Application of activated charcoal from coconut shell waste for the manufacture of skin lightening creams and the mechanism of the process

Coconut shell can be used as a raw material for making activated charcoal, which can be used as an active ingredient in cosmetics skin care. Dark skin on the hands and feet is usually caused by several factors including dirt, drugs, environmental factors: air pollution, chemicals, infections, inflammation, and sunlight. The purpose of this study was to determine the application of activated charcoal in the manufacture of skin lightening cream which was originally dull skin. The substances used to activate coconut shell charcoal are potassium hidroxide (KOH) and phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄). This research method is an experiment conducted at the PKK Chemistry laboratory. The active ingredients used is obtained through two processes, the combustion process for the carbonization process and the chemical process for activating the charcoal. Skin lightening is the process of exfoliating the skin so that it can brighten the appearance of the skin. The treatment was carried out 8 times on 10 hand skin samples for one month and skin lightening was measured at the end of the treatment using a skin analyzer and observation sheet. The same treatment in the second group sample as a control group. Product tests include pH measurements, stability tests, irritation tests, and other physical tests organoleptically. The results showed that the data for skin lightening cream was not irritating, pH between 5.0-5.5, stable in storage for 2 days, not irritating to the skin of the hands, and the preferred organoleptic test, and activated charcoal lightening cream could brighten the hand skin.