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Rumbia fruit contains various bioactive secondary metabolites, particularly flavonoids, which are recognized for their antioxidant properties. These compounds contribute to the prevention of oxidative damage by scavenging and neutralizing free radicals. To enhance its practicality and ease of application, the fruit pulp extract was incorporated into a cream formulation. This study aimed to develop a topical cream containing rumbia fruit pulp extract and to evaluate its physicochemical characteristics. The antioxidant activity of the formulated cream was assessed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. The results demonstrated that the extract could be successfully formulated into a stable cream preparation. Furthermore, the formulated cream complied with the quality requirements for topical creams, as evidenced by satisfactory organoleptic properties, homogeneity, pH value, spreadability, and adhesiveness. Antioxidant evaluation revealed a color transition from purple to yellow during the DPPH assay, indicating the ability of the extract to scavenge free radicals and exhibit antioxidant activity.

Tinea favosa is a rare but destructive form of chronic dermatophytosis fungal infection. It is marked by the development of scutules (yellowish, cup-like crusts) and can lead to permanent cicatricial alopecia if not treated appropriately. Although its prevalence is decreasing globally, sporadic cases are still common in areas with poor sanitation. Trichophyton schoenleinii is the primary medical cause of Tinea favosa, but it can also be caused by Trichophyton violaceum or Microsporum gypseum. This report discusses a case involving a 7-year-old boy who exhibited classic clinical signs of favus. Diagnostic procedures included a physical examination, direct microscopic examination with 10-20% KOH solution, and culture on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) to identify the fungal species. Microscopic examination revealed branching and fragmented hyphae (arthrospores) and air tunnels within the hair shaft. Culture confirmed Trichophyton schoenleinii as the primary etiologic agent. The patient was treated with oral griseofulvin combined with ketoconazole cream for 8–12 weeks. Follow-up showed resolution of the crusts and cessation of the inflammatory process, although areas of fibrosis showed permanent hair loss.

Mothers in Bingkat Village have daily activities as housewives and participate with their husbands as farmers and raise livestock, as well as social activities of village organizations and religion, not to the point of increasing family economy. Making warming cream from natural ingredients, such as nutmeg, lemongrass, and torch ginger or other plants around the house is very easy, simple tools, low cost, and has economic value. The target of the activity is to provide assistance in making body warming cream and relieving aches and pains. Based on this, it is deemed necessary to provide assistance in making body warming cream and aches and pains. Assistance is not only in making, but also in good product packaging and counseling on marketing direction of products made by the people of Bingkat Village. This natural cream product has a selling value, so it is hoped that it can increase family income and welfare.

Mothers in Bingkat Village have daily activities as housewives and participate with their husbands as farmers and raise livestock, as well as social activities of village organizations and religion, not to the point of increasing family economy. Making warming cream from natural ingredients, such as nutmeg, lemongrass, and torch ginger or other plants around the house is very easy, simple tools, low cost, and has economic value. The target of the activity is to provide assistance in making body warming cream and relieving aches and pains. Based on this, it is deemed necessary to provide assistance in making body warming cream and aches and pains. Assistance is not only in making, but also in good product packaging and counseling on marketing direction of products made by the people of Bingkat Village. This natural cream product has a selling value, so it is hoped that it can increase family income and welfare.

This review article evaluates the physical characteristics and stability of Oil in Water (O/W) and Water in Oil (W/O) creams through a comparative literature study published between 2021 and 2026. The evaluation focuses on important parameters, including viscosity, spreadability, adhesion, pH, and accelerated stability testing. The findings reveal that O/W creams generally have lower viscosity and greater spreadability, making them more suitable for daily cosmetic and therapeutic applications due to their lighter texture and better aesthetic acceptance. In contrast, W/O creams demonstrate higher physical stability, stronger adhesion, and superior occlusive properties, which are beneficial for protecting sensitive active ingredients and maintaining skin hydration over longer periods. The differences in performance are strongly influenced by the optimization of emulsifier Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance (HLB) values and the ratio between oil and water phases. Both cream types show good biocompatibility with skin pH ranging from 4.5 to 6.5, indicating their safety and effectiveness for topical pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations.

