FD&C Red 4 — Allergy Risk & Safety Profile

Name: Is FD&C Red 4 Safe? Allergy Risk & Alternatives
Creator: SkinDetekt

INCI: CI 14700

🟡 Medium Risk

Key Facts

CAS Number: 4548-53-2
Category: colorant
Risk Level: medium
Common Allergen: No
Found In: lip products only

Is FD&C Red 4 safe in cosmetics?

FD&C Red 4 is rated medium 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 lip products only.

What is FD&C Red 4?

FD&C Red 4 is a colorant commonly used in cosmetic and personal care products. It has a moderate risk of causing skin irritation or sensitization in some people.

Allergy & Safety Information

FD&C Red 4 is generally safe for most people but may cause irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. If you experience redness, itching, or swelling after using a product with this ingredient, discontinue use and consult a dermatologist.

This ingredient carries moderate allergenicity risk. It can cause reactions in sensitised individuals but has a lower sensitisation rate than high-risk ingredients. Patch testing before full use is advisable for anyone with a history of cosmetic reactions.

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 FD&C Red 4: 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 FD&C Red 4 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 FD&C Red 4, 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: Lip products only. These product categories are the most common sources of FD&C Red 4 exposure based on formulation data.

Not sure if your products contain FD&C Red 4? Paste the ingredient list into the free ingredient checker to scan for FD&C Red 4 and other allergens automatically.