Database/Colorant/CI 42090
100% petroleum · ISO 16128

Is CI 42090 natural?

No. Triphenylmethane colourants are synthesised entirely from petrochemical aromatic intermediates (sulfonated benzaldehydes and anilines).

INCI nameCI 42090
CAS2650-18-2
FormulaC37H42N4O9S3 · 783.0 Da
FunctionColorant · Hair Dyeing
FeedstockManufactured by condensation of petrochemical aromatic sulfonic acids…

How we scored it

Triphenylmethane synthetic dye built from petrochemical benzaldehyde/aniline-sulfonic-acid precursors; no natural feedstock or route exists → 0.0.
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.

Where it comes from

Manufactured by condensation of petrochemical aromatic sulfonic acids and benzaldehyde derivatives, then oxidised to the triarylmethane dye. No natural route exists.

In plain English

A bright blue synthetic dye used to colour hair dyes and cosmetics; made entirely from petrochemical aromatic chemicals, not a natural source.

CosIng definition: CI 42090 is classed chemically as a triphenylmethane colour. It conforms to the formula:

Natural alternatives with the same function

Aluminum Powder 100% natural origin

Finely powdered aluminum metal used to add shimmer or color to cosmetics. It comes from refining bauxite ore,…

 Aluminum Stearate 100% natural origin

An aluminium salt of stearic acid, a fatty acid from vegetable or animal fat. Used to prevent caking,…

 Anthocyanins 100% natural origin

A natural colorant that gives products red, purple or blue tones. It is recovered from grape skins or…

 Calcium Ferrite 100% natural origin

A mineral pigment made of calcium and iron oxide, used as a colourant in cosmetics. It is produced…

 Calcium Stearate 100% natural origin

The calcium salt of stearic acid, a fatty acid usually from vegetable oils. Used as an anti-caking, thickening…

 Caramel 100% natural origin

A colouring and fragrance ingredient made by heating sugar, sucrose or glucose, until it browns. It comes from…

Structure

2D structure of CI 42090

diazanium;2-[[4-[ethyl-[(3-sulfonatophenyl)methyl]amino]phenyl]-[4-[ethyl-[(3-sulfonatophenyl)methyl]azaniumylidene]cyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ylidene]methyl]benzenesulfonate

PubChem CID 17559 ↗

References

  1. 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
  2. 2CI 42090. PubChem CID 17559. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
  3. 3CI 42090. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  4. 4CI 42090. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=CI%2042090