Red to violet plant pigments from edible fruits or vegetables, used as colorants and regulated in Annex IV.
What it is
Anthocyanins are water-soluble red, purple and blue plant pigments of the flavonoid class. According to CosIng, this ingredient is obtained by physical processing of edible fruits or vegetables, for example as grape skin extract (enocyanin). CosIng lists it as a colorant. In the EU it is listed in Annex IV (colorants).
Where it is used
Found in coloured products such as lip products, soaps and other tinted cosmetics.
Limits of interpretation
The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.
See the EU regulation section for the applicable conditions, including purity criteria. The INCI name does not reveal from which fruit or vegetable the pigments were obtained.
Functions
- Colorant
- Exclusively or mainly intended to colour the cosmetic product, the body as a whole or certain parts thereof, by absorption or reflection of visible light; (precursors of oxidative hair colorants shall be deemed colorants). All authorised colorants are substances in the positive list of Annex IV to the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009.
EU regulation
- Conditions and warnings
- Purity criteria as set out in Commission Directive 95/45/EC (E163)
- As of
- 3 November 2026 · (EC) 2009/1223