Continuous exposure to free radicals can make the skin dry and damaged,
thus accelerating the aging process. This can be reduced by the use of products
containing antioxidants. Antioxidants can be obtained naturally from within the
body and also from the outside. One of the natural active compounds that can
protect the body from exposure to free radicals is derived from areca nut husk
(Areca catechu L.). The purpose of this study was to find out whether the
methanolic extract of areca nut can be formulated into a physically stable scrub
cream and have free radical scavenging activity to DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-
picrilhydrazyl). The areca nut husk was extracted by soxhletation method using
methanol, then made formulation of cream preparation with concentration 1, 2
and 3% (w/v) ( F I, F II, and F III) and tested to physical properties
(organoleptic, homogeneity, pH and viscosity), stability using cycling test method
and free radical scavenging activity to DPPH interpreted with IC50 (Inhibition
Concentration) value. The result of this research shows that the scrub cream of
methanolic extract of areca nut husk F I, F II, and F III fulfilled all the
requirements of good topical physical characteristics. Free radical scavenging
activity of extracts and scrub cream methanolic exract of areca nut husk to DPPH
were in the very strong category with IC50 extract value of 6.12 ppm and scrub
cream preparations F I, F II, and F III were 18.59; 15,21; and 13.92 ppm¸
respectively.