Formulation of cost effective herbal shampoo powder: a comparative study with market shampoos

Shampoo is a hair care product packed in a convenient way for use to wash hair and scalp. The major function of shampoo is to clean the hair, removal of oils, dirts, scalp debris and accumulated sebum. Formulation of shampoo must be safe and efficient for long use. The major objective of the present study was to formulate an herbal shampoo powder by means of eliminating harmful synthetic ingredients and substitutse them with natural ingredients. Our formulated herbal shampoo powder consists of fenugreek, hibiscus, henna, lemon, vettiver, neeliamari, velvet flower, aswagandha, shikkakai, karisilaankanni, thulsi, amla, brahmi and rose petals in appropriate ratio. The following evaluation tests were carried out – pH test, solid content test dirt test, foaming capacity, wetting time and surface characterization analysis using scanning electron microscopy. As the selected ingredients have been used since long time in several formulations the present investigation will certainly help in standardization of good quality and purity of herbal shampoo powder. From the study, it is possible to formulate a complete herbal shampoo that is better than available synthetic shampoos.