Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Turmeric Cream

Abstract

The creation and assessment of an herbal cream containing turmeric (Curcuma longa) extract—which has strong anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, and wound-healing qualities—is the main goal of this work. A straightforward emulsification process was used to create the cream, and its physicochemical characteristics—such as pH, spreadability, homogeneity, viscosity, stability, and antibacterial activity—were assessed. According to the results, the cream was suited for topical use since it was stable, non-irritating, and effective against skin infections. Excellent aesthetic qualities and the absence of phase separation and microbiological contamination were displayed by the formulation, indicating that it may be used as a natural and safe skincare product.

Introduction

• Growing awareness of the side effects of synthetic ingredients in cosmetics has led to increased demand for natural and herbal alternatives.

• Turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn.), known for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-aging, and wound-healing properties, has been traditionally used in Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha systems.

• Curcumin, the main active compound in turmeric, shows broad dermatological benefits, making it ideal for herbal cream formulations.

2. Turmeric as a Medicinal Plant

• Belongs to the Zingiberaceae family.

• Curcuminoids (curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin) offer:

  • Antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal action

  • Melanin reduction, collagen synthesis, and skin texture improvement

• Effective against skin conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and hyperpigmentation.

3. Herbal Cream Formulation Importance

• Creams are topical emulsions (either oil-in-water or water-in-oil), chosen for their:

  • Ease of application

  • Localized action

  • Patient comfort

• Herbal creams act as both carriers and skin conditioners.

• Factors like pH, viscosity, spreadability, and natural stabilizers affect the stability and effectiveness of the cream.

4. Need for Herbal Alternatives

• Synthetic creams often contain mineral oils, sulfates, parabens, and artificial fragrances that can cause irritation and long-term harm.

• Herbal creams, especially turmeric-based, are biocompatible, eco-friendly, and support "green chemistry" and "clean beauty".

• They offer synergistic benefits by integrating traditional knowledge with modern pharmaceutical technologies.

5. Study Objectives

• To formulate and evaluate a turmeric-based herbal cream through:

  1. Extraction of curcumin

  2. Cream formulation with compatible natural excipients

  3. Physical and biological evaluation (pH, viscosity, spreadability, stability, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, etc.)

  4. Skin irritation testing to ensure safety

6. Literature Support

• Various studies confirm turmeric's:

  • Antimicrobial properties (e.g., against Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli)

  • Wound-healing, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory effects

  • Market demand in herbal cosmetics

  • Compatibility with other herbs (e.g., tulsi, manjistha)

  • Enhanced penetration when used with oils like coconut and sesame

7. Formulation Overview

• Key Ingredients: Curcumin extract, beeswax, borax, methyl paraben, liquid paraffin, rose oil.

• Procedure Summary:

  • Extraction using ethanol

  • Preparation of oil and aqueous phases

  • Mixing and emulsification

  • Final product fragranced with rose oil

8. Evaluation Parameters

9. Future Scope

• Research can focus on:

  • Nano-formulations for better curcumin penetration and stability

  • Clinical trials to validate long-term safety and efficacy

  • Eco-friendly packaging and global commercialization

  • Synergistic formulations combining turmeric with other herbs

  • Standardization using advanced analytical techniques

• Supports integration of pharmacognosy, pharmaceutics, and cosmeceuticals.

Conclusion

It was discovered that the herbal turmeric cream formulation was stable, secure, and efficient when used topically. It is a possible substitute for synthetic skin creams due to its advantageous physicochemical properties as well as curcumin\'s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Its appropriateness for both therapeutic and cosmetic usage is confirmed by the lack of microbiological contamination and skin irritation. Herbal creams based on turmeric have the potential to become popular and commercialized due to the growing demand for natural skincare products. Its therapeutic usefulness and commercial reach can be increased by more clinical research and the use of cutting-edge delivery methods.

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Miss. Samiksha Laxman Bait, Miss. Rushali Bedjawalge, Dr. Nitin Gawai , Miss. Sanskruti Chavan, Miss. Divya Lagad. 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.