The fun part about makeup is the variety of colors and shades that can brighten, darken or accent. From eye shadows and lipsticks to honey-brown highlights and jet black hair dyes, colors and dyes are essentials to cosmetic formulation. The question is which dyes and pigments used in these products are safe? FDA regulates the amount of lead or arsenic synthetic colors contain. Most synthetics are derived from coal tar, a by-product of petroleum, hence the lead regulation. Coal tar is most widely used for treatment of psoriasis and other skin conditions.
Allegedly, some coal tar dyes are known to cause cancer, but FDA has deemed certain artificial colorings as safe. Although, some of these safe dyes can cause allergic reactions, making it difficult for certain consumers to use. The good news is, as with most things, there are alternatives to synthetics. Many companies used plant-derived dyes, such as beet powder as an alternative to the FDA-approved synthetics.