Making Pressed Blush: Using Fresh Beetroot vs. Pigment Powder

Hello!

Thank you for the additional information and the ingredient search results.

Regarding your interest in using fresh beetroot as the main ingredient (80%) for pressed blush and the search results showing Beet Root Red Pigment (Natural Pigment, Powder) (Product ID 5871), which is a natural color powder from beetroot, I would like to explain further.

Using fresh beetroot at a high percentage like 80% to make pressed blush is not possible. Fresh beetroot has very high moisture content, which will prevent the powder from binding together into a solid cake. The moisture also causes the product to degrade or grow mold easily. Furthermore, the pigment concentration in 80% fresh beetroot would be excessively high for use as a cosmetic colorant, and the texture of fresh beetroot is not suitable for pressed powder formulation.

The correct approach to using beetroot as an ingredient in pressed blush is to use beetroot color powder, such as Beet Root Red Pigment (Natural Pigment, Powder) (Product ID 5871), which has been extracted and processed into a fine powder specifically for cosmetic use.

For making pressed blush, the essential main ingredients typically include:

1. Fillers: These are the main components that add bulk, make the texture smooth, and easy to blend, such as:

   • Talc Powder (e.g., Product IDs 283, 9191) helps make the texture smooth and easy to blend. Various grades are available.
   • Mica Powder (e.g., Product ID 291) helps make the texture smooth and slippery. It may or may not have shimmer depending on the type of Mica.

2. Binders: These are crucial components that help the powder particles stick together and be pressed into a solid cake, such as:

   • Magnesium Stearate (Product ID 284) is a popular powder binder used in pressed powders.

3. Colorants: These provide color to the blush. You can use natural or synthetic cosmetic-grade colors.

   • Beet Root Red Pigment (Natural Pigment, Powder) (Product ID 5871) can be used as a natural red color. It is typically used at a concentration of 0.1-1% or adjusted according to the desired color intensity (the amount used will be much less than 80%).
   • Iron Oxides (e.g., Red Iron Oxides, Product ID 276) are synthetic pigments safe for cosmetic use. They provide clear colors and high stability. They are often mixed with other colors to achieve various shades.

Approximate proportions of ingredients in a typical pressed blush (which must be adjusted based on the specific ingredients and desired outcome) might be as follows:

• Fillers (Talc, Mica): Approximately 60-80%
• Binders (Magnesium Stearate): Approximately 5-10%
• Colorants (Beet Root Red Pigment, Iron Oxides, or other colors): Approximately 1-20% (the amount of color will depend on the intensity of the pigment used and the desired blush color intensity).
• Other ingredients (e.g., preservatives, skin conditioning agents): Small amounts.

Important points to remember:

• Using Beet Root Red Pigment (Product ID 5871) has a pH limitation; the color is stable within the pH range of 4-5. If the pH is higher or lower, the color may change or fade.
• Making pressed blush requires a Powder Press Machine and appropriate molds to achieve a tightly packed blush that doesn't break easily and has a smooth surface. Pressing by hand is not feasible.

Therefore, instead of using 80% fresh beetroot, you should use an appropriate amount of Beet Root Red Pigment powder (e.g., 1-5% or as needed) mixed with other basic pressed powder ingredients like Talc, Mica, and Magnesium Stearate, and you must use a powder press machine for shaping.

If you already have the basic ingredients for pressed powder, you can mix the Beet Root Red Pigment powder at the desired color concentration and try pressing it with your powder press machine.