A Review: Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Shampoo

Abstract

The growing consumer preference for natural and chemical-free personal care products has significantly increased the demand for herbal shampoos as a safer and more sustainable alternative to conventional synthetic shampoos. Synthetic shampoos often contain harsh detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), parabens, and silicones, which can strip the hair of its natural oils, cause scalp irritation, and lead to long-term hair damage. In contrast, herbal shampoos are formulated using plant-based ingredients such as Reetha (Soapnut), Shikakai, Amla, Aloe Vera, and Neem, which provide gentle cleansing, conditioning, and therapeutic benefits without adverse effects. This review explores the formulation strategies, key herbal ingredients, and evaluation methods for herbal shampoos. It highlights the advantages of natural surfactants and bioactive compounds derived from medicinal plants, which contribute to improved hair health, reduced hair fall, and enhanced scalp conditions. Additionally, the paper discusses quality control parameters, including pH, viscosity, foaming ability, cleansing efficiency, and antimicrobial properties, to ensure the safety and efficacy of herbal shampoo formulations. The shift toward herbal shampoos aligns with the global trend of green cosmetics, emphasizing sustainability, biodegradability, and minimal environmental impact. However, challenges such as limited shelf life, variability in herbal extract potency, and weaker foaming properties compared to synthetic shampoos remain areas for further research and innovation. By addressing these challenges, herbal shampoos can become a mainstream choice in the hair care industry, offering consumers a non-toxic, eco-friendly, and holistic hair care solution.

Introduction

1. Overview:

Consumer demand is increasingly shifting toward natural and organic personal care products, driven by concerns about the harmful effects of synthetic ingredients in conventional shampoos (e.g., SLS, parabens, silicones). These chemicals can strip natural oils, cause irritation, and contribute to hair damage, prompting a move toward herbal shampoos that align with green chemistry and eco-friendly living.

2. Benefits of Herbal Shampoos:

• Gentle Cleansing: Use of natural surfactants like Reetha and Shikakai that cleanse without stripping oils.

• Scalp & Hair Health: Ingredients like Amla, Aloe Vera, Bhringraj, Neem, and Hibiscus provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties.

• Nourishment & Strength: Enhance hair strength, reduce dandruff and hair fall, and promote growth.

• Eco-Friendly: Biodegradable, free of harmful chemicals, and less polluting to water systems.

• Safe for Sensitive Scalps: Suitable for conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

• Sustainability: Supports clean beauty and natural wellness.

3. Key Herbal Ingredients:

• Cleansers: Reetha (soapnut), Shikakai

• Conditioners & Soothers: Aloe Vera, Fenugreek

• Medicinal/Bioactive: Amla, Neem, Hibiscus, Brahmi

• Natural Surfactants/Thickeners: Coconut oil-based agents, guar gum, xanthan gum

• Essential Oils: Lavender, tea tree, rosemary – for fragrance and antimicrobial effects

4. Formulation Methods:

• Aqueous Extraction: Boiling herbs in water to extract actives (e.g., Reetha, Amla).

• Oil Infusion: Herbs like Brahmi or Neem infused in oils for nourishment.

• Gel Formulations: Using Aloe Vera for texture and hydration.

• Stabilizers & Preservatives: Natural options like honey, tea tree oil, and grapefruit seed extract to enhance shelf life.

• Customization: Formulas vary based on intended benefits—moisturizing, cleansing, anti-dandruff, or hair growth.

5. Evaluation Parameters:

Herbal shampoos are tested for:

