Because jagua powder is water-soluble, dehydrated jagua juice can be used as an additive without affecting the water-to-product ratio in formulations. For cosmetic colorant applications, usage rates will depend on desired color intensity and product type, but should be tested in small batches first due to its potent staining properties.

Jagua powder is water-soluble, making it easy to incorporate into water-based formulations. Because it is soluble, it can be used as an additive in various formulations without affecting the water ratio called for in recipes. The powder should be mixed gradually with liquids to avoid clumping, and formulations should be tested in small batches due to the irreversible blue staining that occurs upon oxygen exposure.

Jagua is another blue in the natural dye world that is not from indigotin, making it unique among blue colorants. The Genipin pigment becomes blue when exposed to air and is substantial on protein fibers, differentiating it from other natural blues. The Amazonian fruit produces a non-permanent, bluish-black stain that resembles the color of "traditional" tattoos and lasts until the skin fully exfoliates (approximately 1-2 weeks).

Genipin becomes blue when exposed to air and is substantial on protein fibers, with the color being very stable and soluble, especially in protein-rich foods. This protein affinity makes Jagua powder particularly effective for applications involving keratin (hair, skin), silk, wool, and protein-rich food formulations where the blue color development will be more pronounced and longer-lasting.

The juice of the jagua fruit (Genipa americana) has been traditionally used for body decoration for thousands of years. Indigenous communities across South America have relied on Genipa plant extracts for generations, highlighting not only its longstanding cultural significance but also a well-established safety profile.