Database/Colorant/CI 73000
Route-dependent · ISO 16128

Is CI 73000 natural?

It depends. Indigo is either wholly petrochemical via synthetic aniline chemistry or wholly plant-derived via fermented leaf extraction; no in-between fraction.

INCI nameCI 73000
CAS482-89-3
FormulaC16H10N2O2 · 262.26 Da
FunctionColorant
FeedstockCosmetic-grade CI 73000 is predominantly manufactured synthetically from…

Why the score varies

This ingredient is made commercially by more than one route, and ISO 16128 scores the feedstock actually used. Without a supplier certificate of origin the value cannot be claimed.

RouteFeedstockNOIShareNotes
synthetic (Heumann/aniline process)petrochemical aniline via phenylglycine route0.00majority, estimated 90%+
plant extractionIndigofera tinctoria or Isatis tinctoria (woad) leaves, fermented and air-oxidised1.00minority, specialty/artisanal
Ask your supplier. A batch-specific certificate of origin or bio-based carbon test (ASTM D6866) settles which route applies.

How we scored it

Two routes: synthetic aniline-based Heumann process (0.0, dominant) vs fermented plant-leaf extraction (1.0, niche); no partial molecule, route_dependent
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

Cosmetic-grade CI 73000 is predominantly manufactured synthetically from petrochemical aniline derivatives (Heumann process). A minority specialty supply is extracted from Indigofera tinctoria or woad leaves by fermentation.

In plain English

Indigo, the classic blue dye, used as a cosmetic colorant. Most commercial supply is made synthetically from chemical intermediates, though a small amount is still extracted from indigo-yielding plants.

CosIng definition: CI 73000 is classed chemically as an indigoid colour. It conforms to the formula:

Natural alternatives with the same function

Structure

2D structure of CI 73000

2-(3-hydroxy-1H-indol-2-yl)indol-3-one

PubChem CID 10215 ↗

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 73000. PubChem CID 10215. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
  3. 3CI 73000. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  4. 4CI 73000. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=CI%2073000