• Physical traits: Color, odor, consistency

• pH: Ideally 5.5–7, suitable for the scalp

• Foaming ability & stability

• Cleansing action: Dirt dispersion test

• Conditioning effects: Combability, softness, shine

• Antimicrobial activity: Against scalp pathogens

• Safety: Patch testing for skin irritation

• Stability: Assessed under different temperature/humidity conditions

6. Advantages Over Synthetic Shampoos:

• No SLS, parabens, silicones, or artificial fragrances

• Supports long-term scalp and hair health

• Reduces allergic reactions and irritation

• Environmentally sustainable

• Naturally conditions hair without buildup

7. Challenges in Herbal Shampoo Formulation:

• Shorter shelf life due to absence of synthetic preservatives

• Variability in herbal potency based on origin and extraction

• Lower foam and cleansing power, which may reduce user satisfaction

• Texture and phase separation issues with natural thickeners

• Lack of regulatory standardization for herbal ingredients

Conclusion

The increasing demand for natural and sustainable personal care products has positioned herbal shampoos as a promising alternative to conventional synthetic shampoos. Unlike commercial shampoos that rely on harsh detergents and chemicals, herbal formulations leverage the therapeutic properties of botanical ingredients such as Reetha, Shikakai, Amla, Aloe Vera, and Neem to provide gentle yet effective cleansing, conditioning, and scalp nourishment. These natural ingredients not only cleanse hair without stripping its natural oils but also offer additional benefits such as reduced hair fall, dandruff control, enhanced shine, and improved hair strength. The absence of synthetic additives like SLS, parabens, and silicones makes herbal shampoos particularly suitable for individuals with sensitive scalps or those seeking chemical-free hair care solutions. However, despite their advantages, herbal shampoos face certain challenges, including shorter shelf life, inconsistent foaming properties, and variability in herbal extract potency. Addressing these limitations through advanced formulation techniques, natural preservatives, and standardized extraction methods can enhance their commercial viability. Future research should focus on optimizing surfactant blends from natural sources, improving stability, and conducting long-term clinical studies to validate their efficacy. Additionally, consumer education on the benefits of herbal shampoos and their proper usage can drive wider acceptance in the market. As the cosmetic industry shifts toward green chemistry and sustainable practices, herbal shampoos represent a significant step forward in eco-friendly hair care. By combining traditional Ayurvedic knowledge with modern scientific validation, these formulations can bridge the gap between nature-based wellness and evidence-based cosmetology. With continued innovation and quality assurance, herbal shampoos have the potential to redefine hair care standards, offering a safer, healthier, and environmentally responsible choice for consumers worldwide. VIII. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I would like to thank all the people who have made direct or indirect contributions to publish this article especially my mentor and my guide.I am very grateful and thank them for their suggestions and support throughout this work.I express my gratitude to them for providing all the necessary resources during the work.I would also like to thank my family for their support.Without their contributions,this work would not have been possible.

