This invention provides an ink for ink jet recording that, even when an ink for ink jet recording containing a colorant having a buffer region in an ink working range is used to perform continuous printing for a long period of time, can suppress a deterioration (dissolution) on a liquid contact face in a heat generating part and can suppress the occurrence of disconnection in wiring for applying voltage to the heat generating part. The ink for ink jet recording is used in an ink jet recording apparatus provided with a recording head having a metal and/or metal oxide-containing heat generating part liquid contact face and has a colorant content (% by mass) of not less than 3% by mass based on the total mass of the ink for ink jet recording. The colorant has a buffer region in an ink working range. The ink further contains a compound represented by general formula (I) and/or a compound represented by general formula (II).