Heidi Norton
The colour of a perfume is an important factor in the overall perception of a fragrance. The colour of a perfume can be obtained in two ways: as a result of the natural shades of essential oils or by adding colouring agents. While adding colouring agents to perfume is possible, it is not recommended as it can change the long-term stability of the product and its aroma. Natural colouring agents such as essential oils, absolutes, and food colouring can be used, but synthetic colours may be chemical-based and pose a threat to human life. When colouring perfume, it is important to test the product on the skin and over time to ensure its safety.
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What You'll Learn
Use food colouring to colour perfume purple
To colour perfume purple using food colouring, you can use either natural or artificial food colouring.
Firstly, it is important to note that adding colour to perfume can change the chemistry of the perfume, including its long-term stability and aroma. Therefore, it is recommended to test the coloured perfume before selling it.
If you are using natural food colouring, you can use natural sources like berries. To do this, place the berries in a blender or food processor and add a small amount of alcohol. The alcohol will help extract the natural pigments from the berries, producing a rich purple dye. Then, blend the mixture until smooth and pour it through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a bowl to separate the liquid dye from the berry pulp. The resulting liquid is your natural purple dye, which can be used immediately. However, it is important to note that natural dyes should be refrigerated to extend their shelf life and should be used within two weeks.
Alternatively, you can use artificial food colouring to create purple dye. To do this, start by adding 15 drops of blue food colouring to a small bowl. Then, add five drops of red food colouring to the blue. The combination of these two colours will create a purple shade. You can adjust the shade of purple by adding more drops of blue or red food colouring until you achieve the desired shade.
Once you have created your purple food colouring, you can add it to your perfume. It is recommended to use a small amount of colouring, such as one drop of colouring solution per 100ml of perfume, as too much colouring may stain the skin. You can also add a UV filter to your perfume to enhance the colour. Benzophenone is a common UV filter used in perfumes, and it should be added at around 0.50% of the final product.
Additionally, you can explore other natural colouring options for your perfume. For example, lavender absolute or mint absolute can be added to your blend to create a green tint, and dragon's blood resin is a natural ingredient that can give a red hue to your perfume.
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Use natural colouring agents like lavender or chlorophyll
Using natural colouring agents like lavender or chlorophyll is a great way to add a subtle hue to your perfume while also benefiting from their therapeutic properties. Here are some detailed instructions on how to colour your perfume using these natural ingredients:
Preparing Natural Colouring Agents
Before adding any colouring agent to your perfume, it's important to understand the potential impact on the aroma and long-term stability of your perfume. Always test the coloured perfume on your skin and observe any changes over time.
If you choose to use lavender as a colouring agent, you can prepare a lavender infusion by steeping dried lavender buds in a carrier oil such as jojoba, light olive oil, almond oil, or grapeseed oil. Lavender has a beautiful floral scent and can give your perfume a subtle green hue.
Alternatively, chlorophyll, which is the pigment that gives plants their green colour, can be extracted from plant sources or purchased as a liquid or powder. Liquid chlorophyll is typically water-soluble and can be added directly to your perfume mixture.
Adding Colour to Your Perfume
When adding colour to your perfume, start with a small amount of the colouring agent and gradually increase until you achieve your desired hue. For lavender, add a few drops of the lavender-infused carrier oil to your perfume base. Stir or shake well to ensure even distribution of colour.
For chlorophyll, you can add a small amount of liquid chlorophyll directly to your perfume mixture. If using chlorophyll powder, mix it with a small amount of water or a neutral carrier oil before adding it to your perfume. Again, stir or shake well to ensure the colour is evenly distributed.
Considerations and Tips
- Natural colouring agents like lavender and chlorophyll will provide subtle hues of green to your perfume. If you're looking for brighter or more vibrant colours, you may need to explore other natural dyes or colouring agents.
- Always use dark or opaque glass bottles to store your coloured perfume, as clear bottles may allow light to alter the colour or aroma over time.
- Experiment with different carrier oils to find the best base for your perfume. Jojoba oil is nearly odourless, while light olive oil, almond oil, or grapeseed oil can complement and enhance the scent of lavender.
- If you're creating an alcohol-based perfume, ensure you use a safe and suitable type of alcohol.
- When working with any new ingredient, always perform a small patch test on your skin to check for any allergies or sensitivities.
Creating your own naturally coloured perfume is a fun and rewarding experience. By using natural colouring agents like lavender or chlorophyll, you can add subtle hues and therapeutic benefits to your unique fragrance. Enjoy the process of crafting your signature scent!
