Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Herbal cosmetics are increasingly preferred owing to their biocompatibility, minimal side effects, and therapeutic benefits. Soap remains one of the most widely used personal care products globally. The incorporation of plant based bioactive ingredients can enhance the functional and medicinal properties of soap formulations. Objective: This study aimed to formulate and evaluate herbal soap using tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller), and turmeric (Curcuma longa) extracts as active ingredients, with a focus on physicochemical properties, antimicrobial activity, and skin compatibility. Methods: Three formulations (F1, F2, F3) were prepared using the cold process saponification method with varying concentrations of tomato extract (5%, 10%, 15%), fixed concentrations of aloe vera gel (5%) and turmeric extract (1%, 2%, 3%). Formulations were evaluated for organoleptic properties, pH, moisture content, total fatty matter, foam height and stability, dirt dispersion, saponification value, skin irritation, and antimicrobial activity using agar well diffusion method. Results: All formulations exhibited satisfactory physicochemical parameters within accepted pharmacopoeial limits. Formulation F3, containing the highest concentrations of tomato (15%) and turmeric (3%) extracts, demonstrated superior foam stability (18 ± 0.8 min), lowest moisture content (11.2%), and the largest zones of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus (18 ± 0.6 mm), Escherichia coli (16 ± 0.4 mm), Candida albicans (14 ± 0.5 mm), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13 ± 0.3 mm). None of the formulations induced skin irritation during patch testing. Conclusion: The herbal soap formulations prepared from tomato, aloe vera, and turmeric possess promising physicochemical, antimicrobial, and skin friendly properties. F3 was identified as the optimum formulation. These plant derived soaps offer a safe, cost effective, and eco-friendly alternative to synthetic commercial soaps.