Mother Earth really outdid herself when it comes to natural colors! Unlike synthetic dyes, these colors are derived from natural resources. From the softest blues to the brightest yellows, here’s a look at some of the most beautiful natural colours and where you can find them.
Natural Colors — Their Sources and Uses
Black
Bold and dramatic, this color is less common than other colors but can still be naturally sourced. Using ingredients like activated charcoal, charred vegetables, and black sesame seeds can give modern foodstuffs a moody, sophisticated tone, as well as luxurious, sleek vibes to edible and cosmetic products.
What People Use It For:
- Gourmet pasta
- Charcoal lemonade
- Black burger buns
- Natural makeup lines, especially eyeliners or mascaras.
- Natural soap bars
Blue
A good source of this rare natural color is blue-green algae like spirulina. More than just adding a dreamy tint to trendy products, the use of spirulina is also prevalent in wellness circles as a food supplement due to its high protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant content.
What People Use It For:
- Blue lattes
- Smoothie bowls
- Energy bars (plant-based)
- Sports drinks
- Popsicles
- Pudding recipes
- Spirulina face creams or sheet masks
Brown
This color brings a rich, earthy warmth to food and cosmetic items. You can get natural brown from roasted ingredients and natural syrups.
What People Use It For:
- Cocoa powder
- Caramel sauces
- Maple syrup
- Coffee scrubs
- Granola bars, cookies, and cereal
- Natural bronzers
- Tinted makeups
Green
If Mother Earth has a signature color, green is definitely it! It primarily comes from chlorophyll, a pigment in the leaves of green plants that is involved in photosynthesis. Green often signals life and vitality, and is used in foods to highlight their freshness and goodness for the body.
What People Use It For:
- Spinach pasta
- Herbal tea
- Matcha sweets/desserts/drinks
- Organic gummies
- Vegetable juices (from vegetable sources)
- Cucumber-infused toners
Orange
Carrot, paprika, annatto, and natural oranges bring out the sunshine in food! Thanks to its beta-carotene content, this natural food coloring adds a cheerful color and is much loved in chips, snacks, and sauces. This food colorant can also add visual warmth to non-food items.
What People Use It For:
- Carrot juice
- Cheddar-style vegan cheese
- Dairy products
- Natural lipsticks with an orange tint
- Citrus-scented body oils or body butters
- Pumpkin-infused face masks
Purple
This color contains natural pigments like anthocyanins, a flavonoid compound responsible for the purple, red, and blue pigments in plants. Purple gives off a rich, luxurious feel to foods and cosmetic items, and you can find it in purple corn, purple carrots, purple sweet potatoes, red radish, black carrots, and elderberries.
What People Use It For:
- Grape juice/grape-flavored beverages
- Acai bowls
- Berry or grape lip balms
- Purple potato chips
- Lavender lotions
Red
Hibiscus, cherries, and red beets (beetroot) are just some examples of this natural shade. Red gives foods and drinks a bold, powerful energy that is not achieved through the use of synthetic red dye.
What People Use It For:
- Red velvet cakes
- Vegan burgers
- Fruit smoothies
- Natural makeup like blush, cheek stains, and lip tints
- Rose body butters
White
Soft and subtle, natural color white is often used to temper other colors. It can also give food ingredients a clean, snowy finish and a sense of “purity” even without whiteners. White pigment is found in egg shells, ground rice, and coconut flour.
What People Use It For:
- Coconut-based sweets
- Coconut butter
- Powdered donuts
- Vanilla ice cream
- Yogurt
- Natural toothpaste
- Coconut milk baths and shampoos
Yellow
One of the easiest shades to find and work with is natural yellow. Sourced from safflower, marigold, or turmeric, natural yellow can be used to add brightness to any product. It can also evoke warmth, happiness, and energy in everything it’s added to.
What People Use It For:
- Salad dressings
- Mustard
- Lemon-flavored jellies and candies
- Cheese sauce
- Lemon desserts
- Calendula lip balm
- Yarns and fabrics
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