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Add a UV filter to your formula
UV filters are commonly added to perfumes to prevent discolouration and changes in colour over time. They also prolong the shelf life of the perfume by minimising damage caused by sunlight. UV filters can be used to prevent phototoxic effects of certain substances in perfumes, such as Bergapten, which can cause hypersensitivity to UV light and lead to permanent pigment spots on the skin.
UV filters are widely used in cosmetic products, including perfumes, and can be found as contaminants in various biological fluids and the environment. In perfumes, UV filters are used to protect against changes in molecular structure that can occur due to light exposure, often turning the perfume yellow, brown, or pink. Additionally, UV filters help prevent oxidation caused or enhanced by light exposure.
When adding a UV filter to your perfume formula, you can use substances such as Avobenzone, Parsol MCX, or BHT. The concentration of the UV filter mixture in your final product will depend on your desired level of UV protection. For example, a 20% concentration of Avobenzone can be used to achieve UV protection. However, you should also consider compatibility and stability concerns when mixing UV filters into your perfume formula.
It is important to note that perfumes with UV filters should be stored in a cool, dark place to minimise UV exposure. Additionally, when using perfumes with UV filters, be cautious about applying them to skin that is directly and fully exposed to sunlight, as some ingredients can cause skin irritation or hypersensitivity.
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Use cosmetic dyes like FD&C or D&C
FD&C and D&C are terms used for colour additives that have been approved and deemed safe for use in food, drugs, and cosmetics, or just drugs and cosmetics. These colourants are soluble in water, oils, alcohol, or glycerin. They produce very bright, intense colours, but they do bleed/migrate in soap and are usually unstable in cp soap. FD&C colourants are generally inexpensive to use as they are extremely concentrated and mix in smoothly.
FD&C dyes are very common in cosmetics and personal care products and are highly regulated. The “FD&C” in the name means it is regulated by the FDA under the Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics Act. These dyes are approved for use in various products that we eat, drink, or put on our bodies. The FDA has put these products through rigorous testing to ensure their safety. Some dyes are only for specific purposes, while others have multiple uses. Once the FDA approves a colour for FD&C use, that product receives continuous trials, and if new negative information comes to light, de-listing occurs.
FD&C colours are popular in cosmetics because they can impart brilliant hues to products. Artificial dyes enable manufacturers to create cosmetics in classic shades, like fire-engine red lipstick. While it is possible to create a red lipstick using more natural ingredients, like mineral pigments, it is difficult to achieve the same vibrancy as synthetic dyes.
The safety of FD&C colours is a controversial topic, and although they are approved for use in food and cosmetics, concerns have been raised about their effects on children's behaviour, with possible links to hyperactivity and depression. However, these behavioural changes have only been observed in certain sensitive individuals. It's important to note that not all synthetic colours have the same safety concerns, and some are considered safer than others. Some are for external use only, while others are not permitted for use on eyes, lips, and mucous membranes.
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Colouring perfume can change its aroma
There are several ways to add colour to perfume. Commercially, most perfumes are coloured using colouring agents designed for cosmetics. There is a long list of colouring agents permitted by the EU. However, some people prefer to obtain colours by natural means. For example, a small amount of lavender or mint absolute will make a perfume green.
Some people also use food colouring to dye their perfumes. One person diluted 1ml of food colouring in 19ml of a 50/50 water/ethanol solution and added one drop of the resulting solution to 100ml of perfume. Others have suggested wetting a toothpick with alcohol, dipping it in dye powder, and touching it to the perfume.
If you are colouring perfume, it is important to test the product thoroughly before selling it. Test it on your skin, and test it again after some time has passed.
It is worth noting that perfumes can change colour over time due to oxidation and exposure to light, temperature fluctuations, and the types of ingredients used. This is a natural consequence of the fragrance's chemical composition interacting with its environment.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use colouring agents designed for cosmetics or food colouring. However, be aware that colouring ingredients can change the long-term stability of your product and its aroma.
The colour of a perfume is linked to the nature of the scent. For example, green is often related to herbal and aromatic fragrances, while red is vibrant and lively.
You only need a very small amount of colouring. One source suggests using a toothpick to add a tiny amount of dye powder to your formula for a light colouring.
Essential oils commonly used in perfumery have their own unique colours. For example, rose oil tends to be light and golden, while grapefruit oil has a more intense shade.
To sell a coloured perfume, you must be able to recreate it. Record the formula, the materials used, and the amount of each material. You should also test the perfume on your skin to ensure that it is safe.
