What it is
Riboflavin is a naturally occurring B-vitamin with a characteristic yellow-orange color. In formulations it functions as a skin-conditioning ingredient and can also impart a yellow tint, so it sometimes contributes to the color of a product. It is water-soluble and is used at low levels.
Safety & warnings
Riboflavin is a well-characterized vitamin with a long record of safe use. It is generally non-irritating at cosmetic levels; note that it is intensely colored and can stain or tint formulas and, in concentrated form, surfaces.
Origin & sourcing
Riboflavin can be obtained by microbial fermentation or by chemical synthesis; the material used in cosmetics is the same defined compound regardless of route.
Questions everyone asks
Is riboflavin the same as vitamin B2?
Yes. Riboflavin is the chemical name for vitamin B2.
Why is riboflavin sometimes responsible for a product's color?
Riboflavin is naturally yellow-orange, so even small amounts can give a formula a yellow tint and it may also be listed as a colorant.