Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Lip Balm with Natural Ingredients

Lip balms are essential cosmetic products designed to provide moisture and protection to the lips, which are particularly vulnerable to environmental factors such as wind, cold, and dry air. The trend towards natural and organic products has increased interest in herbal lip balms, which utilize plant-based ingredients to offer a safer and more skin-friendly alternative to synthetic formulations. Herbal lip balms harness the therapeutic properties of natural oils, waxes, and botanical extracts. Ingredients like beeswax, shea butter, coconut oil, and essential oils not only provide emollient. and moisturizing effects but also impart beneficial properties such as antioxidant, anti- inflammatory, and antimicrobial actions. These characteristics make herbal lip balms suitable for sensitive skin and for those seeking a more natural skincare routine. The formulation of a herbal lip balm involves selecting appropriate ingredients that ensure the product's stability, efficacy, and sensory attributes.

The Anatomy of Lips

Lip anatomy consists of a number of structures that affect both the function and appearance of the lip. Here is a brief summary of the lips structure:

Skin: The outer layer of the lips is skin, just like the rest of the body. Lip skin, on the other hand, is more delicate and thinner.

The visible line dividing the vermilion-colored portion of the lips from the surrounding skin is known as the vermilion border.

Vermilion zone: The reddish region of the lips is known as the vermilion zone. It is crimson in color because it has more blood vessels than normal.

Philtrum: A vertical groove or indentation in the middle of the top lip that continues from the base is known as a philtrum.

Cupid's: The cupid's bow is the double curve or V-shaped area in the middle of the top lip.

Oral mucosa: The inner surface of the lips is protected by a thin, moist layer of tissue called the oral mucosa. It is separate from the outer skin and aids in maintaining the moisture of the lips. To keep the lips moisturized and to facilitate speech and eating, lips include small glands called labia.

Nerve ending: One of the many muscles that make up the lips and are in charge of their movement and expression is the orbicularis orris, which surrounds the mouth and facilitates smiling and puckering. Lips are extremely sensitive to touch warmth, and pain due to their high density of nerve endings.

Img 1: Structure of Lip

Lip Related Problems

1. Dry lips:

Dry lips are a result of the lips drying out and losing moisture. This can be caused by environmental factors including cold temperatures, dry air, or particularly frequent lip-licking. Dry lips may feel tight, split, or even peel.

2. Chapped lips:

Lips that are chapped can be painful, uncomfortable, and sometimes bleed. Lips that are chapped are a more severe kind of dryness. Chapped lips can be caused by prolonged dryness, the sun, wind or bad weather.

3. Cold sores:

Cold sores and fever blisters are both small, painful blisters filled with fluid that appear on or near the lips. They are caused by the herpes simplex virus and are very contagious.

4. Allergies:

Some individuals may develop allergies to specific ingredients in food, cosmetics, or lip care products. Allergy symptoms include swelling, itching, redness, and even lip blistering.

5. Lip discoloration:

A variety of things, including sun exposure, smoking, some medications or underlying medical conditions, can alter the color of your lips. Lips may appear darker in this.

LIP BALM

Lip balm is a waxy substance applied to the lips to keep them moist. Lip balm was created to protect the lips from external influences such as the cold of winter and prevent dry, chapped lips. Protecting the lips helps prevent irritation and infection. Occlusive Lip Balm Prevents saliva from wetting the skin repeatedly. It also reduces the pain associated with chapped lips. The ingredients used to prepare the lip balm maintain the moisture of the lips and promote the healing of chapped lips. Unlike lipstick, lip balm is not genderspecific. Most of them have a waxy texture. , mango and many more fruity flavours.This lip balm is made for moisturizing and is also added with special flavours in order to entice the taste buds and smell of the users.

Types of lip balm: -

There are 7 kinds of lip balms to choose from

1. Tinted Lip Balm:

A type of lip balm used to hydrate and colorize the lips called tinted. If the user doesn't want to wear a heavy coat of lipstick, tinted lip balms are a perfect alternative. Users use tinted lip balm to moisturize their lips as well as to give them a brilliant wash of color. Just apply the colored lip balm directly to the lips to use it.

2. Medicated Lip Balm:

Medicated lip balms are most likely to be the least soothing and irritating lip balms amongest the others. This lip balm is usually prescribed by dermatologists in medication for chapped lips and other conditions regarding the lips.

3. Flavoured Lip Balm:

The flavoured lip balm is a kind of lip balm which has flavourings. Flavoured lip balms are lip balms that are added with flavour such as vanilla, mint

4. Organic Lip Balm:

The organic lip balm is a kind of lip balm which have organic or natural ingredients. While there are other lip balms which has chemical ingredients that may harm the lips and skin, the organic lip balm is usually made from organic ingredients such as avocado oils, jojoba oils, beeswax, vitamin E, hemp, and cocoa butter. The organic lip balm still functions like any other lip balms, which provides moisture and protection from dry and chapped lips.

