CI 19140

Science & Benefits

CI 19140, or Tartrazine, is a synthetic lemon-yellow azo dye used across the food and cosmetic industries. From a comedogenic perspective, it is entirely safe; its water-soluble nature prevents it from interacting with or solidifying within the sebum-filled follicular duct. However, it is a known 'hypersensitivity' trigger. In individuals with a highly reactive skin barrier or those with known salicylate sensitivities, Tartrazine can cause localized contact urticaria or redness. While it poses zero risk for physical acne, its presence in 'soothing' products is often a logical contradiction, as the dye itself provides no benefit to the skin and carries a small but documented risk of irritation.