Herbal Lip Balm Containing Guava Leaf (Psidium Guajava) Extract With SPF: A Review

The increasing demand for herbal cosmetic products has encouraged the development of plant-based lip care formulations. Lips are highly sensitive anatomical structures that lack sebaceous glands and possess minimal melanin content, making them more susceptible to dryness, cracking, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced damage. Conventional lip balms often contain synthetic chemicals and artificial sunscreens that may cause irritation or allergic reactions. Therefore, herbal lip balms enriched with natural extracts have gained popularity due to their safety and therapeutic benefits. Psidium guajava leaves are rich in flavonoids, tannins, phenolic compounds, and antioxidants that exhibit antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, and photoprotective properties. These phytoconstituents may enhance the sun protection potential when incorporated into topical formulations. The present review discusses the phytochemical profile of guava leaves, methods of extraction, formulation strategies for herbal lip balm preparation, evaluation parameters, SPF determination methods, stability studies, advantages, limitations, and future scope. The integration of guava leaf extract into lip balm formulations may provide a safe, cost-effective, and multifunctional natural cosmetic product. (1,3) “This review highlights the potential of guava leaf extract as a safe and effective natural ingredient in lip balm formulation with SPF.”