FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF HERBAL SOAP

Herbal cosmetic formulations have gained significant attention due to their safety, biocompatibility, and therapeutic potential. The present study aimed to formulate and evaluate a herbal soap incorporating extracts of Sapindus mukorossi (Reetha), Azadirachta indica (Neem), and Acacia concinna (Shikakai) using the cold process saponification method. The selected plant materials were subjected to phytochemical screening, which confirmed the presence of bioactive constituents such as saponins, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, steroids, and terpenoids. These compounds are known to contribute to cleansing, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and skin-conditioning properties. The formulated herbal soap was evaluated for organoleptic characteristics and physicochemical parameters including pH, foam height, hardness, moisture content, and total fatty matter. All parameters were found to be within acceptable limits, indicating good quality, stability, and skin compatibility. Antimicrobial activity of the soap was assessed against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans, and the formulation exhibited significant inhibitory effects when compared with marketed soaps. The results of the study demonstrate that the combination of Reetha, Neem, and Shikakai produces an effective herbal soap with enhanced cleansing efficiency and antimicrobial activity. The formulated product offers a safe, natural, and multifunctional alternative to synthetic soaps and shows promising potential for cosmetic and therapeutic applications.