At Yanél Cosmétique Nutritive, we are committed to offering you makeup products that respect your skin and the environment, using pigments from natural sources, extracted from organic fruits and vegetables. What exactly is a pigment?
In biology, a pigment is defined as natural substances that communicate color to organisms. They mainly come from plants and minerals. In our industrial world, we also find synthetic pigments.
Synthetic Pigments
Synthetic pigments are created in laboratories to offer brighter, more uniform, and longer-lasting colors. Although they are economical and versatile, some of these pigments raise concerns in terms of safety and toxicity. Furthermore, "The production of synthetic pigments uses fossil resources and generates CO2 emissions, as well as toxic waste, which poses a challenge for their long-term sustainability. (Dumont, R. "Synthetic Pigments and Environment: A Critical Assessment" Green Chemistry Journal, vol. 12, 2017).
Among these synthetic pigments are, among others, lakes for more intense colors in lipsticks and eyeshadows. Azo dyes are used to develop a wider range of colors, from yellow to intense red. And finally, fluorescent pigments are employed for special effects, particularly in stage makeup. In this type of pigment, there is an ecological problem in their manufacturing, but what about mineral pigments?
Mineral Pigments
Mineral pigments offer good stability, long-lasting wear, and a low risk of causing allergic reactions. They are natural and of inorganic origin, mainly found in soil, stones, and copper. They have multiple uses. For example, foundations and eyeshadows can be made with iron oxides for their red, yellow, and brown colors. Titanium dioxide is incorporated into sunscreens to whiten creams. Micas, meanwhile, are added to provide shine and a luminous effect in blushes and eyeshadows. Despite their interesting advantages, mineral pigments have a certain ecological cost. Indeed, as researcher F. Girard mentions, "mineral pigments, although stable and durable (long-lasting), often require a mining extraction process that can lead to ecological disturbances, including deforestation and contamination of groundwater" (Girard, F., "Mineral Pigments: Advantages and Disadvantages," Environmental Study, vol.5, 2019)
However, it is important to specify that if mineral pigments are free of nanoparticles and come from ethical practices in terms of extraction, they constitute a valid option in natural cosmetics. They complement some of our plant-based pigment formulations, which are beneficial for your skin.
Plant pigments come from natural sources such as plants, fruits, vegetables, flowers, roots, and leaves. They are increasingly popular in natural cosmetics due to their skin benefits and their ability to renew themselves. Imagine wearing our plant-based pigment makeup, allowing your natural beauty to shine while protecting the environment!
Here are some examples of these pigments. Beta-carotenes (extracted from carrots, tomatoes) give us red, orange, and yellow colors. Chlorophyll (from green plants) produces all shades of green. Anthocyanins (from berries, grapes, red cabbage) provide shades of red, purple, and blue. (Rodrigues-Amaya, Delia B., "Natural Dyes for Foods and Nutraceuticals").
Plant pigments are gentle on your skin and respectful of the environment. They offer an ecological alternative to synthetic pigments. Despite their challenges in terms of stability, preservation, and color intensity, we maintain that they remain the best choice for our health and the sustainability of our resources. (Martel, P. "Natural and Industrial Pigments: Sustainability Challenges," Sustainable Development Notebooks, vol.4, 2020).
In this overview, we have seen that pigments are divided into two categories: synthetic and natural. Natural pigments, in turn, are divided into plant-based and mineral. We are convinced that the future of cosmetics lies in the use of natural, organic, and ethical pigments. Our plant-based pigment makeup will bring you splendid colors, but also nutrients and hydration, which your skin needs. In addition, plant pigments are biodegradable and renewable.
It is with this concern for your health and the environment that at Yanél cosmétique nutritive we believe in a future where beauty and sustainability go hand in hand. By choosing our makeup products, essentially based on organic plant pigments, you take care of your skin while respecting the planet!