1Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University, Lonere.
2,3,4,5,6Oyster Institute of Pharmacy, Nagonachi Wadi, Golatgoan, Jalna Road, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
The goal of the research was to develop a herbal cream for moisturizing, nourishing, whitening, and treating various skin diseases. The present study focuses on the formulation and evaluation of an herbal cold cream utilizing neem oil as the primary active ingredient. Neem oil is renowned for its potent antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a valuable component in topical formulations intended for skincare. The cold cream was formulated using natural ingredients, including beeswax, emulsifying agents, and essential oils, to ensure optimal consistency, stability, and skin compatibility. A series of physicochemical evaluations were conducted to assess parameters such as pH, spread ability, viscosity, stability, and skin irritation potential. The formulated cream exhibited desirable organoleptic and physical characteristics, with a pH suitable for topical application and no signs of phase separation or microbial growth during stability testing. Preliminary skin irritation studies on volunteers confirmed the formulation's safety and suitability for use on human skin. The results suggest that neem oil-based herbal cold cream can serve as an effective, natural alternative for skin protection and moisturization, with added therapeutic benefits.
They give elegancy to the skin and it is not that much greasy. Due to the oil phase, it gives emollience to the skin. The function of the cold cream is for restoring The cosmetics word derived from Greek 'kosmesticos' which means to adorn. Cosmetics are products used to beautify skins to purify the skin. The cosmetics, according to the drug And cosmetics act is defined as articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled or sprayed on introduced into or otherwise applied to the human body or part there for cleaning beautifying, promoting, attractions or altering the appearance. Cosmetics products used extensively throughout world for maintaining general appearance of face and other body parts. Eg. Skin ,eyes, hair, hand etc. herbal cosmetics are preparation which represent cosmetics associated with active bio- ingredients, neutraceuticals and pharmaceutical. These herbal cosmetics used as beauty products help in enhancing and conditioning properties of skin. The herbal extracts used in these formulations are all derived from natural plant sources without the use of any harmful synthetic drugs. The herbs extracted by these systems show a number of properties like anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-septic, emollient and sometimes also show anti-cancer properties. Cold cream is the water in oil emulsion. Cold cream gives the prolonged contact time in the site of application as compared to the other semisolid dosage former formulation. moisture to dry skin; it allows eliminating the waste materials from the pores and also cools the body. It is easily watered washable and easy to wash away. They are non-irritating when applied on the skin. The water phase gives extra conservation to the skin. It gets liquefy at body temperature.
? What Is Cold Cream...?
Cold cream is an emulsion of water and certain fats, usually including beeswax and various scent agents, designed to smooth skin and remove makeup. Cold cream is an emulsion of water in alarger amount of oil, unlike the oil in water emulsion of vanishing cream, so-called because it seems to disappear when applied on skin. The name “cold cream” derives from the cooling feeling that the cream leaves on the skin. Variations of the product have been used for nearly2000 years. Cold cream is an emulsion in which the proportion of fatty and oily material predominates, although when it is applied to the skin a cooling effect is produced due to slow evaporation of the water contained in the emulsion. Cold cream is an example of a Water in- oil (W/O) emulsion. In cold cream, the major portion is the oil phase. Simply, the cold cream is an oil-based semi solid preparation. Cold cream is also known as Unguentum or Ceratum Refrigerans.. Generally, it contains mineral oil, beeswax, borax, and water. It is a soothing and cleansing cosmetic typically of oily and heavy consistency, used to soothe and cleanse the skin. It can be classified as a form of cleansing cream. Cold cream is mainly used for skin treatment (such as a facial mask or lip balm), due to its moisturizing properties. It can also be used to remove makeup and as shaving cream.
(Fig.No 0.1)
Advantages And Disadvantages of Cold Cream
Literature Review
Herbal formulations have gained increasing popularity in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries due to their perceived safety, minimal side effects, and environmental friendliness. Among various natural ingredients, neem oil (Azadirachta indica) holds a prominent place in traditional medicine and skincare due to its rich bioactive composition.
1. Neem Oil and Its Therapeutic Properties
Neem oil, extracted from the seeds of the neem tree, is well-documented in Ayurvedic, Unani, and Siddha systems of medicine. It contains active compounds such as nimbin, nimbidin, azadirachtin, and quercetin, which exhibit antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antioxidant properties (Kumar et al., 2016). Studies have shown neem oil to be effective in treating skin infections, acne, eczema, and minor wounds, making it suitable for inclusion in topical formulations (Biswas et al., 2002
2. Herbal Cold Creams
Cold creams are oil-in-water emulsions designed to moisturize and protect the skin, especially in dry or cold environments. Traditional cold creams often contain petroleum-based products, which may cause long-term skin issues with frequent use. In contrast, herbal cold creams incorporate natural oils and waxes that are better tolerated by sensitive skin. Several studies have supported the formulation of cold creams using plant-based oils such as coconut, almond, and olive oil, noting improved hydration and reduced irritation (Rani et al., 2018)
3. Formulation Approaches in Herbal Cosmetics
Research has highlighted the importance of selecting appropriate emulsifying agents, stabilizers, and preservatives to ensure product safety and efficacy. Borax and beeswax are frequently used as natural emulsifiers in herbal creams (Mehta et al., 2014). Evaluations usually include physicochemical tests (pH, spreadability, viscosity), stability studies, and in vivo assessments for skin irritation or allergic reactions
4. Previous Studies on Neem-based Topicals
Several researchers have formulated neem-based ointments, gels, and lotions and reported significant antimicrobial and healing effects. For instance, Patel et al. (2019) developed a neem oil gel that showed excellent antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli. Another study by Sharma et al. (2020) on neem cream concluded it to be effective in treating minor cuts and dry skin, with good user acceptability and no reported side effects ? Ingredients Of Formulations
All the natural materials used in the present study i.e., Coconut oil, Neem oil from local market,in a form of dried powder. The details of the plant material used for the formulation of coldcream are mentioned below.
