Ingredient decoder

D&C Red 4: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Red 4

Acne verdict Moderate clog risk

Rated a pore-clogger

  • Comedogenic2 / 5
  • Irritancy1 / 5

What it does

Red colorant, part of the dye group flagged for clogging pores.

  • Cosmetic colorant

D&C Red 4 in plain English

D&C Red 4 is a synthetic red colorant used in cosmetics. The D&C red dye group tested comedogenic in old rabbit-ear tests of raw colorants, though this specific dye has less data. Real-world risk from the small amounts used is unclear.

Is D&C Red 4 bad for acne?

It can be. D&C Red 4 has a moderate clog risk rating for acne-prone skin. In Fulton's 1989 rabbit-ear test it scored 2 out of 5 for clogging pores and 1 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: A D&C red dye. The red dye group tested comedogenic, though this one has less data.

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

Also called

  • Red 4
  • Ci 14700

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Frequently asked questions

Is D&C Red 4 comedogenic?

D&C Red 4 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 4 do in skincare?

In short: red colorant, part of the dye group flagged for clogging pores. In formulas it is used for cosmetic colorant.

What else is D&C Red 4 called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, D&C Red 4 can also appear as Red 4 or Ci 14700.

Sources