Hydrogel Formulation from Sugar Palm Starch as an Application of Acne Patch

Acne patches are among the most popular acne treatments. These patches are used to protect lesions from contaminants and deliver active compounds to enhance healing. In this study, hydrogel-based acne patches from sugar palm starch reinforced with chitosan (FC1-TTO) or alginate (FA1-TTO) were developed. Citric acid was used as a crosslinking agent, glycerol as a plasticizer, and tea tree oil (TTO) as the anti-acne agent. The hydrogel patches, containing 50, 70, and 100 µg/mL of TTO, were characterized using the FTIR, SEM, UTM, and DSC techniques. Their performance was evaluated based on encapsulation efficiency, drug release, and antibacterial properties. Both types of hydrogels containing 100 µg/mL of TTO showed high antibacterial activity against Cutibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis, with inhibition zones up to 15 mm. Encapsulation efficiencies reached 95.98±0.24% for the FC1-TTO and 95.49±0.35% for the FA1-TTO. The cumulative TTO release after 6 h was 64.14% for the FC1-TTO and 85.08% for the FA1-TTO, indicating sustained release in both cases. In conclusion, sugar palm starch-based hydrogels reinforced with chitosan or alginate and loaded with 100 µg/mL TTO demonstrated effective antibacterial activity, making them a promising option for acne treatment.