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Abstract

A natural skincare product, herbal soap is made using extracts from organic products or plants. There are no harsh chemicals in it. In this we made herbal soap using turmeric, tulsi, aloe vera, neem oil and curry leaves. Each of these plants have their own medicinal and skincare properties such as antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, skin rejuvenating, repairs acne, moisturizing etc. These properties help in skin repairing and glowing. Therefore, herbal soaps are more beneficial as compared to synthetic soap.

Keywords

Herbs, Herbal soap, curry leaves, tulsi, turmeric, aloe vera, neem oil.

Introduction

Cosmetics-The term cosmetic is derived from the Greek word "kosm tikos," which means to have the power, organize, or ability in beautifying. The drug and Cosmetics are defined under D&C Act as substances intended to be given to the human body by friction, dripping, sprayed, or sprinkling or a section of it for cleaning, enhancing, promoting beauty, or changing the style. (Amrutkar SV)

Soap-As per the definition soap is a compound made from chemical that is created when a fatty acid a metal radical reacts. (Kuntom A) Soap is used to remove impurities from the body, such as allergens and bad smells. (Arun SK)

Disadvantages-

  1. Potential for Skin Irritation- Many synthetic soaps include irritating substances, preservatives, and artificial perfumes that can cause skin irritation or allergic responses in individuals with allergies. (Lash T)  
  2. Toxicity of chemicals- Some synthetic soaps contain substances like parabens, phthalates, or formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, which have been linked to longterm health hazards, including hormone disruption and increased cancer risk. (Berg G)

Herbal soap-Herbal soap is created with natural components sourced from various herbs and plants. (Kareru PG) Herbal soap does not include synthetic colors, flavors, fluorides, or other additions. 

Advantages

  1. Moisturizing and Nourishing- Numerous natural soaps contain moisturizing components like glycerine, aloe vera, or honey, which are recognized for their skinhydrating properties. (Bhat, R. S.)  
  2. Free of Harsh Chemicals- Herbal soaps usually do not include sulfates, parabens, artificial scents, or colours, which are prevalent in commercial soaps and can irritate the skin and cause allergic responses. (Nedorost)
  3. Suitable for All Skin Types- Herbal soaps are extremely adaptable and may be tailored to certain skin types, such as sensitive, dry, or oily skin. (Zouboulis, C.C) 

Ingredient Profile

Curry leaves-

Curry leaves, a fragrant botanical native from the Indian subcontinent, are frequently utilized in South Asian culinary arts. The incorporation of curry leaves in herbal soap provides a number of benefits due to its high concentration of bioactive substances such as antioxidants,

vitamins and essential oils (Jain)                   )                                                              

Botanical Name- Murraya koenigii

Family- Rutaceae

Fig.No. 1 – Curry leaves

Table No. 1- Curry leaves activity with its active phytoconstituent

Activity

Active phytoconstituent

Antioxidant activity

Carbazole alkaloids

Anti-inflammatory activity

Carbazoles

Antimicrobial    &

Antifungal activity

Carbazoles, essential oil, flavonoids and phenolic compounds

Skin brightening & tanning

Carbazoles, vitamin C, Flavonoids and beta- carotene

Tulsi- Tulsi is a cherished herb in Indian traditional medicine and considered a sacred plant in hindu culture (Singh, G) The presence of Tulsi in soap improves its capacity to purify, cleanse,

and repair skin. (Bhattacharyya, S.)

