Formulation and Evaluation of Polyherbal Soap

Khedkar Vishakha, Gaikwad Vidya, Bhosale Shradha, Chidrawar Akanksha, Shaikh Bilal S.S*, Dr. R.D Ingole

Department of Pharmaceutics, DJPS College of Pharmacy, Pathri Dist. Parbhani 431506 (M.S).

*Correspondence: sbilal8856@gmail.com

DOI: https://doi.org/10.71431/IJRPAS.2026.5606

INTRODUCTION

The skin is the largest organ of the human body and serves as the primary protective barrier against environmental pollutants, harmful chemicals, and pathogenic microorganisms. Proper skin hygiene is essential for maintaining healthy skin and preventing microbial infections. Soap is one of the most widely used cleansing agents that helps remove dirt, sweat, excess oil, and microorganisms from the skin surface. However, frequent use of synthetic soaps may cause skin dryness, irritation, and allergic reactions. Therefore, there is an increasing demand for herbal products that are safer, eco-friendly, and skin compatible.¹ ^- ²

Herbal soaps are prepared using natural plant-derived ingredients possessing antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and moisturizing properties. Polyherbal formulations combine multiple medicinal plants to achieve synergistic therapeutic effects and enhanced efficacy. Neem (Azadirachta indica) is well known for its antibacterial and antifungal activities, while Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) provides moisturizing and wound-healing effects. Guava leaves (Psidium guajava) contain flavonoids and tannins that exhibit antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Peppermint oil (Mentha piperita) imparts a cooling sensation and pleasant fragrance, whereas Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant and skin nourishing agent.³⁻⁵

Several studies have reported that herbal soaps possess good cleansing ability, antimicrobial activity, and skin compatibility with fewer side effects compared to synthetic soaps. The use of herbal ingredients in soap formulations not only improves skin health but also provides protection against common skin infections.³⁻⁵

Therefore, the present study was undertaken to formulate and evaluate a polyherbal soap containing neem oil, aloe vera extract, guava leaf extract, peppermint oil, and Vitamin E. The formulated soap was evaluated for various physicochemical parameters including appearance, pH, foam height and skin irritation to determine its quality, safety, and suitability for topical application. The developed formulation may provide an effective, economical, and skin-friendly alternative to conventional synthetic soaps for daily skincare and cleansing purposes.  

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Materials  

Phytochemical Constituents and Functional Role of Ingredients Used in Polyherbal Soap :-

1 Neem Oil:-

 Scientific Name: Azadirachta indica

Major Constituents: Azadirachtin, Nimbin, Nimbidin, Gedunin, Quercetin

Role: Strong antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-acne activity.

Helps against Staphylococcus aureus and skin infections.

2. Guava Leaf Extract:-

Scientific Name: Psidium guajava

Major Constituents: Quercetin, Tannins, Flavonoids, Saponins, Gallic acid

 Role: Antibacterial, antioxidant, wound healing, reduces inflammation and acne

3. Peppermint Oil :-

Scientific Name: Mentha piperita

 Major Constituents: Menthol, Menthone, Limonene, Cineole

 Role: Cooling, refreshing, antimicrobial, relieves itching and irritation

 4. Aloe vera Extract :-

Scientific Name: Aloe barbadensis Miller

 Major Constituents: Aloin, Aloe-emodin, Polysaccharides, Vitamins A, C, E

 Role: Moisturizer, skin healing, soothing, anti-inflammatory.

6. Vitamin E:-

Scientific Name: Tocopherol

Major Constituents: Alpha-tocopherol, Gamma-tocopherolole

Role: Antioxidant, nourishes skin, prevents oxidation of oils.

7. Camphor (Kapur) :-

 Scientific Name: Cinnamomum camphora

Major Constituents: Camphor, Safrole, Cineole, Terpenes

Role: Antiseptic.

 8. SLES :-

Scientific Name: Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate

Major Constituents: Ethoxylated lauryl alcohol sulfate sodium salt

 Role: Cleansing, foaming, removes dirt and oil.

 9. Soap Base :-

Scientific Name: Glycerin Soap Base / Fatty acid salts

Major Constituents: Sodium palmate, Sodium cocoate, Glycerin, Water

 Role: Main structure of soap, cleansing base, hardness provider.

Selection &Procurement of drug

1. Neem Oil :-

Selection: Neem oil was selected due to its strong antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties, which help in treating skin infections.

Procurement: Neem oil was procured from a local herbal supplier and was of cosmetic grade. It was stored in a cool and dry place.^6-7

Fig no:- 1 Neem oil

 2. Guava Leaf Extract :-

Guava leaf extract was selected for its antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, beneficial for skin protection. Guaves leaves collected from a healthy guava tree in the local area extract prepared in the lab.^8-9

Fig no :- 2 Guava leaf

Preparation of guava leaves extract :

1. Preparation of Leaves Wash leaves thoroughly to remove dust and impurities. Chop into small pieces (or use dried powdered leaves) .

