Formation And Evaluation of Herbal Under Eye Patches for Dark Circles (Sankhpushpi + Sandalwood + Coconut Oil)

Cosmetic sare defined by Indian and EU regulationsas "any article intended to be applied in some other way, such as rubbing, pouring, sprinkling, or spraying on the human body, or any portion of it, for the purposes of cleaning, beautifying, enhancing beauty, or changing the look and encompasses any item meant to be used as a cosmetic component. The"Cosmetics that produce pharmaceutical therapeutic effects are referred to as cosmetics. Advantages ,but not those of biological therapy.It highlights skin care items that have active components that are good for nourishing and enhancing the skin's appearance within the skin.

DARKCIRCLE

Conditions that give the appearance of relatively dark infraorbital eyelids are known as dark circles that are infraorbital. Due to general exhaustion, dark circles under the eyes are getting worse.especially lack of sleep. Since the eye lids 'skin is the thin esti the body,It all owsb lood vessel store adilypoke through, giving puffy eyes their swollen, black appearance.look. Many factors, such as fluid retention brought on by too much alcohol or salt consumption ,feelings ,especially tears, allergies, changes in hormones, sleep deprivation,and other illnesses, can cause puffy eyes. Hyperpigmentation in the periorbital region is a common skin condition that usually affects girls between the ages of sixteen and 45. A dark periorbital region beneath the lower eyelids is how it appears. An additional problem that may There are several causes of dark circle under the eyes,such as stress,sleep deprivation, aging ,andheredity.the lowerlids of the eyes. There are two main causes of dark circles:

Fragility of vessels

Inadequate circulation beneath the eyes.

Fig – Dark circle

Epidermology

People of all ages, genders, and ethnicities around the world suffer from dark circles, a very common cosmetic condition. Young adults, particularly those aged 16 to 35, are more likely to exhibit them because of lifestyle factors like stress, sleep deprivation, extended screen time, and erratic routines. Due to genetic predisposition, increased skin melanin content, hot weather, and growing urbanization, which causes poor sleep patterns and stress from work, the condition is very common in the Indian population.

Its spread is also aided by environmental factors like pollution, sun exposure, dietary deficiencies, and frequent eye rubbing from allergies. Dark circles can a strong effect one's well being self esteem, self-esteem, and facial appearance, despite not being a serious medical condition.

Etiology

Bilateral, spherical, uniform pigmentation is the hallmark of dark circles (DC) beneath theeyes.macules ontheareas infraorbital.Dermal melanin is one of several etiologic factors that cause it.deposition, hyperpigmentation following inflammation brought on by atopic or allergic contact dermatitis,shadowing brought on by loose skin, superficial vasculature, and periorbital edema.

1. Deposition of Dermal Melanin(Pigmentation)

Dark coloring is the result of excess melanin buildup in the skin. Skin appears darker due to increased light reflection (the Tyndall effect) caused by thicker dermis and edema.

2. Post inflammatory hyper pigmentation

results from atopic dermatitis or allergies. Scratching and rubbing thearea around the eyes exacerbates pigmentation.Another factor is the buildup of fluid during an allergy.

3. Vascular Cause:Superficial Blood Vessels

Aswe age,vessels become more noticeabl edue to thinning skin and loss of subcutaneous fat.A bluish appearance is caused by a visible capillary network.

4. Depression Through Tears(StructuralCause)

As we age, the natural hollow beneath our eyes deepens.Circles appear darker due to the shadowing effect created by fat displacement and skin thinning.

5. Sleep deprivation and fatigue

The appearance is exacerbated by general fatigue, particularly sleep deprivation.

1. Types of dark circle

Pigmented Dark Circles

Pigmented dark circles appear as brown or dark-brown discoloration under the eyes due to excess melanin production. This type is often linked to:

• Sun exposure
• Hormonal change
• Inflammation
• Skin condition like eczemaor dermatitis 
• Genetics

1. Vascular Dark Circles

Caused by visible blood vessel sun derthe thin skin around the eyes, giving a bluish or purple tint. Common triggers include:

• Genetics
• Fatigue
• Allergies
• Nasalcongestion
• Thinning skin due to aging

2. Structural(Shadow) Dark Circles

Caused by the natural shadowing effect of the eye socket,makingthe area appear darker. Often linked to:

• Deep-seteyes
• Low fator cheek volume
• Aging
• Genetics

3.Mixed-Type  DarkCircles

Several elements are combined to create mixed-type dark circles, including:

• Vascular + Pigmentation :Brownish-blue discoloration
• Shadow + Hollow :Sunken eye sand dark shadows
• Allergic+Vascular:Bluishtintanswelling

When two or more types of dark circles (pigmented, vascular, shadow, hollow, or allergic) occur simultaneously, they are referred to as mixedtype dark circles. Multiple symptoms such as discoloration, puffiness, and shadowing are frequently present, making treatment more complicated and requiring a customized approach.

