Formulation Optimization and Evaluation of Anti-Acne Micellar Water

Abstract

The main aim for skin cleansing is to reduce sebum and external contaminants and to control odors and skin microbes. Micellar water has been used since many years when water was very harsh on skin. Micellar water can be used as cleanser when no ready source of water is available. It is just placed on cotton pads and wiped off through skin. Acne is the most common and chronic inflammatory disease of pilosebaceous unit caused by propionibacterium. It is the most common disease treated by physician and can appear at any age. The objective of present study is to prepare a micellar water which helps to cure acne using Parasites japonicas root extract. In our formulation of micellar water, we have added 5% of extract for anti acne purpose. We have evaluated its pH and viscosity and then did a comparative analysis using different micellar water available in market. Top micellar waters available in market were taken and reviewed. The ingredients used in them were properly studied and then the ingredients to be used were decided. The number of trials were done to optimize the final formulation. First trial was done using 5% Polyethylene Glycol 7 Glyceryl Cocoate and 2% Cocaminopropyl Betain as a surfactant, and aquaxyl as a moisturizing agent. But the product became very sticky and so in next trial aquaxyl was replaced by glycerin and propane diol 1% each and quantity of PEG 7 GC and CAPB was increased by 1% each. Still the product was sticky and was having less cleansing effect. Then the surfactant chemoryl was taken and other ethyl hexyl glycerin was used as preservative and moisturizer (0.5%). This formula was as required but was very costly and so chemoryl was not to be used in the formulation. Then finally the formulation was made using PEG 7 GC, Polysorbate 20, and CAPB as surfactant at %w/w of 6, 4 and 4 respectively and moisturizer as Ethyl Hexyl Glycerin to 0.5%. This formulation was found to be clear with skin friendly pH and was efficacious too. The prepared formulation was evaluated on various parameters like, pH, foam and foam stability test, detergency and cleansing test, wetting test, microbial test and the comparative analysis test. The comparison was done of formulated product with the other micellar waters available in the market and it was found that the formulated micellar water is as effective as those available in the market.