Introduction

Many people can relate to acne as it is the most common skin disease in the world. In fact,
according to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), 91% of ages 15 to 25, mostly
teenagers are affected by it. Acne is a substantial term that consists of skin ailments, much more
than an occasional pimple or “zit”.

There are various types of acne conditions depending on their severity including Acne vulgaris,
Acne fulminian , Acne mechanica , Acne conglobata, Acne excoriee, Acne rosacea and cystic
acne . Among of these types, Acne vulgaris is the most common cutaneous chronic inflammatory
disorder of multiple origins among adolescents. It has individual lesions of Acne vulgaris and is
divisible into three types including non-inflamed lesions, inflamed lesions, and scars. It usually
affects areas of face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders.

Hormonal changes, excess sebum, stress, and Propionibacterium acnes are factors responsible for
acne formations. As we all know, skin contains sebaceous glands which produces sebum that is
essential for skin and hair lubrication. Normally, it produces right amount of oil, but when a
person hits puberty stage, hormones starts to stimulate sebaceous glands to produce more sebum.
Excess sebum causes pores to become clogged, when this happens, it will be prone to bacteria,
especially what we call Propionibacterium acnes that cause swelling and redness which then turn
into acne, while stress indirectly contributes to the pimple formation because it triggers the body
to release more cortisol and androgen. Fluctuation of these hormones, trigger your skin to
produce more oil, which can cause acne, or worsen them.

Certain methods of treating acnes encompass taking action of drugs which can be done
systematically using agents like antibiotics and isotretinoin. But drugs produce numerous side
effects in terms of resistance in antibiotics. Therefore, natural approaches for treating acne have
been developed and herbal medicine has been introduced.

Researchers explore the preference of the consumers in using herbal treatment by either
consuming internally or externally or both. Topical method is more preferred as it is easier to
apply and consumers avoid the bitter taste of the herbal medicine when taking orally.

Along with the Propionibacterium acnes, a major inhabitant of human skin is Staphylococcus
aureus. The said bacteria, also contributes to the formation and worsening of the acne condition.
When cystic acne is popped, it will leave an open wound making it prone to bacterial infection,
especially the S. aureus, making the acne condition more challenging to treat.
Water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) is a semiaquatic, tropical plant that flourishes naturally in
water and moist soil and it composed of antioxidant, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory
properties. Some of the components of the plant such as A longifolia, I aquatic and E fluctuans
contributes to the antimicrobial properties against four pathogenic bacterial strains – Eschirichia
coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Micrococcus luteus, while Vitamin C
content of the plant could be main contributor to the antioxidant capacity of the leaves which
exhibited by ethanolic extraction of the leaves. In addition, water spinach in traditional medicine
was used as poultice to treat skin diseases such as ringworm, athlete’s foot and etc.

For these reasons, the researchers decided to investigate if Water Spinach is effective in reducing
pimples, as a response in the growing numbers of acne cases within teenagers. With its anti-
microbial, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, we hope to be able to make a cheaper
and more convenient topical product that could address the problem. This will also help teenagers
to gain their self-confidence, without worrying for pimples showing in their faces. Moreover,
with this herbal alternative, we also hope to help in reducing the increasing number of antibiotic
resistance due to the improper use of antibiotic drugs.