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D&C Red 21 Lake Med Dye

FDA-Approved Red Aluminum Lake

INCI Name: Red 21 Lake (CI 45380:2), Aluminum Hydroxide

A fine FDA-approved red aluminum lake pigment (22-27% dye content) for color cosmetics.

Standard Pigment

Raw Pigment
Draw Down over White
Draw Down over Black

Perfect For These Applications

Other cosmetic uses possible—contact us for formulation guidance.

Face & Complexion

Delivers strong color payoff in foundations, blushes, bronzers, primers, and pressed-powder formulations.

Lip Color

Insoluble in oil and wax — ideal for lipsticks, lip pencils, and oil-phase lip balms with crisp, non-bleeding color.

Nail Lacquers & Gels

Disperses evenly in nail lacquers and gel-polish systems for vibrant, consistent finishes.

Performance & Formulation Insights for D&C Red 21 Lake Med Dye

FDA-Approved Red Aluminum Lake

D&C Red 21 Lake Med Dye (CI 45380:2) is the aluminum lake of D&C Red 21, an FDA-approved drug & cosmetic red colorant. This Med Dye grade contains 22-27% dye content.

Key Technical Information

A “lake” pigment is the insoluble metallic salt of a water-soluble dye, allowing use in anhydrous and oil-based color cosmetics where the parent dye would not disperse. The lake substrate provides stability, controlled dye release, and ease of dispersion.

Key Formulation Notes

Color Index: CI 45380:2
Form: Aluminum Lake
Dye Strength: 22-27%
INCI: Red 21 Lake (CI 45380:2), Aluminum Hydroxide
Regulatory: D&C colorants have FDA-defined application restrictions (eye area, lip, external use). Verify application restrictions for D&C Red 21 per your regional regulatory requirements.

Heading #1
Line/Series	D&C
INCI Name	Red 21 Lake (CI 45380:2), Aluminum Hydroxide
Physical Product Color	Red
Color Effect	Red
Effect Type	Single Color
Material Type	Pure Pigments
Certifications	Carmine Free, Ferro Free, TiO2 Free, Vegan & Cruelty Free
Particle Size	– μm
Applications	Face, Lip, Nail

Frequently Asked Questions About D&C Red 21 Lake Med Dye

Yes. D&C Red 21 Lake Med Dye (CI 45380:2) is approved by the U.S. FDA per 21 CFR. Always review the current regulation for application restrictions before formulating.

A dye is water-soluble — it dissolves and stains the medium. A lake is the same chromophore precipitated onto an inorganic substrate (Aluminum Hydroxide), making it an insoluble pigment that disperses in oil- and wax-based formulations without bleeding.

Lakes are sold by dye-content grade — Low (12–17 %), Med (22–27 %), and High (32–40 %). The grade lets you choose the opacity, color strength, and substrate-to-dye ratio that fits your formulation.

Yes. As a lake on Aluminum Hydroxide, D&C Red 21 Lake Med Dye is insoluble in water and disperses cleanly in oils, esters, waxes, and pressed-powder bases without bleeding.

Yes. D&C Red 21 Lake Med Dye contains no animal-derived ingredients, and Vivify Beauty Care never tests on animals.

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Access Ingredients and Sandream Specialties are now Vivify Beauty Care. All your ingredients, one source.

D&C Red 21 Lake Med Dye

FDA-Approved Red Aluminum Lake

Standard Pigment

Perfect For These Applications

Performance & Formulation Insights for D&C Red 21 Lake Med Dye

FDA-Approved Red Aluminum Lake

Key Technical Information

Key Formulation Notes

Frequently Asked Questions About D&C Red 21 Lake Med Dye

Contact An Expert

D&C Red 21 Lake Med Dye

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