DEVELOPMENT OF ORANGE PEEL–INFUSED VIRGIN COCONUT OIL SERUM: A NATURAL APPROACH FOR DERMATOLOGICAL CARE

An enriched oil serum was formulated by cold infusion of shade-dried orange peel (Citrus sinensis) into virgin coconut oil (VCO) using a two-stage infusion method. The product exhibited a golden-yellow colour, pleasant citrus aroma, and smooth, non-sticky texture. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, saponins, essential oils, and vitamin C. The oil showed favourable physicochemical properties like specific gravity 0.921 (25 °C), refractive index 1.449, acid value 1.2, peroxide value 0.9 meq/kg, and saponification value 262. Stability testing confirmed resistance to rancidity, colour change, and phase separation under thermal, light, and storage conditions. In a volunteer study (n = 5, aged 20–45 years, 30 days daily use), improvements were reported in skin softness (93%), glow/brightness (80%), and mild acne reduction (80%), with no irritation observed. The combination of VCO’s lauric acid and orange peel’s bio actives, such as hesperidin, d-limonene, and ascorbic acid, offers antioxidant, antimicrobial, and skin-brightening effects. This eco-friendly, cost-effective formulation demonstrates potential as a multifunctional cosmeceutical for daily skincare.