A group of 11th-grade students made shampoo and conditioner from purslane and soapberry to prevent hair loss.

The ingredients the team used to formulate the shampoo included purslane, extracts of soapberry, soapnut, basil, five-colored grass, lemon, lemongrass, and grapefruit essential oils. In addition, preservatives and foaming agents were also added.

Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh said that hair loss is not only a concern for adults, but also for students.

"Centella asiatica is an easily available and inexpensive vegetable, so we use it as the main ingredient to make shampoo and conditioner. 30g of centella asiatica makes 330ml of shampoo, with steps such as preparing the ingredients, cooking the centella asiatica, stirring the ingredients according to a certain ratio, adding preservatives, foaming agents, essential oils to give the product fragrance, and packaging the product," Ngoc Anh said.

During the research process, the group encountered many difficulties in finding information and documents from abroad. Thanks to the support of the teacher, after many practice sessions, the group also gained experience.

"We were able to borrow the laboratory of the Department of Chemical Technology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade, to carry out the project. Driven by our passion, we tried to arrange our time to participate in the research," Ngoc Anh shared.

Ms. Chu Thi Kim Huong (teacher at Tran Phu High School, Tan Phu District) assessed that the students' product has high commercialization potential.

"The group's shampoo and conditioner products are made from natural ingredients, are environmentally friendly, and suitable for users' scalps. When I tried them, the products felt smooth and had a pleasant scent. Because they use environmentally friendly base ingredients, users might find them unfamiliar or slightly uncomfortable during the first wash," Ms. Huong said.

Ms. Huong also said that the group had sent samples for testing and received benign results.

Practical training in the university laboratory.

In addition to products made from purslane and other herbs, the team also created a shampoo and conditioner set from neem leaves and cassia leaves.

Phuong Vy shared: "We apply a lot of knowledge from various subjects to our research, such as chemistry to find the exact formula. In addition, we use biology, computer science, foreign languages, and mathematics to calculate prices, consult foreign documents, and design product packaging."

The group wants to help people who have hair problems, to improve and restore their hair so they can feel more confident about their hair. The group also wants to learn, research, and practice more, gaining more theoretical knowledge from books and real-world experience.

Sharing their future plans, the group said they will continue to develop the project, refine some more products, and participate in more competitions for students.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Anh (Head of the Organic Cosmetics Technology Department, Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade) said that upon learning of the students' research project objectives, she sought the faculty's support in lending them research equipment and laboratory facilities.

"I find the students very talented and enthusiastic about research activities. In the lab, they take turns tinkering and practicing, and the results improve every day. Through this, they can hone many skills and improve themselves," added Ms. Hong Anh.