Abstract

DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF UNANI EXFOLIATION FACIAL SCRUB (UEFS) FOR SKINCARE

Farheen Begum* and Mohammad Idris

Abstract

Nowadays revolution comes in the branch of cosmetics, and it has become most popular branch. However, in the modern cosmetic preparations, numerous synthetic chemicals are used which have a lot of side effects. Now, the world is revisiting the herbal heritage for skincare in non-conventional stream of medicine, such as Unani medicine. Natural remedies are more acceptable in the belief that they are safer than the synthetic ones. In Unani system of medicine, there is a broad range of preparations for skincare derived from natural sources. Numerous formulations are mentioned in the Unani classical literature for skincare. The formulations are named as ghaza, ghamra, ghaliya, ghusool,ubtan, kohal etc. But the uses of these formulations in the prescribed dosage forms are not easy as these are time taking and involve lengthy and laborious procedures for the users. So, there is a need to improve the processing of these dosage forms which can be used easily. There is no formulation available in Unani cosmeceuticals to combat such situations and compete modern cosmetics, such as facial for skin care. Hence, a pharmaceutical strategy has been envisaged to overcome these shortcomings. An innovative approach has been made to formulate, design and develop a user-friendly dosage form for skincare. Thus, Unani Exfoliation Facial Scrub (UEFS) was designed and developed for skincare. The ingredients were selected after an exhaustive search of Unani classical literature. They possess the jali (detergent) and tehseen-e-laun (complexion enhancer) properties. In the current literature, all ingredients have been reported as having significant anti-microbial and anti-oxidant activity. The UEFS was evaluated by a battery of physico-chemical tests. Based on the observations and results of the undertaken study, it is concluded that UEFS based on Unani single drugs is a best Unani cosmeceutical formulation for skincare.

Keywords: Unani cosmeceutical formulation, jali, tehseen e laun.