Development of serum stick using curcuma xanthorrhiza (temulawak) to retain skin youth / Mumtazatul Mahfuzah Mahadzir

Incorporation of natural active ingredients like Curcuma xanthorrhiza (C. xanthorrhiza) extract into solid skincare products can offer potential benefits for skin health. C. xanthorrhiza has been widely used for its benefial effects since years ago. The usual conventional route of use is by powder, capsule, lotion and moisturizer. This study investigated the potential of C. xanthorrhiza extract for topical application. The extract was obtained using Soxhlet extraction with ethanol, achieving a yield of 8.84% and 7.47%. The extract exhibited a promising IC50 value of 20.86 ppm, indicating significant antioxidant activity. Additionally, the total phenolic content (TPC) was 45.71 ± 0.36 mgGAE/g, and the total flavonoid content (TFC) was 30.06 ± 0.41 mgQE/g, suggesting the presence of potentially beneficial bioactive compounds. A serum stick formulation was developed incorporating the C. xanthorrhiza extract that maintained a slightly acidic pH of 5.018 that aligns with healthy skin's natural pH. This research lays the groundwork for further development of Curcuma xanthorrhiza extract-based topical products with potential antioxidant properties. Future studies could explore the efficacy and safety of the formulated serum stick in clinical trials.