5. SPF Lip Balm:

The SPF lip balm are a kind of lip balm which contains ingredients that protect the lips from the harmful effects of the Sun rays. The SPF lip balm functions like a sunscreen to protect the lips from sun damage, burning, and even skin cancer. If the user is skin conscious and is avoiding the harmful effects of the sun, then this lip balm is the perfect thing to use on a day’s out.

6. Plumping Lip Balm:

The plumping lip balm is a kind of lip balm that doesn’t just moisturize the lips, but also makes the lips look more rounder. Plumping lip balms is made to give protection to the lips, but at the same time it has special ingredients to make the lips look fuller. The plumping lip balm is essential to users who want to achieve a plumper lip without doing any surgical procedures.

7. CBD or Hemp Oil Lip Balm:

Cannabidiol (CBD) or hemp oil lip balm are a kind of lip balm that contains CBD oil or hemp oil. Hemp oil is from the hemp plant which is an excellent moisturizer for the lips, while the CBD oil is an active compound of cannabinoids which has anti-inflammatory benefits. The lip balm will act as an anti-oxidant to the lips to help sooth dry and heal chapped lip circumptances.

Applications of Herbal Lip Balms

1. Moisturization:

Herbal lip balms often contain ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax, which provide deep hydration and prevent dryness.

2. Protection:

Ingredients such as natural oils (e.g., jojoba oil, olive oil) form a barrier against environmental factors like wind and sun.

3. Healing:

Herbal lip balms with calendula, chamomile, or vitamin E promote healing of chapped or cracked lips.

4. Anti-inflammatory Properties:

Ingredients like aloe vera and green tea extract help reduce inflammation and soothe irritated lips.

5. Antioxidant Effects:

Herbal lip balms often include botanical extracts rich in antioxidants, which protect the lips from oxidative stress.

6. Natural Fragrance and Flavour:

Essential oils like peppermint or lavender are often added for their pleasant aroma an experience.

7. Skin Repair:

Herbal formulations may support skin regeneration, helping to restore the natural barrier of the lips.

REVIEW LITERATURE

1. Dipali M. Pagire *et.al (2023) :-

It was concluded that lip balms made from natural ingredients were safe to use and this combination was considered a better choice in creating a lip balm. By changing the excipients or other excipient combinations, can create a new formulation with different and improved qualities. Based on current studies, it is expected that this formula will remain stable.

2. Jadhav Vaibhav N. *et.al (2024) :-

The present work carried out the formulation and evaluation of herbal lip balms was aimed to formulate a lip balm using herbal ingredients with an idea to minimize the side effects which occur by using available chemical based synthetic lip balm. Hence, from the present study it was concluded that this formulated herbal lipstick was better with minimum side effects or no side effects.

3. Shivani Maruti Lohar*et.al (2024) :-

The goal of the current dissertation study was to make lip balm with as many natural elements as workable. The flavoring agent was almond oil, moisturing agent was shea butter and cocoa butter, the primary coloring agent was beetroot extract and Gerbera. The antioxidant was a vitamin E capsule. Although beeswax was utilized as the base in this formulation.

4. Ms. Sonawane Sudha Bhagwan*et.al (2024): -

The present work carried out for the formulation and evaluation of herbal lip balms was aimed to formulate a lip balm using herbal ingredients with an idea to minimize the side effects which occur by using available chemical based synthetic lip balms. It can be concluded that lip balm formulation was successfully prepared by using these natural additives.

5. Vibhavari M. Chatur *et.al (2022):-

The formulation stored at room temperature and refrigerator showed same stability behaviour. The organoleptic characteristics were stable and spreadability was found to be "Good". Storage under these conditions was considered to be adequate, because the product functionality was maintained. During the stability test, the lip balm made from natural ingredients showed and appropriate melting point (mean of 64°C). According to the test of spreadability, the storage condition of oven (40.0± 2.0°C) is not recommended because of loss of product functionality when compared with the normal stability test.

6) Prof. Dr. C. S. R. Lakshmi*et.al (2023) :-

It was found that natural ingredients are safe to use in lip balm and are a superior alternative for the composition of lip balm. Excipients can be altered or combined in unusual ways to produce a brand-new formulation with superior quality. The current research indicates that the formulation will not change.

1. Ingredients

1. Coconut oil: -

The moisturizing effects of coconut oil have increased general interest in this ingredient as a natural skin care solution. While the oil is sometimes used as an all-over dry skin remedy, it may also be used for the lips. Whether your lips are dry, chapped, or just need some extra TLC, there are several coconut oil remedies that you can try out at home.

2. Beet Root:

Antioxidants included in beet root give lips supple, smooth skin. The human lip is a component of the body. Despite having three to four layers of skin, the lips are much thinner than the skin of the face. Lips are extremely sensitive, and conditions like edema and inflammation can transpire swiftly. As a result, lip balm or any other lip product moisturizes lips. Lip balms are applied to the lips to shield them from the sun's rays and stop them from drying out. Lip balms are products that are meant to keep lips safe rather than to adorn them. They create a thin, pliable, oily layer that is resistant to moisture.

3. Beeswax:

In addition to being hydrating, beeswax has a gentle scent and can shield lips from the sun’s harmful UV rays. One natural emulsifier is beeswax. Additionally, studies have shown that a tiny amount of wax has inherent antibacterial properties. The need to strike a balance between the concentration of the primary components used to create lip balms, such as the base, oils, coloring, and flavoring. Lips become softer naturally thanks to natural lip balms. Those with really dry and cracked lips will find this to be especially beneficial. These antimicrobial substances can lessen excruciating inflammation. That an illness brings with it.

4. Almond Oil:

The adipose acids in almond oil penetrate deeply into the skin tissue, providing moisturization to the lips. Almond oil’s anti-inflammatory properties lessen the discomfort of chapped and sunburned lips. Aloe vera treats inflammation by acting as an anti- inflammatory. Antioxidants that combat wrinkles and other skin damage are infused into the lips.

5. Vitamin E:

Vitamin E functions as an organic moisturizer. By lessening the appearance of aging, vitamin E contributes to the preservation of the lips’ rough, velvety texture. Dry, chapped lips can be soothed with vitamin E oil. Applying vitamin E to dry lips encourages the growth and rejuvenation of new cells because it does just that. The another aid for irritation is the thickness of vitamin E oil. A product’s hues might also give clues about its quality and freshness.

6. Honey:

Honey is a natural humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture, keeping your lips hydrated throughout the day. Honey also has anti-inflammatory properties to help soothe chapped lips. Honey's antibacterial properties also help to prevent infection if the lips become cracked.

7. Vaseline:

Vaseline, also known as petroleum jelly, is a common ingredient in many lip balms due to its occlusive properties, whic3h means it helps seal in moisture and protect the lips from drying out.

PREPARATION METHOD:

1. Melt the waxes and oils: In a double boiler, melt the beeswax, vaseline, coconut oil and almond oil together until fully liquefied.
2. Add the powders and liquids: Once the oils and waxes are melted, remove from heat and quickly stir in the beetroot powder, honey, glycerin, and vitamin E.
3. Mix thoroughly:  Stir the mixture well to ensure all ingredients are well blended.
4. Pour into containers: Immediately pour the mixture into small lip balm containers or tubes before it solidifies.

Let it cool:  Allow the lip balm to cool and harden completely before use.

2.  Formulation Table

EVALUATION PARAMETERS

1. Organoleptic properties:

The characterstics of lip balm such as colour, flavour, texture, odour, appearance are observed and studied.

 N – Normal;

 M –Modified;

 IM- Intensively Modified.

2. Determination of pH:

The pH of lip balm were determined to avoid any further side effect on lip’s skin. The pH study was performed by using pH paper. The small amount of lip balm are applied on the pH paper and colour observed. Compared with pH scale.

3. Melting point:

The lip balm sample is taken in a glass capillary with a flame scales end. The sample containing capillary inside the liquid paraffin dipped.

4. Test of Spreadability:

The product was applied (at room temperature) repeatedly onto a glass slide to visually observe the uniformity in the formation of the protective layer and whether the stick fragmented, deformed or broke during application.

G -Good: uniform, no fragmentation; perfect application, without deformation of the lip balm.

 I - Intermediate: uniform; leaves few fragments; appropriate application; little deformation of the lip balm.

 B - Bad: not uniform; leaves many fragments; difficult or inappropriate application, intense deformation of the lip balm.

5. Skin sensitivity test:

The process was applying the material as a skin patch, watching it for a half hour, and noting as the reply that was:

N-No response

R-Skin redness

I-Itching or Irritancy

6. Stability Test:

The lip balm's formulation underwent a 30-day stability evaluation at a range of temperatures, primarily room temperature (25±2°C), higher oven and refrigerator temperatures (40±2°C and 5±2°C). Features like spreadability and organoleptic qualities were assessed. For the days 7, 15, and 30.

Img 2: Prepared Formulation

RESULT

The formulation stored at room temperature and refrigerator showed same stability behaviour. The organoleptic characteristics were observed and spreadability was found to be "Good". Storage under these conditions was considered to be adequate, because the product functionality was maintained. During the stability test, the lip balm made from natural ingredients showed and appropriate melting point (mean of 64°C). According to the test of spreadability, the storage condition of oven (40.0± 2.0°C) is not recommended because of loss of product functionality when compared with the normal stability test.

RESULT OF FORMULATION F4