Formulation and development of a body gel scrub using Areca catechu L. seed extract and microbeads

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate an antioxidant body gel scrub formulation including Areca seed extract and Areca beads. The Areca seed ethanol extract had an IC50 of 183.30 µg/ml, a radical scavenging activity of 49.196%, and a total phenolic content of 21.21 ± 2.32 µg/ml. With a pH of 6.98 at 25 °C and a viscosity of 5,590.457 cP, the optimized formulation contained 1% w/w Areca seed extract, 5% w/w polyvinyl alcohol, 0.5% w/w Carbomer Ultrez 21, and 5% w/w Areca microbeads. The formulation had a radical scavenging efficiency of 68.66%. Stability tests were carried out under accelerated heating cooling conditions at 40 ± 2 °C, 75 % RH for 48 hours, followed by 4 °C for 48 hours each cycle for 24 days (6 cycles) and 30 days for 4 °C and 30 ± 2 °C, 75% RH, and no significant changes in physical or chemical properties were observed. This body gel scrub formulation shows potential for use in skincare applications due to its antioxidant activity and stability.