[en] Main base ingredients of lip balm such as petroleum jelly and coloring materials are harmful to customers. Side effects from impurities in petroleum jelly in the manufacturing process have been implicated at causing cancer and long term damage to health. Artificial colours have been found to cause cancer in animals and many people experienced allergic reactions i.e. skin irritation and contact dermatitis. Therefore 'friendly' lip balm was formulated by substituting the base ingredient, i.e. petroleum jelly, with vegetable fats and incorporated with anthocyanin pigments from Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (roselle) and Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. rubra (red cabbage) as natural colorants. Anthocyanins are considered secondary metabolites, allowed as food additives and act as powerful antioxidants. The herbal lip balm samples were gamma irradiated (2.5, 5.0 and 10 kGy) at Mintec SINAGAMA, Malaysian Nuclear Agency, Bangi. The samples were tested for microbiology quality i.e. total microbial count and presence of yeast and mold. The results showed that there were no microbial and yeast/mold colonies were detected in non-irradiated samples (control) and after irradiation. The essential oils from herbs and spices included in the herbal lip balms not only improve the taste and aroma but also had potential as natural preservatives due to their antibacterial properties. Gamma irradiation at dose 2.5 kGy was suitable as minimum dose to decontaminate the herbal lip balm without affecting the colour and texture. From market survey, friendly lip balm is considered as a safe and attractive product, with multifunctional uses i.e. to prevent chapped lips, freshen the breath, reduces mouth odour and contributes to improving general health quality. (Author)