Abstract

DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF A POLYHERBAL ANTI-ACNE FACE WASH CONTAINING NEEM, TULSI, LIQUORICE, TURMERIC AND TEA TREE OIL

Jitendra Pratap Singh*, Rishabh Maurya, Tanushree Agnihotri

ABSTRACT

Acne vulgaris is one of the most prevalent dermatological disorders affecting adolescents and young adults worldwide. The increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance and adverse effects associated with synthetic anti-acne preparations has generated significant interest in herbal alternatives. The present study aimed to formulate and evaluate a polyherbal anti-acne face wash containing Azadirachta indica (Neem), Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), Glycyrrhiza glabra (Liquorice), Curcuma longa (Turmeric), Aloe vera gel, and Tea Tree Oil. Herbal extracts were incorporated into a Carbopol-based cleansing gel system and evaluated for physicochemical characteristics, antimicrobial activity, antioxidant potential, stability, and consumer acceptability. The prepared formulation exhibited desirable appearance, pH (5.8 ± 0.04), viscosity (2185 ± 24 cP), spreadability (8.6 ± 0.15 g.cm/sec), and excellent foaming characteristics. Antimicrobial studies revealed significant inhibition of Cutibacterium acnes (21.4 ± 0.8 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (19.6 ± 0.7 mm). The formulation demonstrated 82.5% free radical scavenging activity in DPPH assay, indicating strong antioxidant potential. Accelerated stability studies conducted for three months showed no significant changes in physicochemical parameters. Consumer evaluation indicated an overall acceptance rate of 94%. The findings suggest that the developed polyherbal face wash is a safe, effective, and stable anti-acne formulation with superior antibacterial and antioxidant properties suitable for daily skincare applications.

Keywords: Acne vulgaris, Herbal face wash, Neem, Tea tree oil, Tulsi, Antioxidant activity, Anti-acne formulation.