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Colorant

Iron Oxide (Red)

A mineral pigment providing warm red-brown tones in tinted sunscreens and makeup, contributing to visible light protection alongside its coloring function.

PigmentVisible light protectionSPF booster
✓ Safe
Comedogenic Rating
0/5
Irritation Potential
0/5

What is it?

A naturally occurring or synthetically produced mineral pigment (iron III oxide in a different crystalline form than yellow iron oxide) used in cosmetics for its warm red-brown coloring properties.

Provides red-brown tinting for foundations, tinted sunscreens, and mineral makeup while contributing to visible light and infrared protection when combined with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

Key Benefits

✦
Visible Light Protection
Contributes to blocking high-energy visible light, supporting protection against pigmentation triggers beyond standard UV filters.
◈
Deep Tone Matching
Its warm red-brown undertone is essential for accurately matching deeper and olive skin tones in tinted mineral formulas.
✧
Stable, Non-Reactive Pigment
As an inert mineral pigment, it is generally very well tolerated and does not degrade or shift color with sun exposure.

Suitable for

Melasma-prone skinDeeper skin tonesAll skin types

Main Actions

✓ Tinting✓ Visible light protection✓ Photoprotective
Combined with Other Iron Oxides

Red iron oxide is rarely used alone — it is typically blended with yellow and black iron oxides in specific ratios to create a full range of skin-matching tints across different sunscreen and foundation shades.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Iron Oxide (Red) do for skin?
Provides red-brown tinting for foundations, tinted sunscreens, and mineral makeup while contributing to visible light and infrared protection when combined with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
Who should use Iron Oxide (Red)?
Iron Oxide (Red) is suitable for: Melasma-prone skin, Deeper skin tones, All skin types.
Are there any warnings about Iron Oxide (Red)?
Red iron oxide is rarely used alone — it is typically blended with yellow and black iron oxides in specific ratios to create a full range of skin-matching tints across different sunscreen and foundation shades.

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