Basic Violet 3
AKA “Crystal violet, gentian violet, 548-62-9, methylrosanilinium chloride, Aniline Violet, Hexamethyl Violet, Methyl Violet 10B, Gentiaverm, Methylrosaniline chloride, Pyoktanin
Ingredient
Ingredient Facts
Basic violet 3
AKA: Crystal violet, Gentian violet, 548-62-9, Methylrosanilinium chloride, Aniline Violet, Hexamethyl Violet, Methyl Violet 10B, Gentiaverm, Methylrosaniline chloride, Pyoktanin
Ingredient · Hair Dyeing · EWG: 7
Synthetic
Not Clean
Crystal violet (CI 42555); Gentian violet
Solubility less than 1 mg/mL at 86 °F (NTP, 1992)
Formula
C25H30ClN3
Mol. Weight
408.00
CAS #
548-62-9
Form
Powder
State
Hexamethyl-p-rosaniline chloride is a green to dark green powder. (NTP, 1992)
See origin →
Functions
Hair Dyeing
Colors Hair
Traditional Use
A synthetic dye created in the early 20th century as part of the basic dye family. Developed to provide stable violet coloration in cosmetics, particularly in hair dye formulations.
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
General
EWG
7
CIR
Insufficient data
Pregnancy
CIR Safety Findings
ewg-7
all-shades-safe
Potential Sensitizer
Regulatory Status
USAunder review
EUpermitted
JAPANpermitted
CANADApermitted
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Basic Violet 1, Basic Violet 3 and Basic Violet 4
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final report on the safety assessment of Basic Violet 1, Basic Violet 3, and Basic Violet 4.
Diamante C, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Klaassen CD, Marks JG Jr et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2009
Final report on the safety assessment of Basic Violet 1, Basic Violet 3, and Basic Violet 4.
Diamante C, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Klaassen CD, Marks JG Jr et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2009
Final report on the safety assessment of Basic Violet 1, Basic Violet 3, and Basic Violet 4.
Diamante C, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Klaassen CD, Marks JG Jr et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2009
Basic Violet 3
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Basic Violet 3
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR