Description

HC Red 3 is a direct (non-oxidative) synthetic hair-dye ingredient used in semi-permanent and temporary color formulas to produce vibrant red, burgundy, or mahogany tones. It comes as a dark red-brown powder that dissolves into hair-care bases and deposits color onto the surface of the hair shaft without the need for peroxide. Because it works by staining rather than chemically altering the hair, the shade fades gradually with washing but is gentle on hair structure. HC Red 3 is commonly blended with other direct dyes to create richer red shades and is typically used in shampoos, masks, conditioners, and fashion-color products.

Chemical Structure of HC Red 3

Appearance of HC Red 3

Uses

1. Semi-Permanent Hair Color

Packing

Export Worthy packing 5 Kg Drum, 25 Kg Drum, 50 Kg Drum.

Storage Conditions

Store in cool and dry place at room temperature, protect from direct sunlight.

Molecular Formula

CAS No.

IUPAC Name

Synonyms

Molecular Weight

Appearance

Solubility

Dye Content (Spectrophotometry)

C₈H₁₁N₃O₃

2871-01-4

2-[(4-Amino-2-nitrophenyl)amino]ethanol

4-(2-Hydroxyethyl)amino-3-nitroaniline

197.19 g/mol

Dark-brown powder

98%

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2. Temporary Hair Colour Products

HC Red 3 is frequently used in formulas designed to wash out within 1–3 shampoos:

• Hair chalks

• Hair sprays

• Color-depositing mousses

• Party/festival colors

Its direct-dye nature allows it to sit on the outer cuticle, making removal easy.

Soluble in water

3. Colour-Depositing Hair Conditioners & Masks

Because HC Red 3 is water-soluble and gentle:

• It can be added to conditioners, masks, and hair treatments to create red-color conditioners.

• These products boost red tones, add shine, revive faded color, and blend out root fade between coloring sessions.

• One of the primary uses of HC Red 3 is in semi-permanent cream, gel, or liquid hair dyes.

• It deposits a rich red, burgundy, or mahogany tone directly onto the hair shaft without needing a developer or peroxide.

• Commonly used in:

  • fashion color dyes

  • glosses and color-refresh masks

  • salon toners for red or copper hair

• Ideal for color refresh between salon visits, helping maintain vibrancy without damage.

4. Colour-Enhancing Shampoos

Used in red or burgundy color shampoos, HC Red 3:

• Boosts red tones during washing

• Helps prevent color fading from sun or heat

• Adds a slight tint even to natural hair

Shampoos usually contain lower concentrations than masks or dyes to avoid heavy staining.

5. Mixed Dye Systems to Customise Shades

HC Red 3 blends well with other HC dyes (Blue, Yellow, Violet) to create:

• Deep wines

• Plum and cherry tones

• Copper-red blends

• Mahogany browns

It is used by formulators to fine-tune warmth, depth, and saturation.

6. Beard and Eyebrow Temporary Tints

Due to its mild action, HC Red 3 appears in non-oxidative beard tints that offer:

• Low irritation

• Quick color deposition

• Easy wash-off

It is also used (in smaller concentrations) in brow mascaras and brow pomades for redheads.

7. Rinse-Off Cosmetics

Some rinse-off beauty products may use HC Red 3 as a temporary tinting agent, such as:

• Red-tinted conditioners

• Wash-off body paints

• Festival makeup gels

Because it is water-soluble, it is excellent for short-wear coloration.

8. Hair Colour Research & Testing

HC Red 3 is a common reference dye in:

• Dye penetration studies

• Hair-damage and dye-retention research

Scientists use it to examine how direct dyes bind to keratin.

9. Artistic & Creative Hair Applications

Professional stylists use HC Red 3 in:

• Custom red formulations for creative coloring

• Layered hair painting techniques

• Dip-dye and ombré effects

Its predictable staining makes it useful for precision color work.