Advanced cellulose cosmetic facial masks prepared from Myanmar thanaka heartwood

Thanaka heartwood, which was biomass waste after using the bark of thanaka, was recycle-used for thanaka cellulose films and then applied for cosmetic facial masks. The thanaka heartwood composed of cellulosic fibers and the ordered whewellite (hydrated calcium oxalate) was chemically treated, and the processes could remove lignin, hemicelluloses, whewellite, and others successfully by using acid (H2SO4), alkali (NaOH) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). Dimethylacetamide/lithium chloride (DMAc/LiCl) solution was used to dissolve the thanaka cellulose fibers, and then cellulose hydrogel films having transparent and flexible were prepared. Antimicrobial activities of cellulose solutions were tested for the purpose of using thanaka cellulose films for facial masks. From those observations, thanaka cellulose hydrogel films and facial masks are potential to be environmental friendly and biocompatible products.This article also has reviewed cellulosic hydrogels for uses of cosmetic application.

Automated summary

Through chemical treatments, thanaka heartwood was recycled for the production of cellulose hydrogel films, which showed potential as environmentally friendly and biocompatible products for cosmetic application. The antimicrobial activities of the cellulose solutions were tested, indicating the feasibility of using thanaka cellulose films for facial masks.