What is D&C Red 17?
Chemically, D&C Red 17 (INCI name: CI 26100) is a cosmetic colorant. An oil-soluble red dye rated 3/5, one of the more comedogenic cosmetic colorants.
You may see it on labels as D&C Red 17, D & C Red 17, D&C Red #17, Ci 26100, so it can hide under more than one name in an ingredient list.
Where D&C Red 17 shows up
D&C Red 17 is commonly formulated into lipsticks, blushes, and other colour cosmetics. Separately from clogging, its irritancy is rated 0/5 — low, so it's unlikely to sting or sensitise on its own.
Is D&C Red 17 bad for acne-prone skin?
D&C Red 17 sits in the grey zone. Plenty of people tolerate it well; those who break out easily may prefer to keep it low on their ingredient lists.
Non-comedogenic alternatives
If you're avoiding D&C Red 17, these lower-risk ingredients serve a similar role and are gentler on pore-prone skin:
- Squalane — rated 1/5 (Low risk).
- Niacinamide — rated 0/5 (Low risk).