Sustainable Silk Sericin Valorization for Skincare: A Moisturizing Balm Development and Evaluation

Abstract

This study presents a sericin-enriched skin balm developed through sustainable extraction from Bombyx
mori cocoons using high-pressure high-temperature processing. The optimized oil-wax formulation,
incorporating beeswax, almond oil, coconut oil, and lavender essential oil, achieved a skin-compatible pH
(5.4 ± 0.2), ideal viscosity (82,000 ± 3,500 cP), and excellent spreadability for user-friendly application.
Rigorous stability testing confirmed exceptional thermal and centrifugal resilience, projecting a
>24-month shelf life. Dermatological assessments verified non-irritancy across skin types, while moderate
antimicrobial efficacy against skin pathogens was observed. Chemical analyses affirmed high-quality lipid
content and oil-in-water emulsion structure for optimal absorption. These findings position the balm as a
natural, multifunctional skincare alternative that transforms sericulture byproducts into a commercially
viable, eco-friendly product with moisturizing, barrier-supporting, and antimicrobial benefits.