Database/Antioxidant/Zeaxanthin
Route-dependent · ISO 16128

Is Zeaxanthin natural?

It depends. Marigold- or paprika-extracted zeaxanthin is plant-derived and natural; chemically synthesised zeaxanthin, a common commercial route for carotenoids generally, is built from petrochemical feedstock; the split for this ingredient is uncertain.

INCI nameZeaxanthin
CAS144-68-3
FormulaC40H56O2 · 568.9 Da
FunctionAntioxidant
FeedstockCommercial zeaxanthin is most often extracted and saponified…

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
Marigold/paprika extractionMarigold or paprika oleoresin1.00unclear, likely significant for cosmetic-grade material
Total chemical synthesisPetrochemical intermediates (as for other commercial carotenoids)0.00unclear
Ask your supplier. A batch-specific certificate of origin or bio-based carbon test (ASTM D6866) settles which route applies.

How we scored it

C40H56O2 carotenoid. Natural route: extracted from marigold/paprika petals, 1.0. Synthetic route: total chemical synthesis from petrochemical intermediates (standard for other commercial carotenoids), 0.0. Cosmetic-supply share unclear.
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

Commercial zeaxanthin is most often extracted and saponified from marigold (Tagetes erecta) petal oleoresin or from paprika, a plant-extraction route. Some carotenoid supply is chemically synthesised from petrochemical intermediates, as is standard industry practice for related carotenoids, but the route split for this specific ingredient is not established here.

In plain English

Zeaxanthin is a yellow-orange plant pigment (carotenoid) used as an antioxidant in skincare. It is usually extracted from marigold or paprika, though it can also be made by chemical synthesis; it's the same pigment that colours corn and egg yolks.

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Structure

2D structure of Zeaxanthin

(1R)-4-[(1E,3E,5E,7E,9E,11E,13E,15E,17E)-18-[(4R)-4-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexen-1-yl]-3,7,12,16-tetramethyloctadeca-1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17-nonaenyl]-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohex-3-en-1-ol

PubChem CID 5280899 ↗

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. 2Zeaxanthin. PubChem CID 5280899. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
  3. 3ZEAXANTHIN. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  4. 4ZEAXANTHIN. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=ZEAXANTHIN