Zinc Pyrithione is a specialty cosmetic ingredient historically associated with anti-dandruff, antimicrobial and scalp-care formulations. It is identified by the INCI name ZINC PYRITHIONE, CAS Number 13463-41-7, and EC Number 236-671-3. Its chemical name is commonly given as bis(2-pyridylthio)zinc 1,1-dioxide or pyridine-2-thiol-1-oxide, zinc complex (2:1). The molecular formula is C10H8N2O2S2Zn and the molecular weight is approximately 317.69 g/mol.
Zinc Pyrithione has been widely associated with hair-care and scalp-care formulations, particularly anti-dandruff shampoos and other products requiring antimicrobial functionality. Technical references describe it as a coordination complex with fungistatic and bacteriostatic properties.
For businesses researching a Zinc Pyrithione cosmetic ingredient manufacturer in India, the raw material should be evaluated according to its chemical identity, physical form, assay, particle characteristics, quality documentation and intended destination market.
Zinc Pyrithione is a zinc complex of pyrithione and is generally supplied as a fine powder or as an aqueous suspension for formulation use. Chemical databases identify C10H8N2O2S2Zn as its molecular formula and approximately 317.69–317.71 g/mol as its molecular weight. ECHA identifies CAS 13463-41-7 and EC 236-671-3 for the substance.
Commercial powder specifications can vary by grade. CDH Fine Chemical reports a minimum assay of 97.0% by EDTA titration and describes the material as a white to off-white to yellow/beige powder. Another technical reference gives a minimum purity of 97.0% by potentiometric titration, loss on drying of not more than 2.0%, pH of 6.5–8.5 for a 5% aqueous dispersion, and decomposition beginning around 240°C. These are commercial reference values and should not be treated as SDP specifications unless the actual SDP product is tested to those requirements.
Zinc Pyrithione is poorly soluble in water in its solid form; one technical reference reports approximately 4.93 mg/L at 20°C. This physical characteristic is important when designing dispersions and suspended formulations.
Zinc Pyrithione has historically been used as an anti-dandruff, antimicrobial and preservative cosmetic ingredient. Its recognized functionality has made it particularly relevant to scalp-care products and cleansing formulations. Specialty cosmetic references associate Zinc Pyrithione with anti-dandruff and antimicrobial functions and describe its use in shampoos and other personal-care formulations.
For formulation development, its activity should be considered together with the complete product system. Product pH, surfactants, suspension stability, particle size, packaging and processing conditions can influence the behaviour of Zinc Pyrithione in a finished formulation.
Its regulatory status is also important. Zinc Pyrithione was historically permitted as a preservative in certain EU cosmetic products, but EU Regulation 2021/1902 removed it from the permitted preservative and restricted-substance lists and added it to Annex II, the list of substances prohibited in cosmetic products, effective from 1 March 2022.
Therefore, historical cosmetic applications should not be presented as evidence of current EU cosmetic authorization.
Zinc Pyrithione has historically been associated with anti-dandruff shampoos, hair conditioners, scalp-care products and specialty personal-care formulations. Commercial cosmetic ingredient references also describe its use in skin-care and other antimicrobial-oriented formulations.
For hair-care applications, Zinc Pyrithione is commonly supplied either as a fine powder or as a concentrated aqueous suspension. Commercial 48–50% suspension grades are available, with manufacturers specifying particle size and pH to support dispersion in shampoo and other formulations. One Indian manufacturer describes a 48–50% aqueous suspension with pH 6.5–9.0 and particle size of D90 <1 micron, depending on grade.
When sourcing Zinc Pyrithione cosmetic ingredient in India, buyers should clearly specify whether they require anhydrous powder or an aqueous suspension because active content, water content, handling and formulation behaviour differ between these forms.
Zinc Pyrithione's low water solubility makes dispersion quality and particle size important formulation considerations. In shampoos and other suspended formulations, the formulator may need an appropriate suspension system to maintain uniform distribution of the active material. Commercial formulation references specifically describe rheology and suspension systems designed to keep Zinc Pyrithione uniformly dispersed.
Formulators should evaluate compatibility with surfactants, conditioners, thickeners, emulsifiers and other formulation ingredients. For aqueous grades, active concentration, pH and particle-size distribution should be considered together. For powder grades, moisture, particle characteristics and dispersion behaviour are important quality attributes.
The analytical method must also be identified correctly. Commercial specifications can use EDTA titration, potentiometric titration or other validated methods. Therefore, a supplier's assay value should not automatically be entered into an Assay (HPLC) field unless the actual SDP product specification uses a validated HPLC method.
For companies searching for a Zinc Pyrithione cosmetic ingredient manufacturer in India, important procurement parameters include chemical identity, CAS number, grade, assay method, particle characteristics, moisture, pH where applicable, packaging and batch-specific Certificate of Analysis.
A Zinc Pyrithione cosmetic ingredient supplier in India should provide product-specific technical documentation so buyers can determine whether the supplied material matches their formulation and quality requirements. For Zinc Pyrithione manufacturing in India and bulk ingredient supply, buyers may specify powder or aqueous suspension grade, active content, particle-size requirements, packaging and documentation.
Because Zinc Pyrithione has different regulatory status across markets, technical availability should be distinguished from permission to use the substance in a finished cosmetic. For example, the EU currently prohibits its use in cosmetics, while historical and other-market applications may differ.
Businesses evaluating Zinc Pyrithione bulk cosmetic ingredient supply in India should therefore confirm the intended destination market, applicable legislation and actual batch documentation before commercial use.
Swapnroop can position Zinc Pyrithione as a specialty cosmetic ingredient and technical raw material for B2B evaluation, with focus on chemical identity, product-specific specifications and formulation requirements.
For buyers searching for a Zinc Pyrithione cosmetic ingredient manufacturer and supplier in India, the material can be evaluated according to its intended grade, assay, physical form, particle characteristics, packaging and technical documentation. Bulk sourcing requirements can be aligned with the buyer's formulation and procurement specifications, while destination-market regulatory requirements should be verified before finished-product use.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White or colourless crystals / white powder |
| Assay (HPLC) | NLT 97.0% |
| Loss on Drying | NMT 2.0% |
| pH (1% Solution) | 6.5–8.5 |
| Melting Point | 240°C |