Meadowfoam seed oil works as well as synthetic dispersing agents at keeping pigments evenly distributed in lipstick. The meadowfoam formulation (at 40% pigment concentration) produced a lipstick with the smoothest application and lowest friction, though it was slightly firmer than the softest comparison option. All three oils tested—meadowfoam, castor, and octyldodecanol—successfully wetted pigment particles, meaning the natural option didn't sacrifice performance.

Researchers made lipstick pigment dispersions using three different oils and tested how well each one dispersed color particles, then formulated those into actual lipsticks and measured texture, spreadability, color payoff, and stability over 4 weeks.

Funding not disclosed in abstract