Improving Materials Quest

Improving Materials Quest: The Better Hand Formula

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Noah Suter

Introduction

This Improving Materials Quest explores the creation and testing of a homemade formula designed to rival Aveeno Eczema Therapy. By combining castor oil, argan oil, blackseed oil, vitamin E, and aloe vera, I aimed to develop a formula that offers deep hydration, skin repair, and anti-inflammatory benefits. Through a 5-day trial and structured evaluation, this quest connects chemistry to real-world problem solving, that shows how thoughtful design and scientifc reasoning can lead to meaningful results and impact the study of chemistry.

Question

Can a homemade lotion using castor oil, argan oil, blackseed oil, vitamin E, and aloe vera provide equal or better relief for eczema-prone hands than a commercial product like Aveeno Eczema Therapy?

Hypothesis

If I combine natural, anti-inflammatory and moisturizing ingredients in a balanced formula and apply it to a subject’s right hand, then my homemade formula will reduce dryness, irritation, and redness as effectively, or more effectively, than the Aveeno Eczema Therapy, when applied to the subject’s left hand.

Materials

• 1 tablespoon castor oil (deeply moisturizes, antimicrobial, and is great for dry, cracked skin while reducing irritation).
• 1 tablespoon argan oil (rich in fatty acids and vitamin E which offers skin barrier support).
• 1 teaspoon blackseed oil (anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich, which targets inflammation and skin repair).
• ½ teaspoon vitamin E oil (preserves formula and promotes healing which boosts skin recovery and shelf life).
• 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel (soothes and hydrates without heaviness and calms itchiness and redness).
• Whisk
• Cotton Balls
• Small Glass Jar
• Plastic Wrap
• Camera

Procedure

Variables

Independent Variables

• Homemade Lotion
• Aveeno Eczema Therapy

Dependent Variables

• Comfort Rating (1-5)
• Appearance Rating (1-5)
• Observed changes in dryness, redness, itchiness.

Control Group

• Subject using Aveeno Eczema Therapy (2x daily for 5 days)

Controlled Variables

• Application frequency (2x daily for 5 days)
• Amount applied
• Hand being testsed
• Same environment

• In a small bowl, combine castor oil, argan oil, blackseed oil, and vitamin E (see materials for proper measurements).
• Slowly whisk in the aloe vera gel until fully blended. The texture should be creamy but light.
• Pour into a sanitized small glass jar and store in a cool, dry place. Cover with plastic wrap.
• Twice daily, apply pea-sized amount to subject’s right hand, primarily on dry or irritated areas, using a cotton ball.
• On subject’s left hand, apply the Aveeno Eczema Therapy, using a cotton ball.
• Repeat twice daily and rate comfort level and appearance. Take pictures.

Preparing the Homemade Formula

The Homemade Formula Results

The Aveeno Results

Graph for Comfort Level

Graph for Appearance

Analysis

The homemade formula was intentionally applied to the subject's right hand, which initially showed more severe symptoms than the left. This deliberate choice was made to minimize observation bias and ensure that any improvement was a result of the homemade formula rather than providing an unfair advantage to the Aveeno Eczema Therapy. By selecting the more affected area for testing, the experiment aimed to demonstrate the homemade formula's potential under more challenging conditions, making any observed improvement more credible.The research results and graphs confirm the hypothesis that the homemade formula resulted in noticeable improvements in skin comfort, hydration, and appearance, particularly in areas affected by eczema. These findings suggest that the combination of castor oil, argan oil, blackseed oil, vitamin E, and aloe vera can offer effective relief comparable to, or potentially better than, commercial alternatives like Aveeno Eczema Therapy.

Conclusion

• The homemade formula improved comfort, hydration, and appearance on eczema-prone skin over 5 days.
• Applying it to the more affected hand minimized bias and showed meaningful results.
• This quest deepended my understanding of chemistry, design, and real-world impact.
• Creating something that helps others is the most important, and also proof that science, particularly in the areas of chemisty, can make a difference.

References

healthyhuemans.com/castor-oil-recipes-for-skin/ www.webmd.com/beauty/ss/slideshow-natural-oils-beauty wildernorthbotanicals.com/blog/a-comprehensive-guide-to-natural-beauty-oils-for-your-best-skin-ever/

Thank you very much!