Ingredient decoder

D&C Red 21 / Red 22: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Red 21

Acne verdict High clog risk

Rated a pore-clogger

  • Comedogenic2 / 5
  • Irritancy0 / 5

What it does

Red colorant used in makeup, flagged for clogging pores.

  • Cosmetic colorant

D&C Red 21 / Red 22 in plain English

D&C Red 21 / Red 22 is a synthetic red colorant used in makeup such as blush and lip color. Several D&C red dyes produced comedones in old rabbit-ear tests of the raw colorant, which is why they rate high on classic lists. Real-world risk from the small amounts in makeup is less clear, but if your breakouts cluster where you wear blush or lip color, it is worth noticing.

Is D&C Red 21 / Red 22 bad for acne?

It can be. D&C Red 21 / Red 22 has a high clog risk rating for acne-prone skin. In Fulton's 1989 rabbit-ear test it scored 2 out of 5 for clogging pores and 0 out of 5 for irritation. That test used the raw ingredient, so a small amount in a finished product may behave differently. If you break out easily, check where it sits on the ingredient list: the higher it appears, the more of it the product usually contains.

Why it is flagged: D&C red dyes were comedogenic in rabbit-ear testing. Common in long-wear lip and cheek color.

Clean routine and still breaking out? The cause may be internal. See what is driving it

Also called

  • Red 21
  • D c red 21
  • D c red 22
  • Red 22
  • Ci 45380
  • Eosin
  • D&c red no. 21
  • D&c red no. 22
  • D&c red 21
  • D&c red 22
  • Red 21 lake
  • Red 22 lake
  • Eosin y
  • Tetrabromofluorescein

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Frequently asked questions

Is D&C Red 21 / Red 22 comedogenic?

D&C Red 21 / Red 22 scored 2 out of 5 for comedogenicity in Fulton's 1989 rabbit-ear study, where 0 means no clogging and 5 means severe. That is a low to moderate rating. The test used the raw ingredient, so a finished product may behave differently.

What does D&C Red 21 / Red 22 do in skincare?

In short: red colorant used in makeup, flagged for clogging pores. In formulas it is used for cosmetic colorant.

What else is D&C Red 21 / Red 22 called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, D&C Red 21 / Red 22 can also appear as Red 21, D c red 21, D c red 22, Red 22 or Ci 45380.

Sources