Sunscreen contains compounds that can protect the skin from the adverse effects
of ultraviolet light, while antioxidants are compounds that are tasked to neutralize
the increase in free radicals, protect cells from the toxic effects produced and
contribute to the prevention of disease. One oil that is thought to have sunscreen
and antioxidant activity is Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO). This study aims to
determine the potential of VCO as a sunscreen or antioxidant. Determination of
sunscreen activity was carried out by UV-Vis spectrophotometry method, while
the determination of antioxidant activity (free radical catcher) was carried out by
DPPH method. The results of the determination of the SPF VCO value show a
value of 2.56 which has minimum protection on sunscreens. The value of free
radical capture activity from VCO shows IC50 value of 44.7 ppm which can be
categorized as a very strong free radical catcher. Therefore, VCO is potentially
formulated as an antioxidant cream. The cream is made using the smelting
method. The results showed that VCO cream has the ability as a free radical
catcher with an IC50 value which is categorized as a very strong free radical
catcher. The results of the test on the physical properties of cream preparations
obtained significant differences (one-way ANOVA) in the organoleptic test and
viscosity test on each formula, but there was no difference in the pH,
homogeneity, and scattering test In the stability test for cream preparations, the
method used is cycling test. The results obtained were organoleptic and stable
homogeneity, while the pH test and stability test were less stable.