Cosmetics are defined in the Drugs and Cosmetics Act as items intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body or any portion thereof for washing, beautifying, encouraging attractiveness, or altering appearance. The cosmetic does not fall under the scope of the drug license. Herbal cosmetics are preparations that contain phytochemicals derived from a variety of botanical sources that influence skin functions while also providing nutrients required for healthy skin or hair.  Herbal cosmetics are natural herbs and their products utilized for their aromatic properties in cosmetic preparation.3-5. Herbs and essential oils used in cosmetics cannot claim to have any therapeutic benefit or to penetrate beyond the skin's surface layers, according to the Drug and Cosmetics Act. Herbal soap preparation is a medicine or drug that contains anti-bacterial and anti-fungal chemicals. It mostly uses plant parts such as leaves, stems, roots, and fruits to treat an injury or disease or to promote good health. This preparation has antimicrobial properties and can be applied topically in a variety of forms, including creams, lotion gel, soap, solvent extract, and ointments. Various soap qualities have been utilized to cure a number of skin conditions. The majority of skin infections are caused by fungus, staphylococcus aurous, and streptococcus species.

Discovery of   Soap

The Discovery and Art of Soap Making Up to 1660. Soap, defined as the substance produced by the action of a base on fats and oils, has played an essential role in civilization's history, yet its discovery was unintentional, and its utility was only gradually recognized. As a result, following Liebig and others' lead and attempting to analyze prior civilizations based on their knowledge or lack thereof of soap is just impossible.  If this were not the case, the Fanti of West Africa and the Gauls of the first century A.D., who appear to have found soap independently, would have advanced further in civilization than the Egyptians or the Greeks, both of whom were unaware of soap. Both the Egyptians and the Greeks were familiar with therapeutic remedies that contained alkalis, tallow, and various vegetable oils, among other components. The Papyrus Ebers describes the use of similar ointments to treat herpes and to remove fat around the eyes25. Many different types of lead plasters were also known.  Again, the Berlin Papyrus instructs on preparing an ointment using natron and tallow27, while Hippocrates utilized oil and soda combinations as purgatives26. According to early writings, the Assyrians employed a mixture of castor oil and alkali as a head wash.27 In addition to this knowledge, the production of alkaline lyes from plant ashes was well known to practically all nations from very early times; nonetheless, their usage in the making of soap appears to have occurred at least not until the Christian era.

Herbal  Soap.

Herbal soap preparation is a medicine that contains antibacterial, anti-aging, anti-oxidant, and anti-septic characteristics. It mostly uses plant parts such as seeds, rhizomes, nuts, and pulps to treat an injury or disease or to improve health. Herbs are the most commonly used natural items to cure practically all ailments and skin problems due to their great medicinal value, low cost, availability, and compatibility.  The herbs used were chandana, nagkeshara, padmak, khus, yashtimadhu, manjistha, sariva, payasya, seta (sweta durva) and lata (shyama durva). These ayurvedic herbs are used to purify blood and eliminate vitiated doshas like (vata, pitta, kapha) from the body as they are mainly responsible for skin disorders and other diseases. The herbs mentioned in khushthagna mahakashaya effective in skin disorders, include khadira, abhaya, amalaki, haridra, bhallataka, saptaparna, karavira, vidanga and jati.

Advantages of herbal soap:

Natural components:

 Herbal soaps are prepared with natural plant-based ingredients including essential oils, herbs, and botanical extracts, which are gentler on the skin and less prone to cause irritation or allergies.

Moisturizing properties:

Many herbal soaps include moisturizing components such as shea butter or coconut oil, which help keep the skin hydrated and supple.

Aromatherapy benefits:

Herbal soaps frequently contain essential oils with aromatherapeutic characteristics, which can aid in relaxation, stress alleviation, and overall well-being.

Disadvantages of herbal soap:

Limited availability:

Herbal soaps may not be as readily available as conventional soaps in supermarkets or drugstores, requiring consumers to seek out specialty stores or online retailers.

 Cost:

Herbal soaps can be more expensive than regular soaps due to the use of high-quality natural ingredients.

Shorter shelf life:

Because herbal soaps are made with natural ingredients and lack preservatives, they may have a shorter shelf life compared to commercially produced soaps.

Benefits of herbal soap:

Herbal soaps are soap, not detergent bars.

They include no synthetic detergents or foaming ingredients.

Glycerin provides longer-lasting moisture to your hands.

Herbal soap contains natural ingredients, fragrances, and oils that are known for locking in moisture and hydrating the skin.

Because the components are free of chemicals, herbal soap frequently has healing powers.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

All the ingredients are used in this formulation have herbal grade. The ingredients are  collected from different sources.Peepal bark,peepal leaves,neem leaves,lemon oil,Shikekai powder,Chandan powder,coconut oil,apricot fruit purchased from the general store.

Ingredients used in formulation of Soap base and their quantities

Table- 2: List of soap base ingredients& their role

Synonym-

Peepal, Pipul, Pipar

Scientific name-

Ficus religiosa

Family-

Moraceae

Part typically used: Stem

Color:

Brown

Chemical Constituents:

phenols, tannins, steroids, alkaloids and flavonoids, ?-sitosteryl, n-octacosanol, methyl oleanolate, lanosterol, stigmasterol, lupen-3-one.

