Confirmation of Pigments in Cosmetics by High-energy CID MS/MS using the MALDI-7090™MALDI-TOF-TOF Mass Spectrometer

User Benefits

- Minimal sample preparation which does not require labor-intensive procedures and excessive solvent use - High-energy CID MS/MS is used to confirm the presence of pigments in cosmetic products - Isotopic resolution and good mass accuracy provide confirmation of the pigment identity with high confidence

Introduction

Cosmetics is a huge industry that is still growing, with an estimated value of around USD 863 billion in 2024. The three major sectors include skin care, hair care and make- up. Colour is a fundamental property for the success of a cosmetic product, as it determines the attractiveness for consumers and boosts confidence in the body image. Pigments are typically used as colourants in decorative make- up. They can be present in the free form, which is partially hydro-soluble and miscible; or as ‘lakes’, which are water- insoluble salt derivatives, imparting long-lasting properties to the make-up product. In Europe, pigments are regulated by the European Regulation of Cosmetic Products (EC 1223/2009), which imposes that they must be reported in product labelling with their unique Colour Index (CI) number. Besides safety, the choice of product by customers is also influenced by the origin of the ingredients based on the lifestyle or dietary practices, so this is analytically important to ascertain. For example, the vegan/halal market forbids the use of animal- derived pigments. Among these is Carmine, a strong red- coloured pigment which is extracted from the body of Cochineal insects.

April 5, 2022 GMT