This document discusses herbal cosmetics and their classification. It defines herbal cosmetics as beauty products that use herbal ingredients to provide physiological benefits like skin healing and conditioning. Herbal cosmetics can be classified by dosage form (oils, creams, etc.) or the body part they are applied to (skin, hair, nails). Common herbal ingredients used in skin care, hair care and oral care are discussed, along with their therapeutic properties and uses.

1. HERBAL
COSMETICS

2. What are cosmetics?
According to D & C Act 1940 :
Any article intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled or
sprayed on or introduced to or applied to any part of human
body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting, attractiveness
or altering the appearance and includes any article
intended for use as component of cosmetics.
What are herbal cosmetics?
Herbal cosmetics is defined as the beauty products, which
posses desirable physiological activities, such as skin
healing, smoothening, appearance, enhancing and
conditioning properties with the help of herbal ingredients

3.  These are the cosmetics which are
prepared using plant products having
cosmetic actions.
 Recently the use of botanicals in
cosmetics have increased mainly due to
the mild action and non-toxic nature.
 In cosmetics, both natural and phyto-
ingredients are used. Natural products
include oils, extracts, secretions etc.
Phyto-ingredients include pure
constituents obtained by various
process.

4. CLASSIFICATION OF HERBAL COSMETICS
Herbal cosmetics can be classified on
the basis of :
I. Dosage form
II. Part of the body to be applied at

5. Dosage form:
a) Emulsion: Cold cream, vanishing cream, liquid
cream
b) Powders: Face powder, Talcum powder, Tooth
powder
c) Cakes: Rouge compacts, make-up cake
d) Oils : Hair oils
e) Mucilage : Hand lotion
f) Jellies : Hand jelly, wave set jelly, brilliantine jelly
g) Suspension : Cosmetic stockings
h) Paste : Tooth paste, deodorant paste
i) Soaps : Shampoo soap, shaving soap, toilet soap

6. Parts or organ of the body to be applied
at:
 Herbal cosmetics for Skin
1.Powders 5.Bath and cleansing products
2.Creams 6. Make-up preparations
3.Lotions 7. Suntan preparation
4.Deodorants
 Herbal cosmetics for Hair
1.Shampoos 5. Beard softeners
2.Tonics 6. Shaving media
3.Hair dressing 7. Depilatories (hair removers)
4. Hair waving preparations

7.  Herbal cosmetics for Nails
1.Nail polishes
2. Manicure preparations
 Herbal cosmetics for Teeth and
mouth
1.Tooth powders
2. Dentifrices
3. Mouth washes

8. HERBAL COSMETICS FOR SKIN
The herbal approach of proper skin care is
principally based on three essential steps.
• Cleanse
• Nourish
• Moisture
Whatever may be the type of skin; these three
steps are performed to protect the skin from the
constant effect of environment, stress and skin’s
natural process of cell degradation decay.

9. HERBAL COSMETICS FOR VARIOUS
TYPES OF SKIN
 FOR DRY SKIN
Example of Herbs:
Rubia Cardifolia (Manjista), Triphla, Tulsi,
Glycerihza glabra in sesame oil.
Fruit face mask:
Banana or avocado pulp.
 FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
Example of Herbs:
curcuma longa, triphala, azadircta indica mustaka,
nimba in coconut oil.
Fruit face mask:
Banana or pineapple pulp.

10.  FOR OILY SKIN
Example of Herbs:
Tulsi, idhora, jatiphata, nimba, terminalia
arjuna, Triphla, curcuma longa, mustaka in
musterd oil , milk, sour milk, cream and
butter milk are used as gentle natural
cleanser.
 Fruit face mask: Strawberry or papaya pulp.

11. Herbal ingredients used in skin
care
Latin name Common name Part used Uses
Acorus calamus Sweet flag Rhizome Aromatic, Dusting
powders, Skin lotions
Allium sativum Garlic Bulb Promotes skin healing,
Antibacterial
Aloe vera Aloe Leaf Moisturizer, Sun screen,
Emollient
Alpinia galanga Galanga Rhizome Aromatic, Dusting powders
Avena sativa Oat Fruit Moisturizer, Skin tonic
Azadirachta indica Neem Leaf Antiseptic, Reduce dark
spots, Antibacterial
Echinacea purpurea Echinacea roots, stem, and
leaves
Skin regeneration
Centella asiatica Gotu kola Plant Wound healing, Reduce
Symphytum officinale Comfrey leaves cell regeneration,
stimulates the growth of
new cells, rejuvenate the
skin
Crocus sativus Kesar Flowering top Skin cleansing lotion

12. TYPES OF HERBAL HAIR CARE
PRODUCTS
 HAIR OIL:
The hair oils are used for dressings and nourishing the
hair. This preparations is generally used to increase
the growth of hair and to make them healthy.
Hair oil should have following properties:
 They should give luster to the hair.
 Retain them soft and flowing.
 Invigorate their growth.
 Keep the brain cool.
 Should not be sticky.

