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Home/Toxic Ingredients/Carbon Black
Ingredient analysis · Hazard 8/10

Carbon Black.

Also known as: CI 77266, D&C Black No. 2, channel black, lamp black, furnace black

A fine black powder produced by incomplete combustion of petroleum products. Widely used as a pigment in mascara, eyeliner, and eyebrow products. Carbon black is classified as possibly carcinogenic and poses significant inhalation risks.

Hazard score

By the numbers.

1 = low concern, 10 = avoid.

6
C
Carbon12.011Nonmetal
Hazard Score
8
Avoid
Frequency risk

Risk by usage.

How risk shifts depending on how often you use products with Carbon Black.

1-2x per week

Low risk from occasional cosmetic use in non-powder form.

Daily use

Daily mascara and eyeliner use around the delicate eye area raises cumulative exposure concerns.

2+ times daily

Significant risk from frequent application near eyes. Choose iron oxide-based alternatives.

Health risks

What the research says.

Classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (IARC Group 2B) based on evidence of lung cancer in workers exposed to carbon black.

IARC Monographs Volume 93 — Carbon Black

Nanoparticle-sized carbon black can penetrate skin and accumulate in tissue.

Inhalation of loose powder products containing carbon black poses respiratory cancer risk.

May be contaminated with PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), which are known carcinogens.

Regulations

Global status.

How carbon black is regulated in cosmetics around the world.

Restricted in 10No data for 1

100% of countries with data ban or restrict this ingredient

🇺🇸USA
Restricted
Details

Permitted as color additive with purity requirements.

🇪🇺EU
Restricted
Details

Permitted as colorant (CI 77266) in Annex IV; banned in lip products; nano form restricted.

🇬🇧UK
Restricted
Details

Permitted as colorant; banned in lip products, mirroring EU.

🇨🇦Canada
Restricted
Details

Permitted with purity requirements; restricted in lip products.

🇯🇵Japan
Restricted
Details

Permitted as colorant with purity requirements.

🇰🇷S. Korea
Restricted
Details

Permitted as colorant with purity and product-type restrictions.

🇦🇺Australia
Restricted
Details

Permitted with purity requirements.

🇨🇳China
Restricted
Details

Permitted as colorant with purity standards.

🇧🇷Brazil
Restricted
Details

Permitted as colorant with purity requirements.

🇮🇳India
No Data
🌏ASEAN
Restricted
Details

Permitted as colorant with restrictions, aligned with EU.

Why it’s used

The reason brands include it.

Produces the deepest, most intense black pigment available. Extremely stable and inexpensive compared to natural black alternatives.

0

products in our database

0

brands use it

2

product categories

Better alternatives exist. Brands choose carbon black because it’s cheap and effective, but safer options like iron oxide black (CI 77499), activated charcoal (for color), magnetite deliver similar results without the health concerns.

Categories

Carbon Black in product types.

Click a category to see every product containing carbon black.

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Safe alternatives

What to use instead.

iron oxide black (CI 77499)
activated charcoal (for color)
magnetite

What Numbrrrz uses instead

Numbrrrz lip balms contain no carbon black or synthetic colorants. Our simple four-ingredient formula has no need for pigments — and zero PAH contamination risk.

Questions

Quick answers.

Is carbon black in mascara dangerous?
Carbon black is classified as a possible carcinogen by IARC. In cream or liquid mascara the risk is lower than in loose powder form, but daily application near the eyes over years creates cumulative exposure that is best avoided.
What is a safer alternative to carbon black for black eye makeup?
Iron oxide black (CI 77499) provides excellent deep black pigmentation without the carcinogenic classification. It is the preferred black pigment in clean beauty formulations.
Can carbon black cause cancer?
IARC classifies carbon black as a Group 2B possible human carcinogen based on evidence of lung cancer in workers exposed to carbon black dust. The nanoparticle form used in cosmetics raises additional concerns about tissue penetration and accumulation.
What are other names for carbon black on labels?
Carbon black appears as 'CI 77266,' 'D&C Black No. 2,' 'channel black,' 'lamp black,' or 'furnace black' on ingredient labels. It is most commonly found in mascara, eyeliner, and eyebrow products.
Is carbon black safe to inhale?
No. Inhalation of carbon black particles is the primary route of cancer concern. Loose powder eye products containing carbon black pose the highest risk. Stick to cream or liquid formulations if you must use products containing carbon black, and avoid loose powder products entirely.
Does Numbrrrz use carbon black?
No. Numbrrrz lip balms contain no carbon black or any synthetic colorants. Our simple four-ingredient formula has no need for pigments — just Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Beeswax, and Vitamin E.
Choose clean

Skip the carbon black.

Four organic ingredients. Zero toxins. The lip balm your body deserves.