Basic Yellow 87

Basic Yellow 87 and pregnancy

Caution Advised

• Absorbed into the body

Basic Yellow 87 is a synthetic cationic dye used to add color to cosmetic products and hair care formulations. It belongs to a class of basic dyes that can bind to skin and hair proteins. No specific studies exist on the safety of Basic Yellow 87 during pregnancy. The concern stems from the general category of synthetic dyes, which can have varying degrees of skin penetration. While topical cosmetic colorants typically have minimal systemic absorption, the lack of pregnancy-specific research makes it difficult to definitively assess fetal safety. Some synthetic dyes have raised questions about potential systemic effects when used in leave-on products. Due to insufficient safety data specific to pregnancy and the theoretical risk of absorption, many dermatologists recommend choosing products without synthetic colorants during pregnancy when equally effective alternatives exist. If the product is a rinse-off formula with minimal skin contact time, the risk may be lower than leave-on applications.

Basic Yellow 87 and breastfeeding

Safe to Use

Basic Yellow 87 is a colorant typically used in cosmetic products. When used topically in finished cosmetic products, systemic absorption is generally minimal. There is no published data on transfer of Basic Yellow 87 into breast milk. Given its use as a surface colorant in cosmetics with limited dermal penetration, the likelihood of meaningful systemic absorption and subsequent milk transfer is low. Breastfeeding mothers can generally use cosmetics containing colorants without significant concern for infant exposure. To minimize any theoretical risk, avoid applying cosmetic products containing this dye directly on or near the breast area where the infant might have direct contact. Standard cosmetic use on other body areas poses minimal concern for breastfeeding.

Basic Yellow 87 and postpartum

Safe to Use

For postpartum women who are not breastfeeding, Basic Yellow 87 presents minimal concerns beyond general skin sensitivity. As a colorant, it serves a cosmetic function rather than a therapeutic one. Women with postpartum skin sensitivity or those recovering from pregnancy-related skin changes may want to patch-test products containing synthetic dyes, as hormonal fluctuations can temporarily increase skin reactivity. Otherwise, standard cosmetic use poses no specific postpartum concerns.

Basic Yellow 87 and trying to conceive

Safe to Use

Basic Yellow 87 is a cosmetic colorant with no known effects on fertility or reproductive hormone function. For women trying to conceive, this ingredient does not interfere with conception processes. While comprehensive preconception studies are lacking, the limited dermal absorption of topical colorants and the absence of any known reproductive toxicity make this ingredient low-risk for women TTC. If you do conceive, you may want to reassess products containing synthetic dyes, but during the trying phase, standard cosmetic use poses minimal concern.

Basic Yellow 87 and PCOS

Safe to Use

Basic Yellow 87 is a colorant with no known hormonal activity or interaction with androgen pathways. For women with PCOS, this ingredient presents no specific concerns related to the condition. Since PCOS does not affect how the skin processes colorants, and Basic Yellow 87 has no known impact on insulin sensitivity, hormone levels, or inflammation pathways relevant to PCOS, it can be used without condition-specific concerns. Women with PCOS who experience acne or sensitive skin due to hormonal fluctuations should focus on active ingredients rather than colorants when selecting products. Basic Yellow 87 itself does not contribute to or alleviate PCOS symptoms.

Basic Yellow 87 and general use

Safe to Use

• Common allergen
• Irritant

Basic Yellow 87 is a synthetic cationic dye used to impart color to cosmetic products. It functions purely as a colorant and provides no skincare benefits beyond aesthetics. The primary concern with basic dyes is potential for skin sensitization and allergic contact dermatitis in susceptible individuals. Cationic dyes can bind to skin proteins, which may trigger immune responses in sensitive users. If you have a history of dye allergies or sensitive skin, patch testing is recommended. The EU Cosmetics Regulation monitors basic dyes for safety, and restrictions apply to certain members of this dye class. While Basic Yellow 87 is permitted in cosmetics, users with known sensitivities to synthetic colorants should exercise caution or choose products with natural colorants.

Everything else flagged for the same profiles

• Flagged in pregnancy

Related ingredients

Ingredients suggested in place of Basic Yellow 87, each one with its own page here.

• Iron Oxides
• Titanium Dioxide
• Mica

Ingredients that raise the same concerns.

• Parfum/FragranceIrritant, Common allergen, Absorbed into the body
• Lavandula Angustifolia OilIrritant, Common allergen, Absorbed into the body
• Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf OilIrritant, Common allergen, Absorbed into the body
• EugenolIrritant, Common allergen, Absorbed into the body
• Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf OilIrritant, Common allergen, Absorbed into the body
• DMDM HydantoinIrritant, Common allergen, Absorbed into the body

Where this came from

Truva summarises published guidance from bodies including ACOG, the FDA, the EU SCCS and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review. It has no access to your medical history and it is not a substitute for your doctor, dermatologist or midwife. These assessments have not been reviewed by a clinician, and nothing here is a diagnosis or a prescription. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or being treated for PCOS, take the ingredient list to the person looking after you.

Assessment last pulled from the ingredient database on 15 September 2026.