For the development of natural moisturizing cosmetics, the formulation optimization of Auricularia auricula extract and Aloe vera gel as basic ingredients were investigated using Taguchi's approach. Effect of primary additive components(oil, chelating agent and preservative) on the base of Auricularia auricula extract and Aloe vera gel was also examined by design of mixture experiment. The optimum content of basic ingredients was obtained at Auricularia auricular extract of 0.625% and Aloe vera gel of 2.0%, and desirable results for viscosity, phase stability and color change as objective variables were obtained at oil of 0.37%, chelating agent of 0.63% and preservative of 1.0%(w/v)for the basic formulation.
Water absorption-retention ability of Formulation 2, optimized by Taguchi method and design of mixture experiment was tested to compare with Formulation 1 which doesn't contain additive components. Formulation 2 showed a better film forming ability and exhibited very higher moisturizing ability than that of formulation 1.
In order to keep the formulation from environment in its practical usage, challenge test in which the inoculation was made with three kinds of bacteria and two kinds of fungi was carried out and the conformance of Formulation 2 was identified in observation period of four weeks.
Finally, the results of sensory test on Formulations 1 and 2 showed that the sensory score of Formulation 2 was higher than that of Formulation 1. It was found that the formulation prepared by this study had the potential of a good moisturizing product.