References

[1] D’Souza, P., & Rathi, S. K. (2015). Shampoo and conditioners: What a dermatologist should know? Indian Journal of Dermatology, 60(3), 248–254. [2] Gavazzoni Dias, M. F. (2015). Hair cosmetics: An overview. International Journal of Trichology, 7(1), 2–15. [3] Lee, B. H., et al. (2013). Natural surfactants and their applications in shampoos. Cosmetics, 5(4), 45–53. [4] Kumar, S., & Pandey, A. K. (2013). Chemistry and biological activities of flavonoids: An overview. The Scientific World Journal, 2013, 162750. [5] Trüeb, R. M. (2020). The impact of oxidative stress on hair. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 42(1), 1–8. [6] Nayak, B. S., et al. (2010). Reetha (Sapindusmukorossi) and its potential as a natural surfactant. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 128(2), 339–343. [7] Joshi, A., & Sood, S. (2015). Shikakai (Acacia concinna): A natural hair cleanser. Journal of Herbal Medicine, 5(1), 29–34. [8] Baliga, M. S., & Dsouza, J. J. (2011). Amla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn): A wonder berry in the treatment of aging and oxidative stress. Food Research International, 44(7), 1856–1865. [9] Surjushe, A., et al. (2008). Aloe vera: A short review. Indian Journal of Dermatology, 53(4), 163–166. [10] Subapriya, R., & Nagini, S. (2005). Medicinal properties of neem leaves: A review. Current Medicinal Chemistry, 12(5), 461–464. [11] Adhirajan, N., et al. (2003). In vivo and in vitro evaluation of hair growth potential of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 88(2-3), 235–239. [12] Kumar, N., et al. (2012). Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri): A review on its neuroprotective potential. Phytotherapy Research, 26(3), 317–324. [13] Ziaei, S., et al. (2011). The effect of fenugreek seed on hair growth. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 10(4), 274–277. [14] Agero, A. L., &Verallo-Rowell, V. M. (2004). A randomized double-blind controlled trial comparing virgin coconut oil with mineral oil as a moisturizer for mild to moderate xerosis. Dermatitis, 15(3), 109–116. [15] Carson, C. F., et al. (2006). Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) oil: A review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 19(1), 50–62. [16] Akhtar, N., et al. (2016). Formulation and evaluation of herbal shampoo. Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 29(6), 2163–2170. [17] Sharma, P., et al. (2014). Development and evaluation of herbal shampoo from Sapindusmukorossi. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 5(12), 5395–5400. [18] Verma, S., & Singh, S. P. (2012). Current and future status of herbal medicines in India. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 1(5), 1–11. [19] Ali, A., et al. (2015). Aloe vera gel-based herbal shampoo: Formulation and evaluation. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science, 5(2), 086–091. [20] Patil, S. B., et al. (2011). Natural surfactants from plants: A review. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research, 8(1), 38–43. [21] Thakur, R., et al. (2018). Natural thickeners in cosmetics: A review. Journal of Cosmetic Science, 69(2), 123–131. [22] Barel, A. O., et al. (2014). Handbook of Cosmetic Science and Technology. CRC Press. [23] Draelos, Z. D. (2010). Hair Care: An Illustrated Dermatologic Handbook. Informa Healthcare. [24] Gupta, A. K., & Nicol, K. (2004). The use of sulfur in dermatology. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 3(4), 427–431. [25] Robbins, C. R. (2012). Chemical and Physical Behavior of Human Hair. Springer. [26] Gavazzoni Dias, M. F., et al. (2014). The shampoo pH can affect the hair: Myth or reality? International Journal of Trichology, 6(3), 95–99. [27] D’Souza, P., & Rathi, S. K. (2015). Shampoo and conditioners: What a dermatologist should know? Indian Journal of Dermatology, 60(3), 248–254. [28] Lee, Y., et al. (2011). Hair shaft damage from heat and drying time of a hair dryer. Annals of Dermatology, 23(4), 455–462. [29] Dutta, S., et al. (2018). Antimicrobial evaluation of herbal shampoos against scalp pathogens. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 125(3), 874–883. [30] Farage, M. A., et al. (2008). Sensitive skin: Clinical manifestations and mechanistic underpinnings. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 22(6), 643–654. [31] Marsh, J. M., et al. (2018). Role of sulfates in shampoo-induced hair damage. Journal of Cosmetic Science, 69(4), 245–256. [32] Rele, A. S., &Mohile, R. B. (2003). Effect of mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil on prevention of hair damage. Journal of Cosmetic Science, 54(2), 175–192. [33] Ruetsch, S. B., et al. (2001). Secondary ion mass spectrometric investigation of penetration of coconut and mineral oils into human hair fibers. Journal of Cosmetic Science, 52(3), 169–184. [34] D’Souza, P., & Rathi, S. K. (2015). Shampoo and conditioners: What a dermatologist should know? Indian Journal of Dermatology, 60(3), 248–254. [35] Gavazzoni Dias, M. F. (2015). Hair cosmetics: An overview. International Journal of Trichology, 7(1), 2–15. [36] Kaur, C. D., & Saraf, S. (2011). Challenges in herbal shampoo formulation. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 2(9), 2194–2202. [37] Chaudhri, S. G., & Jain, N. K. (2015). Preservatives in cosmetics: Regulatory aspects and safety evaluation. Journal of Cosmetic Science, 66(2), 85–96. [38] Lochhead, R. Y. (2017). The role of polymers in cosmetics. Cosmetics, 4(2), 12. [39] Baki, G., & Alexander, K. S. (2015). Introduction to Cosmetic Formulation and Technology. Wiley. [40] Rieger, M. M. (2000). Harry’s Cosmeticology. Chemical Publishing.

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Mr. Vaibhav Waghole, Mrs. Vishakha Divekar, Mr. Nitin Gawai. 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.