Curcumins
CI 75300
Curcumins appears in Annex IV as a positive-list colorant entry for EU cosmetics.
Chemical identity and properties

Curcumin
Curcumin is a beta-diketone that is methane in which two of the hydrogens are substituted by feruloyl groups. A natural dyestuff found in the root of Curcuma longa. It has a role as a geroprotector, a metabolite, a biological pigment, an antineoplastic agent, a flavouring agent, an antifungal agent, a lipoxygenase inhibitor, a dye, an iron chelator, an EC 1.1.1.21 (aldehyde reductase) inhibitor, a radical scavenger, a contraceptive drug, an EC 1.6.5.2 [NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (quinone)] inhibitor, a nutraceutical, an immunomodulator, a ligand, an EC 1.1.1.205 (IMP dehydrogenase) inhibitor, an EC 3.5.1.98 (histone deacetylase) inhibitor, a hepatoprotective agent, a neuroprotective agent, an EC 1.8.1.9 (thioredoxin reductase) inhibitor, an anti-inflammatory agent, an EC 2.7.10.2 (non-specific protein-tyrosine kinase) inhibitor, a food colouring and an EC 1.1.1.25 (shikimate dehydrogenase) inhibitor. It is a polyphenol, an aromatic ether, an enone, a beta-diketone and a diarylheptanoid. It is functionally related to a trans-ferulic acid. — ChEBI
- IUPAC name
- (1E,6E)-1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)hepta-1,6-diene-3,5-dione
- Molecular formula
- C21H20O6
- Molecular weight
- 368.4 g/mol
- Exact mass
- 368.12598835 Da
- XLogP3
- 3.2
- Topological polar surface area
- 93.1 Ų
- Hydrogen-bond donors
- 2
- Hydrogen-bond acceptors
- 6
- Covalent units
- 1
- Defined stereocentres
- 0
Also known as
16 more reported names
External database identifiers
Retrieved from NIH PubChem on 2026-08-31 by checksum-valid CAS matching. Chemical properties do not replace the regulatory decision on this page.
Record details
Warnings
Purity criteria as set out in Commission Directive 95/45/EC (E 100)
Colour index or glossary
CI 75300
Chemical name
Curcumins
Chemical / IUPAC name
Curcumins
Color
Yellow
Regulatory information
Key data
Inventory links for Curcumins
Related records for Curcumins
Direct matches are limited for this record, so nearby entries from Annex IV are shown as well.
CI 75470
CI 75810
CI 75130
CI 77002
CI 75120
CI 77007
What Annex IV means for Curcumins
Curcumins is an approved colorant listed in Annex IV of EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009. Only colorants on this positive list may be used to colour cosmetic products on the EU market.
Some colorants in Annex IV are restricted by product type — for example, prohibited from use around the eyes or in products applied to mucous membranes. Check the product type and conditions fields above before use.
This record is linked to 2 CosIng inventory ingredients for name and identifier cross-reference. The page also surfaces 12 related annex records with overlapping identifiers, annex logic or naming patterns.
Compliance checklist
- Confirm colorant is used only in permitted product types listed above.
- Record the Colour Index number and CAS identifier in the ingredient declaration.
Frequently asked questions
Source note for Annex IV record Curcumins
This page summarizes one Annex IV record for Curcumins from public European Commission cosmetic materials and adds linked inventory or identifier matches when available.
Use this record page to review Annex IV conditions for Curcumins, but confirm any final regulatory decision against the current official annex wording and source files.
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