<![CDATA[Plant-derived antibacterial candidates have been investigated as possible complements to acne management. This study compared the inhibitory activity of ethanolic extracts of Piper crocatum (red betel) and Peperomia pellucida L. (Chinese pennywort), alone and in combination, against Propionibacterium acnes. Leaves were extracted by maceration in 96% ethanol. Extract quality was characterized using organoleptic observation, ethanol-soluble extractive content, moisture, ash, and qualitative phytochemical tests. Disc diffusion assays compared red betel 2.5%, Chinese pennywort 5%, and red betel:Chinese pennywort mixtures of 2.5%:5% or 5%:2.5%, with clindamycin and DMSO as positive and negative controls. The extracts were positive for alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins. Mean inhibition zones were 1.85 mm for red betel, 0.30 mm for Chinese pennywort, 2.46 mm for the 2.5%:5% mixture, and 1.93 mm for the 5%:2.5% mixture; clindamycin produced 14.63 mm. A one-way ANOVA indicated an overall difference across treatment groups (p < 0.001). The 2.5%:5% mixture gave the largest mean zone among extract-based treatments, although its effect was considerably smaller than that of clindamycin. These observations support further studies on the extracts' antibacterial activity but do not establish synergism or clinical efficacy. ]]>
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