Desenvolvimento e avaliação da estabilidade de um creme formulado com óleo essencial de capim-limão (Cymbopogon citratus)

Abstract

Cosmetics have been widely used since ancient times, both for beautification and therapeutic skin care. Among them, moisturizers play an essential role in maintaining skin hydration, preventing dryness through a formulation composed of emulsifiers, humectants, emollients, stabilizers and active ingredients, such as antioxidants. This work aimed to develop a moisturizing cream using lemongrass essential oil (Cymbopogon citratus) as a natural active ingredient, evaluating its antioxidant efficacy and physicochemical stability. The essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation and its antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH method. Formulations containing 2% essential oil were developed, which underwent preliminary and accelerated stability tests. Analyzes included evaluation of pH, density, colorimetry, centrifugation tests and heating/cooling cycles. The chemical characterization of the essential oil was performed by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS). The results indicated that the cream maintained good physicalchemical stability, with minimal variations in the evaluated parameters.