A Review: Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Face Pack

Abstract

The primary objective of this study is to develop and evaluate a herbal face pack that uses natural ingredients that are good for the skin. As people grow more aware of the harmful effects of synthetic cosmetics, there is a growing demand for safer and more environmentally friendly herbal alternatives. The ingredients for the face pack were neem, turmeric, sandalwood powder, multani mitti, orange peel powder, and rose petals. Each was picked for its own therapeutic properties, such as skin-brightening, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. The formulation underwent evaluation tests for organoleptic properties, pH, irritancy, smoothness, spreadability, and stability. This study demonstrates that herbal face packs can serve as a safe and effective alternative to chemical-based skincare treatments.

Introduction

I. Introduction & Background

Cosmetics are used for cleansing, beautifying, and enhancing appearance. In Ayurveda, herbal face packs—also known as mukha lepa—have been used traditionally for facial skincare. These packs are usually pastes or powders applied to the skin and left to dry for 15–30 minutes. As they harden, they cleanse, tighten, and rejuvenate the skin by removing dirt, oil, and dead cells. Herbal face packs are known for making skin soft, radiant, and healthier, especially when tailored to different skin types. They offer an effective and safe Ayurvedic solution without the harmful side effects associated with synthetic cosmetics.

II. Benefits of Herbal Face Packs

• Deep cleansing and exfoliation

• Improved blood circulation and skin tone

• Tightened pores and reduced acne

• Skin nourishment with no side effects

• Protection from early aging, pigmentation, dullness, and microbial damage

Common ingredients include sandalwood, neem, turmeric, tulsi, orange peel, rose petals, and aloe vera, each offering antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and skin-lightening properties.

III. Literature Survey – Key Studies

Numerous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of herbal face packs:

• Patel et al. (2011): Used turmeric and fuller's earth; effective against acne and safe for skin.

• Gupta & Sharma (2013): Neem and tulsi reduced sebum and microbes; good for acne.

• Soni et al. (2014): Sandalwood and orange peel improved skin tone and pigmentation.

• Rathod & Mehta (2015): Neem and Multani mitti reduced oil and acne.

• Kumar et al. (2016): Turmeric showed strong anti-inflammatory benefits.

• Kale & Raut (2018): Rose petal powder calmed sensitive skin and improved flexibility.

• Rani et al. (2019): Orange peel brightened skin and reduced early aging signs.

• Yadav & Trivedi (2020): Tulsi showed strong astringent and antibacterial effects.

• Kulkarni et al. (2021): Turmeric-sandalwood blend had anti-aging and healing benefits.

• Khan & Shaikh (2022): Proposed customizable face packs based on skin type.

• Mishra & Tiwari (2023): Long-term use improved hydration and reduced pigmentation.

These studies consistently demonstrate high user satisfaction, safety, and compatibility across different skin types.

IV. Formulation Details

The face packs are made using a mixture of herbal powders:

• Multani Mitti: Cleansing and oil-absorbing

• Neem: Antibacterial and acne treatment

• Turmeric: Brightening and healing

• Sandalwood: Cooling and depigmenting

• Orange Peel: Exfoliating and toning

• Rose Petals: Hydrating and soothing

• Tulsi: Detoxifying and antimicrobial

• Aloe Vera: Moisturizing and healing

• Licorice: Skin lightening and calming

• Manjistha: Blood-purifying and complexion-enhancing

These ingredients are blended into powders and mixed with liquids like rose water before application.

V. Evaluation and Testing

Various tests confirmed the product’s effectiveness and safety:

• Organoleptic test: Pleasant appearance, smell, and texture

• pH test: Skin-friendly (4.5–6.5)

• Spreadability: Easy and even application

• Skin irritation test: No redness, itching, or reaction

• Texture & washability: Smooth application and easy removal

• Stability test: Consistent performance across storage temperatures

VI. Future Scope

• Clinical Trials: Needed on larger populations to confirm safety and effectiveness.

• Advanced Delivery: Incorporating nanotechnology or liposomal systems to enhance skin absorption.

• Standardization: For consistent quality and shelf life in commercial production.

• Natural Preservation: Developing preservative-free formulas.

• Scientific Validation: Using biochemical assays for antioxidant and anti-aging effects.

• Consumer Studies: For long-term safety and acceptance in the market.

Conclusion

The study provided a clear example of how to create and evaluate a herbal face pack using natural ingredients that have been demonstrated to have therapeutic benefits. Multani mitti, neem, turmeric, sandalwood, and other herbs have been selected because of their remarkable antibacterial, soothing, cleansing, and renewing properties, which promote the overall health of the skin. The face pack demonstrated excellent organoleptic properties, pH compatibility, spreadability, washability, and stability under various conditions. Throughout the testing, there were no signs of irritation or adverse reactions, proving the formulation\'s safety.

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Mr. Abhishek V. Javalkar, Mr. Nikhil Jadhav, Dr. Nitin Gawai, Mr. Prathamesh Kamthe, Mr. Shailesh Kamthe. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.