What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polybutene
Octyldodecanol
EmollientDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingOpuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil
EmollientSr-Hydrozoan Polypeptide-1
HumectantPortulaca Pilosa Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientSucrose Cocoate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingEthyl Vanillin
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningSebacic Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantPolybutene, Octyldodecanol, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil, Sr-Hydrozoan Polypeptide-1, Portulaca Pilosa Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Squalane, Sucrose Cocoate, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Ethyl Vanillin, Water, Sebacic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, CI 45410, CI 17200, CI 15850, CI 19140, CI 15985
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientEthylhexyl Hydroxystearate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientDextrin Palmitate/Ethylhexanoate
EmulsifyingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Octyldodecanol, Dextrin Palmitate/Ethylhexanoate, Diisostearyl Malate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dehydroacetic Acid, CI 17200, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, CI 45410, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
CI 17200 is a synthetic, water-soluble, reddish-pink dye. It is used purely as a cosmetic colorant.
In the US, the FDA permits this ingredient in cosmetics but it is not approved for use around the eyes while the EU allows this to be used in all cosmetic products.
The FDA requires batch-to-batch certification for this ingredient that is held to a pretty rigorous standard. That means the CI 17200 in your cosmetics has been tested and approved before it ever reaches you.
Contact allergy to cosmetic-grade dyes used at low concentrations are uncommon but has been documented before.
This ingredient also goes by the name D&C RED NO. 33.
CI 17200 has a comedogenic rating of 1 and an irritancy rating of 2 on a scale of 0-5. This is based on peer-reviewed research from the man who invented the comedogenic scale.
A 1 on the comedogenic scale is about as low as it gets without being a flat zero, and makes sense for CI 17200.
It's a water-soluble dye used at very small concentrations (typically 0.001-0.1%), so it dissolves into the water phase of a formula rather than sitting on your skin the way an oil or wax would.
The irritancy rating of 2 reflects that, like most synthetic dyes, there's a small possibility of mild irritation ( particularly for people with existing dye sensitivities).
For the vast majority of people, it's a non-issue at typical use levels.
It's also worth keeping in mind that comedogenic and irritancy ratings are tested on individual ingredients, not finished formulas. The final product's formulation, concentration, and other ingredients all play a role in how something actually behaves on your skin.
Just so you know, the FDA ban on Red Dye No. 3 refers to CI 45430, not this ingredient. CI 45430 and CI 17200 are different chemical compounds with distinct safety and regulatory histories.
It's also worth noting that Red No. 3 (CI 45430) was already banned from cosmetics back in 1990, so the 2025 action just extended the ban to food and oral drugs. CI 17200 was never part of any of this.
Learn more about CI 17200CI 45410 is a synthetic red-pigment and dye.
It often goes by both Red 28 or Red 27; manufacturers label both ingredients as CI 45410.
This dye is commonly found in makeup because it imparts a vivid color. Some types of this dye change color based on pH level and interaction with moisture:
Your skin has a natural pH of around 4.5 - 5.5.
According to the FDA, CI 45410 is not permitted for use in eye products.
Red 27 is a flourescein dye and commonly used as a fluorescent tracer in medicine.
Learn more about CI 45410Octyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.