What a 3/5 rating means
On the comedogenic scale, a 3 is the moderate midpoint: tolerated by many, a possible trigger for congestion-prone skin. That puts D&C Red 3 squarely in the judgement-call zone, where your skin type and the product's formula decide the outcome.
One thing the number cannot tell you is concentration. Ingredients are listed in descending order, so D&C Red 3 near the end of a label is present in tiny amounts and matters far less than the same ingredient near the top.
About D&C Red 3
It is a cosmetic colorant that gives makeup its shade. A red colorant rated 3/5 on the classic scale.
On a label it can read as D&C Red 3, D & C Red 3, D&C Red #3, Ci 45430 — worth knowing when you scan an ingredient deck.
D&C Red 3 in makeup and skincare
It is the shade in lipsticks, blushes, and other colour cosmetics. Its irritancy is rated separately at 0/5, which is low.
Lower-rated alternatives to D&C Red 3
If you want a similar role with a friendlier comedogenic score, consider:
- Squalane — comedogenic rating 1/5 (Low risk).
- Niacinamide — comedogenic rating 0/5 (Low risk).