Ingredient decoder

D&C Red 36: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Red 36

Acne verdict High clog risk

Rated a pore-clogger

  • Comedogenic3 / 5
  • Irritancy0 / 5

What it does

Red colorant used in makeup, flagged for clogging pores.

  • Cosmetic colorant

D&C Red 36 in plain English

D&C Red 36 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 36 bad for acne?

It can be. D&C Red 36 has a high clog risk rating for acne-prone skin. In Fulton's 1989 rabbit-ear test it scored 3 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.

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

Also called

  • Red 36
  • Ci 12085
  • Red 36 lake

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Frequently asked questions

Is D&C Red 36 comedogenic?

D&C Red 36 scored 3 out of 5 for comedogenicity in Fulton's 1989 rabbit-ear study, where 0 means no clogging and 5 means severe. That is a moderate rating. The test used the raw ingredient, so a finished product may behave differently.

What does D&C Red 36 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 36 called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, D&C Red 36 can also appear as Red 36, Ci 12085 or Red 36 lake.

Sources