Introduction: Regular use of hair serums may lead to hair stiffening and damage to hair structure. Therefore, the use of herbal-based formulations may serve as a safer alternative. In the present study, a hair-setting formulation was developed and evaluated for its physicochemical and functional properties. Methods: Selected natural ingredients were extracted using ultrasonication in aqueous media and mixed in suitable ratios to prepare the formulations. The formulations were evaluated for colour, odour, pH, viscosity, spreadability, wetting time, moisturization, and frizz control through volun-teer studies. FTIR studies were performed to assess compatibility among the ingredients. SEM analysis was conducted to examine the structure of hair samples before and after application of the formulations. Sequential simplex methodology was employed for formulation optimization, and the best formulation with the highest composite score was determined. Phytochemical anal-ysis was performed to qualitatively assess the presence of beneficial compounds. Stability studies were carried out based on the various evaluation characteristics of the formulation. Results: The pH of the formulation was close to skin pH and did not cause irritation or sensitivity. All formulations exhibited acceptable viscosity and spreadability, with minimal wetting time. Volunteer studies confirmed that the formulations provided effective frizz control and good moisturization. A range of phytoconstituents was present, offering multiple benefits for hair health. FTIR studies confirmed the absence of significant interactions among the ingredients. SEM analysis revealed a notable improvement in the smoothness of the hair cuticle. Stability studies indicated that the formulation maintained its characteristics over 2 months. Discussion: The formulations demonstrated acceptable physicochemical properties, including pH, viscosity, spreadability, and wetting time. The presence of phytoconstituents enhanced the overall benefits of the formulations. FTIR analysis confirmed the absence of incompatibility among ingredients. SEM studies verified the positive effect of the formulations on hair strands. The optimization process successfully identified the optimal formulation based on selected crite-ria. Finally, stability studies demonstrated that the formulation remained stable over the study period. Conclusion: A stable and effective hair-setting formulation was developed, providing the addi-tional benefits of phytochemicals.
Sahoo et al. (Tue,) studied this question.