FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF HERBAL ANTI ACNE CREAM CONTAINING TINOSPORA CORDIFOLIA AND SANTALUM ALBUM

Acne vulgaris is a common inflammatory skin disorder affecting individuals of different age groups, particularly adolescents. Conventional anti-acne treatments may produce side effects such as skin irritation, dryness, and microbial resistance. Herbal formulations are considered safer alternatives due to their natural origin and therapeutic benefits. The present study aimed to formulate and evaluate a herbal anti-acne cream containing Tinospora cordifolia and Santalum album. Tinospora cordifolia possesses antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, while Santalum album exhibits cooling, soothing, antibacterial, and skin-protective activities. The herbal extracts were incorporated into an oil-in-water cream base and evaluated for various physicochemical parameters including appearance, pH, viscosity, spreadability, homogeneity, washability, stability, and antimicrobial activity. The prepared cream showed good consistency, smooth texture, acceptable pH suitable for topical application, and satisfactory spreadability without phase separation. Stability studies indicated that the formulation remained stable under storage conditions. The cream also demonstrated promising antimicrobial activity against acne-causing microorganisms.