FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF A POLYHERBAL HERBAL HAIR WASH POWDER: A PRELIMINARY PHARMACEUTICAL AND COSMETIC STUDY

Background: Plant-derived powders containing saponin-rich cleansing ingredients are traditionally used for hair and scalp care. Standardized formulation and evaluation are needed before such products can be recommended as cosmetic alternatives. Objective: To formulate and preliminarily evaluate polyherbal hair-wash powders containing Shikakai, Reetha, Amla, Bhringraj, Neem, Fenugreek, and Hibiscus, and to compare the trial formulations with a marketed herbal hair-wash powder. Methods: Three powder formulations (F1–F3) were described using different proportions of Shikakai and Reetha alongside fixed or near-fixed proportions of the other botanicals. The report describes organoleptic assessment, pH of a 1% w/v aqueous dispersion, foam generation and retention, dirt dispersion, moisture content, powder-flow properties, wetting time, a human patch test, and a 60-day stability assessment. F2 contained 35% Shikakai, 25% Reetha, 15% Amla, 10% Bhringraj, 10% Neem, 3% Fenugreek, and 2% Hibiscus. Results: The report records pH values of 5.2 ± 0.08, 5.5 ± 0.12, and 5.51 ± 0.09 for F1, F2, and F3, respectively. Initial foam heights were 7.2 ± 0.3, 7.8 ± 0.4, and 8.1 ± 0.3 cm, with reported foam-retention values of 94.4%, 94.9%, and 95.1%. F2 was graded excellent in the reported dirt-dispersion test. The report also states a primary dermal irritation index (PDII) of 0.12 and describes small changes in pH and foam height over 60 days. These findings require verification against raw data because the report does not provide complete datasets for all stated evaluation endpoints. Conclusion: F2 is a candidate formulation for further standardized evaluation. The available report supports preliminary physicochemical and cleansing-performance observations, but does not by itself establish clinical efficacy, broad dermatological safety, microbiological stability, or a validated shelf life.

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