Red 21 (CI 45380)

Red 21 (CI 45380) is a synthetic xanthene-derived dye used in cosmetics for vivid red hues. It gives bright, fluorescent-leaning color to lip glosses, tints, and nail products, with strong payoff and flexible blending with other pigments.
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Ingredient Snapshot

Overview
A bright synthetic dye used in lip glosses and nail products.
Category
Color
Type
Colorant

Ingredient Ratings

Overall Rating

Fair

Comedogenic Risk

None

Skin Benefits

Creates bright, attention-grabbing reds and corals with strong color payoff, and layers easily with other colorants to fine-tune undertones.

Uses In Skincare & Cosmetics

Often included in lip oils, gel stains, and peel-off nail color for vivid looks, and also seen in liquid highlighters and sheer cheek gels.

Comedogenic Rating

This ingredient is not typically evaluated for comedogenicity, and no standardized rating is available.

Safety

Typically well tolerated, but may cause mild irritation or staining for some users. Not approved for use in the eye area in the US; follow regional guidelines. Patch test if you are sensitive to colorants.

Is Red 21 (CI 45380) a Good Ingredient?

Fair, since its role is purely aesthetic, achieving specific shades in makeup, with no skin benefit attached, and it isn't approved for eye-area use in the US. That combination of decorative-only function and regional limits is a standard Fair for a colorant.

Products with Red 21 (CI 45380)

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