D&C Red No. 39 (Alba Red) is a color additive. According to FDA, it may be safely used for the coloring of quaternary ammonium type germicidal solutions intended for external application only, and subject to the further restriction that the quantity of the color additive does not exceed 0.1 percent by weight of the finished drug product.

D&C BLUE NO. 9, a color additive, which is used for coloring cotton and silk surgical sutures.

Hematoxylin staining is a well-established technique in histopathology and cytology for the diagnosis of malignant and non-malignant lesions. This compound forms strongly colored complexes with Fe(III) and Al(III) salts. Hematoxylin can be used as a primary stain and as a counterstain where it will differentiate acidophilic materials from basophilic materials and stain non-cellular substances such as fibrin, crystals, and pigments in various shades depending on the nature of the mordant used and the second stain.

D&C Black #2 is the name, given by the FDA, for a highly pure form of carbon black prepared by combusting aromatic petroleum oil in the "oil furnace" process. It consists, essentially, of pure carbon. The Cosmetic, Toiletries and Fragrance Association (CTFA) petitioned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval to use carbon black in cosmetic formulations. The FDA granted approval on August 29, 2004, and now D&C Black #2 is used in all cosmetic products: mascaras, eyeliners, brush-on-brow, eyeshadows, and lipsticks.