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Ci 77499

What Ci 77499 is & what it does

Black iron oxide, a mineral pigment used to deepen and adjust shade. It helps create natural tones and supports visible-light protection in tinted sunscreens.

What is Ci 77499 and what does it do in sunscreen?

Ci 77499 is black iron oxide, a mineral pigment used to color the product. In tinted sunscreens it deepens and adjusts the shade so the formula matches a range of skin tones, and the iron oxides also help shield against visible light. It is purely a colorant and pigment, not a sunscreen filter on its own.

Is Ci 77499 safe?

Yes. Iron oxides like Ci 77499 are among the most widely used and best-tolerated cosmetic pigments, common in foundations, mineral makeup, and tinted sunscreens. They are inert, do not absorb into the skin, and are very rarely a source of irritation or allergy. This makes them a popular choice even in products for sensitive skin.

Does Ci 77499 clog pores?

Generally no. Iron oxide pigments are inert mineral powders that sit on the skin surface and are not considered pore-clogging. Any breakouts from a tinted product are much more likely tied to the emollients, oils, or waxes that carry the pigment than to the pigment itself.

Does Ci 77499 help with visible-light protection?

It can contribute. Iron oxides, including the black Ci 77499, help block visible light, which is why tinted mineral sunscreens often perform better against it than untinted ones. This is useful for people concerned with pigmentation that visible light can aggravate. The shade and amount of pigment in the formula determine how much it adds.

What is Ci 77499 on an ingredient list (INCI)?

Ci 77499 is the Color Index number for black iron oxide, and that code is what appears on the label. You may also see it written as Iron Oxides or, in the US, listed under the iron oxide name. It usually sits with the other pigments in a tinted formula.

Sunscreens with Ci 77499

We rate 640 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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