BASF’s Personal Care business succeeds in obtaining new cosmetic ingredient notification for Symbiocell^® in China

• Based on a natural plant extract of Cestrum latifolium leaves for which BASF recently obtained new cosmetic ingredient notification in China
• Symbiocell^® focuses on soothing sensitive skin and excessive cutaneous reactions
• Decreases the level of skin reactivity and discomfort in volunteers having sensitive skin

Hong Kong SAR, China – December 16, 2024 – BASF’s Personal Care business recently succeeded in obtaining a new cosmetic ingredient notification for Symbiocell^®, which can be commercialized as a cosmetic ingredient with BASF’s authorization in China. A unique active ingredient, Symbiocell^® (INCI: Water (and) Butylene Glycol (and) Cestrum Latifolium Leaf Extract (and) Xanthan Gum (and) Propanediol (and) Caprylyl Glycol), is proven through in vitro tests to support healthy levels of the basal expression of CD86 in skin dendritic cells. It effectively soothes sensitive skin and potentially excessive cutaneous reactions. The key component of Symbiocell^®, Cestrum latifolium, is well known in tropical regions for its healing properties and has known applications for a variety of skin issues. Inspired by these properties, BASF has clinically tested a face care formulation with 2% Symbiocell^® and demonstrated that it reduces the level of reactivity and discomfort in sensitive skin. The ingredient was developed in response to a growing consumer trend for cosmetic products that address common sensitive skin concerns, with Asia Pacific being the key region in focus.

Clinically tested to decrease the level of skin reactivity and discomfort in volunteers having sensitive skin

A double-blind clinical study was conducted on 31 women to compare the efficacy of a 2% concentration of Symbiocell^® in a face care formulation to that of a commercially available soothing, anti-redness skin care product over a 3-week application period. The results showed that cutaneous discomfort that was previously observed during a stinging test conducted on the side of the face treated with Symbiocell^® at 2% significantly diminished by 62%, while the average decrease for the side of the face treated with the benchmark product was 58%. Moreover the side of the face to which Symbiocell (2%) was applied daily showed a significant decrease of 20% in the mean score of the stinging test. The other side of the face, to which the benchmark product was applied, only showed a non-significant decrease of 14%. At the same time, according to 97% of the volunteers, the side of the face treated with Symbiocell^® felt increasingly comforted and soothed. Among the panelists, 90% stated that their skin was less irritable and 87% felt that their skin is better prepared against external aggressors. Interestingly, 71% of volunteers tested have also felt their skin was more radiant.

The development of Symbiocell^®, along with the recent success in obtaining new cosmetic ingredient notification in China, highlights BASF’s efforts to address unmet market needs for sensitive skin solutions particularly in Asia Pacific. At the same time, it is an example of how the company’s Care Chemicals division is addressing future challenges: Sustainability, digitalization, innovation and new approaches to working together are the key cornerstones to Care 360° – Solutions for Sustainable Life.
 

About the Care Chemicals division at BASF

The BASF division Care Chemicals offers a broad range of ingredients for personal care, home care, industrial & institutional cleaning, and technical applications. We are a leading global supplier for the cosmetics industry as well as the detergents and cleaners industry, and support our customers with innovative and sustainable products, solutions and concepts. The division’s high-performance product portfolio includes surfactants, emulsifiers, polymers, emollients, chelating agents, cosmetic active ingredients and UV filters. We have production and development sites in all regions and are expanding our presence in emerging markets. Further information is available online at www.care-chemicals.basf.com.

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €68.9 billion in 2023. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.

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