Iron Oxides Are the Skin-Protecting Ingredients Your Routine Has Been Waiting For

What Are Iron Oxides?

Iron oxides are FDA-approved pigments used in beauty products, as well as drugs, foods, and more consumer products. “Iron oxides are a common class of ingredients found in many cosmetic and skincare formulas,” explains Dr. Yadav. “Typically, they're used to add color or tint to products, including foundation.” You’ll also commonly see iron oxides in other color cosmetics like eyeshadow, bronzer, and blush, as well as in skincare products, such as sunscreens.

What Are the Benefits of Iron Oxides?

As mentioned, their initial benefit was—and often still is—to impart color. But it’s handy that iron oxides are so commonly found in beauty products, because they may also help protect our skin. “Iron oxides have been shown to provide defense against high energy visible light, also known as blue light (or HEV light), which is emitted from our digital devices,” says Dr. Yadav. Especially with our collective increase in screen time since the pandemic, it’s thought that the high amounts of HEV light we are exposed to contributes to skin damage.

All the more reason to wear SPF every day, right? Mineral sunscreen already offers some protection against blue light, but according to findings from a 2020 study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology from Colorescience, the benefits are optimized when combined with iron oxides. “Those benefits are amplified when the ingredient is paired with mineral sunscreen ingredients, like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide,” says Dr. Yadav. 

Are There Any Side Effects?

Want even more good news? “Side effects are highly atypical when using iron oxides,” says Dr. Yadav. Of course, when trying any new product, there is always a small chance a reaction is possible, especially if you have sensitive skin. If you experience any irritation or adverse reactions, stop use and contact your physician, as another ingredient in the product may be to blame.  

How to Use Iron Oxides in Your Routine

Because iron oxides are already so commonplace in makeup and skincare formulations, you probably don’t have to change up your routine much, if at all, to use them. “You'll find that iron oxides are in many of your products regardless of the formula type,” says Dr. Yadav. However, there is one way you’ll get the most out of them: “Keep an eye out for them in sunscreen formulas—that's how you'll be able to best reap their benefits,” says the derm. 

They might not have the name recognition of ingredients like retinol or hyaluronic acid, but iron oxides are low-key skincare overachievers. Not only do they add pigment to your favorite foundations, bronzers, and sunscreens, but they also offer bonus protection against the blue light we’re all exposed to on the daily. TL;DR: They’re multitaskers that work behind the scenes to help your skin look and feel good. So next time you spot “iron oxides” on a label? Give a little nod of thanks—and maybe a selfie in that tinted SPF.