Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Face Wash

Mohammad Amir*, Mohammad Ammar Mohammad Irfan,

Mohammad Arshad Shaik Shakir, Mohammad Faizan Mohammad Naeem,

Mohammad Naved Jafar Khan

JIIU’S Ali Allana College of Pharmacy, Akkalkuwa. Dist- Nandurbar, Maharashtra, India

*Correspondence: mohd.amir20y@gmail.com

DOI: https://doi.org/10.71431/IJRPAS.2026.5706       

INTRODUCTION

The skin is the largest organ of the human body and serves as the primary protective barrier against environmental pollutants, microorganisms, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and chemical irritants. Maintaining healthy skin requires regular cleansing to remove dirt, excess sebum, sweat, dead skin cells, and other impurities that accumulate on the skin surface. Proper facial cleansing not only improves skin appearance but also helps prevent common dermatological conditions such as acne, blackheads, and microbial infections. Consequently, face washes have become an essential component of daily personal care and skincare routines [1–3].

Conventional face wash formulations generally contain synthetic surfactants, preservatives, fragrances, and colorants that effectively cleanse the skin. However, prolonged use of these synthetic ingredients may lead to adverse effects such as skin dryness, irritation, allergic reactions, disruption of the skin's natural pH, and damage to the protective lipid barrier, particularly in individuals with sensitive skin. These concerns have increased consumer preference for herbal and natural cosmetic products that are perceived as safer, environmentally friendly, and free from harmful chemicals [2,4,5].

Herbal cosmetics are formulations containing one or more plant-derived ingredients intended to enhance health, hygiene, and aesthetic appearance while minimizing undesirable side effects. Medicinal plants are rich sources of bioactive phytochemicals, including flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, glycosides, saponins, and essential oils. These phytoconstituents exhibit a wide range of biological activities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, moisturizing, and anti-aging properties, making them highly suitable for skincare applications [4–7].

A herbal face wash combines the cleansing action of mild surfactants with the therapeutic benefits of medicinal plant extracts. Depending on the selected herbs, such formulations can effectively remove impurities while providing additional benefits including reduction of acne-causing microorganisms, control of excess oil secretion, soothing of irritated skin, improvement of complexion, and protection against oxidative stress induced by free radicals. Herbal ingredients such as Azadirachta indica (Neem), Aloe barbadensis (Aloe vera), Curcuma longa (Turmeric), Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), Camellia sinensis (Green tea), and Rosa damascena (Rose) are widely incorporated into facial cleansers because of their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities [5–9].

The increasing demand for herbal skincare products has encouraged researchers to develop formulations that are not only effective but also stable, aesthetically acceptable, and dermatologically safe. The quality and performance of a herbal face wash depend on several formulation parameters, including the selection of herbal extracts, surfactants, gelling agents, humectants, preservatives, pH modifiers, and fragrance components. Appropriate formulation ensures adequate foamability, cleansing efficiency, spreadability, viscosity, skin compatibility, and product stability during storage [3,8,10].

MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY

Step 1: Preparation of Reetha Extract

Dried reetha was crushed and soaked in distilled water for 6–8 hours.  The mixture was boiled for 15–20 minutes. It was filtered using muslin cloth to obtain a clear extract.

Step 2: Preparation of Neem Extract

Neem powder was soaked in warm distilled water for 30 minutes. The mixture was filtered to obtain a clear neem extract.

Step 3: Preparation of Strawberry Extract

Fresh strawberries were washed and crushed. The pulp was filtered to obtain clear juice/extract.

Step 4: Preparation of Gel Base

Required quantity of distilled water was taken in a beaker. Guar gum was slowly added with

continuous stirring to avoid lump formation.The mixture was stirred until a smooth gel consistency was obtained.

Step 5: Incorporation of Ingredients

Reetha extract was added slowly to the gel base with continuous stirring. Neem extract and strawberry extract were added gradually. Turmeric powder was added in small quantity and mixed uniformly. Lemon juice and rose water were added at the final stage.

