FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF HERBAL SUNSCREEN CREAM USING SESAME OIL

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight is a major cause of skin damage, premature aging, and skin cancer. Sunscreen creams are widely used to protect the skin from harmful UV rays; however, the long-term use of synthetic sunscreens may cause skin irritation and other adverse effects. Therefore, there is growing interest in the development of herbal sunscreen formulations using natural ingredients. The present study focuses on the formulation, characterization, and evaluation of a herbal sunscreen cream using sesame oil as the main active ingredient. Sesame oil is rich in natural antioxidants such as sesamol and sesamin, which exhibit UV-absorbing and free-radical scavenging properties. In this study, an oil-in-water type herbal sunscreen cream was formulated using sesame oil along with suitable excipients such as emulsifiers, preservatives, and stabilizers. The prepared formulation was subjected to characterization tests including physical appearance, pH, viscosity, spreadability, homogeneity, and type of emulsion to ensure formulation quality and stability. The evaluation of the herbal sunscreen cream was carried out to assess its sun-protective and safety profile. In-vitro sun protection factor (SPF) determination, skin irritation test, wash ability, and stability studies were performed. The results indicated that the formulated herbal sunscreen cream had acceptable physicochemical properties, good spread ability, suitable pH for skin application, and satisfactory SPF value. No signs of skin irritation were observed, indicating its safety for topical use. Thus, the study concludes that sesame oil-based herbal sunscreen cream is a safe, effective, and eco-friendly alternative to synthetic sunscreens and has potential for further development in cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications.