ACID RED 18
ACID RED 18 is permitted in cosmetics within the EU subject to the conditions laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. Review the restrictions, permitted concentration and Safety Gate alerts.
Regulatory status as of 2026-08-28 (per the CosIng database).
About the ingredient
Trisodium 1-(1-naphthylazo)-2-hydroxynaphthalene-4',6,8-trisulphonate (CI 16255)
EU regulatory status
Annex of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009: III/192 (Acid Red 18; Acid Red 18 Aluminum Lake)
Source: the European Commission's official CosIng database and Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on cosmetic products. How we assess ingredients — full methodology.
- View the entry in the CosIng database (European Commission)
- Open Regulation 1223/2009 in EUR-Lex
- Check the chemical profile in PubChem
Last updated:
Functions in cosmetics
Frequently asked questions
Is ACID RED 18 safe in cosmetics?
ACID RED 18 is permitted in cosmetics in the EU, but subject to the conditions set out in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 — typically a maximum concentration, product category or a mandatory warning on the packaging. Manufacturers must comply with these limits.
In which annex of Regulation 1223/2009 is ACID RED 18 listed?
ACID RED 18 is listed under reference III/192 (Acid Red 18; Acid Red 18 Aluminum Lake) in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products. The first part (Roman numeral) indicates the annex: II – prohibited substances, III – substances restricted by conditions, IV – permitted colorants, V – permitted preservatives, VI – permitted UV filters.
What functions does ACID RED 18 perform in cosmetics?
According to the European Commission's CosIng database, ACID RED 18 performs the following functions in cosmetics: HAIR DYEING. Functions are defined in the CosIng glossary and describe the technological role of a substance in the finished product.
Are there Safety Gate alerts concerning ACID RED 18?
Our copy of the EU Safety Gate database currently contains no alerts linking ACID RED 18 to a cosmetic recall. The database is refreshed regularly from the European Commission's official Safety Gate system.