Development of skin-friendly dermatological water-in-oil emulsion of pomegranate juice

This study was designed to develop a topical skin-care cream (w/o emulsion) of 4% pomegranate extracts versus its vehicle (the base) as control and evaluate its effects on skin-melanin,skin erythema,skin moisture,skin sebum and tewl. concentrated pomegranate (purtica granatum) juice was entrapped in the inner aqueous phase of w/o emulsion. the base containing no extract and a the formulation containing 4% concentrated juice of pomegranate was formulated. the odour was adjusted with few drops of lemon oil. both the base and the formulation were stored at different storage conditions for a period of four weeks to predict their stability. the stability parameters,i.e.,physical stability,centrifugation and ph,were monitored at different time intervals. both the base and the formulation were applied to the cheeks of 25 healthy human volunteers for a period of 8 weeks. the pharmaceutical stability of creams was achiewed from 4 weeks in-vitro study period. odour disapperaed with the passage of time due to volatilization of lemon oil. the formulation exhibited significant (p<0.05) effects on skin melanin and skin erythema. both the vehicle (base) and the formulation tended to increase sebum content the results showed a good stability over 4 weeks in-vitro observation period of both the base and the formulation and the formulation exhibited bleaching,anti inflammatory and moisturizing effects. both the base and the formulation were elegant and aesthetic with respect to sensory evaluation. © pakistan academy of sciences.