Development And Evaluation Of Herbal Oil-Loaded Hair Powder For Anti-Dandruff And Scalp Conditioning

Authors: Akanksha Santosh Sonawane, Profiessor P. S. Ghadge, Dr. Hemant Vinayak Kamble

Abstract: Dandruff is a common scalp disorder associated with fungal infection, irritation, itching, and flaking of the scalp. Conventional hair oils used for conditioning often increase scalp greasiness and may worsen dandruff conditions by providing a lipid-rich environment for Malassezia fungi. Therefore, the development of an herbal oil-loaded hair powder using a solid-state adsorption technique offers a non-greasy, effective alternative. In this study, coconut oil and clove oil were successfully converted into a free-flowing powder utilizing natural adsorbents such as bentonite, magnesium carbonate, talc, and corn starch. The formulation was further enriched with herbal powders including Azadirachta indica (Neem), Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Emblica officinalis (Amla), and Trigonella fioenum-graecum (Fenugreek) for their synergistic antifungal, antioxidant, and conditioning properties. The prepared formulations were evaluated for various parameters including organoleptic properties, pH, angle of repose, bulk density, stability, and antifungal activity. The prepared hair powder showed excellent flow properties, acceptable skin-compatible pH, satisfactory stability, and effective anti-dandruff activity. The study concludes that the herbal oil-loaded powder is a promising, safe, and cost-effective topical preparation for the management of dandruff and scalp conditioning.