SYMPTOMSOFDARKCIRCLE

The following sign and symptoms may be present in darkcircles:

1. DISCOLORATION–Bluish or dark area beneath the eyes.
2. PUFFINESS–Edema or swelling beneath the eyes.
3. TIREDLOOK–The eye show signs of weariness so rexhaustion.
4. ITCHING AND IRRITATION – Itch or irritation may be experienced by certain individuals.

5. HOLLOW APPEARANCE – A hollow appearance under the eyes refers to a sunken or depressed area, often giving a tired or aged look.

6. ISIBLE BLOOD VESSELS – Small blood vessels are visible under the skin.

7.   DRYSKIN – Dry, flaky skin under the eye.

PATCHES

Patches are thin sheets of adhesive that are applied to the skin or a particular body part and contain active ingredients.To deliver the desired effects, they deliver the ingredients gradually and steadily.

TYPES OF PATCHES

The reareseveral types of eyepatch–

1. PATCHES APPLIED TOPICALLY

• Transmitmed ication into the blood stream via the skin.
• For instance,a patch for pain relie for nicotine.

2. UNDER EYE AND COSMETIC PATCHES

• Used for aesthetic reasons.
• Patches Decreased dryness, puffiness, and darkcircles.

3. HERBAL PATCHES

• Composed of natural components such as aloevera, shankhpushpi, sandalwood, and coconut oil.
• Used for cooling,calming,oranti-inflammatory purposes.

4. HYDROGEL PATCHES

• Composed of age lthatis rich in water.
• Incredibly calming and cooling for the skin or eyes.

5.HERBAL PATCHES

• Composed of natural components such as aloevera,shankhpushpi,sandalwood, and coconut oil.

          Used for cooling,calming,oranti-inflammatory purpose 

6.HYDROGEL PATCHES

• Composed of age lthatis rich in water.
• Incredibly calming and cooling for the skin or eyes.

HERBAL EYE PATCHES

A herbal eye patch is a thin sheet or hydrogel patch that contains natural plant-based extracts like coconut oil, sandalwood, aloe vera, and shankhpushpi. It has cooling, calming, hydrating, and depigmenting properties when applied under the eyes. It usually contains natural oils like coconut oil and herbs like sandalwood and shankhpushpi, which combine to lessen dryness, puffiness, and dark circles under the eyes.

Sandalwood has cooling, anti-inflammatory, and depigmenting properties for the skin, while shankhpushpi helps relax eye muscles and enhance microcirculation. As a nourishing base, coconut oil provides moisture and improves the absorption of herbal actives. By directly delivering herbal nutrients to the skin beneath the eyes, these patches promote hydration, enhance skin tone, lessen pigmentation, and leavethe skin looking refreshed. Because they use natural ingredients, herbal eye patches are gentle, suitable for sensitive skin, and provide a safe alternative to chemical-based cosmetic treatments.

BENEFITTS OF HERBAL EYE PATCH

• Reduction of Dark Circles
• Reduction of Puffiness
• Skin Hydration
• Cooling and Soothing Effect
• Reduction of Fine Lines and Wrinkles
• Skin Nourishment
• Relief from Eye Fatigue
• Improvement of Skin Elasticity  

Advantages of herbal eye patch

1. Reduce dark circles
2. Reduce puffiness and swelling
3. Provide cooling and relaxation
4. Hydrate and nourish thin under-eye skin
5. Improve blood circulation
6. Reduce fine line and wrinkles
7. Give brighter and refreshe deyes

Disadvantage of Herbal Eye Patch

1. Works slowly compared to chemical-based products.
2. May cause mild irritation oral lergyin sensitive skin.

3. Has a shorter shelflife due to natural ingredients.
4. Gives limited results for genetic or deeppigmentation dark circles.
5. Needs regular and long-term use for visible improvement.
6. Patch may dry,melt,or spoilif not stored properly.
7. Herbal extract quality varies,which affects effectiveness.
8. Patch may slipor not stick well on oily skin.
9. Cannot replace medical treatment for severe under-eye problems.

HERBALPLANTS

Plants used for medicinal purposes. For basic needs like food, clothing, shelter, transportation,fertilizers,flavors,and medications,humans have reliedon nature throughout history. People have always believed that medicinal plants can heal.

