How to make beetroot lip balm for a naturally pink tint

This beetroot lip balm has a natural pink hue, giving your lips a soft tint. Made with beetroot powder and glycerin, you can easily use this DIY formula to make a lip gloss.

I have been experimenting with beetroot recently, exploring its use in DIY skincare routines for its excellent skin benefits.

And since I’ve already made several lip balms, including one with rose oil or lemon balm for cold sores, I knew combining them with beetroot wouldn’t be easy.

In this tutorial, I will share two recipes with beetroot for tinted lips, one for lip gloss and one for beetroot lip balm.

Beetroot

Rich in antioxidants, beetroot aids hydration and moisturizes the skin. Moreover, it contains vitamin C that supports collagen production, aiding skin elasticity. The ingredient responsible for the deep rich color of beetroot is betanin (1). Due to betanin, beetroot is approved as a colorant in food and cosmetics, where it is used in the form of powder or as juice concentrate. (2)

Why using Beetroot Powder

I strongly suggest not using fresh fruits (beetroot or beet juice) or fresh herbs while making homemade cosmetics, as they can spoil the final product and reduce its lifespan. Not to mention, working with fresh beet and its peel stains and is messy. So, beetroot powder is the best option to implement beetroot in the lipstick.

Beetroot powder is made of one ingredient: dehydrated beet slices. Once dried thoroughly, they are finely ground into a fine powder. This process preserves the vibrant colors of beets, producing shades ranging from pink and purple to orange and reddish-brown.

Beetroot powder is water-soluble, dissolving in water but not mixing well with oils. When incorporating beetroot powder into DIY beauty products, the best choice is to make water-based products like toners or lip glosses and use water or glycerin to dissolve them.

Glycerin

Glycerin is soluble in both water and alcohol. This solubility makes it an effective carrier for water-soluble compounds like beetroot powder. It can dissolve and incorporate the pigments in the formulation. It also contributes to the lip balm’s moisturizing and hydrating effects, making it a perfect remedy for dry, chapped lips. 

DIY tinted lip gloss

Making homemade tinted lip gloss is easier than you think. This simple recipe just uses beetroot powder and glycerin as a solvent. You can also add a few drops of vitamin E oil, which is optional, for added nourishment and shelf life.

In a small bowl or container, combine the beetroot powder and glycerin. Stir well until the beetroot powder is thoroughly mixed. 

Let it infuse glycerin in a deep red hue for a few hours. Strain it through the cheesecloth if there are still any remaining pieces of the beetroot powder.

If you use vitamin E oil, add a few drops to the mixture. 

You can adjust the consistency by adding more glycerin for a glossier finish or more beetroot powder for a more intense color.

Transfer the mixture into a small lip gloss container and apply directly on your lips whenever you feel so.

How to make beetroot lip balm for soft pink

Making a beetroot lip balm is more challenging as we add oily part to our formula. Remember, when mixing oily and water parts, we need to add an emulsifier to make a homogenous mixture that will not split. 

Ingredients

Beeswax has many healing properties and also acts as a preserving agent. Beeswax contains vitamin A, supports cell reconstruction, and protection of the lips. You can also use soya wax if you prefer a vegan alternative.

Coconut oil – is an excellent choice for cracked and dry lips. It increases hydration and reduces water loss in dry skin. Coconut oil applied on the lips adds moisture and gives them a shine. You can also use shea butter or cocoa butter instead. 

Essential Oil – optional; you can choose the one you like. I like using lavender or rose essential Oil in my lip balms.

Emulsifier -I used BTMS (Behentrimonium Methosulfate and Cetearyl Alcohol), a widely used emulsifying agent in cosmetic formulations, especially in hair and skincare products. 

Instructions for zero waste diy lip balm that stain

First step: Infuse beetroot powder in glycerin

In a small bowl, mix beetroot powder with glycerin. Mix well. Leave it for a few hours to infuse glycerin in a deep red hue. Strain it through the cheesecloth if there are still any remaining pieces of the beetroot powder.

Second step: Creating the Emulsion

Add beeswax and coconut oil in a double boiler or place a heat-proof glass bowl into a pot of simmering water. Once the mixture is fully melted, add an BTMS. Stir the mixture well to ensure the emulsifier is evenly distributed.

Third step: Combine the Ingredients

Carefully pour the beetroot and glycerin infusion mixture into the oily mixture and stir to facilitate the emulsification process.

Fourth Step: Additional Ingredients

Optionally, add a few drops of vitamin E oil for extra nourishment and fragrance, using essential Oil if desired.

Fifth Step: Filling the Container

Carefully pour the emulsified mixture into your chosen lip balm container or sterilize the jar. Do it fast before the mixture starts to solidify.

 You can also reuse the old lip balm tubes or silicon form for a zero-waste approach.

Let the lip balm completely relax in the refrigerator and solidify. You can always place it back in warm water to liquify it.

Substitutions for pink beetroot

The lip balm has a naturally pink look. The color resembles the Summer Fridays Lip Balm Dupes I bought recently. If you want to try other shades of pink, you may consider other substitutions.

water-soluble

Hibiscus Powder can impart a beautiful pink or reddish tint. It also has antioxidant properties and is known for its skin-soothing benefits.

Rose Petal Powder made of ground rose petals can provide a subtle pink hue. 

Raspberry Powder offers a natural reddish-pink color and contains vitamins that can benefit the skin.

Cranberry Powder can contribute a reddish tint and is rich in antioxidants. It may add a subtle berry scent as well.

Partially Water-Soluble

Alkanet root makes deep red lip balm. It tends to release color in Oil, and the resulting Oil can be incorporated into oil-based formulations without using an emulsifier. 

Rose clay is a natural cosmetic clay that has pink shade. It not only imparts color but also offers gentle exfoliation and cleansing properties.

For Shimmer

If you want to explore shimmer shades you may turn your attention to mica, as it has different shades and colors that shimmer, including silver, white, green, brown, or black.

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