Annatto – Cosmetic Uses as a Natural Colouring Ingredient

What Is Annatto?

Annatto is a natural colouring material obtained from Bixa orellana, commonly known as the lipstick tree or achiote tree.

The colour is derived primarily from the seeds of the plant. Annatto can produce colours ranging from yellow to deep orange, depending on the form and concentration used.

The principal colouring compounds associated with annatto include bixin and norbixin.

Cosmetic Applications

Annatto is primarily relevant to cosmetic formulations where a naturally derived yellow, orange, or reddish-orange colour is desired.

Its potential applications include:

• Colour cosmetics
• Skin care products
• Decorative cosmetic formulations
• Products requiring a natural botanical colour

Annatto is also widely used as a food colourant, particularly for colouring dairy products such as butter and cheese, as well as margarine and edible oils.

Botanical Source

The annatto-producing plant, Bixa orellana, is cultivated commercially for its natural colouring compounds. The seeds are processed to obtain the colourant, which has made annatto an important natural alternative to some synthetic colourants.

Ingredient Information

INCI: Annatto
Botanical Source: Bixa orellana
Common Name: Achiote, Lipstick Tree
Colour: Yellow to deep orange
Function: Colourant

Source: Dweck, Anthony. Handbook of Formulating Natural Cosmetics (Dweck Books 1) (p. 208).