Coloring Lipstick: Why Food Coloring Isn't Suitable

You cannot use food coloring to color lipstick made from wax and oil. Food coloring is water-soluble, meaning it dissolves in water but not in oil or wax bases like lipstick. When used in an oil/wax formula, the color will not disperse properly and will not provide stable or lasting color on the lips.

For oil and wax-based formulations like lipstick, you need to use colors that are soluble or dispersible in oil. These are typically cosmetic pigments or Lake colors.

Examples of suitable cosmetic colors for lipstick include:

• D&C Red No.7 Lake
• FD&C Yellow No.5 Lake EasyMix™
• D&C Red No.27 Lake
• ReadyMix™ Iron Oxides Black (Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate Based)

These types of colors are designed to mix well with oils and waxes, providing consistent and long-lasting color for your lipstick.