Formulation and Evaluation of an Oil‑in‑Water Herbal Cream Containing Aloe Vera, Neem and Turmeric Extracts

Abstract

The present study focuses on the formulation and evaluation of an oil-in-water (O/W) herbal cream incorporating Aloe vera, Azadirachta indica (Neem), and Curcuma longa (Turmeric) extracts, aimed at providing multipurpose therapeutic and cosmetic benefits. The selected herbal ingredients are well known for their antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, and skin-soothing properties. The cream was prepared using the O/W emulsion base method with suitable excipients to achieve stability, spreadability, and acceptable sensory attributes. The formulations were subjected to evaluation parameters including pH, viscosity, homogeneity, spreadability, stability studies, and microbial load determination. The results indicated that the optimized formulation exhibited a stable emulsion with desirable consistency, uniform appearance, and skin-compatible pH. The herbal actives contributed to enhanced antimicrobial activity and antioxidant potential, suggesting their synergistic effect in skin protection and healing. Thus, the developed O/W herbal cream demonstrates promising potential as a safe, effective, and natural alternative for skincare applications.

Keyword: Herbal Cream, O/W emulsion, Neem, Turmeric