Darling
Turning overlooked agricultural materials into a hydrogel skincare concept for tropical skin.
PHARMACIOUS, UNIVERSITAS GADJAH MADA
Top 5 Finalist - Industrial Case Competition
August 2025
PROJECT OVERVIEW
At a glance
Challenge
Environmental stress and tropical skin needs
Approach
Waste-to-value cosmetic innovation
Formulation
Hydrogel moisturizer concept
Packaging
Recyclable and lower-waste product system
PROJECT CONTEXT
Why Darling was developed
Tropical skin is repeatedly exposed to heat, humidity, ultraviolet radiation, and urban pollution, while many skincare products still depend on newly cultivated natural resources. Darling explores a different approach: developing a lightweight moisturizer concept from underutilized agricultural materials while considering formulation, validation, packaging, and end-of-life disposal as one connected system.
INGREDIENT STRATEGY
From overlooked materials to functional ingredients
Kolang-kaling galactomannan
Selected for its proposed antioxidant and brightening support, while expanding the value of an underutilized material associated with the palm-sugar industry.
Dragon fruit peel extract
Selected for its antioxidant and soothing potential, while exploring a productive use for fruit peel that would otherwise have limited value.
Ingredient functions are based on literature and the proposed formulation. They do not represent completed product efficacy testing.
FORMULATION ARCHITECTURE
The formulation system
A hydrogel system designed around tropical skin
The proposed formulation combines two locally sourced hero ingredients with supporting cosmetic actives and a lightweight hydrogel base.
Kolang-kaling galactomannan - Antioxidant and brightening support
Dragon fruit peel extract - Antioxidant and soothing support
Niacinamide - Uneven pigmentation support
d-Panthenol - Soothing and barrier support
Sodium hyaluronate - Hydration support
Hydrogel base - Lightweight texture and gradual-release concept
PACKAGING STRATEGY
Circular packaging system
Packaging designed beyond first use
The packaging concept considers product dispensing, material separation, secondary packaging, and disposal guidance as one connected system.
PCR PP bottle and cap
Food-grade silicone insert
Sugarcane-based secondary packaging
Soy-based ink
QR-based disposal guidance
The packaging design reflects proposed material targets and circular disposal features. It does not represent measured waste reduction or verified recyclability certification.
Smart pump mechanism
The proposed system combines a PCR PP bottle and cap with a replaceable food-grade silicone insert. The insert is envisioned to contract as the product is used, helping reduce residual product while allowing components to be separated for disposal or recycling.
Recycle guide & material breakdown
Material summary: PCR PP bottle and cap, food-grade silicone insert, sugarcane-based secondary packaging, soy-based ink, and QR-based disposal guidance.
DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY
Proposed validation roadmap
01 - Raw-material verification
Standardization of galactomannan and dragon fruit peel extract.
02 - Preclinical evaluation
Proposed cytotoxicity, irritation, sensitization, penetration, and antioxidant assessment.
03 - Human evaluation
Planned irritation, sensitivity, hydration, soothing, and brightening studies.
04 - Quality and scale-up
QbD, critical quality attributes, critical process parameters, stability, packaging compatibility, QC, and regulatory preparation.
This roadmap describes proposed development and evaluation stages. It does not represent completed preclinical, clinical, certification, or commercial results.
Planned certification pathway
BPOM, halal, dermatologically tested, cruelty-free, vegan, Bangga Buatan Indonesia, and soy-ink indicators are proposed certification targets only.
FINAL CONCEPT
Project outcome
Darling resulted in an integrated cosmetic innovation proposal connecting upcycled Indonesian ingredients, hydrogel formulation, planned safety and efficacy evaluation, manufacturing strategy, circular packaging, and market positioning.
