CI 12085

D&C Red No. 36
Poor
Red Flag
Pores
3/5
Irritancy
0/5
FA Safe
❌ No
Pregnancy
✅ Safe
Vegan
❌ No

Science & Benefits

CI 12085 is a vibrant chlorinated azo pigment frequently used in high-pigment blushes and lipsticks. It is classified as a moderate-to-high comedogen due to its intense lipid affinity. Its chemical structure allows it to bind with the skin's natural oils, where it can penetrate the follicle and act as a 'follicular stimulant.' This stimulation can lead to an overproduction of keratin (hyperkeratosis) within the pore, effectively 'gluing' dead skin cells together to form a comedone. Users who experience breakouts specifically in the blush area should look for this pigment as a primary suspect.

Safety Alerts

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Fungal Acne: This ingredient is a lipid/ester that can feed Malassezia yeast. Avoid if you have active FA bumps.

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Non-Vegan: This ingredient is typically derived from animal sources (e.g. beeswax, lanolin, carmine).