Botanical Name- Ocimum sanctum

Family- Lamiaceae

Fig.No. 2- Tulsi

Table No. 2- Tulsi activity with its active phytoconstituent

Activity

Active phytoconstituent

Antioxidant activity

Rosmarinic acid & eugenol

Antifungal activity

Flavonoids & Urosolic acid

Skin healing

Tannins & eugenols

Skin toning

Rosmarinic acid & vitamin C

Stress relief

Eugenol & flavonoids

Turmeric: Curcuma plant roots are used to make turmeric a bright yellow spice that is frequently used in traditional medicine and cosmetics. Turmeric, when used in soap, provides a natural way to improve skin health (Al-Dosary)

Botanical Name- Curcuma longa

Family- Zingiberaceae

Fig.No.3- Turmeric

Table No. 3- Turmeric activity with its active phytoconstituent

Activity

Active phytoconstituent

Antimicrobial activity

Curcumin & desmethoxycurcumin

Antimicrobial activity

Curcumin & Bisdemethoxycurcumin

Skin healing

Curcumin

Skin Detoxification

Curcumin & turmerones

Evens skintone

Curcumin & bisdemethoxycurcumin

Aloe vera-The succulent plant aloe vera is well-known for its thick, meaty leaves that contain a gel-like material that has several health and skin advantages. Aloe vera offers many skin benefits such as skin healing, moisturizing, repairs acne and healing etc. that’s the reason it is

used in soap. (Dweck)

Botanical name-Aloe barbadensis Miller.

Family- Asphodelaceae

Fig.No. 4- Aloe Vera

Table No. 4- Aloe Vera activity with its active phytoconstituent

Activity

Active Phytoconstituent

Moisturization

Acemannan

Soothing & Healing

Glycomannan & Aloin

Antioxidant Activity

VitaminC (Ascorbic acids) &VitaminE (Tocopherol)

Antimicrobial activity

Aloin ,emodin, saponin

Gentle cleansing

Saponins

Neem Oil- Neem oil is derived from the seeds of the Azadirachta indica plant, plus also named neem tree which is located near the subcontinent. It is frequently used as an addition within certain soap compositions are intended to heal skin issues or provide gentle natural treatment

(Kumar A)

Table No. 5- Neem oil activity with its active phytoconstituent

Activity

Active Phytoconstituent

Antimicrobial & Antiseptic activity

Azadirachtin, Nimbidin, Nimbin Salannin &

Meliantriol

Anti-inflammatory activity

Nimbidin, nimbin & salannin

Moisturization

&Skin nourishment

Oleic acid, linoleic acid, tocopherols, salannin.

Balancing oil

Azadirachtin, nimbin & oleic acid

Color &fragrance

Oleic acid nimbidin

CONCLUSION-

Herbal soap’s benefits extend beyond just cleansing; herbal soaps often possess additional therapeutic properties that can nourish, hydrate, and protect the skin. In this we made a soap using tulsi, aloe vera, turmeric and neem oil which possess many beneficial activities and are free of harmful substances. The ingredients used in this herbal sopa have many properties some of them are antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity etc. These plants also help in giving moisturizing, cleansing, nourishing, and also prevents premature ageing. Further in vitro and invivo studies can be carried out for its safety and efficacy.

REFERENCES

  1. Amrutkar SV, Patil AR, Ishikar SK. A review on herbal soap. Research Journal of Topical and Cosmetic Sciences. 2022;13(1):49-54.
  2. Kuntom A, Siew WL, Tan YA. Characterization of palm acid oil. Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society. 1994 May;71:525-8.
  3. Arun SK. Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Soap. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 2023 Apr 10;12:2136-47.
  4. Lash, T. (2019). "Understanding the Skin: How Soap Affects the Skin’s Barrier Function." Journal of Dermatological Science.
  5. Berg, G. (2021). "Chemical Additives in Personal Care Products and Their Effects." Environmental Health Perspectives.
  6. Kareru PG, Keriko JM, Kenji GM, Thiong’o GT, Gachanja AN, Mukiira HN. Antimicrobial activities of skincare preparations from plant extracts. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines. 2010;7(3).
  7. Saikia AP, Ryakala VK, Sharma P, Goswami P, Bora U. Ethnobotany of medicinal plants used by Assamese people for various skin ailments and cosmetics. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2006 Jun 30;106(2):149-57.
  8. Bhat, R. S., et al. (2015). "The effectiveness of glycerin and aloe vera for moisturizing the skin." Cosmetic Dermatology 
  9. Nedorost, S. T., et al. (2015). "Sulfates, parabens, and their effects on the skin." Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
  10. Zouboulis, C. C., et al. (2009). "Natural soaps and their use for sensitive skin." Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
  11. Jain, S. K., & Sharma, S. (2015). "Traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological properties of Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng". Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies, 3(6), 199-205.
  12. Singh, G., & Kapoor, S. L. (2009). "Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi)". Phytotherapy Research, 23(5), 776-779.
  13. Bhattacharyya, S., & Hazra, A. (2014). "Therapeutic potentials of Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi)". International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 5(1), 103110.
  14. Al-Dosary, A. M., Alwadai, N., & Bahbah, E. I. (2019). Therapeutic properties of turmeric (Curcuma longa): A review. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 13(7), 115123
  15. (Dweck, A. C. (2007). Aloe vera: A review of its pharmacology, applications, and safety profile. Cosmetic Dermatology, 20(10), 28-3 
  16. Kumar, A., & Sharma, S. (2017). Azadirachta indica (Neem) and its health benefits. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 6(4), 382-388.

