Development and in vivo evaluation of the moisturising potential of cosmetic formulations containing Babassu (Orbignya phalerata Martius) oily extract

Abstract

The objective of this study was to use oily extracts of the species Orbignya phalerata Martius (Babassu) from three ecological regions in Maranhão state, Brazil: Forest (BBF), Coast (BBC) and Lowlands (BBL) to develop cosmetic formulations. Formulations with 10 wt% of Babassu oily extracts were characterised regarding their stability for 30 days (separation of phases after centrifugation, pH, density, viscosity and droplets size distribution) and evaluation of efficacy in vivo by cutaneous biometry. Results indicated that the formulations were physically stable and presented pseudo-plastic fluid behavior as evaluated by rheology. Concerning the in vivo efficacy assays, the formulation containing BBL increased the hydration of the volunteers’skin when compared to a formulation containing only a commercial standard moisturising ingredient, without altering the skin pH. BBL showed to be a promising ingredient to cosmetics, behaving as an excellent moisturiser likely because it contains the highest amounts of lauric, myristic and oleic acids that present great emollient potential