PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Blue pigment improves foundation makeup shades for dark skin

Blue pigment improves foundation makeup shades for dark skin
2025-03-26
(Press-News.org) SAN DIEGO, March 26, 2025 — On the shelves of makeup counters and drugstores sits an array of foundations in various olive, ivory and fair shades. But for people with darker skin tones, finding the right foundation shade can be a challenge. Dark foundations on the market often fall flat, appearing gray-like once applied on the skin. But now, researchers report a blue cosmetic color additive that gives these foundations the warmth and depth they currently lack.

Gabriella Baki, associate professor of pharmaceutics and director of the cosmetic science and formulation design undergraduate program at the University of Toledo, will present her team’s results at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS). ACS Spring 2025 is being held March 23-27; it features about 12,000 presentations on a range of science topics.

“On the market and for the history of cosmetics, foundations have been created with three colorants — red, yellow and black iron oxide,” says Raihaanah Zaahirah Safee, a former student in Baki’s lab and current graduate student at the University of Toledo.

However, using high concentrations of black iron oxide for darker foundations results in an unappealing gray and ashy look on the skin. White pigments used to lighten foundations, including zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, can also contribute to this phenomenon.

To expand the color range of foundations, some cosmetic companies have experimented with adding blue pigments. After learning about a blue pigment called ultramarine blue from a podcast, another student in Baki’s lab approached her about studying the pigment. “If you think about traditional color theory practices in relation to the art world, red, yellow and blue are used in combination with black and white,” says Zaahirah Safee. “We built our research around this idea.”

Previously, Zaahirah Safee and colleagues assessed the effects of the blue pigment on foundation color in loose powders. The team first developed a formulation for the foundation base, then an 11-pigment range for darker and lighter skin tones. The shade range was created by varying the black and blue pigment ratios and the type of white pigment used.

Three techniques were used to analyze the powder foundations: a spectrophotometer measured color differences; foundation swatches were pressed down on Leneta paper, black-and-white paper used to evaluate color on a solid background; and finally, the foundations were swatched on human participants’ skin through a consumer study approved by the University of Toledo’s Institutional Review Board. 

“We realized that you can use ultramarine blue solely to create a deeper skin tone foundation, but you do need a little bit of black to create your intended value,” says Zaahirah Safee. Ultramarine blue reduced gray cast, while zinc oxide reduced white cast and created warmer, redder hues in an ultramarine blue base.

Next, Karissa Richards, another student researcher in the Baki lab, evaluated the effects of ultramarine blue in stick foundations. This formulation proved trickier, given that extra variables like liquid moisturizers and skin-softeners called emollients were introduced into the foundation mixture. With stick foundations, “we wet the pigments with the emollients,” says Richards. “Upon developing the formulation, we noticed a lot of issues with the color not being uniform throughout the formulation, once we poured it into the mold to set the stick.”

After figuring out the correct formulation, the team used the same pigment ratios as the loose powders for the new sticks. Then Richards analyzed the new products using the same three techniques. She measured similar color trends in the stick foundations as the loose powders.

The next project for Baki’s group is to study ultramarine blue in liquid foundations. She says this is the hardest of all foundation formulas to develop because the ingredients include water and oil, which don’t mix well with each other. However, liquid foundation is most used by consumers.

Baki says there aren’t any plans to commercialize their foundations, given the formulations are so simple. The loose powder and stick foundations are like “a backbone, they have everything they need and nothing extra.” Her ultimate hope is for chemists and manufacturers to see this team’s research and give ultramarine blue a try in commercial products.

Zaahirah Safee says this work is personally important to her. “Within my introduction into the world of makeup, I came across a lot of hurdles. Foundations wouldn’t show up on me as they would show up on other models,” she says. As an aspiring cosmetic chemist, she hopes to introduce these new ideas at the formulation table. “Changes can be made.”

The researchers report no external funding for this work.

A Headline Science YouTube Short about this topic will be posted on Wednesday, March 26. Reporters can access the video during the embargo period, and once the embargo is lifted the same URL will allow the public to access the content. Visit the ACS Spring 2025 program to learn more about this presentation, “Effect of ultramarine blue on the color of powder and stick foundations” and other science presentations. 

###

The American Chemical Society (ACS) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1876 and chartered by the U.S. Congress. ACS is committed to improving all lives through the transforming power of chemistry. Its mission is to advance scientific knowledge, empower a global community and champion scientific integrity, and its vision is a world built on science. The Society is a global leader in promoting excellence in science education and providing access to chemistry-related information and research through its multiple research solutions, peer-reviewed journals, scientific conferences, e-books and weekly news periodical Chemical & Engineering News. ACS journals are among the most cited, most trusted and most read within the scientific literature; however, ACS itself does not conduct chemical research. As a leader in scientific information solutions, its CAS division partners with global innovators to accelerate breakthroughs by curating, connecting and analyzing the world’s scientific knowledge. ACS’ main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.

Registered journalists can subscribe to the ACS journalist news portal on EurekAlert! to access embargoed and public science press releases. For media inquiries, contact newsroom@acs.org.

Note to journalists: Please report that this research was presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society. ACS does not conduct research, but publishes and publicizes peer-reviewed scientific studies.

Follow us: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Title
Effect of ultramarine blue on the color of powder and stick foundations

Abstract
Makeup foundations for all skin colors traditionally contain FDA-approved red, yellow, and black iron oxide, mixed with white pigments, either titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. To create darker shades for skin of color consumers, darker foundations contain a larger amount of black iron oxide, which can lead to a displeasing gray cast on the skin. While this is not a concern in lighter foundations due to the lower pigment load, the range of colors and undertones could be expanded in light foundations.

We evaluated the effect of another FDA-approved cosmetic color additive, ultramarine blue, as a substitute for black iron oxide in loose powder and stick foundations. Twenty loose powder foundations and eighteen stick foundations were formulated, including both darker and lighter shades.

Products’ color was evaluated objectively with a spectrophotometer (Konika Minolta CM5), and visually on Lenata paper in the form of press-downs and disks and on human skin in a small consumer study.

Visual evaluation and L*a*b* values indicated that the effect of ultramarine blue was detectable in both foundation groups. Ultramarine blue created tones that were redder in hue and it decreased the apparent gray cast in dark foundations. This study provides examples of how to create more inclusive foundation lines for consumers as diversity and inclusivity initiatives are increasing worldwide.

END


[Attachments] See images for this press release:
Blue pigment improves foundation makeup shades for dark skin Blue pigment improves foundation makeup shades for dark skin 2 Blue pigment improves foundation makeup shades for dark skin 3

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

A safe nuclear battery that could last a lifetime

A safe nuclear battery that could last a lifetime
2025-03-26
SAN DIEGO, March 26, 2025 — Sometimes cell phones die sooner than expected or electric vehicles don’t have enough charge to reach their destination. The rechargeable lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries in these and other devices typically last hours or days between charging. However, with repeated use, batteries degrade and need to be recharged more frequently. Now, researchers are considering radiocarbon as a source for safe, small and affordable nuclear batteries that could last decades or longer without charging.   Su-Il In, a professor at Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology, will present his results at the spring meeting of the American Chemical ...

Making sturdy, semi-transparent wood with cheap, natural materials

Making sturdy, semi-transparent wood with cheap, natural materials
2025-03-26
SAN DIEGO, March 26, 2025 — Can you imagine a smartphone with a wooden touchscreen? Or a house with wooden windows? Probably not — unless you’ve heard of transparent wood. Made by modifying wood’s natural structure, this material has been proposed as a sturdy, eco-friendly plastic alternative. But wood’s biodegradability is often sacrificed in the process. Researchers are hoping to change that by creating transparent woods from almost entirely natural materials and making them electrically conductive. The researchers will present their results at the spring ...

Adulting is hard on the heart: Teen to young adulthood is a critical time to address risk

2025-03-26
Statement Highlights: By age 18, many adolescents have already developed heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol or Type 2 diabetes, and a growing number of younger adults are experiencing adverse cardiovascular events.   Numerous social determinants of health and developmental and life changes impact cardiovascular risk as young people progress from their teens to their mid-20s. The statement describes the challenges and opportunities for easing the transition ...

Study shows link between the start of the working day and time preferences

2025-03-26
Those who start work earlier express more discomfort with the seasonal time change. This is the main conclusion of a study that the lecturers at the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC) and the University of Seville (US), Jorge Mira Pérez and José María Martín Olalla, have just published in the journal Chronobiology International, in which they analyse in detail the results of the public consultation organised by the European Commission in 2018 in the then 28 member states, which ...

Scientists discovered chemical oscillations in palladium nanoparticles, paving the way for recycling precious metal catalysts

Scientists discovered  chemical oscillations in palladium nanoparticles, paving the way for recycling precious metal catalysts
2025-03-26
Scientists have for the first time filmed the real-time growth and contraction of Palladium nanoparticles, opening new avenues for utilising and recycling precious metal catalysts. Researchers at the University of Nottingham’s School of Chemistry used transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to observe the complete lifecycle of palladium nanoparticles in a liquid environment, from nucleation through growth to dissolution, with the entire cycle repeating multiple times. This study has been published today in Nanoscale. One of the most important applications of metal nanoparticles is in catalysis, which forms a backbone of chemical industries. Dr Jesum Alves ...

Tadpoles try to flee dangerous virus in their pond by growing much faster than normal

Tadpoles try to flee dangerous virus in their pond by growing much faster than normal
2025-03-26
The world’s amphibians are in trouble. Because of their sensitivity to climate change, habitat loss, and pollution, they may be the canary in the coalmine for the nascent anthropogenic mass extinction. Approximately 200 amphibian species have become extinct since the 1970s, and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature estimates that 34% of the 7,296 known remaining species are likewise at risk. Another reason why amphibians are vulnerable is their susceptibility to disease. An emerging, potentially deadly disease of frogs and salamanders is ranavirus, a genus of at least seven species within the family Iridoviridae. Ranavirus can rapidly jump ...

