Biomaterials Project

Organic Lip Balm 

I am a third-year student in Product Design, and I will be interning at Estee Lauder Companies over the summer. While my field is cosmetics I have made it my mission to make an organic lip balm using biomaterials to combine my biggest passions, sustainability, and cosmetics, together.  

Materials

• The Base
  • Coconut Oil
  • Jojoba Oil
  • Cocoa Butter
  • Beeswax

• Moisturizer
  • Vitamin E

• Pigment
  • Beetroot

Experiment: Natural Pigment 

Linking this project to the previous one, I used beetroot to obtain the natural pigment I needed for my formula. I have used baking soda and vinegar to tweak the color to what I have aimed for. 

Cup #1: I boiled the copped-up beetroot pieces with some water until their pigment got released into the water. When the color shift got visible, I poured the water into a cup to see the obtained pigment more clearly.   

Cup #2: I boiled the copped-up beetroot pieces with some water until their pigment got released into the water. When the color shift got visible, I poured the water into a cup and mixed it with vinegar to obtain a lighter tone. 

Cup #3: I boiled the copped-up beetroot pieces with some water until their pigment got released into the water. When the color shift got visible, I poured the water into a cup and mixed it with baking soda to obtain a darker tone. 

Reflection: Looking through the batches I have made, the color obtained in the first cup satisfied my need for the pigment of my lip balm. I have set the mixture aside to use for coloring the lip balm. 

 

Experiment: Formula 

I have made a set of test batches to experiment with the texture of the texture and the features of the formula. I tried to add essential oils and pigments to the base formula to see if they will cause any imperfections. 

Cup #1: I put coconut oil, jojoba oil, cocoa butter, and beeswax in the pot and heated it till they have melted. Once mixed homogeneously, I poured the mixture into a cup and waited for it to cure for an hour. 

Cup #2: I have mixed the base mixture of coconut oil, jojoba oil, cocoa butter, and beeswax with Vitamin E to increase the moisturizing effect of the formula. Once mixed homogeneously, I poured the mixture into a cup and waited for it to cure for an hour.

Cup #3: I have mixed the base mixture of coconut oil, jojoba oil, cocoa butter, and beeswax with the natural pigment I have made of Beetroot to give the formula the pink pigment. Once mixed homogeneously, I poured the mixture into a cup and waited for it to cure for an hour.

Reflection: All of the mixtures got cured successfully. The mixture in the second cup with Vitamin E has offered a smoother application because of its moisturizing abilities. The pigment-infused mixture in the third cup successfully showed color when applied. Reflecting upon the experiments I have made, I have decided to make two moisturizing lip balms, one with pigment and one without. 

 

The Moisturizing Lip Balm

The Base: I created the base of the formula by melting coconut oil, jojoba oil, cocoa butter, and beeswax in the pot.

Customization: I added the Vitamine E serum into the base and mixed it into a homogenous solution. 

Casting: I poured the mixture into a glass jar and let it cure for an hour.  

The Tinted Lip Balm

Making of the Natural Pigment 

Preparing the Produce: I copped up the beetroot into small pieces that could in the pot.

Boiling: I boiled the beetroot with some water till the pigment got released into the water. 

Pouring: I poured the pigmented water into a container and waited to add it to the base. 

Making of the Lib Balm

The Base: I created the base of the formula by melting coconut oil, jojoba oil, cocoa butter, and beeswax in the pot.

Customization: I added the pigmented solution and Vitamin E  into the base and mixed them into a homogenous solution. 

Casting: I poured the mixture into a glass jar and let it cure for an hour.  

User Testings

The Moisturizing Lip Balm: It has a smooth application without feeling greasy. Leaves the lip moisturized and gives it a subtle shine. 

The Tinted Lip Balm: It has a smooth application without feeling greasy. Leaves the lip moisturized and gives it a subtle tint of pink.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Outcome

In the long run I think that this biomaterial can replace the petroleum infused lip balms in the cosmetics industry.