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International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

Volume: 13 Issue: 01 | Jan 2026 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

“FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF HERBAL HYDROGEL FOR THE TREATMENT OF ACNE”

A. Vasanthan1*, A. Ameena2 , M. Archana3 , S. Archana4

1 Associate Professor, Sri Vijay Vidyalaya College of Pharmacy, Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu (India) 2, 3, 4 B. Pharm, Students, Sri Vijay Vidyalaya College of Pharmacy, Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu (India)

Abstract-Aim: The present study aimed to develop and evaluate an herbal hydrogel formulation for the management of acne vulgaris. Objectives: The objectives of this research were to identify herbal ingredients possessing anti-acne properties, to prepare a stable herbal hydrogel using a suitable gelling agent, and to assess the formulation for its physicochemical characteristics, antimicrobial efficacy, and potential for skin irritation.

Conclusion: In this study, a herbal hydrogel formulation for acne treatment was successfully developed and evaluated. The formulated hydrogel showed desirable physicochemical properties, appropriate pH for skin application, good spread ability, and satisfactory stability. The formulation exhibited notable antibacterial activity against acne-associated microorganisms and was found to be non-irritant to the skin, confirming its suitability for topical use. Overall, the findings suggest that the developed herbal hydrogel is a safe, effective, and promising alternative to conventional synthetic anti-acne products.

Keywords: Herbal hydrogel; Acne vulgaris; Herbal formulation; Antimicrobial activity; Topical drug delivery

Introduction

Acne vulgaris is a widespread chronic inflammatory condition affecting the pilosebaceous units of the skin and is most commonly observed during adolescence and early adulthood, although it may continue into later life. Clinically, acne presents as come dones, papules, pustules, nodules, and, in severe cases, cystic lesions that may result in permanent scarring. The development of acne is complex and involves multiple contributing factors, including increased sebum secretion,abnormalfollicularkeratinization,proliferationof Cut ibacterium acnes,andassociatedinflammatoryprocesses. Whilenotalife-threateningdisorder,acnecanhaveaprofoundnegativeeffectonanindividual’spsychologicalwell-being, oftenleadingtoemotionaldistress,diminishedself-confidence,andsocialanxiety.

Current acne management strategies primarily rely on topical and systemic treatments such as antibiotics, retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, and hormonal therapies. Although these conventional therapies are effective, their long-term use is frequently limited by undesirable side effects including skin dryness, irritation, erythema, photosensitivity, and the increasing concern of antimicrobial resistance. These drawbacks have driven the search for safer and more sustainable treatmentalternatives.

Herbalmedicineshavegainedconsiderableattentionduetotheirbroadspectrumofpharmacologicalactivities,including antimicrobial,anti-inflammatory,antioxidant,andwound-healingeffects,whicharebeneficialinacnetreatment.Inrecent years, hydrogels have been widely explored as topical drug delivery systems because of their high water content, biocompatibility, non-greasy nature, and ability to provide controlled drug release while maintaining skin hydration. Incorporating herbal extracts into hydrogel systems can further enhance therapeutic effectiveness, improve patient acceptability,andreduceadversereactions.

The present study aims to formulate and evaluate a herbal hydrogel for acne treatment by integrating selected herbal ingredients with a suitable hydrogel base. The formulation is assessed through various physicochemical and biological evaluationparameterstodetermineitsstability,safety,andtherapeuticpotential,therebyhighlightingitssuitabilityas an alternativeapproachtoconventionalanti-acnetherapies.

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

Volume: 13 Issue: 01 | Jan 2026 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

Plant profile:

1. Green tea.

BOTANICAL NAME: Camelliasinensis(L.)Kuntze

FAMILY: Theaceae

SYNONYMS: GreenTea,Cha,Chai,Thea

VERNACULAR NAME:

Tamil; pachchaitheyilai

Hindi; harichai

Telugu; akupacchati

Malayalam; pacchaChaya

2. Tea tree.

FAMILY:Myrtaceae

SYNONYM: Melaleucaoil

Vernacular name; BOTANICAL NAME: Melaleucaalternifolia

Figure No: 01 Green tea.

Figure No: 02 Tea tree

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

Volume: 13 Issue: 01 | Jan 2026 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

Tamil;titriennai

Hindi; titreeoil

Telegu; titriayi

Malayalam; titrioyil

Materials and methods:

Materials: Greenteaextract,Carbopol940,Propyleneglycol,Glycerine,Methylparaben,Triethanolamine,Distilledwater, Teatreeoil.

