Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part C (2025)

The rising preference for natural and eco-friendly skincare products has accelerated research into herbal cosmetics. Conventional face washes often contain synthetic surfactants, preservatives, and fragrances that may cause irritation, dryness, or allergic reactions with prolonged use [6, 14]. Herbal face washes, formulated with plant-derived actives, offer a safer and multifunctional alternative owing to their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties [7, 9, 21]. The present research focuses on the formulation and evaluation of a polyherbal face wash gel prepared using Azadirachta indica (Neem), Curcuma longa (Turmeric), and Aloe barbadensis (Aloe Vera), supplemented with Ocimum tenuiflorum (Tulsi), honey, citrus peels, and other natural ingredients. The formulations were evaluated for organoleptic properties, physicochemical parameters (pH, viscosity, homogeneity), foaming capacity, spreadability, extrudability, washability, antimicrobial activity, and stability under accelerated conditions [2, 3, 10]. Results confirmed that the formulations were stable, compatible with skin physiology, non-greasy, and easy to wash off, with pH values ranging between 5.5–5.8, which is ideal for maintaining the acid mantle of human skin [1, 4]. Among the four formulations, F2 emerged as the most optimized, showing superior foaming, spreadability, and antimicrobial efficacy [8, 18].