Reference

  1. Amrutkar SV, Patil AR, Ishikar SK. A review on herbal soap. Research Journal of Topical and Cosmetic Sciences. 2022;13(1):49-54.
  2. Kuntom A, Siew WL, Tan YA. Characterization of palm acid oil. Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society. 1994 May;71:525-8.
  3. Arun SK. Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Soap. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 2023 Apr 10;12:2136-47.
  4. Lash, T. (2019). "Understanding the Skin: How Soap Affects the Skin’s Barrier Function." Journal of Dermatological Science.
  5. Berg, G. (2021). "Chemical Additives in Personal Care Products and Their Effects." Environmental Health Perspectives.
  6. Kareru PG, Keriko JM, Kenji GM, Thiong’o GT, Gachanja AN, Mukiira HN. Antimicrobial activities of skincare preparations from plant extracts. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines. 2010;7(3).
  7. Saikia AP, Ryakala VK, Sharma P, Goswami P, Bora U. Ethnobotany of medicinal plants used by Assamese people for various skin ailments and cosmetics. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2006 Jun 30;106(2):149-57.
  8. Bhat, R. S., et al. (2015). "The effectiveness of glycerin and aloe vera for moisturizing the skin." Cosmetic Dermatology 
  9. Nedorost, S. T., et al. (2015). "Sulfates, parabens, and their effects on the skin." Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
  10. Zouboulis, C. C., et al. (2009). "Natural soaps and their use for sensitive skin." Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
  11. Jain, S. K., & Sharma, S. (2015). "Traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological properties of Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng". Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies, 3(6), 199-205.
  12. Singh, G., & Kapoor, S. L. (2009). "Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi)". Phytotherapy Research, 23(5), 776-779.
  13. Bhattacharyya, S., & Hazra, A. (2014). "Therapeutic potentials of Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi)". International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 5(1), 103110.
  14. Al-Dosary, A. M., Alwadai, N., & Bahbah, E. I. (2019). Therapeutic properties of turmeric (Curcuma longa): A review. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 13(7), 115123
  15. (Dweck, A. C. (2007). Aloe vera: A review of its pharmacology, applications, and safety profile. Cosmetic Dermatology, 20(10), 28-3 
  16. Kumar, A., & Sharma, S. (2017). Azadirachta indica (Neem) and its health benefits. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 6(4), 382-388.

Photo
Payal
Corresponding author

Aakash institute of medical sciences nalagarh

Photo
Munish goyal
Co-author

Aakash institute of medical sciences

Photo
Nasira abbasi
Co-author

Aakash institute of medical sciences nalagarh

Photo
Sharandeep Kaur
Co-author

Aakash institute of medical sciences nalagarh

Payal*, Munish Goyal, Nasira Abbasi, Sharandeep Kaur, Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal soap, Int. J. of Pharm. Sci., 2025, Vol 3, Issue 4, 9218-9222. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15225582

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