Surakarta, Central Java(30-07-2024) – In an effort to increase public awareness of the importance of choosing safe cosmetic products, students of the Real Work Lecture (KKN) Department of Chemistry, Diponegoro University (Undip) held an education regarding the dangers of using skincare without permission from the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM). ) at Hall RW 06, Kestalan Village, Banjarsari District, Surakarta City. This activity targets housewives in particular, considering that they are one of the groups that is quite active in using cosmetic products. Unfortunately, not all mothers understand the importance of choosing products that are registered with BPOM.
“Many of us don’t know the dangers of using cosmetic products that don’t have a distribution permit from BPOM,” said Debby Anitya Nasution, an Undip student who led the outreach activities. “In fact, products without BPOM permission have the potential to contain dangerous ingredients that can damage the skin and even overall body health.”
Cosmetic products without BPOM permission often contain dangerous ingredients such as mercury, hydroquinone and steroids. These ingredients can cause various skin problems such as irritation, allergies, changes in skin color, and damage to internal organs if used long term. In this counseling, students not only provide theoretical material, but also invite mothers to practice directly how to check the authenticity of cosmetic products through the BPOM application. One by one, the mothers brought the cosmetic products they usually use to be examined together. The results were quite surprising. One of the mothers was found using a sunscreen product that was not registered with BPOM. The mother admitted to buying the product from an online seller who claimed to be trusted.
Responding to these findings, KKN students provided a detailed explanation regarding the dangers of using cosmetic products that are not registered with BPOM. These products have the potential to contain dangerous chemicals that can damage the skin and even cause serious illness. “Cosmetic products without BPOM often contain dangerous substances such as mercury, hydroquinone or steroids which can cause skin irritation, allergies and even skin cancer,” explained Debby Anitya Nasution, one of the KKN team members.
Apart from that, students also provide tips for choosing safe beauty products, including:
- Check BPOM registration number:Make sure the product has a BPOM registration number printed on the packaging.
- Buy from a trusted place:Avoid buying cosmetic products from sellers whose origins are unclear.
- Read labels carefully:Pay attention to the composition of the ingredients listed on the label. Avoid products that contain dangerous chemicals.
- Consult a dermatologist:If you have skin problems, you should consult a dermatologist before using new products.
It is hoped that this outreach activity can increase public awareness of the importance of choosing safe and licensed cosmetic products. In this way, people can avoid health risks posed by the use of cosmetic products that do not meet standards. Let’s work together to maintain healthy skin by choosing cosmetic products that are safe and registered with BPOM. Remember, investing in healthy skin is an investment in the future.
Author: Debby Anitya Nasution (S1 Chemistry Student, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Diponegoro University)
Lecturer: Dr. Dea Amarilisa Adespin, M. Kes, FISPH, FISCM
Location of KKN: Kestalan Village, Banjarsari District, Surakarta City