Sweet orange peel (Citrus x aurantium L.) is an agricultural by-product rich in bioactive compounds including flavonoids, phenolics, terpenoids, and vitamin C with antioxidant and moisturizing potential. This study aimed to formulate and evaluate a body lotion using 15% ethanol extract of sweet orange peel obtained by maceration with 96% ethanol. Evaluations included organoleptic, homogeneity, pH, adhesion, spreadability, viscosity, irritation, cycling test, cream type, and DPPH antioxidant activity assessments. The preparation was semisolid, yellow, with a characteristic herbal aroma, homogeneous, pH 8, adhesion time of 4.10 seconds, spreadability of 9.9–11.1 cm, and acceptable viscosity. The preparation caused no skin irritation, remained stable through six cycling test cycles, and formed an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion. Antioxidant activity showed an IC₅₀ of 284.6 ppm (weak category) compared to vitamin C as positive control (IC₅₀ 4.2 ppm). It was concluded that ethanol extract of sweet orange peel can be formulated into a stable and safe body lotion, though further optimization is needed to enhance its antioxidant activity.

Indonesia, as a tropical country, is exposed to high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, increasing the risk of skin damage. Sunscreen is widely used as a protective measure indicated by the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) value. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of active ingredient variations on SPF values and other influencing factors. A literature review with a descriptive-comparative approach was conducted using research articles published between 2021 and 2026 from Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Elsevier. A total of seven eligible articles were analyzed. The results showed that the type of active ingredients, concentration, combination of ingredients, and dosage form significantly influence SPF values. Natural ingredients generally produce low to moderate SPF values, while combinations of active ingredients result in significantly higher SPF due to synergistic effects. Increasing the concentration of active ingredients also leads to higher SPF values. Additionally, dosage forms such as creams, serums, sunscreen powder and foundations affect sunscreen effectiveness through their film-forming ability on the skin. In conclusion, the combination of active ingredients and higher concentrations provides more optimal protection against UV radiation.

Tinea incognito is a dermatophyte fungal infection when the clinical picture becomes unclear due to inappropriate treatment, which is usually caused by the use of topical steroids in cases of skin infections. A 46-year-old woman came with complaints of itchy reddish patches all over her body, experienced for 2 years. The itching worsened when consuming anchovies. The patient said she often took medication bought from a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription, the patient took methylprednisolone tablets and ointment. The itching complaint improved, but after stopping taking the medication, the itching complaint increased, and the patches widened. The patches first appeared on the right leg, initially resembling prickly heat spots then widened and spread to other parts of the body. Currently, the patches appear red in the shape of a ring with a clearer center. The patches were found on the face, neck, chest, abdomen, back, buttocks, left hand, and left foot. The patient noticed within a few months after taking the medication that her body was swollen, her weight increased, and her face looked rounder. A 20% KOH examination found hyphae and spores. Thus, the patient was diagnosed with Tinea Incognito caused by long-term topical steroid use. The patient was prescribed antifungal therapy with Ketoconazole 200 mg tablets once daily and Ketoconazole cream twice daily.

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is an inflammatory skin process caused by specific allergens. ACD is classified as Type IV hypersensitivity, which is sensitive to allergens. A 57-year-old woman presented to the Dermatology and Venereology Clinic at Malahayati General Hospital in Bireun with complaints of red patches on her right and left legs and on her right and left elbows for approximately two months. According to the patient, the red patches initially appeared as circular patches with white scales the size of a coin on the elbows, accompanied by itching, which then spread. The itching worsened when the patient sweated, causing her to scratch, which enlarged the lesions and caused red wounds. The skin on the lesions tended to be dry with active edges and a calmer center. The itching improved after bathing. The patient is a housewife. The patient also said that she sweats frequently. According to the patient, the itching is not affected by the food she consumes every day. The patient was given steroid pharmacotherapy, namely 1% hydrocortisone cream, 0.1% mometasone furoate cream, and 10 mg cetirizine tablets once daily.

