The Efficacy of Dzarirah oil (Acorus calamus L.) Against Bacteria Propionibacterium Acnes that Induce Maskne Disease

Maskne is a pimple that occurs as a result of using a mask with hot ingredients and using it for too long. Maskne is a new term that comes from the word mask plus acne. According to dermatologists, the continuous use of masks causes a build-up of bacteria and dirt that clogs the skin pores and triggers acne and other skin problems. The reason is, the skin area around the cheeks and chin does not get air circulation because it is covered by a mask. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization require the use of masks for all people around the world to prevent exposure to the Corona virus which causes COVID-19 infection. However, there are effects from using this mask in the form of pimples and other facial skin irritations. The Maskne triggered by infection of Propionylbacterium acnes which plays a role in irritation of the follicular epithelium and facilitates the occurrence of Maskne. Medical treatment is mostly done is by giving topical and oral antibiotics which are relatively more expensive and can cause side effects. As an alternative medicine in the community, dzariroh (Acorus calamus L.) can be used which has been scientifically proven to have antibacterial activity. Dzarirah is a type of plant that is mentioned in the hadith to treat the acne of the wife of Rasulullah SAW. The prophet's wives told that one day the Prophet met them. Rasulullah then saw among them a kind of pimple grew. Rasulullah then asked, "Do you have the perfume of dzarirah ?." They said they had. Rasulullah said, "Put your pimples on while reading a prayer, 'O Allah, who reduce the large and the small ones, reduce my acne'." The α and β asarone compounds are antimicrobial compounds that can inhibit the growth of P. acne bacteria. The results showed that dzarirah oil could inhibit the growth of Propionibacterium acnes bacteria at a concentration of 2.5% while killing at a concentration of 25%. Dzarirah oil is effective in inhibiting the growth of Propionibacterium acnes bacteria at a concentration of 2.5% and is a MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration). Dzarirah oil is proven to be effective in killing Propionibacterium acnes bacteria at a concentration of 25% and is an MBC (Minimum Bactericidal Concentration).