Because of the ancient notion that plants were made to give humans food, medicine, and other advantages, some people cherish these plants. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 80% of the 5.2 billion people who livein developing countries receive the irprimary health care primarily from traditional medicine. Traditional medicine is based on medicinal plants, which means that over 3.3 billion people depend on them.Nearly all of the world’s nearly 2000 ethnic groups have unique traditional knowledge and customs. Since ancient times, medicinal plants have been utilized for medical purposes. Numerous studies have been conducted all over the world to evaluate their efficacy,an some of the result shave helped developplant based medications. Products derived from medicinal plants are currently valued at over $100 billion annually on the global market With a focus on contemporary method so fdisease prevention,the value of medicinal plants intreating illnesses of public health significance is discussed.

Additionally contrasted are "population" and "high-risk" approaches. It emphasizes how crucial it is to use medicinal plants as a common strategy to involve health advocates in spreading awareness. The role of the five main health care tasks in preventing common diseases is examined.Because medicinal plants areessential for preventing disease, they should be used in all current prevention programs. However, careful planning is required in order to accurately identify, classify,and place medicinal plant with in the design and implementation of these strategies. These approaches provide novel and fascinating perspectives on the study of therapeutic plants. It has been proposed to plan for the future significance and role of medicinal plants in preventing disease.

HERBS

A plant or plant part used for its flavor, aroma, or therapeutic qualities is called a herb. One kind of dietary supplement is an herbal remedy. They can be made from fresh or dried plant material sand area vailableas tablets,capsules,powders, teas, and extracts. Herbal remedies are used by people to maintain or enhance their health. Many people believe that goods with the label “natural” are always beneficial and safe, but this isn’t always the case. Compared to pharmaceutical drugs, herbal remedies do not need to undergo the same testing. Certain herbs, such as ephedra and comfrey, can be dangerous. Additionally, some herbs may interfere with over-the-counter or prescription medications.

If you are considering taking any herbal product, makesure to get information from trusted sources.Always in form your health care provider about any herbal medicines you are using. Herbs are generally the leafy parts of plants used in cooking, either fresh or dried. Other plant parts, usually dried, are known as spices. These may include: • barks (cinnamon)

• berries(peppercorn)
• seeds(cumin)
• roots(turmeric)
• flowers (chamomile)
• buds(cloves)
• stigmas offlowers(saffron)

HERBAL PLANT USE IN DARK CIRCLES

CLITORIA TERNATEA

Convolvulus pluricaulis, or shankhpushpi, is a significant medicinal herb used extensivelyin Ayurvedato enhance brain function and promote general mental and physical well-being.It is categorized as a Medhya Rasayana, which means a natural brain and memory rejuvenator ,and gets its name from its conch -shaped flowers. Shankhpushpi is renownedin Ayurveda for its rejuvenating (Rasayana), calming (Medhya), and cooling (Sheetala) qualities. It works for stress, anxiety, restlessness, and cognitive weakness because it balances the Pitta and Vata doshas. Alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, and antioxidants are among the beneficial substances found in the herb that support and shield nerve cells.

Fig - Sankhpushpi

• Shankhpushpi has significant benefits for skin in addition to brain health.
• It cooling and anti-inflammatory qualitie support aclear,radiant complexion and lessen skin irritation, redness, and itching.
• It delays early aging,shields the skin from free-radical damage,andpromotes healthy, soft, and nourished skin due to its antioxidant activity.
• It particularly help ful in reducing Pitta-related skin issues like inflammation, burning sensations, and heat rashes.
• Shankhpushpii  also use in herbal skin and eye care products,such as cooling gels and eye patches, because of its calming properties.

USE

• Improves blood circulation
• Reduce stress-related dark circles
• Anti-inflammatory(reduces puffiness)
• Soothes and refreshes skin

2. SANDALWOOD

Sandalwood ,because of its potent cooling,calming,and rest or ative qualities, is a highly prized aromatic and medicinal plant that is frequently used in Ayurveda.

Because it contains active ingredients like antioxidants, sesquiterpenes, and santalol, it works incredibly well for both skin care and eye-related treatments. Sandalwood is regardedas  Sheetal(cooling),Varnya(improvingcomplexion),and Ropan (healing) in Ayurveda. It is advantageous for heat-related skin and eye issues because of its inherent cooling effect, which balances Pitta dosha.

• Sandalwood has long been used for its calming and cooling properties.
• It relieves fatigue dorstrained eyes and lessens puffiness,swelling,and dark circles under the eyes.
• Itsanti-inflammatory properties reduce eye irritation and burning sensations.
• Because of these benefits,sandalwood is frequently used to relax and brighten the area under the eyes in herbal eye patches, eye gels, and ayurvedic lepas.

