Red 4 (CI 14700)

Red 4 (CI 14700) is a synthetic, water-soluble dye used in a wide range of cosmetic and personal care products. It provides bright red to pink shades in transparent or translucent water-based formulas, giving uniform, reproducible color.
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Ingredient Snapshot

Overview
A synthetic dye that gives cosmetics bright red to pink color.
Category
Color
Type
Colorant

Ingredient Ratings

Overall Rating

Fair

Comedogenic Risk

None

Skin Benefits

Delivers vivid, clean red tones that improve visual impact and enable precise shade adjustments, performing well in clear systems without muddiness.

Uses In Skincare & Cosmetics

Used in toners, micellar waters, water-based serums, gels, and liquid wash-off products such as shampoos and body washes.

Comedogenic Rating

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

Safety

Generally well tolerated, though temporary staining or mild irritation may occur in sensitive skin. Approvals and use areas vary by region; verify local listings, especially for eye-area applications.

Is Red 4 (CI 14700) a Good Ingredient?

Fair, because it's purely a colorant: it makes products look consistent and appealing but does nothing for the skin, and approvals and permitted use areas vary by region, particularly for eye-area products. That functional-only role, plus the regional patchwork of rules, is why it lands at Fair rather than Good.

Products with Red 4 (CI 14700)

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