FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF LIPSTICK USING IXORA COCCINEA FLOWER EXTRACT AS A NATURAL COLORING AGENT

Objective: The objective of the present research work was to formulate and evaluate lipstick using fresh flowers of Ixora coccinea extract as a coloring agent. Methods: Fresh flowers of I. coccinea were collected, and coloring pigment was extracted by cold maceration technique using ethanol as solvent. Lipstick formulations (F1-F4) were prepared using beeswax, cocoa butter, carnauba wax, white petroleum jelly, coconut oil, and other excipients. The prepared formulations were evaluated for various evaluation parameters such as color, texture, pH, melting point, breaking point, hardness, spreadability, and aging stability. Results: The results of different evaluation parameters of prepared lipstick formulations were within the standard range. Formulation (F3) was good enough to meet the general characteristics for ideal lipstick as all the evaluation parameters met the standard values of lipsticks. Conclusion: The natural dye obtained from the petals of the I. coccinea flower plant was successfully used as a coloring agent in the formulation of lipstick in this study. Results of the study confirmed that this color pigment obtained from fresh flowers of I. coccinea may prove to be a useful choice in the formulation of lipstick. Natural coloring agents are safer options and are a better choice compared to their synthetic counterparts in cosmetic formulations.