Lake Pigment - Ponceau 4R

• Product Name: Ponceau 4R Aluminium Lake
• CI Name: CI 16255 (Aluminium Hydroxide, CI 16255)
• CAS No: 15876-47-8
• Characteristic: Red powder
• Odour: Tasteless
• Pure Dye Content: 33.0–40.0%
• pH (2% slurry in distilled water): 3.5–7.5
• 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 — this is a moderately concentrated lake (33–40% dye content), so build up gradually

• Bold, cherry-red shade — great for berry, cherry, and romance-themed products
• Solid dye concentration (33–40%) for strong colour payoff
• 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 Ponceau 4R Aluminium 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 Ponceau 4R and other red lakes like D&C Red 7?

Ponceau 4R (CI 16255) gives a bold cherry-red, while D&C Red 7 Calcium Lake leans more strawberry-red and uses a different substrate (barium sulfate/rosin rather than aluminium hydroxide). Both are cosmetic-grade red lakes but with subtly different undertones.

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

A dye is water soluble. A lake is precipitated onto an insoluble substrate, 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, Ponceau 4R Aluminium 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 to your desired colour intensity.

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 Red 7 Calcium
• Lakes D&C Red 40
• Melt & Pour Soap Base