Utilization and Evaluation of Betalain Pigment from Red Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus Polyrhizus) as a Natural Colorant for Lipstick

Abstract

Lipstick formulations are most widely used to enhance the beauty of lips. However, current lipcare products are often caused irritation (dry lips, chapped lips and wrinkled lips) to the consumers. The use of synthetic ingredients has also raised safety concern due to adverse health effects in the long term use. The objective of this study was to formulate natural lipsticks by using betalain pigments extracted from Hylocereuspolyrhizus and the lipsticks were evaluated for their organoleptic properties (spreading, hardness, shine and gloss), antimicrobial and antioxidant potential. The organoleptic properties of the formulated lipsticks were found to be satisfactory in order to give attractive beauty to the lips. The antimicrobial activities of the formulated lipstick showed significant inhibition compared to commercial lipsticks and the betalain pigment was proved to have antimicrobial effect. The formulated lipstick showed to have significant antioxidant activities compared to the reference ascorbic acid. In DPPH radical scavenging assay, the IC₅₀ value of the formulated lipstick was 54.29 μg/mL, whereas IC₅₀ value for the reference ascorbic acid was 14.56 μg/mL. As the lipsticks were prepared using natural ingredients like dragon fruit, olive oil and vegetable fat, additional medicinal values were added to the product. Adverse health risk effects as concerned by the consumers was minimized and the product can be used without hesitation and confidence. The lipsticks with the natural ingredients like vegetable fat and olive oil is an alternative to synthetic product and serves as an economical and effective cosmoseutical product.