Red ginger (Zingiber officinalle Roscoe) has been empirically used as antibacterial agent.This study was aimed to formulate anti-acne lotion containing red ginger essential oil and to evaluate its antibacterial activity against penis-pumps Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis.Extraction and distillation of 10 kg of red gingers were performed to obtain its essential oils.The lotions were prepared using oil in water (o/w) base with various concentration of red ginger essential oils, i.
e., 2.5%, 5%, and 7.5%.
The lotion was assayed to determine organoleptic, homogeneity, pH, viscosity, and irritation-inducing level.Antibacterial activity test was conducted using disk-difussion method.Results indicated that the 7.5% concentration exerted the strongest activity in inhibiting P.
acnes (inhibition zone Stadium Seat 12.4 mm) and S.epidermidis (inhibition zone 29 mm).In conclusion, anti-acne lotion containing 7.
5% of red ginger essential oil was effective to control acne inducing bacteria and fulfilled the required standards.Keywords: Red ginger, essential oil, anti-acne, Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermidis.