Ingredient decoder

D&C Red 34: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Red 34

Acne verdict High clog risk

Rated a pore-clogger

  • ComedogenicNo published rating
  • IrritancyNo published rating

What it does

Red colorant used in makeup, flagged for clogging pores.

  • Cosmetic colorant

D&C Red 34 in plain English

D&C Red 34 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 34 bad for acne?

It can be. D&C Red 34 has a high clog risk rating for acne-prone skin. It has no score of its own in Fulton's 1989 table and is flagged on classic comedogenic lists, often because of its chemical family. 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.

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

Also called

  • Red 34
  • Ci 15880
  • Red 34 lake

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Frequently asked questions

Is D&C Red 34 comedogenic?

D&C Red 34 has no score of its own in Fulton's 1989 rabbit-ear table, but it is flagged as a pore-clogger on classic comedogenic lists. D&C red dyes were comedogenic in rabbit-ear testing.

What does D&C Red 34 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 34 called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, D&C Red 34 can also appear as Red 34, Ci 15880 or Red 34 lake.

Sources