Students make facial foam from papaya leaves, receive investment of 300 million VND

A group of students in Ho Chi Minh City made facial foam from papaya leaves and received a 300 million VND investment from a business - Photo: NGOC PHUONG

A group of students including Vo Phan Gia Hung, Pham Thanh Nha, Nguyen Thi Viet Ha, Le Ngoc Han (Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade), Ngo Thao Uyen (Saigon University) and To Hong Phuong Anh (Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology) have created a gentle facial cleanser from papaya leaves.

Making facial foam, hoping farmers will have more income

Once seeing people cutting down papaya leaves, through research, the group learned that papaya leaves have the ability to reduce acne, prevent skin aging and are a benign natural medicine.

After 5 months of testing, the team has produced a complete and safety-tested product.

Vo Phan Gia Hung said the group collected 400kg of dried papaya leaves from gardens in cooperatives in Mang Thit and Tra On districts (Vinh Long province).

"The group selects papaya leaves that are free of pests, fungi, and old, and are dried with a moisture content of no more than 10%. We extract the papaya leaves, vacuum them, and obtain the extract. Then we mix this extract with surfactants, plantapon, PQ 10, vitamins B3 and B5...

The product's uses can clean dust, remove makeup, reduce facial irritation, antibacterial, reduce acne, dark spots and melasma. In addition, vitamin B5 helps massage and regenerate the skin, does not cause dryness for users. Suitable for teenagers, women who want to have beautiful skin, confident in communicating with people around them" - Hung said.

In addition, Vo Phan Gia Hung also shared: "We want to make natural extract products that can be applied to cosmetics and are safe for the skin. We also want to help farmers have more income by collecting papaya leaves and supporting consumption so that raw materials for production are not in short supply."

Le Ngoc Han shared: "The group applies the subjects of cosmetic chemistry, production of personal care products, quality control testing, green chemistry... These subjects help the group learn about the origin of raw materials, check the inspection criteria according to safety standards."

Current retail price is 150,000 VND/bottle, wholesale price is from 110,000 VND - 120,000 VND/bottle - Photo: NGOC PHUONG

The company invested 300 million VND to develop the project.

The group is entering the finals of the Industry and Trade Student Competition with Startup Ideas 2024, the 6th Vinh Long Province Startup Ideas/Project Competition.

Introducing the product at the competition, the group received attention from businesses and wanted to support investment.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Hong Anh - lecturer of the Faculty of Chemical Technology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade - commented that members from many professions complement each other in product research, market research and packaging design.

"With the hot weather of Ho Chi Minh City, the demand for facial cleansing foam is high. This is a popular product, completely capable of commercialization. The products of the group of active filters are natural, good for the skin, and the raw materials used all meet standards. In addition, the group's products have been tested for safety, meeting the requirements for supplying to customers.

The group also received 300 million VND from two businesses for 36% of the project shares. The investors have a good online sales system, helping students with additional funds to develop the product in the next stages. Currently, the product is focused on sensitive skin, in the near future the group should research more for many different skin types" - Dr. Anh said.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Anh also emphasized that developing projects while still a student helps students become more sensitive, increase their skills and thinking to create more practical products to supply to the market.

Product feasibility for startup business

Mr. Le Duy Dong - Director of Version LLC, member of the Southern National Startup and Advisory Council, and project investor of the group - said that the members of the group have a lot of potential, they are enthusiastic, creative, and have strong motivation to develop themselves.

"The group's products are feasible for start-up businesses, aiming at green technology and sustainable development criteria. The group shows me a desire to contribute, a real desire to start a business.

However, as a group of students, they are still quite young and do not have enough knowledge and thinking to start a business, so they need someone to guide them in the right direction," said Mr. Dong.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/sinh-vien-lam-bot-rua-mat-tu-la-du-du-duoc-dau-tu-300-trieu-dong-20240825174508837.htm