Comparative Assessment of Antimicrobial and Antifungal Activity of Herbal Soaps And synthetic Soaps

The rising awareness of natural alternatives in personal care products has spurred interest in herbal soaps, which are believed to offer antimicrobial and antifungal properties without the potential side effects associated with synthetic compounds. This study aims to compare the antimicrobial and antifungal efficacy of herbal soap formulations with conventional medicated soaps commonly used for skin hygiene. The active ingredients of the medicated soaps used for this study were Lysol and sulphur for sample A, Sulphur for sample B and Lysol for sample C. While for the herbal soaps, were Aloe vera extract for sample D, Clove extract for sample E and Rosemary extract for sample F. The antimicrobial activity was assessed using agar well diffusion method against common skin pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. Results revealed that herbal soap formulations exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as fungal pathogens, compared to conventional medicated soap, having sample D (Aloe vera) and sample F (Rosemary) having the highest inhibition, while sample A (Lysol and Sulphur) having the lest inhibition value. These findings highlight the potential of herbal soaps as effective alternatives to conventional medicated soaps for maintaining skin hygiene and preventing microbial infections. Herbal soaps, with their potent antimicrobial and antifungal properties, are recommended as effective and natural alternatives to conventional medicated soaps for maintaining skin hygiene and preventing infections.