By Chantal Vaillancourt
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 the natural substances that impart a color to organisms. They come mainly from plants and minerals. In our industrial world, we also find synthetic pigments.
Synthetic pigments are created in the laboratory to provide more vibrant, consistent, and longer-lasting colors. While they are economical and versatile, some of these pigments have safety and toxicity concerns. Additionally, “The production of synthetic pigments uses fossil resources and generates CO2 emissions and toxic waste, which poses a challenge for their long-term sustainability.” (Dumont, R. “Synthetic pigments and the environment: a critical assessment” Revue de la chimie verte, vol. 12, 2017).
Among these synthetic pigments, there are, among others, lakes to obtain
more intense colors in lipsticks and eye shadows. Azo dyes to develop a wider range of colors from yellow to intense red. And finally, fluorescent pigments used for special effects, especially in stage makeup. In this type of pigments, an ecological problem is raised in their manufacture, but what about 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, contained mainly in earth, stones and copper. They have multiple uses. For example, foundations and eye shadows can be made with iron oxides for their red, yellow and brown color. In sunscreens, titanium dioxide is incorporated to whiten creams. Micas, for their part, 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 disruption, including deforestation and contamination of groundwater" (Girard, F., "Mineral pigments: advantages and disadvantages", Étude de l'environnement, vol.5, 2019)
However, it is important to clarify that if mineral pigments are free of nanoparticles and come from ethical practices, in terms of extraction, they are a valid option in natural cosmetics. They complement some of our formulations based on plant pigments, 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 benefits for the skin and their ability to renew themselves. Imagine wearing our plant pigment-based makeup, letting your natural beauty shine while protecting the environment!
Here are some examples of these pigments. Beta-carotenes (extracted from carrots and tomatoes) give us red, orange and yellow colours. 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 colourings for foods and nutraceuticals”).
Plant pigments are gentle on your skin and environmentally friendly. They offer you an ecological alternative to synthetic pigments. Despite their challenges in terms of stability, conservation 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 issues”, Cahiers du développement durable, vol.4, 2020).
In this overview, we have seen that pigments are divided into two categories: synthetic and natural. Natural pigments, on the other hand, are divided into plant-based and mineral-based. We are convinced that the future of cosmetics lies in the use of natural, organic and ethical pigments. Our makeup based on plant pigments will bring you splendid colors, but also nutrients and hydration, which your skin needs. In addition, plant pigments are biodegradable and renewable.
It is in this concern for your health and the environment that at Yanél cosmetic nutritive we believe in a future where beauty and sustainability go hand in hand. By choosing our makeup products based, essentially, on organic plant pigments, you take care of your skin while respecting the planet!