INTRODUCTION:

A skincare product called a skin serum is intended to deliver potent chemicals straight into the skin; it can be applied after washing but before moisturizing. Because serum is composed of tiny molecules that may deliver a very high concentration of active substances and penetrate deeply into the skin, it is especially well-suited for this role. They are therefore an excellent tool for addressing particular skincare issues, including as pigmentation and aging symptoms.

The cost of hygiene items decreased and their availability increased.^[1] That was when the first face serums were put on the market. Their significant sensitivity to infections caused by bacteria and fungi naturally resulted in a relatively limited shelf life; yet, the fundamental idea behind these items was created.

TYPES OF FACE SERUM:

1. Oil serum: Oil serums are intended to give the skin significant hydration and nourishment in addition to adding additional active ingredients to target specific skincare concerns including aging, dryness, or dullness.¹²

2. Gel serum: Gel serums provide the skin a "tightening" sensation that makes certain face parts of your customers' skin appear momentarily tightened or lifted.¹³

3. Water based serum: The best way to encourage greater absorption of water-based compounds into the skin and move their high-performance elements a little bit deeper into the skin layers is to apply an anti-aging face spray first under an emulsion and then oil.⁴

4. Emulsion serum: Water and oil are linked together and preserved in a stable form by the application of an emulsifier. The emulsion's hydrating properties will strengthen the skin's protective layer.⁵

5. Pressed balm serum: The luxurious, smooth texture of pressed balm serums often melts into the skin and provides a rich application experience.⁶

MECHANISM OF ACTION OF COSMETIC SERUM:

Depending on the particular ingredients and desired effects, cosmetic serums might have different mechanisms of action. But generally speaking, these are a few typical modes of action:

· Hydration: Glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which are found in many serums, absorb and hold onto moisture in the skin, making it thinner and more hydrated.⁷

· Exfoliation: Nonprescription acne products frequently contain lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is well recognized that lactic acid and other AHAs help exfoliate, lower inflammation, and promote the development of new, smoother skin.

· Antioxidant Protection: Antioxidants, such as vitamin C or E, are found in certain serums and help protect the skin from UV light and environmental pollution-induced free radical damage.

· Skin Barrier Repair: By strengthening the skin's natural barrier and preventing moisture loss, ceramides and fatty acids included in serums can enhance the general health of the skin.

· Collagen Production: Serums containing peptides and growth factors may promote the formation of collagen, improving skin suppleness and lessening the visibility of wrinkles and fine lines.

· Materials: Moringa seed oil (Moringa oleifera) was the primary ingredient in this article. Other ingredients included glycerine, aloe vera plant leaves, tween, and rose water.

Effect of Serum:

· Nourishing

· Moisturising

· Anti aging

· Anti-inflammatory

· Anti-stress

· Smoothening.

Advantages:

· Enhances the texture of the skin.

· Reduces the size of the skin's pores.

· The skin is hydrated and nourished.

· Enhances the softness of the skin.

Disadvantage:

· A serum's liquid or gel-like viscosity may not be ideal for those with long-term skin disorders that compromise the skin barrier, such as acne or allergy.

· Serums may irritate these persons because they absorb too quickly.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Materials:

· List of ingredients and materials: Kiwi Fruit, lemon grass oil, Aloevera, Glycerine, VitaminE, Sodiun Benzoate, Water, Acetone.

· List of Equipments: Digital Weighing Balance, Beaker, RBF, Heating metal, Glass slide, Glass rod, Funnel, Magnetic stirrer, Digital pH meter, Soxhlet apparatus, Microscope, Refrigerator.

· Preaparation of kiwi seed extract: Take a well-ripened, ideally organic, kiwi fruit from market (around 15 kiwi fruit). Scoop out pulp and separate seeds with the help of sieve and shade dried at room temperature for 5 to 6 days. The seed were coarsely ground with the help of mechanical grinder and powdered(25g). powder was subjected to extraction by soxhlet apparatus using solvent acetone(100ml) for its respective extract and extract is separated with the help of whatmann filter paper no.1.

Fig.1 Soxhlet Apparatus

Fig.2 Kiwi Seed Extract

Method of Preparation of serum:

The emulsion (o/w) was prepared according to formula. The oily component consisting of Vitamin E, lemone grass oil is mixed together for 10 minutes in mortar pestle to obtain uniform solution. At the same time the water phase was prepared by mixing Kiwi Seed Extract, aloe vera gel, glycerin, Rose Water, sodium benzoate and a small amount of distilled water uniformly. The oil phase is added to the liquid phase by drop wise with continuous stirring then the emulsion known as primary emulsion. Then remaining water phase is added with small quantities at time with to get the homogenous product. Then emulsion is transferred to measuring cylinder and more of vehicle is added to produce final volume of 30ml and is stirred with the help of magnetic stirrer at 3000rpm to get uniform emulsion. The preparation is transferred to serum bottle lid is placed.

Fig. 3 Preparation of Face Serum

Fig.4 Face Serum

Formulation Table:

Table 1: Formulation Table

Ingredients	F1(in ml)	F2	F3
Kiwi extract	4	6	5
Aloevera	5	6	4
Glycerine	5	3	2
Vit E	0.5	0.6	0.8
Rose water	2	3	4
Sodium benzoate	0.4	0.6	1
Lemon grass oil	1-2 drops	3-4 drops	5-6 drops
Distilled Water	Up to 30	Up to 30	Up to 30

EVALAUTION PARAMETER:

1. Physical Evaluation:

Visual observations were made on the formulation's color and look. The formulation process ensures that the extracts are distributed uniformly. Both touch and visual appearance were used to validate this test.

2. Homogeneity:

The extract was evenly distributed and the formulation was homogeneous. When the serum's homogeneity was visually inspected, no particle debris was found.

