D&C Red 6 — Allergy Risk & Safety Profile

Name: Is D&C Red 6 Safe? Allergy Risk & Alternatives
Creator: SkinDetekt

INCI: CI 15850

✅ Low Risk

Key Facts

CAS Number: 5858-81-1
Category: colorant
Risk Level: low
Common Allergen: No
Found In: lipstick, nail polish

Is D&C Red 6 safe in cosmetics?

D&C Red 6 is rated low risk in cosmetic products. It is not classified as a common allergen and is generally well-tolerated by most skin types. Safer alternatives include Iron Oxides, Mica, Titanium Dioxide. Commonly found in lipstick, nail polish.

What is D&C Red 6?

D&C Red 6 is a colorant commonly used in cosmetic and personal care products. It is generally considered safe for use in cosmetics at recommended concentrations.

Allergy & Safety Information

D&C Red 6 is considered safe for cosmetic use. No significant safety concerns have been identified at typical use concentrations. As with any cosmetic ingredient, discontinue use if irritation occurs.

This ingredient is considered low risk from an allergenicity perspective. Reactions are uncommon at typical cosmetic use concentrations. However, no ingredient is universally safe — if you notice redness, itching, or irritation after using a product containing this ingredient, discontinue use and monitor whether symptoms resolve.

About Colorant / Pigment Ingredients

Colorants are used in makeup and some skincare products to provide colour. Inorganic colorants (iron oxides, ultramarines, chromium oxides) and organic dyes (CI numbers) are regulated by cosmetic authorities for purity and safety. Iron oxides naturally contain trace metal impurities including nickel, which can cause reactions in nickel-sensitised individuals.

Relevance for D&C Red 6: Coal tar dyes (FD&C and D&C numbers) are more likely to cause reactions than inorganic mineral pigments. Azo dyes can release aromatic amines upon degradation. Metallic and shimmer pigments (mica, bismuth oxychloride) may contain trace nickel contamination.

How to Identify D&C Red 6 in Products

Cosmetic ingredients are listed by their INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) name in descending order of concentration. To check whether a product contains D&C Red 6, scan the ingredient list for its INCI name exactly as it appears above. Ingredients present at 1% or less may appear in any order after the 1% threshold.

Product types to prioritise checking: Lipstick, Nail polish. These product categories are the most common sources of D&C Red 6 exposure based on formulation data.

Not sure if your products contain D&C Red 6? Paste the ingredient list into the free ingredient checker to scan for D&C Red 6 and other allergens automatically.