Lake Pigment - FD&C Yellow No. 6

• Product Name: FD&C Yellow 6 Aluminum Lake
• CI Name: CI 15985 (Aluminium Hydroxide, CI 15985)
• CAS No: 15790-07-5
• Characteristic: Yellow powder
• Odour: Tasteless
• Pure Dye Content: 36.0–42.0%
• pH (2% slurry in distilled water): 0.4–4.5
• Solubility: Insoluble in water (≤0 g/L); dispersible in oils
• Melting Point: 300°C
• Density: 2.42 g/cm³
• Residue on 325 mesh: ≤1.0%
• Heavy Metals: Mercury ≤1.0mg/kg, Lead ≤10.0mg/kg, Arsenic ≤2.0mg/kg, Cadmium ≤5.0mg/kg
• Microbiology: Aerobic bacterial count ≤500 CFU/g, moulds/yeasts ≤100 CFU/g, no detection of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, or thermotolerant coliforms
• Storage: Store in a dry, clean, opaque sealed container at room temperature, away from direct sunlight

How to Use

• Bath Bombs: Disperse in a small amount of oil with Polysorbate 80 before adding to your dry mix, or blend the powder directly into the dry ingredients for a marbled effect
• Soap Making (CP/HP): Disperse in a light oil before adding at trace; note that lake colours can fade over time in cold process soap and may migrate/bleed
• Melt & Pour Soap: Disperse in a small amount of glycerine or oil before adding to melted base
• Cosmetics (lip, eye, face): Incorporate into the oil phase of your formulation; ensure thorough dispersion to avoid speckling
• Usage rate: Start at 0.1–0.5% and adjust to your desired shade intensity — note the higher dye loading (36–42% vs 12–18% in some other lakes) means this pigment is more concentrated, so build up slowly

• Warm, punchy orange-yellow — great for sunsets, citrus, and autumnal themes
• High dye concentration (36–42%) for strong colour payoff at low usage rates
• Batch-certified with full heavy metal and microbiological testing
• Oil dispersible, giving good performance across bath bombs, soap, and cosmetics

Typical Applications

• Bath bombs and bath fizzers
• Cold process and melt & pour soap
• Bubble bars and bath truffles
• Lip and eye cosmetics
• Candle and craft colouring (non-cosmetic use)

• Approved for use in cosmetics including eye, lip, and face applications
• Classified as not hazardous to human health (SDS Section 2); hazardous to aquatic life (Category 2) — avoid release to waterways
• Not classified for skin/eye irritation or sensitisation
• Avoid inhaling dust during handling; standard PPE (gloves, dust mask) recommended when weighing out
• Store in original, tightly sealed, opaque container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight

Is FD&C Yellow 6 Aluminum Lake water soluble?

No — lake pigments are insoluble in water. This one has a solubility of ≤0 g/L, so it disperses in oils instead. A dispersant like Polysorbate 80 is recommended for water-based applications like bath bombs.

What's the difference between Yellow 5 and Yellow 6?

Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) is a brighter, cooler lemon yellow, while Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow) is a warmer, more orange-leaning yellow. Yellow 6 also has a higher dye concentration in this grade (36–42% vs 12–18%), so it's more potent per gram.

What's the difference between a dye and a lake?

A dye (like straight FD&C Yellow 6) is water soluble. A lake is made by precipitating that dye onto an insoluble substrate (here, aluminium hydroxide), turning it into an oil-dispersible powder better suited to soap, cosmetics, and bath products.

Will this colour fade in cold process soap?

Lake pigments can fade over time in CP soap due to the high pH and saponification process. For longer-lasting colour, oxide or mineral pigments are generally more stable, though lakes are popular for bath bombs and melt & pour where fading is less of an issue.

Is this safe for use around the eyes and lips?

Yes, FD&C Yellow 6 Aluminum Lake is approved for use in cosmetics including eye, lip, face, and body applications.

What's the recommended usage rate?

Start at around 0.1–0.5% and build up gradually — because this lake has a higher dye concentration than some others, a little goes further, so add slowly to avoid over-colouring.

How should I store it?

In its original, tightly sealed container, in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, at room temperature.

You May Also Need

• Polysorbate 80 (dispersant for bath bomb colours)
• Sodium Bicarbonate & Citric Acid (bath bomb base ingredients)
• Lakes D&C Yellow 5
• Lakes D&C Yellow 10
• Melt & Pour Soap Base