Abstract:
Background: Herbal facial creams are gaining popularity due to their potential antioxidant and
sun protective properties. These creams can help mitigate oxidative stress and protect the skin
from harmful UV radiation. The use of medicinal plants such as Curcuma longa, Glycyrrhiza
glabra, Aloe vera, Camellia sinensis, and Azadirachta indica offers a natural alternative to
synthetic ingredients. Evaluating the antioxidant activity and sun protective factor of these
formulations is crucial for developing effective and safe skincare products.
Objective: To formulate a herbal facial cream using Sri Lankan grown medicinal plants and
evaluate its in vitro antioxidant activity and sun protective factor (SPF)
Methods: The cream was formulated using extracts from Curcuma longa rhizome, Glycyrrhiza
glabra roots, Aloe vera green rind, Camellia sinensis leaves, and Azadirachta indica leaves. The
formulation process involved heating both oil and aqueous phases to 75°C. The oil phase
consisted of white soft paraffin (8.25 g), liquid paraffin (3.30 g), cetostearyl alcohol (3.96 g),
cetomacrogol (1 g), and polysorbate 80 (2.15 g). The water phase consisted of Aloe vera (2.5 g)
and water up to 50 g. Additionally, 0.5 g of phenoxy ethanol was used as a preservative. The water
phase was added to the oil phase under continuous stirring, and active ingredients (6%) were
incorporated as the temperature dropped to around 45°C. The cream was then tested for pH,
homogeneity, colour stability, irritancy, antioxidant activity (DPPH assay), and SPF.
Results: The formulated cream had a pH of 5.4 and was homogeneous. The irritancy test showed
no adverse effects among 30 participants. The DPPH assay revealed an IC50 value of 2052.3±22.1
µg/mL, with a positive control (100 mg vitamin C tablet) showing 15.796 µg/mL. The SPF value
was determined to be 9.1.
Conclusions: The study successfully formulated a herbal facial cream using Sri Lankan grown
medicinal plants, demonstrating promising antioxidant activity and sun protective factor. This
herbal formulation could potentially offer a safer and effective alternative for skincare.
