Evaluating Herbal Shampoo Formulations: Performance and Market Comparison in Hair Care

Herbal shampoos are gaining popularity due to their natural ingredients, safer profiles, and the potential to minimize the adverse effects often associated with synthetic shampoos. However, despite their advantages, these shampoos struggle with gaining market traction, as synthetic products often appeal more to consumers due to their aesthetic attributes, such as rich lather and clarity. This article reviews the study evaluating herbal shampoo formulations and compares their performance against commercial alternatives, focusing on attributes like pH, viscosity, cleansing ability, and overall effectiveness.

Shampoos are an essential hair care product used globally, with two primary purposes: cleaning and maintaining hair and scalp health. While synthetic shampoos dominate the market, there has been a growing interest in herbal alternatives. Synthetic shampoos often contain sulfates like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), which can be harsh on sensitive skin and lead to issues such as dryness or irritation.

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In contrast, herbal shampoos are formulated using natural ingredients, which are believed to be gentler and beneficial for long-term scalp health. The ingredients commonly found in these formulations include Urtica Dioica (a herb known for promoting hair growth), Matricaria Chamomile (used for its soothing properties), and Acacia concinna (a natural cleanser). However, while herbal shampoos are safer, they often lack the visual appeal of synthetic shampoos, such as thick lather, which can be a significant factor for consumers when selecting a product.

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The study aimed to formulate and evaluate herbal shampoo formulations and compare their effectiveness against two commercial shampoos. The research sought to examine whether these herbal shampoos could provide a safer and equally effective alternative, with specific focus on properties like cleansing ability, pH balance, viscosity, and foam stability.

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●  Preparation of Herbal Shampoos

The herbal shampoos were prepared using a blend of natural ingredients: Urtica Dioica, Matricaria Chamomile, Cymbopogon Citratus, and Acacia concinna. The active ingredients were mixed with a base of Triethanolamine lauryl sulfate (a surfactant) and water. The formulation process included heating, mixing, and adjusting to a specific pH level for scalp compatibility.

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●  Testing Parameters

To evaluate the shampoos, various tests were conducted, focusing on:

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● Physical Appearance and Visual Assessment: Checking clarity and fluidity.

● pH Measurement: Maintaining pH levels close to that of the scalp (4.5-5.5) to ensure hair cuticle protection.

● Solid Content Determination: Measuring the percentage of solid ingredients, which affects the shampoo’s washing ability.

●  Viscosity Measurement: Using a viscometer to test the shampoo’s thickness, which impacts its application and spread.

●  Foaming Ability and Stability: Evaluating the volume and stability of foam over time.

●  Cleaning and Detergency Tests*: Determining the shampoo’s effectiveness in removing dirt and grease.

●  Surface Tension: Testing the reduction of water’s surface tension, indicating good cleaning action.

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●  Physical Appearance and pH Balance

All herbal formulations showed good clarity and foam production, with a dark brown color due to the herbal ingredients. The pH levels of all shampoos were in the range of 5.5-5.9, which is close to the natural pH of the scalp. This indicates that the formulations are safe for regular use without disrupting the scalp’s natural balance.

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●  Solid Content and Viscosity

The solid content varied across formulations, with values ranging from 22.11% to 29.31%. Higher solid content typically results in a thicker shampoo, but an excess can make it difficult to wash out. The viscosity readings showed that herbal formulations exhibited pseudo-plastic behavior, which means they were easier to spread on hair but still maintained thickness at rest.

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●  Cleaning and Detergency Efficiency

Herbal shampoos showed moderate to good cleaning efficiency. The percentage of grease removed ranged from 18.81% to 32.51%, while commercial shampoos showed slightly higher values (33.61%). Although the herbal shampoos were not as strong in cleaning heavily soiled hair, they were effective for regular use.

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●  Surface Tension and Foam Stability

A proper shampoo should decrease the surface tension of pure water to around 35-40 dynes/cm. All herbal formulations achieved surface tensions between 31-34 dynes/cm, indicating good detergent properties. The foam stability was consistent over time, with minimal loss in volume, as shown in Table 1 below.

The study concluded that while herbal shampoos are safer and provide comparable cleansing and conditioning to commercial alternatives, they lack in aesthetic properties, such as lather and clarity. The perception that a shampoo must foam well to clean effectively is still a strong consumer belief, which affects the acceptance of herbal formulations.

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Therefore, a radical approach is needed to educate consumers on the safety and long-term benefits of herbal shampoos. Manufacturers should focus on promoting the health benefits of natural ingredients over superficial properties like foam, ultimately changing consumer expectations and perceptions.

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