IPB Students Create Facial Mask Made from Seaweed and Tea Waste to Treat Acne

Facial skin is the most sensitive part of the body to various health problems. Various facial skin problems that arise such as acne, dry skin, oily, black spots, and dull skin often disturb the facial appearance that requires beauty treatments. Many beauty products are sold in the market widely from inexpensive to expensive products. However, some cosmetic skin products that are sold contain harmful chemicals such as mercury. Thus, the best solution is to utilize the potential natural ingredients to treat facial skin problems.

Starting from these conditions, several students of Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) managed to create an unique innovation as a herbal solution to treat the acne on the face.

Seaweed and tea waste mask, shortened to Masrutam is an innovation made by three students of IPB who successfully got funded by the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education in the event of Student Creativity Program (PKM). Research prove that herbal mask made from seaweed extract (Sargassum sp.) and tea (Eucheuma cottonii) can prevent the growth of the main cause of acne bacteria Propionibacterium acnes.

The Innovation made by Bintang Efrata Aprilia, Andika Fransiskayana and Mutiara Rahmawati, supervised by Prof. Nurjanah managed to utilize the natural materials of seaweed and natural waste of tea for beauty products.

Seaweed contains components of active compounds polyphenols. This compound is the cause that seaweed is able to act as an antioxidant. Antioxidants are also found in tea waste. Combination of seaweed and tea waste can produce a facial mask that quality is not less good with common facial mask on the market.

"We have tested the inhibition of Masrutam on the growth activity of acne-causing bacteria. In addition, various natural bioactive compounds contained in seaweed and tea waste are able to make Masrutam as a natural mask solution that is useful to soften facial skin and antioxidant content contained in Masrutam is believed to protect from the dangers of exposure to sunlight," he said.

Masrutam is a product made from natural beauty mask with an inexpensive price because it utilizes waste as the main composition. They hope Masrutam can be produced in large quantities and in great demand in the future. (FM)