Lip Balm: Uneven Color and Using Rose Extract for Fragrance
Question
I made a lip balm using Beeswax, natural oil, shea butter, and colorant. After pouring into the stick tubes, the color is uneven throughout the stick, as shown in the picture.
1. What could be the reason for this uneven color?
2. What ingredients or process adjustments should I make to achieve a uniform color throughout the stick?
3. Can I add @Rose(Rosa Damascena) Extract (Product ID: 6861) to this lip balm formulation to add fragrance?
Answer
Lip Balm Formulation Issues and Rose Extract Usage
Regarding the uneven color in your lip balm made with beeswax, natural oil, shea butter, and colorant, this is a common issue often related to the cooling process and how well the colorant is dispersed.
Here are some potential reasons and tips for achieving a more uniform color:
- Insufficient Mixing: Ensure all ingredients, especially the colorant, are fully melted and thoroughly mixed into the base before pouring. Stir gently but continuously while the mixture is liquid.
- Uneven Cooling: Rapid or uneven cooling can cause the waxes and butters to solidify at different rates, trapping color particles unevenly. Try to cool the lip balm slowly and at a consistent temperature. Pouring into tubes at a slightly lower temperature (but still liquid) can sometimes help.
- Colorant Type: Ensure the colorant used is suitable for oil-based products and is properly dispersed. Some pigments may require specific dispersion techniques.
Adding other ingredients might not directly fix the color uniformity issue; the technique of melting, mixing, and cooling is usually more critical.
Regarding the use of Rose (Rosa Damascena) Extract for fragrance in lip balm:
The product "Rose (Rosa Damascena) Extract Mon rose extract" (Product ID: 6861) is described as a "Scent Extract" intended for natural fragrance in cosmetic formulas. However, the description also states it is water-soluble and should be mixed into the water phase of a formula, with a recommended usage rate of 0.5-5%.
Since lip balm is typically an anhydrous (water-free) product based on oils and waxes, adding a water-soluble extract can be challenging. It may not disperse evenly throughout the oil base, potentially affecting the product's stability and appearance over time. While you can technically add it, achieving a stable, uniformly fragranced product might be difficult. You might consider using an oil-soluble fragrance or essential oil specifically formulated for lip products as an alternative for easier incorporation and better results in an oil-based system.
