At Credo, we love that you care so much about what’s in your beauty products and we hear you. We take ingredient safety seriously, and every product in our stores meets the Credo Clean Standard™, ensuring the highest standards for transparency and safety.
The Role of Colorants in Clean Beauty
Color is a huge part of beauty but also can have environmental effects as many colorants don’t break down as well in the environment. At Credo, we believe colorants should only be used where they belong – in makeup. That’s why we restrict them to makeup and products specifically meant to impart color. You won’t find any purple-dyed body lotions or skin serums on our shelves.
We also know that not all colorants are created equal. There are natural, naturally-derived, and synthetic colorants, and each comes with its own considerations. For example:
- Mineral-based colorants (like iron oxides and titanium dioxide) are often seen as more natural, but they can contain heavy metals if not properly sourced.
- Natural pigments (like carmine from insects) may be non-synthetic, but they can raise concerns about animal welfare.
- Synthetic colorants (made from petroleum) avoid animal-derived ingredients and can be more stable in formulations, but petroleum isn’t a sustainable feedstock and some may not biodegrade well in the environment.
Credo Clean Standard: Colorants
We don’t allow colorants that are not FDA approved for cosmetics or that have human safety concerns. We also require brands to rigorously vet their colorants. Heavy metal contamination is a major concern for mineral colorants, so we ask brands to work with suppliers and actively test and control for this contamination.
You Have Options at Credo
Some of our brands are deeply committed to using only mineral-based colorants. Others choose synthetic dyes, often in very small amounts, to achieve vibrancy and longevity while ensuring safety. None of our brands use colorants with animal welfare concerns. At the end of the day, you get to decide what’s best for you – and we’re here to support you in making informed, confident choices.
