Using Natural Pigments in Lip Balm and Powder/Blush

Asked by: tee.tanyanan On: August 19, 2018 Product Type: Cosmetics

Question

I would like to experiment with making a lightly colored organic lip balm. Can I use Red Yeast Rice Pigment or Beet Root Red Pigment to provide the color? Also, can these two pigments be mixed into powder or blush formulations?

Answer

Using Natural Pigments in Formulations

Here's information on using Red Yeast Rice Pigment and Beet Root Red Pigment in your formulations:

1. Coloring Organic Lip Balm

Yes, you can use Red Monascus Pigment (Red Yeast Rice Pigment) and Beet Root Red Pigment to add a light color to your organic lip balm. However, these natural pigments are water-soluble, while traditional lip balm formulas are typically oil-based with no water component. To successfully incorporate these water-soluble pigments into an oil-based lip balm and prevent separation, you will need to use a binder or emulsifier.

Based on the information, a product like Water Balm is recommended. Water Balm is designed to help bind water into oil or wax-based formulations, allowing you to include water-soluble ingredients (like these pigments) in your lip balm recipe.

2. Mixing into Powder or Blush

Yes, both Red Monascus Pigment (Red Yeast Rice Pigment) and Beet Root Red Pigment can be mixed into powder or blush formulations. You can achieve this by grinding or blending the pigment powder thoroughly with the powder base of your formula to ensure even dispersion of the color.