Development of Sesame Oil Loaded Bigels for Dry Skin Relief

Abstract

            Bigels are the systems which can be encapsulated sesame oil for increasing hydration of dry skin. They are soothing and easy for cleaning. This research aims to develop sesame oil loaded bigels for dry skin relief. Methods: Bigel formulations were gradually varied by using the ratio between hydrogels/organogels, gelling agent, surfactant, the ratio of propylene glycol. The physical properties of the appropriate formulation were tested which are pH, viscosity, particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, firmness and spreadability. Results: When the concerned factors were modified, then the appropriate formulation of bigels was finally composed of 56% sesame oil, 14% surfactant and 30% of hydrogels. The mixing speed and time were 800 rpm and 10 minutes, respectively. According to physical characterization, bigels were smooth and also ease for cleaning. The observation under the 40x microscope indicated that the bigels showed both water and oil parts which are scattered in also external and internal phase. The internal phase exhibited vesicles which are covered by many small droplets of sesame oil, and such small oil droplets also scattered in external phase. The appropriate formulation presented the following physical properties; average vesicle size 38.0±13.9 µm, the small droplet size 725.4±14.5 nm with polydispersion index (PDI) 0.3±0.1, the pH 5.5±0.0, the viscosity 40,270±0.5 cP, the zeta potential -39.9±1.1 mV, the firmness 283.0±5.3 and spreadability 31.2±0.0 mm. Conclusions: High amount of sesame oil could be loaded in this developed bigel formulation. It was not sticky and easy to wash. The small particle size of these bigels is suitable for skin penetration.