Chromium Hydroxide Green

What is Chromium Hydroxide Green?

Chromium Hydroxide Green is an inorganic pigment consisting of hydrated chromium(III) oxide, typically appearing as a fine, bright green powder. It belongs to the category of metal oxide colorants commonly employed in cosmetics, particularly in eye makeup, lip products, nail enamels, and hair dyes. In formulations, it functions by providing opaque, lightfast green coloration through physical dispersion rather than chemical reaction, ensuring even distribution and resistance to bleeding or migration. Its particulate nature allows it to adhere to surfaces like skin, nails, or hair shafts without dissolving, enabling consistent shade reproduction batch-to-batch and during product use. Regulatory bodies impose purity criteria to limit contaminants, supporting its role in delivering reliable cosmetic effects.

Comedogenic Rating 0/5 Low risk of clogging pores
EWG Safety Rating 2-4 View on EWG →

Roles in Formulation

This ingredient serves the following purposes in cosmetic formulations:

Colorant
Provides or corrects color using dyes or pigments, helping achieve a consistent shade and visual appearance across batches and throughout wear.
Hair dyeing
Supports chemical color change of hair (e.g., oxidative dye development or bleaching), enabling shade transformation through controlled reactions on the fiber.
Hair colorant
Delivers hair color through dyes and/or pigments (direct or oxidative systems), producing a visible shade change and supporting coverage and longevity.

Benefits

Imparts stable green hues to makeup for uniform appearance

Supports even color distribution in hair dyeing applications

Maintains vibrancy without fading in various formulations

Who It's For

A quick guide for who this ingredient may suit (and who should be cautious).

Who May Benefit Who Should Avoid
Cosmetics users seeking green shades in eyeshadows or lip colors
Individuals with chromium compound sensitivities
Hair stylists and clients aiming for custom green tones
Those avoiding inorganic colorants in eye-area products
Product developers needing reliable, non-bleeding pigments
Users preferring fully organic or metal-free ingredients

Safety Notes

  • Meets safety standards for cosmetic colorants with purity requirements
  • Presents low comedogenic risk for pore-clogging

Frequently Asked Questions about Chromium Hydroxide Green

What products contain Chromium Hydroxide Green?

Commonly found in eyeshadows, lipsticks, nail polishes, and hair colorants for green shading.

Is it safe for cosmetic use?

Approved under regulatory purity standards for external cosmetic applications.

Does it clog pores?

Rated as non-comedogenic, unlikely to contribute to pore blockage.