Safe Colorants for Lipstick

When choosing colorants for lipstick, it's important to use cosmetic-grade pigments that are approved for lip use. Natural colorants like beetroot can be challenging in formulations due to stability and performance issues, as you experienced.

Here's information on the colorants you asked about:

• Natural Red Mica: This is a mineral pigment (Mica) that provides color with a natural luster. It is suitable for use in makeup products, including lipstick. It offers good spreadability in oil and silicone bases.

• D&C Red No. 6 Na Lake: This is an organic pigment (lake) that provides a bright red color. It is suitable for use in makeup like lipstick. The "Na" indicates it is the Sodium salt form. This specific form (Na Lake) is allowed for use in cosmetics sold in Japan, whereas the Barium (Ba) type is not.

• D&C Red No. 7 Lake: This is also an organic pigment (lake) providing a deep red color, suitable for makeup products including lipstick. The product description available does not specify whether this is the Sodium (Na) or Barium (Ba) salt form.

To claim your lipstick is "safe," using approved cosmetic-grade colorants like these is a necessary step. However, product safety depends on the entire formulation, including all ingredients used, their concentrations, the manufacturing process, packaging, and appropriate safety testing. Ensuring compliance with relevant cosmetic regulations in the regions where you plan to sell is crucial for making safety claims.