Use

• Cooling effect on under-eye area
• Help slighten pigmentation
• Anti-inflammatory & antimicrobial
• Improves skin complexion

Fig – Sandalwood

COCONUTOIL

Coconut oil is a natural, versatile oil isolated the mature dried seed of the coconut (Cocos nucifera). It is rich in medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) such as lauric acid, capric acid, and myristic acid, along with vitamin E, antioxidants, and moisturizing lipids, which make it highly valuable in skin- care and the therapeutic formulations. In Ayurveda, coconut oil is known for its Sheetal (cooling), Snigdha (nourishing), and Ropan (healing) properties. Because it is cooling, calming, and hydrating, coconut oil is a key component of eye patch formulations. By deeply nourishing the sensitive skin beneath the eyes, it helps lessen dryness, fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles. While vitamin E promotes skin regeneration and brightening, its anti-inflammatory qualities reduce swelling and tired eyes. Additionally, coconut oil serves an efficient carrier oil that facilitates better absorption of other herbal ingredients into the skin, such as aloe vera, sandalwood, and shankhpushpi.

Use

• Deep moisturization
• Nourishes skin(richinVitaminE)
• Improves elasticity
• Protects and repairs dry skin

Table–Application of Herbal Phytomedicines

Methodology

1. Selection of Ingredients

The herbal ingredients selected for the formulation of the under-eye patch were Shankhpushpi, Sandalwood,

 and coconut oil

2. Authentication of Herbal Drugs

The collected herbal materials were visually examined and authenticated based on their physical

characteristics before use.

3. Preparation of Herbal Extracts

About 5 g of powdered Shankhpushpi and 5 g of powdered sandalwood were subjected to extraction by the maceration method using ethanol as solvent (1:10 ratio). The mixture was kept for 3 days with

occasional stirring. After maceration, the mixture was filtered through filter paper and the filtrate was evaporated at 45 °C for about 30 minutes to obtain a concentrated extract.

4.Evaporation Process         

After filtration, the obtained filtrate containing the herbal extract was subjected to evaporation to remove

 the excess solvent. The filtrate was placed on a hot plate and heated at 45 °C for about 30 minutes until

the solvent evaporated and a concentrated extract was obtained. The concentrated extract was then

collected and used for the preparation of the herbal eye patch

5. Preparation of Patch Base

Carbopol (5 g) was dispersed in distilled water and allowed to swell for 30 minutes.

After proper swelling, glycerine (3 ml) was added and stirred continuously until a smooth gel base

 was formed.

 6. Incorporation of Herbal Actives

The prepared extracts of Shankhpushpi and sandalwood were added to the gel base and mixed thoroughly

to obtain a uniform formulation.

 7. Addition of Plasticizer and Excipients

Coconut oil (2 ml) was incorporated into the formulation and mixed properly. Beetroot extract was

 added as a natural colouring agent to impart a pink colour to the formulation.

8.Casting of Patch

The prepared gel mixture was poured and evenly spread onto butter paper placed on a flat surface to

 form a thin layer.

10. Drying of Patch

The casted film was allowed to dry at room temperature until a flexible film was formed.

11. Cutting and Shaping

After complete drying, the film was carefully peeled off from the butter paper and cut into the desired

 under-eye patch shape.

12. Packaging and Storage

The prepared patches were packed in clean airtight containers and stored at room temperature

 for further evaluation.

EVALUATION

PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION

1. Alkaloid

Wagner’s TestReagent: Wagner’s reagent 2 - 3 drop  treat with 3ml of extract

Result:Reddish-brown precipitate → Alkaloids present

 2. Flavoniod

 Sulphuric Acid Test (H?SO? Test) Reagent: Concentrated Sulfuric acid 2 - 3 drop was treated

 with 3 ml of sankhpushpi extract

pH Test

The pH of the herbal eye patch formulated with Shankhpushpi, Sandalwood and Coconut oil was

 found to be around 6–7. This pH range is suitable and safe for application on the sensitive skin

 around the eyes .

Weight Uniformity Test

All patches showed uniform weight, indicating proper distribution of ingredients like

Shankhpushpi, Sandalwood and Coconut oil in the formulation.

Table no- 1

Folding endurance test

All patches showed uniform weight, indicating proper distribution of ingredients like Shankhpushpi, Sandalwood and Coconut oil in the formulation.

Table no-2

Spread ability test

The herbal eye patch made with coconut oil, sandalwood, and shankhpushpi demonstrated

 good spreadability, suggesting that the formulation is simple to apply to the skin beneath the

 eyes.

Table no.3

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Table no -4