If you’ve ever found yourself deep in a pigment rabbit hole wondering “Wait… is this organic or inorganic?”, you’re not alone. The world of PMU pigments can feel like a bit of a science lesson—but don’t stress. We’re here to break it all down, minus the confusing jargon.
Let’s chat about the difference between organic, inorganic, and hybrid PMU pigments—because knowing what you're putting into skin is kinda important, right?
🌿 What Are Organic PMU Pigments?
Despite the name, “organic” pigments aren’t all-natural or farm-to-face. In pigment-speak, organic refers to carbon-based compounds—often lab-made—that give off seriously vibrant colour. Think bright reds, bold pinks, and deep blacks. These pigments have smaller particles, meaning they implant easily and can heal true-to-tone with strong saturation.
Why artists love them:
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Super bright and vivid
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Heal with high colour payoff
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Easy to implant into the skin
Heads-up:
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Can fade a little faster than inorganics
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Sometimes prone to colour shifts if not used correctly
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More suitable for experienced PMU artists
🪨 What Are Inorganic Pigments?
Inorganic pigments are mineral-based (think iron oxides or titanium dioxide) and are known for more muted, earthy tones. They’re a little more forgiving, fade gradually, and are ideal for clients who want a softer, more natural result. They can be slightly trickier to implant due to their larger particle size but are incredibly stable once healed.
Why we rate them:
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Natural, soft tones (perfect for brows)
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Stable and fade predictably over time
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Less likely to cause allergic reactions
Consider this:
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Might need a few more passes to get full saturation
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Not as bold or vibrant as organic pigments
⚖️ Hybrid Pigments: The Best of Both Worlds
Why choose just one when you can get the benefits of both? Hybrid pigments are a blend of organic and inorganic components—designed to balance vibrancy, longevity, and stability. Most modern pigment lines fall into this category, and they’re popular for a reason: they just work.
Why we love them:
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Bright but not too bright
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Fade predictably without surprise undertones
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Suitable for a wide range of techniques and skin types
So, Which Pigment Should You Use?
Your pigment pick depends on the treatment, skin type, and your personal technique. A quick cheat sheet:
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Doing vibrant lips or liners? Go organic.
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Want soft, natural brows? Inorganic’s your gal.
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Can’t decide or need a balanced formula? Hybrid all the way.
The better you understand your pigments, the better your healed results—and your clients will thank you for it.
At Browshop, we stock all the PMU pigment types under the Aussie sun—from vivid organics to earthy inorganics and those super-versatile hybrids. Whatever your style, we’ve got a pigment (or ten) with your name on it.
Ready to upgrade your pigment game?
Browse our full pigment collection here
Learn more in our Browshop Academy