HERBAL COSMETICS

HERBAL COSMETICS or COSMECEUTICALS (1990) are cosmetic products which contain biologically active principle or
ingredients of plant origin having therapeutic effect or uses. They can be combination products of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals intended
to enhance the health and beauty of the skin. Herbal cosmetics have less side effect as against the harmful side effects produced by the
synthetic & chemical based cosmetics. In olden days herbal drugs were used for medicinal purposes both internally and externally.

Cosmetics are substances used to enhance the appearance or odor of the human body . Cosmetics include skin -care
creams , lotions, powders, perfumes , lipsticks, fingernail and toe nail polish , eye and facial makeup, toilettes , permanent waves,
colored contact lenses, hair colors , hair sprays and gels , deodorants , hand sanitizers , baby products, bath oils, bubble baths , bath
salts , butters and many other types of products.

A subset of cosmetics is called "make-up," which refers primarily to colored products intended to alter the user’s appearance.

Many manufacturers distinguish between decorative cosmetics and care cosmetics.

Selected herbal extracts with their cosmetic potential are as follows:-

Product Botanical Source Potential

Amla Extract Embelica officinalis Hair tonic
Bhringaraj oil Eclepta alba Hair tonic
Turmeric Curcuma longa Skin care
Lemon peel extract Citrus limonin Skin & Hair care
Hawthron Crataegus spp. Anti ageing
The Herbal cosmetics may be used for the following major categories:-

Skin disorders: Used for enhancing the appearance of the facial skin & for skin care specially in teenagers.
(acne, pimples,)

Anti- inflammatory; e.g. Aloe-vera, Boswellia, Sandalwood.

Anti-wrinkle; e.g. Apricot, Ashwagandha, Papaya, Liquorice

Anti- aging; e.g. Amla, Aloe-vera, Curcuma

Eczema; e.g. Neem, Tulsi,

Sun- screen; e.g. Calendula, Carrot, Cucumber,

Moisturizing; e.g. Almond oil, Fenugreek, Rose, Vetiver.

Anti-acne; e.g. Arjuna, Cucumber, Manjishtha.

Anti-oxidant; e.g. Amla, Ginko-biloba, Rosemery, Green tea.

De-pigmentation; e.g. Papaya, Cucumber, Turmeric.

Bleaching; e.g. Marigold,Raktachandan, Turmeric.

Cleansing; e.g. Cabbage, Citrus peels, Amla, Rose.

Antiseptic; e.g. Neem, Turmeric, Lavender oil.

Nourishing to skin; e.g. Wheat-germ oil, Honey, Peach, Apricot.

Hair disorders: Used for hair growth and care

Anti- dandruff; e.g. Shikekai, Arnica, Thyme, Kapur Kachari.

Anti- lice; e.g. Custard apple, Kachur-sugandhi

To reduce graying of hair; e.g. Amla, Hibiscus

Hair conditioner; e.g. Eclipta, Rosemery, Heena, Amla.

Hair dye; e.g. Eclipta, Amla, Heena, Hibiscus.

Shining of hair; e.g. Shikekai, Heena, coconut oil.

To reduce hair loss; e.g. Arnica, Amla.

Miscellaneous:
Teeth care Pyorrhea, plaque, cavity formation, blackening of the teeth. E.g. Catechu, Neem, Eucalyptus

Cracking of heels & lips. E.g. Aloe Vera, Cocoa butter

Nail care. E.g. Neem,

Eye products. E.g. Rose Water, Tulsi

Insect repellants. E.g. Neem

Herbal cosmetics can be in the form of various dosage forms as:

EMULSIONS: Cold creams, vanishing creams, liquid creams

POWDERS: Face power, talcum powder, tooth powder

CAKES: Make-up cakes, Rouge compacts.

OILS: Hair oils

SUSPENSIONS: Hand lotions, Body lotions.

 HERBAL COSMETICS

Herbal cosmetics can be in the form of various dosage forms a….:

PASTE: Tooth pastes. Insect repellant pastes.

SOAPS: Shaving soap, toilet soap, depilatory soap.

SOLUTIONS: Hair set solutions, After shave solutions.

AEROSOL SPRAYS: Hair set sprays, Perfumes.

JELLIES: Hand jelly, Wave set jelly.

Herbs as excipients

In herbal cosmetics, different natural products can be used as excipients.

Some most commonly used excipients are as follows:

Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Vitamin C, which are common excipients used. These are classified as antioxidants.

Catechu, Tannic Acids, which are common excipients used. These are classified as Astringents.

Chlorophyll, Caramel, amaranth, which are common excipients used. These are classified as colorants.

Lanolin, Bees Wax & petroleum jelly, are common ointment bases.

Alginic Acid, Gelatin, Guar gum, are common suspending agents used.
 HERBAL COSMETICS

Some commercial herbal cosmetic formulations:

FORMULA:-

NO. 1 COLD CREAM

Beeswax 15.00
Almond oil 55.00
Rose water 28.50
Borax 01.50
100.00 gm

NO. 2 LUBRICATING CREAM

Heavy white petrolatum 30.00

Honey 20.00
Cod liver oil 45.00
Borax 01.50
Water q.s. to make…………..100.00 gm
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 HERBAL COSMETICS

NO. 3 FACE PACK

Honey 15.00 gm
Apricot extract 15.00 ml
Olive oil 03.00 ml
Lemon juice 03.00 ml

Mix all the components and apply the paste on the face.

NO. 4 ASTRINGENT LOTION

Boric Acid 1.50 gm

Witch Hazel 15.50 gm
Rose Water 15.00 ml
Alcohol 10.00 ml
Orange Flower Water q.s. to make 100 ml
Leading Herbal Cosmetic Manufacturers of the world

Lakmé is the Indian brand of cosmetics, owned by Unilever.

Revlon is an American cosmetic company.

Oriflame Cosmetics S.A. (Luxembourg) is a cosmetics group, founded in Sweden.

The L’Oréal Group is the world’s largest cosmetics and Beauty Company.

Chambor cosmetic is in skin accentuator.

Leading Herbal Cosmetic Manufacturers of the world….

Maybelline is a manufacturer L’Oréal.

Avon Products, Inc. is a US cosmetics

Vicco Products is an Indian company making ethical herbal cosmetics.

Paras Pharmaceuticals: Makes herbal skin creams

Concept Pharmaceuticals: Makes herbal lifestyle products & cosmetics