Carmine (/ˈkɑːrmən, ˈkɑːrmaɪn/) - also cochineal (when extracted from the cochineal insect), cochineal extract, crimson lake, or carmine lake - is a bright red pigment derived from the carmine-derived aluminum complex. Acid. Specific codenames for the pigment include Natural Red 4, C.I. 75470 or E120. Carmine is also a generic term for a particularly dark red color.