Build it and they shall come

Build it and they shall come
2025-03-26
Designing walkable neighborhoods has gained attention as a method to increase physical activity among urban populations. Moreover, highly walkable areas stimulate increased neighborhood retail sales, higher property values, and greater urban sustainability. However, only limited methods are available for improving walkability in the urban centers of highly motorized suburban cities. In the urban areas of suburban cities, increasing land-use diversity by opening a multifunctional facility is considered one of the most effective strategies for an architecture-scale intervention. Dr. Haruka Kato, ...

How elephants plan their journeys: New study reveals energy-saving strategies

How elephants plan their journeys: New study reveals energy-saving strategies
2025-03-26
UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL 05:01 GMT / 01:01 ET WEDNESDAY 26 MARCH 2025 How elephants plan their journeys: New study reveals energy-saving strategies A new study has revealed that African Elephants have an extraordinary ability to meet their colossal food requirements as efficiently as possible. Data from over 150 elephants demonstrated that these giants plan their journeys based on energy costs and resource availability. The findings – published today (26 March) in the Journal of Animal Ecology– could provide crucial information to help protect these iconic animals and their habitats. Being an elephant is no easy task. As massive herbivores weighing several ...

New study challenges the ‘monogamy-superiority myth’, as non-monogamous people report just as happy relationships and sex lives

2025-03-26
Monogamous and non-monogamous individuals report similar levels of satisfaction in both their relationships and sex lives, according to a comprehensive new meta-analysis. Published today in The Journal of Sex Research, the peer-reviewed study debunks the prevailing belief that monogamous relationships – defined as exclusive romantic and sexual commitment to one partner – are inherently superior in fostering fulfilling relationships compared to alternative structures. While monogamy has been the predominant type of relationship in much of recent Western history, many individuals choose alternative structures. Non-monogamy includes various ...

Government of Guyana, Mount Sinai Health System and Hess Corporation announce five-year extension of national healthcare initiative.

2025-03-26
His Excellency Dr. Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, today announced a five-year extension of the national healthcare initiative to transform Guyana’s public health system with world-class healthcare services accessible to every Guyanese citizen. This next phase of the initiative, launched in 2022 by the Government of Guyana in collaboration with the Mount Sinai Health System and Hess Corporation, will include establishment of a national cancer center, continued modernization of national health facilities including Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, and the implementation of one ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Nuclear monitoring system suggests landslide cut off internet in west Africa

PNNL scientist elected AAAS fellow

American College of Cardiology recognizes five JACC Rocket Fuel Consultants

American College of Cardiology, Association of Black Cardiologists recognize three Merck Research Fellowship awardees

JACC to recognize 2025 Simon Dack Award recipients, Elite Reviewers

American College of Cardiology honors two recipients with the William A. Zoghbi Global Research Initiative Award

JACC recognizes five recipients of the William W. Parmley Young Author Achievement Award

Mass General Brigham researchers identify mutations that can lead to resistance to some chemotherapies

JACC journals honor 10 young researchers

Jefferson Lab Director Kimberly Sawyer named to CoVaBIZ Magazine’s 150 Most Influential People List

The world according to mosquitoes: USU ecologists lead AI-based effort to identify disease vectors

Drexel researchers develop new DNA test for personalized treatment of bacterial vaginosis

Keith T. Flaherty, MD, FAACR, elected as American Association for Cancer Research President-Elect for 2025-2026

Brownie points for ChatGPT’s food analysis skills

The Giants Foundation provide 12 schools with CPR resources to improve cardiac emergency outcomes

Why scientists are worried about weasels

American College of Cardiology recognizes 21 Distinguished Award recipients

American College of Cardiology recognizes three recipients of the Hani Najm Global Scholar Award Observership Program

DNA helps electronics to leave flatland

Studying cardiac cells in space to repair heart damage on Earth

Studies evaluate the health effects of bioactive compounds obtained from plants

Howard University physicist revisits the computational limits of life and Schrödinger’s essential question in the era of quantum computing

Navigating a US bioscience career despite anticipated cuts in funding for biomedicine

How the failure of two dams amplified the Derna Flood tragedy

Oral contraceptives and smoking impact steroid hormone levels in healthy adults

C-Path’s predictive safety testing consortium advances a transformative test to detect drug induced liver injury

Green solvent innovation: high-speed doctor-blading boosts organic solar cell efficiency

C-Path announces successful conclusion of the ECOA: getting better together initiative

Brain channels ‘stopped in time’ reveal chemical flow that enables learning and thinking

PET imaging confirms direct involvement of dopamine in cognitive flexibility

[Press-News.org] Blue pigment improves foundation makeup shades for dark skin