WATERMELON SEED OIL EXTRACTION AND IT’S BENEFITS FOR HUMAN SKIN

The increasing demand for natural and sustainable raw materials in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries has drawn attention to plant-derived oils with beneficial dermatological properties. This study focuses on the extraction and evaluation of oil from Citrullus lanatus (watermelon) seeds, an underutilized agricultural by-product commonly discarded as waste in Nigeria. The aim was to optimize the extraction of the seed oil and assess its efficacy on human skin. Watermelon seeds were collected from Damaturu market, dehulled, sun-dried, ground, and subjected to Soxhlet extraction using petroleum ether as the solvent. The extracted oil was evaluated for physicochemical properties including acid value, saponification value, iodine value, and specific gravity, while a topical lotion formulated from the oil was tested on human volunteers to assess effects on skin hydration and elasticity. The extraction yielded approximately 41.3% oil content, indicating high lipid availability. Physicochemical analysis showed results within acceptable cosmetic standards, confirming good stability and suitability for skin applications. The dermatological evaluation demonstrated significant improvements in skin hydration (48.9%) and elasticity (34.3%) over a 14-day period, suggesting notable moisturizing and skin-rejuvenating effects. The oil’s lightweight, non-comedogenic nature, along with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory constituents, positions it as a promising natural ingredient in skincare formulations. This study concludes that watermelon seed oil is a valuable and sustainable resource with strong potential for commercial utilization in cosmetic products. It recommends further research on compound isolation, alternative extraction techniques, long-term stability testing, and industrial-scale production to enhance economic and environmental benefits.