Equipments: Magneticstirrerwithhotplate,Viscosimeter,Phmeter,thermometer,Mechanicalstirrer,Weightingbalance, Glassware(beaker,cylinder),Franzdiffusioncell.

METHOD OF PREPARATION:

Step 1: PreparationofGelBase(Carbopol940Hydration)

Step 2: PreparationofPreservativeandHumectantSolution

Step 3: IncorporationofHerbalActives

Step 4: NeutralizationandpHAdjustment

Step 5:FinalWeightAdjustment

Step 6: FillingandPackaging

EXCIPIENTS

 Excipients are pharmacologically inert substances that are intentionally added to a pharmaceutical dosage form along with the active ingredient. They play a crucial role in the formulation by improving the physical, chemical and aesthetic properties of the dosage form. In topical preparations such as hydrogels, excipients help in gel formation, stability, spread ability, preservation and patient acceptability without affecting the therapeutic activityofthedrug.

 Inthepresentstudy,variousexcipientswereselectedtoformulateastableandeffectiveGreenTeaandTeaTree Oilbasedherbalhydrogelforthetreatmentofacne.

Figure No: 03 METHOD OF PREPARATION

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

 CARBOPOL 940:

GLYCERIN:  METHYL PARABEN:  PROPYL PARABEN:  DISTILLED WATER:  TRIETHANOLAMINE [TEA]

EVALUATION PROCEDURE:

1. PHYSICAL EVALUATION; THEFORMULATIONHERBALHYDROGELWASEVALUATEDBYUSINGFOLLOWINGPHYSICALPARAMETERS

2. PH TEST;

3. VISCOSITY TEST:

Testing the viscosity of a herbal antiseptic cream is for determining its texture, spread ability and overall formulation quality.

Figure No: 04 PHYSICAL EVALUATIONS

Figure NO: 05 PH TEST

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

4. SPREADIBILITY:

5. STABILITY TEST

StabilitystudywascarriedoutforoptimizedformulationaccordingtoICHguidelinesat40℃/75%RHfor1month.

7. HOMOGENEIY:

Testedviavisualappearanceandtouchtoensurenocoarseparticlesarepresent.

8.WASHABILITY:

Determinedbyapplyingasmallamountofthegeltotheskinandobservingifitwashesoffeasilywithtapwater.

9.PHASE SEPARATION:

Monitored over a period of storage at normal temperature to ensure the gel components do not separate into distinct layers

Figure NO: 06 BROOK FIELD VISCOMETER

Figure No: 07 SPREAD IBILITY

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

Volume: 13 Issue: 01 | Jan 2026 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

REPORT & DISCUSSION:

TABLE: NO: 01 REPORT F FORMULATION OF HERBAL HYDROGEL

S.NO EVALUATION TEST

1. Physical appearance

Colour: Palegreen

Odour: Characteristic herbal

Texture: Smooth

Colour: Palegreen

Odour: Pleasant herbal

Texture: Smooth

Colour: Palegreen

Odour: Mild herbal

Texture: Smooth andglossy

Colour: Palegreen

Odour: Characteristic herbal

Texture: Slightlythick andsmooth

Colour: Palegreen

Odour: Pleasant herbal

Texture: Smooth andthick

2. pH determination

3. Viscosity

4. Spreadability

5. Stability Notstable Notstable Stable Notstable Notstable

6. Irritationtest Noirritation No irritation No irritation Noirritation No irritation

7. Homogeneity Touchgood Touch good Touch

8. Washability

Conclusion

Thepresentinvestigationsuccessfullyinvolvedthedevelopmentandevaluationofaherbalhydrogelformulationintended for the management of acne. The formulation was prepared using selected herbal constituents recognized for their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. The developed hydrogel demonstrated satisfactory physicochemical properties, including uniform consistency, skin-friendly pH, appropriate viscosity, good spread ability, andformulationstability.

The evaluation results confirmed that the herbal hydrogel exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against acneassociatedmicroorganisms,alongwithgoodskincompatibilityandeaseoftopicalapplication.Theexclusionofsynthetic chemicalagentsreducedthelikelihoodofadversereactions,therebyenhancingthesafetyprofileoftheformulationwhen comparedtoconventionalanti-acneproducts.

Inconclusion,theformulatedherbalhydrogelrepresentsasafe,effective,andpromisingtopicaldeliverysystemforacne treatment. This study highlights the potential of herbal-based formulations as an alternative or supportive therapeutic option in acne management. However, further clinical investigations and extended stability studies are necessary to validateitslong-termefficacyandsuitabilityforlarge-scaleproduction.

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

Volume: 13 Issue: 01 | Jan 2026 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

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