Phyto Cosmetic Formulation of Lip Balm from Rosa damascena P. Mill: Preparation and Quality Assessment

The present study focused on the formulation and evaluation of a phyto-cosmetic lip balm using Rosa damascena P. Mill. extract. Fresh rose petals were collected, authenticated, and subjected to hot water percolation to obtain an aqueous extract, which was deep purple in color and rich in phytochemicals including flavonoids, phenolics, and anthocyanins. The extract was incorporated into a lip balm base comprising beeswax, coconut oil, rose oil, and vitamin E. The final formulation was evaluated for physicochemical and performance parameters such as pH, melting point, spreadability, extrudability, and skin irritation. The product exhibited a smooth brownish-yellow texture with a pH of 5.8, which lies within the ideal range for topical applications. The melting point was 67°C, confirming formulation stability. No irritation was observed in skin irritability testing, indicating its safety. Texture analysis demonstrated favorable spreadability with firmness and shear work values of 2341.7 g and 2736.2 g/sec, respectively, while extrudability required only 149.8 g of force, confirming ease of application. These results suggest that the lip balm possesses desirable cosmetic attributes and potential therapeutic benefits due to the bioactive constituents of Rosa damascena. Further studies on stability, microbial safety, and consumer acceptability are recommended to advance this prototype toward commercialization. Keywords: Rosa damascene, Formulation, Texture analyzer, Lip balm