BASF blends floral extracts and epigenetics for resilient skin actives

BASF has launched Floragenist, a duo of floral-derived active ingredients that aim to bridge the gap between natural beauty trends and scientifically proven skin benefits. The lineup combines advanced extraction technology and epigenetic science to support the skin’s natural function. 

The collection features two complementary ingredients: Floragenist Rose and Floragenist Blossom. The duo is designed to enhance skin radiance and strengthen its ability to adapt to daily external stressors, such as air pollution and UV.

To develop the ingredients, BASF’s team combined two approaches. First, using the company’s AquaGenesis extraction technology, development teams can extract bioactive compounds from natural sources without relying on harsh chemicals that could impact the delicate plant molecules. The method uses coconut water as a natural solvent, ensuring the concentration of key active substances remains intact.

Secondly, BASF used epigenetic science — the study of how external factors influence the skin’s gene expression — to develop the flower extracts so they can target the skin’s function more precisely.

Twin efficacy

The first ingredient, Floragenist Rose, works on improving skin radiance and creating what BASF calls a “diamond skin” effect. The ingredient supports proteins that are involved in the skin’s structure and light-reflecting properties, helping to improve skin cohesion and luminosity.

According to BASF’s clinical studies, advanced imaging tools show that a 0.4% concentration of Floragenist Rose improved skin luminosity by 2.7 times. It also reduces redness by 22% compared to the placebo group.

BASF’s Floragenist range combines floral extracts with epigenetic skin care science.The second ingredient, Floragenist Blossom, works to improve the skin’s resilience against environmental and lifestyle stressors. BASF says it targets skin proteins that are responsible for maintaining barrier function and epidermal cohesion.

In a 28-day study, skin pre-treated with 0.1% Floragenist Blossom showed 52% less variation in transepidermal water loss after harsh cleansing compared to the placebo. This finding, according to BASF, demonstrates that the ingredient supports the skin barrier.

Traceable and responsible

Consumers, regulators, and industry players are paying more attention to how sustainable the beauty value chain is. Amid the shift, clean beauty has transformed from an ingredient list free-from claim toward a more holistic view of a product’s entire environmental impact, dubbed “responsible beauty.”

BASF says the Floragenist range launch allows companies to formulate effective skin care while aligning with industry demands for transparency, ethical conduct, and environmental responsibility in the beauty supply chain.

Both actives are derived from botanicals, Damask Rose and Bitter Orange blossom, which BASF says are certified organically cultivated and hand-harvested in Morocco, boasting full traceability to the source. 

Personal Care Insights previously reported on how beauty brands are increasingly pressured to disclose full value chain transparency, particularly as legal deadlines and potential bans loom. 

According to BASF, the Damask Rose supply chain meets a sustainable sourcing standard that supports responsible agricultural practices and local communities.