It’s urucum season! With approximately 3% bixin and high levels of vitamin A, urucum helps leave a bronze appearance on the skin. These two substances together make Urucum a highly valued ingredient, ideal for pigmentation and tanning products.
Urucum is a natural plant-based substance derived from the seeds of the achiote tree (Bixa orellana). This plant is native to tropical regions of the Americas and is cultivated in many countries for its various applications, including its use in foods and in cosmetics and tanning products.
One of the primary uses of urucum in cosmetics is as a natural colorant. The seeds of the urucum plant contain a red-orange pigment called bixin, which imparts a vibrant color to products. It is commonly used to add a warm, golden hue to lipsticks, blushes, eyeshadows, and other makeup products. Bixin is known to possess antioxidant properties, which can help protect the skin from oxidative stress and free radical damage. This makes urucum a potentially beneficial ingredient for anti-aging skincare products.
Indigenous communities in the tropical regions of the Americas have long harnessed the power of this vibrant red-orange pigment to dye leather and animal hides, thus providing inspiration for its use in modern tanning applications. When applied to the skin, it can temporarily stain the skin, providing a tanned appearance.
When incorporated into tanning products, urucum introduces a unique, time-honored technique that bestows a temporary tanned appearance upon the skin. Its natural coloring properties enable it to impart a warm, bronzed hue without the need for exposure to harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. As a result, those seeking a more natural and gentler alternative to conventional self-tanners or artificial tanning methods are drawn to the allure of urucum-based products.
The urucum provided by Ingrenium comes from family farming from the North of Brazil and we can offer it in both organic and conventional form. To know more about our urucum, please contact sales@ingrenium.com