Hydroquinone is a skin lightening agent that effectively inhibits melanogenesis, but its use in cosmetics is restricted due to the potential for serious side effects. Although banned in over-the-counter cosmetics, hydroquinone is still found in unregistered night cream products. This study aims to detect the presence, determine the levels of hydroquinone, and evaluate its safety risks in night cream products sold in District X, Sukoharjo Regency. The study was conducted experimentally in a laboratory using a purposive sampling technique on 15 night cream samples consisting of 8 BPOM-registered products and 7 non-BPOM products. Qualitative analysis was carried out using FeCl₃, Benedict's, and o-phenanthroline color reaction tests, while quantitative analysis used the HPLC method with a C18 column and a UV-Vis detector at a wavelength of 280 nm. The results showed that all BPOM-registered samples did not contain hydroquinone, while several non-BPOM samples were detected to contain hydroquinone at levels ranging from 0.0688%–0.2043%. These findings indicate a higher safety risk in non-BPOM products. The implications of this research emphasize the importance of strengthening regulatory oversight and increasing public literacy in choosing safe and legal cosmetic products.

The use of cosmetics, especially day creams, is increasing along with the high public interest in facial skin care. However, day cream products are still found to potentially contain hydroquinone, a skin whitening agent whose use is restricted because it can cause harmful side effects on skin health. This study aims to identify the presence and determine the levels of hydroquinone in day cream products circulating in District X, Sukoharjo Regency, and to assess their compliance with the regulations of the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM). This study was a descriptive analytical study using a purposive sampling technique. A total of 15 day cream products were analyzed, consisting of 8 BPOM-registered products and 7 products not registered with BPOM. Qualitative analysis was conducted using color reaction tests with FeCl₃, Benedict’s, and o-phenanthroline reagents. Furthermore, quantitative analysis was performed using the High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method to accurately and specifically confirm the presence and determine the levels of hydroquinone. The results showed that the color reaction test has limitations in specifically identifying hydroquinone. HPLC confirmation revealed the presence of hydroquinone in several day cream samples, with concentrations ranging from 0.024% to 0.150%. These findings indicate the need for stricter monitoring of day cream distribution to ensure the safety of cosmetic products for the wider public.

Jamu is a traditional medicine still widely consumed by the public, but it has the potential to be contaminated with the heavy metals lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd), which are toxic and can cause health problems, particularly to the liver and kidneys. Heavy metal contamination can originate from raw materials grown in polluted environments and from processing, storage, and packaging that do not meet quality standards, particularly for products that have not undergone official supervision. This study aims to analyze the content of lead and cadmium metals in registered and unregistered herbal medicine products. The analysis was carried out using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) method after sample preparation through wet digestion using strong acid. Six herbal medicine dosage forms were analyzed, namely powder, chopped, pills, capsules, cream, and shake parem. Method validation included tests for linearity, precision, limit of detection, and limit of quantification to ensure the reliability of the analysis results. The results showed that all registered herbal medicine samples met the safety requirements for Pb and Cd. In contrast, several unregistered herbal medicine preparations, especially powder, chopped, and cream, did not meet the safety requirements for Cd, while the Pb levels in all samples met the safety requirements for Pb. These findings indicate that unregistered herbal medicines carry a higher risk of heavy metal contamination. Therefore, strengthening quality control, selecting safe raw materials, and increasing compliance with regulations are necessary to ensure the safety of herbal medicine consumption and protect public health.

Skin is the body's outermost organ, enveloping all parts of the human body. When the water content in the stratum corneum (SC) drops below 10%, the skin can become scaly, rough, and dry. Honey possesses humectant, emollient, and antioxidant properties, making it an effective moisturizer. The humectant properties of honey stem from its high sugar content, particularly glucose and fructose. These  sugars form hydrogen bonds with water, helping to retain moisture in the skin and thus providing a hydrating effect. Additionally, honey contains vitamin C, alpha hydroxy acids, and flavonoids, which contribute to the elasticity and firmness of the skin. Therefore, it is important to conduct a narrative review on the use of honey as a moisturizer in topical preparations, which can serve as a reference for future research. The literature search for this review was conducted using databases such as Google Scholar, Garuda Journal, MDPI, ResearchGate, and Publish or Perish, employing specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. The findings concluded that honey can be used as a moisturizer in various dosage forms, including body scrubs, anti-aging and moisturizing creams, serums, peel-off gel masks, lip moisturizers, and lip scrubs. The concentration of honey used in these formulations depends on the dosage form, its intended function in the formula (whether as an active substance, humectant, or emollient), and the comparison of honey concentration with other ingredients.