1. Neem oil
2. Rose water
3. Coconut oil
4. Borax
5. Beeswax
Honey
7. Aloe vera
8. Liquid paraffin
(Fig.No 0.2)
1.Neem Oil
3. Coconut Oil
3.Borax
(Fig,No 0.5)
4. Beeswax
(Fig.No 0.6)
5.Aloe Vera
(Fig.No 0.7)
6.Honey
(Fig.No 0.8)
Formulation Table
Sr no.
|
Name of ingredient |
Quality (for 200gm) |
uses |
1 |
Methyl paraben |
0.020gm |
Antibacterial properties and preservation |
2 |
Borax |
0.50gm |
Stability |
3 |
Beeswax |
30gm |
Emulsifying agent, stabilizer |
4 |
Liquid paraffin |
100gm |
Prevents skin itching Ans lubricating agent |
5 |
Neem oil |
23gm |
Prevent or even kill fungus |
6 |
Almond oil |
20gm |
Protective layer skin |
7 |
Honey |
10gm |
Antioxidant properties: |
8 |
Alovera gel |
10gm |
Anti-inflammatory properties |
(Fig.No 0.9)
1. Physical properties
- The cream was observed for colour, odour, and appearance.
2. Washability
- The cream wash applied on hand and then observed it.
3. PH Determination
- In order to calibrate the PH meter, normal buffer solution
was used. A digital PH meter was used to weight 0.5 gm of cream, dissolve it in 50 ml of distilled water, and determine the PH value.
4. Viscosity
- A Brookfield viscometer is used to measure the cream's
viscosity at 100pm (resolution per minute ) with needle number.
5. Spread ability test
- The area to which the topical application distributes after being applied to the skin's affected areas is reffered to as spread ability. The herbal formulation medicinal effectiveness also depends on how widely it spread. - Determining the prepared formulation's spreading capacity is therefore essential. A thin layer of uniform thickness was Obtained for the measurements by pressing about 3gm of cream between two glass slides.
The spread ability of the prepared formulation can be calculated using the
following formula: S = M x L/T Where, S= solubility. M= weight placed on
upper glass slide. L= length of glass slide. T= Time taken. The measurements where made in triplicate for the findings, and the average of these reading was recorded.
6. Irritancy test
- During tests, the cream's formulation exhibits no redness, edema, irritation, or inflammation. The cream's formulation is risk free to use.
7. Microbial tests
- The formulated cream is rest for 24 hours at room temp nd then check under microscope.
RESULT
1. Physical Properties
- The physical properties of formulated cream was observed for colour, odour and appearance.
Sr No |
Properties |
Result |
1 |
colour |
crimish |
2 |
odour |
pleasant |
3 |
texture |
smooth |
2. Washability
-Washability test is carried out by applying the small amount of cream on hand and then washing with tab water.
(Fig.No 10)
3. PH Determination
for skin.
- PH of cold cream was found to be range in 5 which is good
4. Viscosity
- Viscosity is check by Brookfield viscometer.
5. Spread ability
- The spread ability show that the formulated cold cream has good spread ability property. The range of spread ability was found to be 24.4 g. cm/s.
6. Irritancy test
- When the formulated cold cream wash applied on hand there is no produce irrigation, edema, and inflammation during the studies.
The cream is safe for use.
7. Microbial test
under microscope.
- Take a small amount of cold cream place in a slide. Then observe
CONCLUSION
The formulation of cold cream using neem oil has proven to be a promising approach for developing a multifunctional skincare product with both moisturizing and antimicrobial properties. Neem oil, known for its rich content of fatty acids, vitamin E, and natural antibacterial compounds, enhances the therapeutic value of the cream. The formulated cold cream showed acceptable physicochemical properties, including appropriate pH, smooth texture, stability, and spreadability, making it suitable for topical application. The antimicrobial activity observed against common skin pathogens further supports the use of neem oil as a beneficial ingredient in cosmetic and therapeutic formulations. Overall, this study demonstrates that neem oil can be effectively incorporated into a cold cream base, offering a natural and effective alternative to synthetic skincare products. Future studies may focus on optimizing the formulation further, conducting long-term stability tests, and evaluating user acceptance through clinical trials.
REFERENCES
Laxmi Chaudhary*, Aarti Zore, Khushi Raut, Shivani Gangawane, Rutuja Salunke, Jayashre Bairagi, Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Cold Cream, Int. J. of Pharm. Sci., 2025, Vol 3, Issue 7, 1455-1465. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15855054