04 September 2025
Syafrijal S.Kom
Pharmacy lecturers from the University of North Sumatra (USU) held a community service event at the Pharmaca Private Vocational School of Pharmacy, located on Jalan Tinta, No. 45, Medan City. During the service, the lecturers educated students and demonstrated the manufacture of cosmetic sunscreen preparations using natural ingredients.
The community service, which involved approximately 45 12th-grade students at SMKS Pharmaca, was chaired by Dr. Tengku Ismanelly Hanum, S.Si., M.Si., Apt., with a team of lecturers including Chemayanti Surbakti, S.Farm., M.Si., Lisda Rimayani Nasution, S.Farm., M.Si., Apt. and Mariadi S. Farm, M.Si., Apt., as well as a team of USU Bachelor of Pharmacy students, Nadya Fisya Tanjung, Syabina Yustarika Pasaribu, Nasywa Nabila Ramadhanti, Ahmad Fawwaz Dalimunthe, Faizira Farahdiba, and Andinna Zahara; USU Master of Pharmacy student, Sriwada Arisvi Siregar, and apt. alumnus Ahmad Farids Wahab, S.Farm.
Before the activity began, remarks were given by the Head of Community Service, Dr. Tengku Ismanelly Hanum, S.Si., M.Si. Apt., and remarks from the Principal of Pharmaca Vocational School of Pharmacy, Syafleni, SKM., MKM.
In her remarks, Syafleni explained that the community service coincided with the Entrepreneurship class, which aims to educate students in cosmetic production and encourage them to become independent entrepreneurs in the future.
The next activity was a pre-test for the students to assess their basic knowledge of the material presented.
The lecturers then presented the background to the selection of natural raw materials such as ginger and jicama as active ingredients in sunscreen products, along with a video showing the production of these cosmetic preparations.
"It is important for students at SMKS Pharmaca Medan to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to produce cosmetic preparations that meet standards. One way to achieve this is by educating them on how to make cosmetic products, such as sunscreen, from natural raw materials like ginger and jicama rhizomes," explained the Head of Community Service, Dr. Tengku Ismanelly Hanum, S.Si., M.Si. Apt.
Jicama rhizomes, he continued, contain curcuminoids and essential oils, which have anti-aging properties, protect the skin from UV rays, and inhibit acne growth.
Jicama, meanwhile, contains Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, and protein, which are beneficial for controlling oil production, moisturizing, and brightening the skin. The combination of ginger rhizomes and jicama water can produce a natural sunscreen that effectively protects the skin from sun exposure.
"The skills acquired by Pharmaca Pharmacy Vocational School students can be utilized as entrepreneurial potential and provide students with creativity and independence after graduating from vocational school," said Dr. Tengku Ismanelly Hanum, S.Si., M.Si.
Through cosmetic preparation training, Pharmaca Pharmacy Vocational School students were guided to formulate safe and beneficial pharmaceutical products. They were then able to apply the steps involved in making sunscreen gel preparations, enhancing their skills and creating entrepreneurial opportunities.
In addition to training on sunscreen preparation, Pharmaca Pharmacy Vocational School students also received training in business analysis and marketing management, which is beneficial for those interested in becoming entrepreneurs.
The sunscreen-making demonstration was conducted by students in groups under the guidance of a community service team consisting of lecturers and students.
Students were guided through the process of formulating sunscreen preparations using the main ingredients of Javanese ginger (curcuma) and jicama (jicama) rhizomes. The students demonstrated high enthusiasm and motivation throughout the activity. They actively listened to the explanations, asked questions, provided answers, and participated directly in the sunscreen production process.
Following the sunscreen demonstration, the Q&A session, and a quiz, students were given a post-test to gauge their understanding of the training.
In addition, they completed a hedonic (preference) questionnaire for the sunscreen cosmetic preparations they produced. This form assessed aspects such as color, aroma, texture, and packaging design created by the community service team.
At the conclusion of the activity, the community service team presented souvenirs and provided production equipment to the school for use in product production.
Furthermore, sunscreen preparations and a manufacturing instructional module were also distributed to teachers and several students of SMKS Pharmaca.
