Is Red Dye 40 Still being used?

[sammantha2885]

Red dye 40 is one of the most commonly used colours in the U.S and can be found in many different cosmetics such as certain lipsticks and blushes. So, make sure to check your labels ladies (and gentlemen)!

[miss8]

Just To Further Clarify On This 😂 #DontEatTheMakeup ✨ #YouAllWillBeOkay

[WinglessOne]

@sammantha2885  There’s not much reason for concern about red dye 40 in cosmetics unless you happen to be skin-sensitive or truly allergic to it. Red dye 40’s being scrutinized lately for potential problems when it’s orally ingested. That’s why the FDA now wants to phase it out of foods and drinks. If you’re not eating your blush, then any red dye 40 it contains probably won’t harm you.

I can kinda understand folks being concerned about lipstick, since there’s always a chance of a lipstick wearer ingesting tiny amounts of it while eating or drinking anything. (I’ve been a lipstick addict since the 1980s so who knows how much I’ve eaten in my lifetime. 😅) But I’ve not yet read the scientific studies that show how red dye 40 is potentially linked to cancer and other things. I always like to try reading studies (not just the abstract; I need to see at least the methodology) before finalizing my opinion on stuff like this. I do know the potential cancer link is based on p-Cresidine (found in red dye 40) being orally fed to rats and mice, but I don’t know how high the amount fed was vs. the amount someone might accidentally consume while wearing lipstick. So I can’t form a valid opinion on any of this yet—which means I have no reason yet to stop wearing any of my lipsticks that contain red dye 40.

That doesn’t mean other people can’t stop wearing those lipsticks if they want. Do whatever makes you feel safe.

[miss8]

@sammantha2885 @lmkeller4u @formulaandrea #HeyYouGuys 😂 Don't Worry #ItsVegan 😉

[Titian06]

@miss8 - What do you mean, "Don't worry, it's vegan"?  As a vegan, that offends me!

According to the Cleveland Clinic:

In kids who have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), red dye 40 is thought to be associated with hyperactivity and behavioral changes, like irritability and depression.

...

For instance, it [red dye 40] contains p-Cresidine, which is thought to be a carcinogen — that is, a cancer-causing substance.

[miss8]

@Titian06 Are You Suggesting Vegan Beauty Has It All Wrong From Using Natural Dye? 😱

[WinglessOne]

@miss8  Are you suggesting red dye 40 is a natural dye?

Red dye 40 is synthetic. Are you confusing it with natural red 4, aka carmine? Red 4 is natural: it’s made from insect shells, so it’s not vegan. 

[miss8]

@WinglessOne , My Information Is Coming From Highly Respected Persons In Their Craft So It's Not My Place To Say What Is Natural And What Isn't. Thank You For Your Professional Insight 💯

[Titian06]

Thanks, @WinglessOne !  I stopped by to say the same thing:  red dye 40 is synthetic, not natural.

[miss8]

@Titian06 , My Information Is Coming From Highly Respected Persons In Their Craft So It's Not My Place To Say What Is Natural And What Isn't. Thank You For Your Professional Insight 💯

[lmkeller4u]

Red Dye 40 is still widely used. In cosmetics, it is usually listed as CI 16035 (Allura Red), and its use depends on regional regulations. Yes in the U.S. it is approved as a color additive for a range of cosmetic products like lipsticks and blushes & others, provided it meets FDA purity and certification requirements.

[formulaandrea]

I think Red 40 is supposed to be completely phased out of food by the end of 2026 (United States). I don't think it is being banned in cosmetics though, unfortunately.