Ultramarines

Ultramarines suppliers and sourcing guide

Ultramarines are inorganic pigments made by heating a mix of kaolin, sulfur, sodium carbonate, silica, sodium sulfate and a carbon source above 700 °C, then washing, grinding and classifying the product. They are complex sodium aluminum sulfosilicates, and the recipe and firing set the shade: blue, violet, pink, red or green. Cosmetic makers buy them as fine powders for eye shadow, mascara, soap, bath products and face powder.

See suppliers What to ask for on the COA

Category: Colors
Also known as: Ultramarine blue · Pigment Blue 29 · CI 77007 · Sodium aluminum sulfosilicate
Facts checked: November 2026

Forms and grades of ultramarines

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

Ultramarine blue
The most common grade, a reddish to greenish blue sold in several shades and particle sizes.
Ultramarine violet and pink
Made by further oxidation of blue ultramarine, giving violet, pink or red shades with lower color strength.
Surface-treated grades
Ultramarines coated with silicones, silica or other treatments for better dispersion in oils and powders.
Dispersions
Pre-dispersed in oils or glycerin for liquid products and soaps.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Identity and shade: Shade and tint strength against a retained standard by drawdown or spectrophotometer.
Heavy metals: Lead, arsenic and mercury by ICP-MS or AAS, reported against the limits in the color additive regulation and the supplier specification (21 CFR 73.2725 caps lead, arsenic and mercury).
Free sulfur and acid stability: Free sulfur and behavior in acid; ultramarines release hydrogen sulfide and fade in acidic products, so low-pH formulas need testing.
Particle size and sieve residue: Median particle size by laser diffraction and residue on a fine sieve, which affect texture and color strength.
Moisture and water-soluble salts: Loss on drying and water-soluble matter, which can affect stability in emulsions.
Microbiology: Total plate count, yeast and mold, and pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli for cosmetic grades.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Keep ultramarines in closed containers in a dry place at room temperature; the powder is stable but picks up moisture and odors and can cake. Control dust in the weigh room and keep it away from other products to avoid cross-contamination. Shelf life or retest interval is set by the supplier specification. Keep it away from acids, which break the pigment down and release a sulfur odor.

Lots and expiry dates

Shade, particle size and free sulfur vary with the firing batch, so approve each lot against a retained shade standard and record particle size. Lot-to-lot shade differences are common enough that many makers blend or rebalance shades per lot.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

21 CFR 73.2725 describes ultramarines (blue, green, pink, red and violet) as pigments made by calcining kaolin, sulfur, sodium carbonate and other listed materials above 700 °C.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)
21 CFR 73.2725 permits ultramarines for coloring externally applied cosmetics, including eye-area cosmetics, and exempts them from certification.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)
21 CFR 73.2725 limits lead to 20 ppm, arsenic to 3 ppm and mercury to 1 ppm.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)
In food-related uses, 21 CFR 73.50 lists ultramarine blue only for coloring salt for animal feed, at not more than 0.5 percent of the salt.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Ultramarines suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking ultramarines suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

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Frequently asked questions

What forms of ultramarines can brands buy?

Common forms include ultramarine blue, ultramarine violet and pink, surface-treated grades and dispersions. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for ultramarines include?

Expect identity and shade, heavy metals, free sulfur and acid stability, particle size and sieve residue, moisture and water-soluble salts and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should ultramarines be stored?

What is the regulatory status of ultramarines?

21 CFR 73.2725 describes ultramarines (blue, green, pink, red and violet) as pigments made by calcining kaolin, sulfur, sodium carbonate and other listed materials above 700 °C. 21 CFR 73.2725 permits ultramarines for coloring externally applied cosmetics, including eye-area cosmetics, and exempts them from certification. 21 CFR 73.2725 limits lead to 20 ppm, arsenic to 3 ppm and mercury to 1 ppm. In food-related uses, 21 CFR 73.50 lists ultramarine blue only for coloring salt for animal feed, at not more than 0.5 percent of the salt.

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