Carmine (CI 75470)
The question

Is Carmine (CI 75470) safe in nail polish?

CautionNail polish

A red pigment derived from crushed cochineal scale insects. FDA and EU approved for cosmetics and food. While widely used with a long safety history, carmine can trigger serious allergic reactions — including anaphylaxis — in individuals sensitive to insect proteins. It is not vegan.

What the research flags

  • Allergic reactions including hives and anaphylaxis in insect-protein-sensitive individuals
  • Not vegan — derived from crushed insects
  • Occupational asthma documented in manufacturing workers

Regulatory
Known allergen — can trigger severe allergic reactions including anaphylaxis

Other nail polish ingredients on file

Sources & references

  1. [1]
    DatabaseIngredient database — 701120-CI_75470
  2. [2]
    RegulatoryUS federal agency — color-additives-permitted-use-cosmetics
  3. [3]
    Peer-reviewedPubMed / NCBI — pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · ref 12000323

Research disclaimer: Ratings reflect peer-reviewed research and regulatory assessments available at the time of publication, not the dose or formulation of any specific nail polish product. This is not medical advice.