Step 6: Filling and Storage

The prepared herbal face wash was transferred into a clean airtight container. Stored at room temperature away from direct sunlight. [16]

Table No:1 Formulation Table

Evaluation parameter

physical appearance

The physical appearance of the herbal face wash formulation was evaluated by visual inspection to ensure its acceptability and uniformity.

Colour

The colour of the formulation was observed against a white background to clearly assess its uniformity and appearance. A good formulation should possess a uniform and appealing colour without any discoloration, which indicates proper mixing of ingredients and stability of the product. [17]

Consistency

The consistency of the formulation was evaluated by applying a small quantity of the face wash onto the skin. It was examined for its texture, smoothness, and uniformity. An ideal formulation should be smooth, non-gritty, and neither too thick nor too runny, ensuring ease of application and good spreadability. [21]

PH

The pH of the formulations was measured using a digital pH meter. A sample of 10 mL of the face wash was diluted with 100 mL of demineralized water and allowed to stand for two hours before analysis. Each formulation was tested in triplicate to ensure accuracy. Prior to measurement, the pH meter was calibrated using standard buffer solutions of pH 4.7 and pH 9. [17]

Spreadability

Spreadability refers to the ease with which the gel spreads over the skin or the affected area. It plays an important role in determining the bioavailability and effectiveness of the formulation. Good spreadability ensures uniform application and better therapeutic action. The spreadability of the formulation was evaluated using the slide method. In this method, a measured amount of gel was placed between two glass slides, and a specific weight was applied to form a uniform layer. After a fixed time (2 seconds), the upper slide was allowed to move under the influence of the applied weight. The time required for the slides to separate was recorded. A shorter separation time indicates better spreadability of the formulation. [18]

 Washbility

The washability of the formulation was evaluated by applying a small amount of the product onto the skin and then rinsing it under running water. The ease with which the formulation was removed was observed to assess its washability. [18]

Foamability

Foamability was evaluated by the shaking tube method, where 40 mL of the solution was shaken in a measuring cylinder, and the maximum foam height obtained was taken as a measure of foaming ability. [18]

Gritness

Grittiness was assessed by gently applying the formulation onto the skin and examining it for any rough or granular particles. [18]

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

The herbal face wash containing reetha, neem, strawberry, turmeric, and lemon juice showed multipurpose effects such as cleansing, antioxidant, and skin brightening activity. The face wash was formulated and evaluated for various parameters such as colour, odour, pH, spreadability, washability, grittiness, and foamability, and the obtained results are given in Table.7 All the formulations showed reddish pink colour and pleasant sweet fruity (strawberry-like) odour, indicating good acceptability. The consistency of all formulations was smooth and suitable for application. The pH of formulations A, B, and C was found to be 4.5, 7, and 6 respectively. Among all the formulations, Formulation A was found to be better than B and C because it showed good spreadability, easy washability, no grittiness, and good foamability. The slightly acidic pH of formulation A is beneficial for maintaining the natural skin barrier and preventing microbial growth. The face wash was in semi-liquid form, so it can be easily poured into the container and applied on the skin.

Table No 2  Observation Table

CONCLUSION

The present study successfully focused on the formulation and evaluation of a herbal face wash using natural ingredients such as reetha, neem, turmeric, strawberry, lemon, and rose water. The formulation was designed to provide effective cleansing, skin nourishment, and enhancement of skin appearance without the use of harmful synthetic chemicals. The evaluation parameters including colour, odour, pH, consistency, spreadability, washability, foamability, and irritancy confirmed that the prepared formulations were stable, safe, and suitable for topical application. Among the different batches, the formulation showed good cleansing action, pleasant fragrance, smooth texture, and no signs of irritation, indicating its skin-friendly nature.. These properties make the formulation effective in removing dirt, excess oil, and impurities while maintaining the natural pH and moisture balance of the skin. Overall, the study concludes that the formulated herbal face wash is a safe, effective, economical, and eco-friendly alternative to conventional synthetic face washes. It can be recommended for daily use and further research can be carried out to enhance its stability and commercial applicability.

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