Carmine
What Carmine is & what it does
A vivid red pigment from cochineal insects used to add pink and red tones. It is a classic natural colorant for cosmetics.
Is Carmine safe?
Carmine is a widely used cosmetic colorant that is generally considered safe for topical use in finished products. It is a natural red pigment derived from cochineal insects. Some people can be sensitive to it, so those with known reactions to carmine may wish to patch test or avoid it.
Is Carmine natural or synthetic?
Carmine is a natural pigment, not a synthetic dye. It is produced from the cochineal insect, whose bodies yield a deep red compound called carminic acid. This insect origin is why it is classed as a natural, animal-derived colorant.
Is Carmine vegan?
Carmine is not vegan. It is made from cochineal insects, which are crushed and processed to extract the red pigment. Products labeled vegan use plant-based or synthetic colorants instead of carmine.
Sunscreens with Carmine
We rate 15 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:
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Uriage Dépiderm Spf50
87/100
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Uriage Bariésun Kid Milk Spf 50+
87/100
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Uriage Bariésun Spf 50+ Fragrance-Free Cream
87/100
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URIAGE Eau Thermale Bariesun SPF 50+ Stick Invisible
83/100
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Uriage Bariésun Milk Spf 50+
83/100
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Smashbox Halo Healthy Glow Tinted Moisturiser Broad Spectrum SPF 25
78/100
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Physicians Formula Natural Defense Triple Defense Multicolor Stick SPF 20
75/100
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Colorescience Unforgettable Total Protection Berry Color Balm Spf 50
73/100
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Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Radiance SPF 35
69/100
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Heimish Artless Glow Base (Spf 50+ Pa+++)
68/100