Development and Evaluation of a Polyherbal Facial Cleansing Formulation Using Sapindus mukorossi as a Bio-surfactant

Research Article

Abstract

Frequent exposure to environmental pollutants and microbial pathogens requires effective facial cleansing; however, conventional synthetic formulations often utilize harsh surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate, which can disrupt the stratum corneum and induce dermatological complications. A polyherbal face wash was developed using bioactive extracts from Carica papaya, Moringa oleifera, and Psidium guajava, integrated with a natural surfactant base derived from Sapindus mukorossi. Four different formulations (F1 to F4) were prepared and subjected to rigorous physicochemical and pharmacological evaluation. The results indicated that all formulations maintained a skin-compatible pH range of 6.85 ± 0.04 to 7.16 ± 0.02. Evaluation of foaming properties revealed that the guava-based formulation (F3) achieved the highest foam stability at 87.17 ± 1.2%, while the polyherbal blend (F4) exhibited optimal viscosity (2.914 ± 0.05 cP) and spreadability. Dermatological safety was confirmed via acute skin irritation studies on animal models, which showed no evidence of erythema or edema over a 48-hour observation period. Stability studies conducted over 30 days under ambient conditions showed no significant phase separation or degradation of organoleptic properties. The combined therapeutic profile of the polyherbal formulation (F4), combining exfoliating, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, indicates its effectiveness as a sustainable and efficacious alternative to synthetic facial cleansers.