Efficacy of Bee Pollen, Aloe Vera, and Commercial Ointment in Reducing Freckles: A Comparative Study

Abstract

The freckles are hyper-pigmented patches of the skin lesions, and they are a typical cosmetic issue related to beauty and self-esteem of an individual. Some of the known products for use that treat freckle can be purchased in the market but because they are chemical in nature, they have some negative effects to the skin. Bee pollen and Aloe Vera have been utilized as moderate antioxidants since the span of centuries. In this study, the hypothesis is that bee pollen and Aloe vera are ameliorative and they can assist in being rid of these skin lesions. In order to put this hypothesis to test, this study was established to design and formulate Aloe Vera gel and bee pollen to find out the ameliorative effect of these on freckles. Bee pollen samples were taken out of the University of Sindh apiary and aloe Vera was taken out of a local garden. The Vaseline base (paraffin), 2 percent Aloe vera gel, 1 percent pollen grain tincture, and vitamin E (as the preservative) were used to make an ointment of bee pollen and Aloe Vera. In total four varying formulations A1, A2, A3 and A4 were prepared by varying concentration of pollen grains, aloe vera gel and Vaseline base. Patients (30 female) were selected and randomly assigned into 2 groups; in Group A, ointment prepared was used, in Group B commercial ointment was used of formula magnesium ascorbyl phosphate 5%.  Each group had five percent of the patients as the controls and were only applied with a cream base. Herbal ointments have physical descriptions like color, smell, smoothness and grit that was noted down. It was found that herbal ointment was in compliance to the parameter of acceptable ointment. A4 formulation still gave significantly (p<0.05) higher results as compared to the standard drug and there is a significant reduction in dark spots as compared to the standard drug. In addition, the formulations did not exhibit allergic reaction, itching or redness of the skin of the patients. These results indicate the possibility of utilizing bee pollen and Aloe Vera as an effective and secure way of freckle treatment.