Brinda Sreelesh

SPF (Sun Protection Factor) measures amount of protection a product provides to the skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun. The present research work deals with determining effectiveness of sunscreen formulations containing naturally occurring herbal actives. Sunscreens with synthetic active ingredients adversely effect the skin in long term while the herbal ingredients have been found to be more effective with fewer side effects. The selected herbs include roots of Rubia cardifolia, heartwood of Prunus cerasoides and roots of Vetiveria zizanioides. Formulations were prepared with each of these selected herbal ingredients in varying concentrations and an integrated preparation using concentrations found most effective. SPF was calculated for all formulations using the spectrophotometric method and then applying the Mansur equation. The results of the study depicted that the integrated formulation containing 25% concentration each of Prunus cerasoides, Rubia cardifolia and Veteveria zizanioides provided maximum sun protection.