Formulation and characterization of body scrub using marine alga Halimeda macroloba, chitosan and konjac flour

Abstract Body scrub is a cosmetic product that contains slightly rough material that can remove dead skin cells. Natural ingredients such as Halimeda macroloba is potential to be used as scrub. H. macroloba deposits CaCO3 in the thallus which makes the texture of Halimeda flour is rougher than that of other flour so that it is potentially used as a scrub. The emulsion-forming agent for body scrub can use konjac flour. Konjac flour contains high glucomannan which can used as emulsifier. This study aimed to determine the characteristics of body scrub using H. macroloba and konjac flour. Formulation of body scrub in this study was carried out by mixing water base (propylene glycol, glycerine, aquadest) and oil base (cetyl alcohol, stearic acid, DEA, perfume) at temperatures of 70 °C and 80 °C. Afterwards the mixture was added with 3% of H. macroloba and 2% of konjac flour. Body scrub produced in this study contained moisture of 58.49-75.15%, viscosity 10 106.67-14 900.00 cP, pH 6.48-6.93, whiteness 67.74%-95.96%, and spread ability 1.63-2.17 cm. The highest macro mineral content was calcium (Ca) with an average of 8.24 mg g-1, while the highest micromineral was iron (Fe) with an average of 16.85 ppm. The most preferred formula for colour and aroma based on the result of hedonically assessment was formula 2 (fresh H. macroloba with chitosan 2%), while the most preferred for thickness and texture was formula 5 (dried H. macroloba with chitosan 2%).