Formulation and Evaluation of Sunscreen Body Lotion Containing Tangerine Oil (Citrus reticulata)
Abstract
Aim
Using natural ingredients in cosmetics, such as sunscreen, offers a promising approach to creating more environmentally sustainable products. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of formulating a sunscreen body lotion containing tangerine oil by assessing its quality, stability, SPF value, and consumer acceptance.
Materials and Methods
The study involved phytochemical screening and chemical compound identification using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Antioxidant activity was measured using the DPPH method. Additional tests included organoleptic evaluation, homogeneity, pH, viscosity, spreadability, adhesion, emulsion type, particle size, functional group identification, SPF determination, accelerated stability testing (heating–cooling cycles), and hedonic testing.
Results
D-limonene was identified as the dominant compound in tangerine oil. It showed weak antioxidant activity, with an IC50 value of 72,015.29 ppm and an antioxidant activity index (AAI) of 0.007. All five formulations met the required quality standards. The highest SPF value (13.59) was achieved by the formulation containing 3% TiO2 and 9% tangerine oil, measured in vitro using a UV–Vis spectrophotometer. Stability testing over six heating–cooling cycles confirmed that all formulations remained stable. In hedonic testing, formula F4 (3% TiO2 and 12% tangerine oil) was the most preferred by panelists.
Conclusions
Although tangerine oil exhibited negligible antioxidant activity, the study successfully developed stable body lotion formulations that met quality requirements, provided maximum sun protection, and were well accepted by users.
© 2026 Leny Yuliati, Yohanvi Ayu Gihartanti, Ellyvina Setya Dhini, published by Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Pharmacy
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.