Uses:

Shoots are used in treating skin problems. Various parts of the Peepal tree have anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory effects which are helpful in removing many skin-related disorde

       
           
       
    
       
           
       
    Fig- 1:  Ficus Religious Stem & Ficus charcoal powder

Neem :-

Synonym- 

Nimba,Aristha,Neem

Scientific name-

Azadirachta indica

Family-

Meliaceae

Part typically used: Leaves

Color:

Green

Chemical Constituents:

Azadirone, Nimbin, Nimbidin, Vanilic acid,Glycosides, B-sitosterol, Nimbectin, Kaempeerol, Quercursertin are present in Neem Leaf.

Uses:

It may have anti-allergenic activity. It may have anti-inflammatory activity. Neem leaves are used to treat head lice, skin diseases, wounds or skin problems.

Fig- 2:  Neem leaves & Neem powder

Shikekai :-

Synonym- 

Senna occidentalis, Shikekai

Scientific name-

Acacia concinna

Family-

Leguminose

Part Typical used:

Fruits pods

Colour:-

Brown

Chemical Constituents:

Spinasterone , Acacic acid

Uses:

Anti-dandruff detergen. It is amazingly good at cleansing and nourishing skin and hair

           
           
       
    
       
           
       
    Fig- 3: Shikakai fruit & Shikakai powder

Chandan:

Synonym-

Sandalwood, Chandan

Scientific name-

Santalum album

Family-

Santalaceae

Part partically used: 

Wood

Color-

Cream

Chemical Constituents:-

Sandalwood oil contains more than 90% sesquiterpenic alcohols of which 50-60% is the tricyclic ?-santalol. ?-santalol comprises 20-25%.

Uses:-

It has anti-inflammatory properties and calming effect.Deeply Cleanses The Skin By Exfoliating Dirt, Impurities and Clogged Pores.The blend of oils and butters makes the soap super moisturizing.

Fig- 4: Chandan wood & chandan poder

Apricot:

Synonym-  

Apricot tree

Scientific name-

Prunus armeniaca L.

Family-

Rosaceae

Part partically used: 

Fruit

Color-

Yellowish- orange

Chemical constituent –

Isocitric acid ,succinic acid ,fumaric acid ,shikimic acid.,

Uses-

It is rich in vitamin E and antioxidant properties which keep damage at bay and promote the revival of skin cells.Its rejuvenating and nourishing effects on the skin.

Fig- 5:   Apricot fruit

Lemon oil:

Synonym- 

 Lemon

Scientific name-

Citrus limon

Family-

Rutaceae

Part partically used: 

Fruit

Color-

Light-Yellow

Chemical Constituents:-

Citric acid,Ascorbic acid,minerals, flavonoids and essential oils.

Uses:

Contains volatile oil used for aroma, contains Vitamin C, which has antioxidant activity, and antibacterial activity, treat acne.The antiseptic properties of Lemon essential oil in this natural soap relieve oily skin, blemishes, and acne but are surely suitable for normal skin types too.

Fig- 6:  Lemon oil

Coconut oil :

Synonym-  

coconut, coco, coco-da-bahia

Scientific name-

 Cocos nucifera

Family-

Arecaceae

Part partically used: 

Fruit

Color-

Light-Yellow

Chemical constituents:

Fatty acids, caprylic acid ,capric acid, lauric acid ,myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid ,oleic acid and linoleic acid.

Uses: 

Some oils, such as coconut oil and palm oil, contribute to the hardness and longevity of the soap bar.Coconut oil creates a protective moisturizing shield on the skin. 

Fig- 7:  Coconut oil

PREPARATION OF HERBAL SOAP

The main goal of present research was to formulate and evaluate the herbal soap which prepared from herbal ingredients.The herbal ingredients chosen for preparation of herbal soap were Ficus religiosa bark charcoal , Azadirachta indica, Citrus limon, Santalum album, Acacia concinna, and Laboratory reagents,etc were used.These ingredients are based on their individual properties. Soap base is used cake formation and remove dirt from the skin.Ficus religiosa bark is used to preventing skin problems.Citrus limon oil is used as antioxidant,skin lightening agent and rice source of Vitamin-c.

PROCEDURE FOR PREPARATION OF SOAP BASE

Soap base is prepared in the two phases.

• Aqueous phase
• Non-aqueous phase (oil phase)

PROCEDURE OF SOAP BASE:

The soap base is prepared to the following steps:-

• Took it coconut oil (75ml) in a 500 ml beaker and put on water bath for 10-15 minutes at 400-450C temperature.(Oil phase)
• In another beaker, took Sodium hydroxide (13.20 gm) dissolved in distilled water (24ml) in 100 ml beaker and mixed properly.Kept a side for 5 minutes.(Aqueous phase)
• After heating the oil phase then oil phase was adding slowly in aqueous phase with continuous stirring on the water bath and maintained the temperature. Avoid the phase separation.
• After mixing the both phases, allowed for cooling and thick texture was formed, Soap base was prepared.

