Introduction: With rising consumer demand for natural and sustainable skincare, Ayurveda offers a time-tested alternative. Varnya Mahakashaya, a group of complexion-enhancing herbs described in the Charaka Samhita, provides a promising base for modern herbal formulations. Methods: Using Ayurvedic principles, a herbal cream and soap were developed with Varnya herbs such as Rakta Chandana, Manjishtha, Yashtimadhu, Durva etc, The cream was formulated using the Oil-in-Water emulsion method, while the soap was prepared via the Cold Process method. Both products were formulated and evaluated according to Indian Standards. Results: The herbal cream exhibited a skin-compatible pH of 5.3. The soap met IS 286 (Part 1):2015 standards, achieving a Grade A rating with 79.6% Total Fatty Matter (TFM). Clinical application on volunteers with fungal infections showed significant improvement, indicating antifungal and therapeutic efficacy. Discussion: The successful formulation of these products validate the use of Varnya Mahakashaya in modern skincare. The results highlight the potential of integrating classical Ayurvedic knowledge into contemporary cosmetology.
Hiremath et al. (2026) studied this question.