrate lake pigments, FD&C Yellow 6 Lake contributes a degree of physical matteness to the dried lacquer film surface. The alumina carrier reduces specular gloss — relevant for matte nail formulations where the colorant also serves a texture-modifying role alongside its color function.

Tinting strength and use-level efficiency: Monoazo lake pigments at standard commercial dye loadings deliver good tinting strength relative to use level. Typical inclusion rates in cosmetic formulations range from approximately 0.5–5% depending on the base color, substrate opacity, and target shade depth. Pressed powder blush formulations generally achieve sufficient color at the lower end of this range; full-opacity nail lacquer and lip products typically require higher loading. Confirm through bench trials in your specific base system.

Kolortek has manufactured cosmetic and food-grade lake pigments for over 20 years with consistent dye content and impurity control across production batches. Certificate of Analysis documentation covering heavy metal levels is issued per supplied lot — the standard deliverable for cosmetic and food ingredient supplier qualification files.

Application Range

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between FD&C Yellow 6 and FD&C Yellow 6 Lake?
A: FD&C Yellow 6 is a water-soluble monoazo dye (CI 15985) that dissolves in aqueous and certain solvent systems. It migrates through wax, oil, and anhydrous cosmetic matrices — producing color bleed in lipstick, nail lacquer, and pressed powder products during storage or wear. FD&C Yellow 6 Lake is the insoluble form: the dye is precipitated onto an alumina substrate, converting it to a dispersible pigment that does not dissolve or migrate in lipid-based systems. For anhydrous cosmetic applications and fat-based food systems, the lake form is the correct specification.

Q: How does FD&C Yellow 6 Lake compare to D&C Yellow 5 Lake for cosmetic formulations?
A: The two differ primarily in hue. D&C Yellow 5 Lake (tartrazine, CI 19140) is a cooler, more neutral lemon-yellow. FD&C Yellow 6 Lake (Sunset Yellow, CI 15985) is a warmer orange-yellow. In practical terms: for peach, coral, and amber color ranges, FD&C Yellow 6 Lake is the more natural starting point. For clean yellows, chartreuse, or formulations where orange undertone would create an unwanted shift, D&C Yellow 5 Lake is generally preferred. Most cosmetic color labs stock both and select based on the target shade.

Q: Is FD&C Yellow 6 Lake approved for nail lacquer?
A: Yes. Under FDA regulations, FD&C Yellow 6 Lake is approved for externally applied cosmetics, which includes nail products. Verify the current approved use category in 21 CFR before specifying for production.

Q: Does the EU E110 labelling warning apply to cosmetics?
A: No. The mandatory "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children" warning under EU Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 applies specifically to food products containing E110 at or above specified levels. It does not apply to cosmetic products. Cosmetic use of CI 15985 in the EU is governed by Annex IV of the EU Cosmetics Regulation — verify current conditions for your specific product type with your regulatory team.

Q: What documentation does Kolortek provide for supplier qualification?
A: TDS, SDS, Certificate of Analysis (covering heavy metal impurity data), and INCI documentation are available on request. The CoA is issued per production lot — providing the batch-level traceability typically required for cosmetic and food ingredient supplier qualification files.

Request Technical Documentation or Samples

Evaluating FD&C Yellow 6 Lake in your own base system is the most direct route to confirming use level, hue fit, and dispersion behavior for your specific formulation. Contact Kolortek to request a sample, Certificate of Analysis, TDS, SDS, or INCI documentation — the standard package for cosmetic and food colorant supplier qualification.