Fig- 8:   Prepared liquid soap base

PROCEDURE FOR PREPARATION OF HERBAL SOAP

The herbal soap is prepared to the following steps:-

• Took soap base in a beaker and put on water bath at 400-450C temperature.
• Added all ingredients such as Ficus religiosa bark charcoal, Azadirachta indica powder, Citrus limon oil, Santalum album powder, Acacia concinna powder,Stearic acid, Soft paraffin ,Ethanol,Apricot extract,Sodium lauryl sulphate and Glycerin in soap base. Then, all ingredients were mixed properly on water bath with continuous stirring.
• Prepared soap mixture was filled in clean blank soap mould and after filling the mixture,filled soap mould were put in the refrigerator for 45 minutes.
• After solidification,removed the soap mould and then herbal soap was obtained. Then ,Labeled the herbal soap and submitted.         

Fig- 9:  Mixing of all ingredients in liquid soap base & Filling the mixture of herbal soap in moulds

EVALUATION PARAMETER OF HERBAL SOAP

The formulated herbal soap were evaluated for color, odour, clearity test, pH test, dirt dispersion, foaming height, foaming ability, skin irritation test, dissolving test, wetting time test, using recommended procedure.

PARAMETERS

1. Colour and clarity characterization:

The herbal soap was visualized using a white background for the determination of the colour and see the clarity of the herbal soap.

2. Odour:

The odours of herbal soap were evaluated by applying preparation on hand and feel the fragrance of perfume.

3. Shape:

The shape of the herbal soap was round and determined by the naked eyes.

4. pH test :

First of all prepare 1% of sample (5gm sample/soap in 50ml of Distilled water) for determination of pH and prepared a buffer solution of pH-7. Then the Electrode was immersed in the buffer solution and calibrates the pH meter. After calibrating then measure the pH of the sample solution and record the pH of the sample soluti

       
           
       
    Fig- 10:   pH measurement test

5. ---

   Dirt dispersion test :

First of all prepare 1% of sample (5gm sample/soap in 50ml of Distilled water) were taken in a measuring cylinder and add 2 drops of ink in the sample. Then the measuring cylinder was covered with hand and shaken 10 times. Sample that because the ink to concentrate in the foam is considered quality. Then identify in water portion the remaining particles of dirt, the portion of ink in the foam was observed.

Fig- 11:   Dirt dispersion test

6. ---

   Wetting time test:

First of all a cotton cloth is cut 1 diameter round shape for the determination of wetting time of the sample and then measure wetting time. Then prepare dilute sample 1% solution (5gm sample in 50 ml distilled water) and round shape cotton cloth placed in the sample solution and then start the stopwatch for determination of wetting time. The cloth was floated on the surface of sample solution. After a sometime then the cloth is absorb the sample and sink the cloth in the sample solution. The stopwatch is stop record and note accurately wetting time.

       
           
       
    Fig- 12:  Wetting time test

7. ---

   Skin irritation test:

Prepared herbal soap was applied on the skin for 10 minutes and observed the irritation feeling. No irritation sensation was observed and soap was considered as a, Non-irritation soap.

8. Dissolving test:

Take (1gm of sample/soap in 50ml of distilled water) in 100 ml beaker, mix the sample with continuous stirring and observed the sample completely dissolved in water.

9. Foaming ability test:

Take 1% of sample (5gm sample/soap in 50ml of Distilled water) were taken in a 100ml measuring cylinder. The measuring cylinder was shaken for 10 times and then, measuring cylinder was allowed to stand for 5 minutes. Then the foam was produced, measured and record it.

    
       
           
       
    Fig- 13:  Foaming ability test

10. Foaming height test: Take 1% of sample (5gm sample/soap in 50ml of Distilled water) were taken in a 100ml measuring cylinder. The measuring cylinder was shaken for 10 times and stand till aqueous volume measured up to 50ml and measured the foam height, above the aqueous volume was measured and record it.

Fig- 14:  Foaming height test

RESULT & DISCUSSION

Various types of herbal ingredients were used in the formulation of herbal soap that contains herbal ingredients such as, Ficus religiosa, neem powder, shikakai powder, chandan powder, apricot extract. Ficus religiosa used for the anti-microbial, anti-bacterial property and it is a rich source of Vitamin-k, tainen and Phaetosteroline. Lemon oil contains Vitamin-c and showing anti-oxidant property. Neem powder used as a anti-fungal agent and treatment of acnes. Apricot extract is rich in vitamin E and antioxidant properties which keep damage at bay and promote the revival of skin cells. Its rejuvenating and nourishing effects on the skin. Chandan powder used for the removing of tanning from skin and pigmentations. Shikakai powder may help to remove dead skin cells and give skin a natural glow, may have anti-dandruff potential and anti-hair fall potential. The herbal soap was evaluated to the various parameters such as, organoleptic parameter, pH test, foaming ability and foaming height test, skin irritation, dirt dispersion test, wetting time test and dissolving test. The effect of different herbal ingredients in the formulation was investigated.

Fig- 15:  Formulated Herbal Soap (Soul Cleanser)