13.  HAIR LOTION:
Hair lotion has a stimulating effect upon the hair follicles.
They are generally perfumed with oil of rosemary and
others ascenes as it posses a good stimulating
property.
 HAIR COLORANTS:
These are preparations which are used for the coloring
of hthe hairs. They enhances the attractiveness of gray
hair. They are applied externally on the hair with help
of brush.
 SHAMPOO:
Shampoo is preparation of surfactant in suitable form
liquid, solid or powder- which when used under the
condition specified will remove surface grease, dirt,
and skin debris from the hair shaft and scalp without

14. QUALLITIES OF AN IDEAL HAIR
PRODUCT
It should:
 Protect the hair cuticle.
 Cleans without stripping natural oils.
 Replace lost protein, moisture, and nutrients.
 Condition without weighing down the hair.
 Even without porosity and prevent moisture loss.
 Smooth abraded cuticle scales.
 Prevent intense drying from environment.

15. Herbal ingredients used in hair
care
Latin name Common
name
Part used Uses
Aloe vera Aloe Leaf Moisturizer, Shampoos
Bacopa monneri Brahmi Entire herb Hair growth, Good for
sleep, Shampoos
Arctium lappa Arctium lappa Roots Promots hair growth.
Cedrus
dessential
oilsdara
Dessential
oilsdar
Wood Soaps, Shampoos
Centella asiatica Gotu kola Plant Hair care, Darkening of
hair, Hair oil
Citrus aurantium Orange Peel Soaps, Shampoos
Citrus limon Lemon Peel Prevents hair loss
Eclipta alba Bhringraj Plant Promoting hair growth,
Shampoos, Hair oil
Acacia Concinna Shikakai pods promots hair growth and

16. Herbal oral care
The commonly used herbal medications for oral and dental health can be
classified based on their properties as:
PLANTS WITH ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTY
Aloe, betel pepper (Piper betel), black pepper (Piper nigrum), clove
(Syzygium aromaticum), coriander, (Coriandrum sativum), eucalyptus
(Eucalyptus globules), garlic (Allium sativum), turmeric (Curcuma
longa)
PLANTS WITH ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTY
Spinach, pepper, black tea, broccoli, green tea, carrot, potato tomato,
blackberry, grape, olive, pineapple have potent antioxidant activity
PLANTS WITH ANALGESIC PROPERTY
Capsicum (Capsicum annuum), Chile (Capsicum annuum), clove
(Eugenia caryophyllus), ginger (Zingiber officinale), menthol (Mentha
piperata), peppermint (Mentha piperita), poppy (Papaver somniferum),
tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum).

17. Herbal ingredients used in oral
care
Some of the important herbs and their use in dentistry and
oral care as follows:
Clove Oil (Syzygium aromaticum)
It has got excellent analgesic and antiseptic properties which inhibit
growth of all disease causing bacteria
USES: 1. Relieve toothache
2. Treating bleeding gums.
Aloe Vera (Grita Kumari)
It is analgesic, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antiseptic in
nature
USED IN : Toothpick injuries, chemical burns
Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)
It has antiseptic and antifungal properties.

18. Garlic (Allium sativum)
Its antibacterial activity depends on allicin produced by enzymatic
activity of alliinase
USED IN: Inhibits the growth of Streptococcus mutans, and
therefore, can be used as an effective remedy in the prevention of
dental caries
Evening Primrose (Oleum Oenothera biennis)
It has antiallergic and antiulcer activity
USED IN : Treatment of dental caries.
Neem (Azadirachta indica)
USED IN: preventing and healing gum diseases and other dental
problems such as bleeding and plaque

19. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
It is mainly composed of volatile oils namely phenol,
thymol, and carvacrol
USED IN : it contains fluoride used in toothpaste
Turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn.)
It is an antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and
painkiller
Meswak (Salvadora persica)
It is a derivative from Arak tree, used as a traditional
toothbrush for oral hygiene.