2. Boiling (Decoction) Take 10–20 g leaves , Add 100–200 mL distilled water (ratio 1:10) , Heat and boil gently for 15–30 minutes, Continue until volume reduces to ½ (50%) .

3. Cooling & Filtration Allow the decoction to cool , Filter using muslin cloth or filter paper and Collect clear extract

 4. Concentration Further evaporate on water bath if thicker extract is required

5. Storage Store in: Sterile container , Refrigerator (use within 2–3 days)

 Active Compounds Extracted

Tannins

Flavonoids

Phenolics

3. Peppermint Oil :-

 Peppermint oil was selected for its cooling effect, fragrance, and mild antimicrobial activity. It was procured from a cosmetic raw material supplier essancia. and stored in a well-closed container.¹⁰

Fig no :- 3 Peppermint oil

4. Aloe Vera Extract :-  

Aloe vera extract was selected due to its soothing, moisturizing, and healing properties. It was obtained from fresh plant leaves/laboratory Extraction or herbal supplier and stored under refrigerated conditions ¹¹

Fig no :- 4 Aloe vera

Procedure of Extraction of Aloe Vera Gel :-

Collection of Leave  Fresh, healthy, mature leaves of Aloevera were collected from the plant.

Washing The collected leaves were washed thoroughly with clean water to remove dust, dirt, and other impurities.

1. Trimming The thorny edges of the leaves were removed carefully using a sterile knife.

 2. Peeling The outer green rind of the leaves was peeled off gently to expose the inner transparent gel.

3. Gel Collection The inner mucilaginous gel was scooped out with a clean spoon or spatula.

4. Homogenization The collected gel was blended or crushed to obtain a uniform consistency.

 5. Filtration The homogenized gel was filtered through muslin cloth or filter paper to remove fibrous materials and solid particles.

6. Centrifugation The filtered gel was centrifuged to obtain clear gel and remove suspended impurities.

 7. Storage The purified Aloe vera gel was stored in an airtight container under refrigerated conditions until further use in formulation.

5. Colorant :-

Colorant was added to improve the appearance and acceptability of the soap. It was procured from a cosmetic supplier and used in small quantity.

6. Camphor (Kapur) :-

Camphor was selected as a deodorant agent due to its refreshing smell and mild antimicrobial activity.¹³ It was obtained from a laboratory supplier.

Fig no:- 5 Camphor

7. SLES (Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate) :-

SLES was selected as a foaming agent to enhance lathering properties.¹⁴ It was obtained from laboratory  supplier and used as received.

Fig no:- 6 SLES

8. Soap Base :-

 Soap base was used as the main base material for preparing the soap.¹⁵ It was obtained from a cosmetic raw material store and stored in a dry place.

Fig no :-7 Soap base

9. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a natural antioxidant and prevents oxidation of oils in the formulation. Improves the stability

and shelf life of the soap.¹² It also Moisturizes and nourishes the skin. It was obtained from pharmacy store.

Fig no:- 8 Vitamin E

Method of Preparation of Polyherbal Soap  

The polyherbal soap was prepared using the melt and pour method.^16-17

Step 1: Preparation of Soap Base

Take q.s of soap base and cut it into small pieces for easy melting. Melt the soap base by using a

double boiler method to avoid direct overheating and burning. Maintain the temperature between

60–70°C and stir slowly until a clear liquid base is obtained.

Step 2: Addition of Herbal Ingredients

After complete melting, remove the mixture from heat. Add the following herbal ingredients one

by one:

Neem oil (8 ml) – provides antibacterial activity and helps in reducing skin infections.

Aloe vera extract (5 ml) – acts as a moisturizing and soothing agent for skin hydration.

Guava leaf extract (6 ml) – possesses antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

Mix the ingredients thoroughly to ensure uniform distribution of all herbal extracts in the soap

base.

Step 3: Addition of Surfactant

Add SLES (Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate) 4 g slowly into the mixture. Stir gently and

continuously to improve foam formation and cleansing action. Avoid vigorous stirring because it

may produce excess air bubbles and affect the appearance of the soap.

Step 4: Addition of Active Components

Peppermint oil (2 ml) – provides cooling sensation and pleasant fragrance.

Vitamin E (3 ml) – acts as an antioxidant and improves skin nourishment.

Camphor (2g) – gives antiseptic, antimicrobial, and cooling effects.

Continue stirring until all the active components dissolve completely and form a homogeneous

mixture.

Step 5: Addition of Colorant

Add suitable colorant quantity sufficient (0.2 ml ) according to the desired appearance of the

soap. Mix uniformly to obtain an attractive and consistent color throughout the formulation.

