What is D&C Red 36?
D&C Red 36 (INCI name: CI 12085) falls into the colorant category — a cosmetic colorant. An orange-red pigment used in cosmetics, commonly named on pore-clogging lists in the moderate range.
You may see it on labels as D&C Red 36, D & C Red 36, D&C Red #36, Ci 12085, so it can hide under more than one name in an ingredient list.
Where D&C Red 36 shows up
As a cosmetic colorant, D&C Red 36 typically appears in 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 36 bad for acne-prone skin?
A moderate rating means D&C Red 36 clogs some people and not others. If you're prone to congestion, patch-test a product that features it prominently before committing.
Worth flagging: D&C Red 36's rating is disputed. Credible sources land on different numbers, which is why we show a range rather than a single score — and why your own experience is the best tiebreaker.
Non-comedogenic alternatives
If you're avoiding D&C Red 36, 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).