UTILIZATION OF ALMOND OIL WITH SANTAN LEAF EXTRACT AS A MASSAGE OIL

Abstract

Massage oils have been used in traditional therapeutic practices for centuries to promote relaxation, improve circulation, and nourish the skin. Among the various natural oils, almond oil is particularly popular due to its excellent skin-hydrating properties, anti-inflammatory effects, and ability to enhance skin elasticity. In addition, santan (ixora) leaves are rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins and possess therapeutic properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and antimicrobial activities. These bioactive compounds contribute to improved skin resilience, reduced inflammation, and overall enhancement of skin health when used in topical formulations. The study employed a quantitative-experimental research design using purposive sampling to assess the effectiveness of almond oil combined with santan leaf extract as a massage oil. Statistical analysis was conducted using Student’s t-test to evaluate differences in pain relief, relaxation duration, sensory experience, skin absorption, and scent quality. A structured questionnaire was administered to two groups of expert respondents—comprising five dermatologists and five chemists—to assess the acceptability and efficacy of the formulated massage oil. The preparation process involved several steps: collecting the ingredients, washing and draining the santan leaves, heating almond oil in a pot, boiling the santan leaves in the oil for 5 to 6 minutes until they turned brown, and finally, straining the leaves to extract the infused oil. The study found that both dermatologists and chemists rated the massage oil formulated with almond oil and santan leaf extract as highly acceptable in terms of pain relief, relaxation duration, sensory experience, skin absorption, and scent quality. No significant difference was observed between the assessments of the two groups. The mean rating from dermatologists was 3.33, while chemists gave a mean rating of 3.30, with variances of 0.058 and 0.075, respectively. The computed t-value was 0.196, which is less than the critical t-value of 2.080 at a 0.05 alpha level with 21 degrees of freedom. Therefore, the null hypothesis (H₀) was accepted, indicating that there is no statistically significant difference in the evaluations of dermatologists and chemists regarding the effectiveness and acceptability of the massage oil. For further enhancement and improvement of the project, the following recommendations are proposed based on respondent feedback and study observations: It is suggested to utilize the distillation method for extracting the oil from santan leaves to potentially improve the purity and concentration of beneficial compounds. Respondents also recommended that the cooling effect of the massage oil be made more pronounced upon application to enhance the overall sensory experience. Additionally, it is advised to formulate the product for faster-acting pain relief to improve its therapeutic effectiveness and user satisfaction.