Development and Evaluation of Herbal Extract Cream for Hydration and Photo-Protection

Abstract

Despite the increase in the number of cosmetic preparations containing antioxidant, sun protection, moisturizing agents, chiefly, due to their actions in preventing the process of skin aging, there is a need to develop herbal formulation in order to obtain safe, stable and multipurpose high efficient quality products. The present study was to develop and evaluate and compare the hydrating, erythema & sun protection of the herbal o/w cream comprising extract of natural product from Aloe vera, in the appropriate concentration. Different types of formulations oil in water (O/W) were formulated by incorporating different concentrations of different concentrations 0f the extract, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 % namely and the base, F1 to F8. The evaluations of all formulations (F1 to F8) were done on different parameters like pH, viscosity, spreadability and stability were examined. Formulations F1 and F4 showed good spreadability, good consistency, homogeneity, appearance, pH, spreadability, no evidence of phase separation and ease of removal. The formulations F1-F4were selected for the animal studies. All formulations F1-F4 in concentrations of 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 % herbal extract. They showed no redness, edema, inflammation and irritation during irritancy studies. These formulations are safe to use for application to check the other parameters. Formulation F3 in concentration 5% showed the best hydration and photo-protection properties. These studies suggest that composition of the extract and the base of the cream of F3 is more appropriate, stable and safe, it may produce synergistic action.