Bismuth oxychloride
Bismuth oxychloride suppliers and sourcing guide
Bismuth oxychloride is a synthetic white or nearly white powder, principally BiOCl, made by precipitating a bismuth salt solution with chloride under controlled conditions. Its flat, plate-like crystals give a pearly luster and a smooth, slippery feel. Cosmetic makers buy it as a powder or paste for pressed and loose powders, eye shadow, lipstick and nail polish.
- Category
- Colors
- Also known as
- BiOCl · CI 77163 · Pigment White 14
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of bismuth oxychloride
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Powder
Dry crystalline BiOCl in grades that differ by crystal size, from soft satin luster to brighter pearl.
Pastes and dispersions
BiOCl pre-dispersed in castor oil, esters or nitrocellulose for lipstick and nail polish.
Surface-treated grades
Powder coated with silicones or other treatments for easier dispersion and pressing.
Blends
BiOCl on mica or mixed with other pigments for color cosmetics.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- BiOCl assay
- Bismuth oxychloride content by titration or gravimetry, required by the regulation to be not less than 98 percent.
- Volatile matter
- Volatile matter, which the regulation limits to 0.5 percent.
- Heavy metals
- Lead, arsenic and mercury by ICP-MS or AAS, reported against the limits in the color additive regulation and the supplier specification.
- Particle size and luster
- Crystal size by microscopy or laser diffraction and luster against a retained standard, which set the visual effect.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast and mold, and pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli for cosmetic grades.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Store sealed in a cool, dry place out of direct light; bismuth oxychloride can darken on prolonged light exposure, especially in finished products, so opaque packaging is common. Keep dispersions closed to stop solvent loss. Shelf life or retest interval is set by the supplier specification.
Lots and expiry dates
Crystal size and luster vary between lots, so check each lot against a retained standard in the finished product. Record assay and particle size for each lot.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 73.1162 identifies the color additive as a synthetically prepared white or nearly white powder consisting principally of BiOCl.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 73.2162 permits bismuth oxychloride for coloring cosmetics generally, including eye-area cosmetics, exempt from certification.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 73.1162 permits bismuth oxychloride in externally applied drugs, including those for use in the area of the eye.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 73.1162 requires not less than 98 percent bismuth oxychloride.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Bismuth oxychloride suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking bismuth oxychloride suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell bismuth oxychloride? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of bismuth oxychloride can brands buy?
Common forms include powder, pastes and dispersions, surface-treated grades and blends. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for bismuth oxychloride include?
Expect biOCl assay, volatile matter, heavy metals, particle size and luster and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should bismuth oxychloride be stored?
Store sealed in a cool, dry place out of direct light; bismuth oxychloride can darken on prolonged light exposure, especially in finished products, so opaque packaging is common. Keep dispersions closed to stop solvent loss. Shelf life or retest interval is set by the supplier specification.
What is the regulatory status of bismuth oxychloride?
21 CFR 73.1162 identifies the color additive as a synthetically prepared white or nearly white powder consisting principally of BiOCl. 21 CFR 73.2162 permits bismuth oxychloride for coloring cosmetics generally, including eye-area cosmetics, exempt from certification. 21 CFR 73.1162 permits bismuth oxychloride in externally applied drugs, including those for use in the area of the eye. 21 CFR 73.1162 requires not less than 98 percent bismuth oxychloride.
More colors
- AnnattoAnnatto extract · Bixa orellana
- Caramel colorCaramel · E150a
- Paprika oleoresinPaprika extract · Capsicum annuum
- Turmeric oleoresinTurmeric extract · Curcuma longa
- Carmine (cochineal)Cochineal extract · Carminic acid
- Spirulina extract (color)Phycocyanin · Arthrospira platensis extract
- Vegetable juice colorVegetable juice (color) · Coloring foodstuff
- Fruit juice colorFruit juice (color) · Coloring foodstuff
- Butterfly pea flower extractClitoria ternatea extract · Blue pea flower extract
- Beet juice colorBeet red · Beetroot red
- Grape skin extractEnocianina · Grape skin extract (enocianina)
- Carrot oilDaucus carota oil · Carrot oleoresin
Sell ingredients to brands?
Request a free listing for the ingredients you make or distribute. No paid placement.