Ultramarines

Ultramarines are inorganic pigment colorants typically used at low levels in cosmetics (often well under a few percent) and are generally considered non-reactive on intact skin. However, as particulate pigments they can contribute to mechanical irritation (especially around eyes or on eczematous, barrier-compromised skin), and rare intolerance has been reported with color additives. Given the vulnerable populations in question, a very gentle (but not inert) score best reflects real-world risk. Safety Notes: Ultramarines are inorganic colorants used primarily in color cosmetics; in skincare-adjacent products (tinted moisturizers/BB creams, sunscreens with tint, cleansers with pearlescent color) they can appear at trace levels for hue correction, with the lowest real-world use commonly in the ~0.0005–0.01% range. In high-pigment consumer products like pressed/loose eyeshadows, eyeliners, and cream pigments, ultramarines can be a major portion of the color system and reach ~10–35% depending on shade intensity and formula type (anhydrous creams and powders tending to allow higher pigment loading than emulsions). Use is restricted by regulatory positive lists (e.g., EU/US color additive rules) and practical limits like dispersion, abrasiveness, and color strength rather than a single universal concentration cap.