Ingredient decoder

D&C Red 33: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Red 33

Acne verdict Watch

Worth watching on acne-prone skin

  • Comedogenic1 / 5
  • Irritancy2 / 5

What it does

Red colorant used in makeup, flagged for clogging pores.

  • Cosmetic colorant

D&C Red 33 in plain English

D&C Red 33 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. In Fulton's 1989 retest it scored only 1 out of 5, so we list it to watch rather than as a pore-clogger.

Is D&C Red 33 bad for acne?

Not usually, but it is worth watching. D&C Red 33 is not a proven pore-clogger, but it is flagged for acne-prone skin for the reason below. In Fulton's 1989 rabbit-ear test it scored 1 out of 5 for clogging pores and 2 out of 5 for irritation. Notice how your skin reacts when a product lists it near the top.

Why it is flagged: D&C red dyes were comedogenic in rabbit-ear testing.

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

Also called

  • Red 33
  • Ci 17200
  • Red 33 lake
  • Acid red 33

Related ingredients

Browse all ingredients A to Z

Frequently asked questions

Is D&C Red 33 comedogenic?

D&C Red 33 scored 1 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 rating. The test used the raw ingredient, so a finished product may behave differently.

What does D&C Red 33 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 33 called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, D&C Red 33 can also appear as Red 33, Ci 17200, Red 33 lake or Acid red 33.

Sources