3. Washability:

After applying the serum to the hand's dorsal region, it was left to rinse under tap water for ten minutes. The amount of time it took for the serum to completely wash off was noted.

4. Determination of pH:

Apparatus: pH meter, preferably equipped with glass electrode.

Procedure: A standard buffer solution was used for the calibration of a pH meter. A pH measurement was made after approximately 1 milliliter of the face serum was accurately weighed and dissolved in 50 milliliters of pure water. Since the skin is acidic, the skin serum's pH should be between 4 and 7.

5. Stability Studies:

A pharmaceutical product's formulation and development are incomplete without a thorough stability analysis to ascertain its chemical and physical stability and, consequently, its safety. The stability studies are conducted in accordance with ICH recommendations. For the prepared formulation, a short-term accelerated stability investigation was conducted over a few months. A range of temperature conditions, including 3-5°C, 250°C with 60% relative humidity, and 40°C with 75% relative humidity, were used to store the samples.⁸

6. Cyclical Temperature:

There is no set temperature or humidity at which these tests are conducted. The test involved daily cycle temperature changes. to encourage temperature variations, both at room temperature and at the freezing temperature.

7. Determination of Spreadablity Time:

Procedure: A Spreadability equipment was used to measure the formulated serum's Spreadability capacity. By sandwiching 1g of formulation between two 7 cm glass plates, the spreading diameter was measured. The upper plate was 7 cm long and had a 5 g weight linked to it. The Spreadability was found using the following formula:

S = m*l/t

Were,

S= Spreadability (g.cm/sec)

m= Weight tied to the upper plate (gm)

l= Length of the glass plate (cm)

t= Time taken for the upper plate to slide the entire length (sec)

8. Patch test:

Patch tests were conducted on sensitive skin areas, such as the popliteal region behind the ears and the elbow blend. One square centimeter of skin was used to test the cosmetic. Additionally, central patches were used. After a day, the patch location was examined. The test was then conducted again on the same side as there were no reactions. Since there was no reaction, the product passed the test and the person was deemed to be not hypersensitive.⁹

9. Globule Size Determination:

The globule size of the produced serum was assessed under a microscope. The calibration factor was discovered first. After placing a cover slip on the slide and adding one drop of the serum, the slide was examined under a microscope.¹⁰

RESULTS:

1. Physical evaluation:

The colour of formulation was found to be light green/light white colour. The odour of formulation was found to be characteristics odour. The texture of formulation was found to be fluid water like. The consistency of formulation was found to be light weight and fluid.

Table 2: Physical evaluation

1	Colour	Light White Green
2	Odour	Characteristics odour
3	Texture	Fluid water like
4	Consistency	Light weight and fluid

2. Homogeneity:

All serums that were formulated were examined for uniformity through visual insception to check for any phase separation. It was determine that consistency and homogeneity of formulation was satisfactory and good.

3. Washability:

The serum that was applied to hand washed off easily with in few minutes.

4. pH meter:

The pH of formulation was found to be 6.69. As the skin having an acidic pH around 4-7, this range of formulation is suitable for skin.

Fig.5 pH Meter

5. Stability:

The formulation was undertaken stability studies for physical and chemical changes. No considerable variations in properties of the formulation were observed as well spreadable and homogenous.

6. Cyclic temperature:

Face serum was found unstable at freeze temperature (-5°C), stable at room temperature (25°C) and stable at higher temperature (45°C)

Table 3: Cyclic Temperature Calculation

Sr No.	Cyclic temperature test	Parameter stability
1	Freezer temperature (-5°C)	Unstable
2	Room temperature ( 25°C)	stable
3	Higher temperature (45°C)	stable

7. Determination of Spreadablity Time:

The spreadability of formulation was found to be 8.75 g.cm/sec and 5.83g.cm/sec.

Table 4: Spreadability Calculation

Formulation	Spreadability (g.cm/sec) Weight=10 gm	Spreadability (g.cm/sec) Weight=5 gm
Formula 2	8.75	5.83

Fig.6 Spreadability

8. Patch test:

The prepared formulation of face serum was applied on skin of hand. No irritation, swelling, itching, or redness occurred on the skin after 24 hours of applying the face serum."

Fig.7 Patch Test Evaluation

9. Globule Size Determination:

Fig.8 Globule Size Determination

CONCLUSION:

In conclusion, The aim of this report was to study about what exactly are facial serums and their history along with their overall importance. The study includes its proper selection and correct sequence of application. With tremendous amount of serums available in the market for each and every skin type and skin problem. The formulation of a serum containing extract of kiwi seed shows promising effect on aging and wrinkles problems. The formulation of anti ageing serum contain kiwi seed extract which is high in vit C and minerals, aloe vera which provide skin hydration and lower skin infection, lemon grass oil for its abundant fragrance and infection prevention, vit E help manage high per pigmentation reduce skin itching and dullnesss, glycerine and rose water which hydrate skin reduce dryness, posses antioxidant effect. All this ingredient provide and helps to reduce skin problems. By adding different concentration kiwi seed extract, aloe vera and other ingredients listed in formulation namely F1, F2, F3 were formulated. The evaluation of formulation with various parameter like pH, stability, patch test, cyclic temperature and other parameters the assessment of all formulation (F1, F2, F3) were performed. The F2 formulation showed good appearance pH no sign of face speration, no inflammation and irritation. These study indicate that F2 is more stable and effective.

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Received on 13.05.2025 Revised on 20.06.2025

Accepted on 26.07.2025 Published on 04.10.2025

Available online from October 10, 2025

Asian J. Res. Pharm. Sci. 2025; 15(4):361-365.

DOI: 10.52711/2231-5659.2025.00053

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Creative Commons License.