Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating Red Iron Oxide Film

  • Red Iron Oxide Film

    Posted by PwrsNY on June 18, 2025 at 2:43 pm

    What cause Red Iron Oxide to “bleed out” of some formulas… Usually Kamaflage and Liquid Foundations involving other Iron Oxides…. It seems to form a film on top or sides if a product is laying on its’ side… As if floating on top….

    Aniela replied 1 week, 6 days ago 3 Members · 4 Replies
  • 4 Replies
  • MaidenOrangeBlossom

    Member
    June 19, 2025 at 6:33 pm

    What are you making? I’ve never had that problem yet but color mixing and science isn’t as easy as it looks.

  • Aniela

    Member
    June 22, 2025 at 12:02 pm

    @PwrsNY

    It has to do with the organic pigment used. It is said to be common with lakes (an insoluble colourant produced by precipitating a soluble dye onto an insoluble substrate), and not seen with other pigments: lakes are affected by an inadequate pH when added in the formulation, which results in the soluble dye re-forming, a condition known as “bleeding”- Chapter 6, Discovering Cosmetic Science (2021), Royal Society of Chemistry

    • PwrsNY

      Professional Chemist / Formulator
      June 26, 2025 at 10:19 am

      I am referring to Inorganic Red Iron Oxide… It isn’t separating… It is more like a russet colored film that floats on the top of a Batch or if you lay the formula on its’ side, in packaging those russet “rings” will float to the top where it meets the air….

      • Aniela

        Member
        June 26, 2025 at 1:19 pm

        I wish I could help, but aside from testing the pigment from a different supplier, no brilliant ideas…

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