Development of ‘Consume Friendly' Herbal Lip Balm

• Main Authors: M.Y. Seri Chempaka, A. Foziah
• Format: Conference Paper
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: Lip balm; Anthocyanin pigments; Essential oils; Edible vegetable fats; Honey; Gamma irradiation; Decontamination
• Online Access: http://ddms.usim.edu.my/handle/123456789/6119

An innovative attempt at developing a 'friendly' lip balm using natural bioresources, namely plant pigments and essential oils, was carried out with the main objective to produce cosmetic products which are using chemical-free ingredients. Anthocyanin pigments, extracted from selected local plants, were used as natural colouring agent for the lip balm. Pigment from Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (roselle) and Hybcereus pdyrhizus (pittaya fruit) at 10-20% could provide acceptable colours and seemed to be the most stable from those tested. Edible vegetable fats in the range of 2040% could replace petroleum jelly as base ingredient. Thus, side effects from impurities in petrdeum jelly in the manufacturing process, implicated at causing cancer and long t e n damage to health can be avoided. Honey (10-20%). with its known benefits to health. was added into the formulation to increase the intensity of the colour. Essential oils from spices and local herbs added to the products for flavours and aroma acted as preservatives due to their antibacterial properties. Gamma irradiation at 2.5kGy was sufficient to decontaminate the products without affecting the products physical characteristics. From a preliminary market survey conducted, the innovative friendly lip balm is considered as an attractive product, with multifunctional uses, namely prevents chapped lips, freshens the breath, reduce mouth odour and contributes to improving general health quality.