DESIGN AND CHARACTERIZATION OF VARIOUS FORMULATIONS OF SELECTED HERBO COSMECEUTICALS

Abstract

Today a new hot topic in the cosmetic industry is cosmeceuticals which is the fastest growing segment of the natural personal care industry Cosmeceuticals are topical cosmetic pharmaceutical hybrids intended to enhance the beauty through ingredients that provide additional health related function or benefit They are applied topically as cosmetics but contain ingredients that influence the skins biological function The Food Drug and Cosmetic Act defines cosmetics by their intended use as articles intended to be rubbed poured sprinkled or sprayed on introduced into or otherwise applied to the human body for cleansing beautifying promoting attractiveness or altering the appearance Among the products included in this definition are skin moisturizers perfumes lipsticks fingernail polishes eye and facial makeup preparations shampoos permanent waves hair colors toothpastes and deodorants as well as any material intended for use as a component of a cosmetic product These cosmeceuticals serving as a bridge between personal care products and pharmaceuticals have been developed specifically for their medicinal and cosmetic benefits Natural products in the form of herbal formulations are available on the market and are used as hair tonic hair growth promoter hair conditioner hair cleansing agent antidandruff agents as well as for the treatment of alopecia and lice infection A number of herbal products have been acclaimed with hair growth promoting activity The traditional system of medicine in India acclaims a number of herbal drugs for hair growth promotion newline