Step 6: Molding

Pour the prepared soap mixture carefully into clean and dry soap molds. Tap the molds gently to

remove trapped air bubbles and obtain a smooth surface.

Step 7: Solidification

Allow the soap to cool and solidify at room temperature for about 2–3 hours. After complete

solidification, carefully remove the soap bars from the molds.

Step 8: Packaging and Storage

Wrap the prepared polyherbal soap in butter paper or suitable packaging material to protect it

from moisture and contamination. Store the soap in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.    

Table 1. Composition of polyherbal soap formulations

Table 2. Evalution Parameters

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

The prepared polyherbal soap formulations (F1, F2, and F3) were evaluated for appearance, color, odor, texture, washability, skin irritation, pH, and foam height. Among all formulations, F3 showed the best overall performance. It exhibited a very smooth appearance, attractive dark brown color, pleasant herbal odor, smooth and hard texture, excellent washability, and no skin irritation. The pH of F3 was 7.5, which is closer to the skin-friendly range, and it produced the highest foam height (5.2 cm). F1 and F2 also demonstrated satisfactory characteristics with no skin irritation and acceptable pH values of 7.8 and 7.9, respectively. However, their foam heights and washability were lower than F3. therefore, based on the evaluation parameters, F3 was selected as the optimized polyherbal soap formulation due to its superior physical characteristics, good foaming ability, skin compatibility, and excellent washing properties.

CONCLUSION

 The present study was successfully carried out to formulate and evaluate an polyherbal soap using Neem oil, Guava leaf extract, Aloe vera extract, Peppermint oil, Vitamin E, Camphor, and SLES in a glycerin soap base. The formulated polyherbal soap was found to be stable, skin-friendly, and effective for cleansing. Among the three formulations, F3 was the optimized batch with the best overall evaluation results.

REFERENCES

1.        Cowan MM. Plant products as antimicrobial agents. Clin Microbiol Rev. 1999;12(4):564-582.

2.        World Health Organization. Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care. Geneva: WHO Press; 2009.

3.        Bavinasri R, Dhanusri K, Initha JN, Keerthana S, Malathi M, Suganthi R. Formulation and standardization of poly herbal soap. World J Pharm Med Res. 2025;11(9):259-265.

4.        Tembhekar MD, Zade AG, Lichade MV, Chambhare AK, Lichade RV, Wankhade PB, et al. Formulation and evaluation of poly herbal soap. Int J Adv Res Sci Commun Technol. 2025;5(2):15.

5.        Lakade MP, Kirwale SV, Jaware P, Kamble K, Pundkar A. Formulation and evaluation of anti-microbial herbal soap. Int J Novel Res Dev. 2026;11(2):a188.      

6.        Biswas K, Chattopadhyay I, Banerjee RK, Bandyopadhyay U. Biological activities and medicinal properties of neem (Azadirachta indica). Curr Sci. 2002;82(11):1336-45.

7.        Subapriya R, Nagini S. Medicinal properties of neem leaves: a review. Curr Med Chem Anticancer Agents. 2005;5(2):149-56.

8.        Gutierrez RM, Mitchell S, Solis RV. Psidium guajava: a review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology. J Ethnopharmacol. 2008;117(1):1-27.

9.        Naseer S, Hussain S, Naeem N, Pervaiz M, Rahman M. The phytochemistry and medicinal value of Psidium guajava. Biomed Pharmacother. 2018;95:1269-79.

10.    McKay DL, Blumberg JB. A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of peppermint tea (Mentha piperita L.). Phytother Res. 2006;20(8):619-33.

11.    Surjushe A, Vasani R, Saple DG. Aloe vera: a short review. Indian J Dermatol. 2008;53(4):163-6.

12.    Brigelius-Flohé R, Traber MG. Vitamin E: function and metabolism. FASEB J. 1999;13(10):1145-55.

13.    Zuccarini P. Camphor: risks and benefits of a widely used natural product. J Appl Sci Environ Manage. 2009;13(2):69-74.

14.    Ananthapadmanabhan KP, Moore DJ, Subramanyan K, Misra M, Meyer F. Cleansing without compromise: the impact of cleansers on the skin barrier. Dermatol Ther. 2004;17(Suppl 1):16-25.

15.    Barel AO, Paye M, Maibach HI. Handbook of Cosmetic Science and Technology. 4th ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2014.

16.    Das S, Agarwal S, Samanta S, Kumari M, Das R. Formulation and evaluation of herbal soap. J Pharmacogn Phytochem. 2024;13(4):14-19. doi:10.22271/phyto.2024.v13.i4a.14990.

17.    17.Pradhan AJ, et al. Preparation and evaluation of herbal soap using neem and aloe vera. Int J Food Med Res. 2024;6(3).