BASF has announced a significant regulatory win for its personal care business, securing new cosmetic ingredient notification in China for Symbiocell, a plant-based active ingredient designed to soothe sensitive skin. This approval paves the way for commercialization of Symbiocell within the Chinese market, a key region for sensitive skincare products.

Symbiocell is derived from the leaves of Cestrum latifolium, a plant known for its healing properties in tropical regions. Symbiocell is a blend of water, butylene glycol, Cestrum latifolium leaf extract, xanthan gum, propanediol, and caprylyl glycol.

BASF's research has demonstrated that Symbiocell supports healthy levels of CD86 expression in skin dendritic cells and effectively reduces skin reactivity and discomfort. This is particularly relevant given the increasing consumer demand for products addressing sensitive skin concerns, especially in the Asia Pacific region.

The successful notification in China marks a crucial milestone for BASF. This regulatory clearance allows the company to market Symbiocell as a cosmetic ingredient within the country, opening up significant market opportunities.

Clinical trials further support the efficacy of Symbiocell. A double-blind study comparing a 2% Symbiocell formulation to a leading soothing product revealed compelling results. Participants using Symbiocell® experienced a 62% reduction in cutaneous discomfort during a stinging test, compared to a 58% reduction with the benchmark product. Notably, Symbiocell also led to a significant 20% decrease in the mean stinging test score, while the benchmark product showed only a non-significant 14% decrease.

Subjective feedback from the study was also overwhelmingly positive. 97% of volunteers reported feeling increased comfort and soothing on the side of the face treated with Symbiocell. Furthermore, 90% felt their skin was less irritable, 87% felt better protected against external aggressors, and 71% even noticed increased skin radiance.

This successful notification underscores BASF's commitment to developing innovative solutions for sensitive skin, particularly in the Asia Pacific market. It also highlights the company’s broader "Care 360°" strategy, which emphasizes sustainability, digitalization, innovation, and collaborative approaches to address future challenges in the personal care industry. The approval of Symbiocell® in China signifies a major step in bringing this innovative ingredient to consumers seeking relief from sensitive skin issues.

BASF's Care Chemicals division provides a wide array of ingredients for various applications, including personal care, home and industrial cleaning, and technical uses. As a leading global supplier to the cosmetics and cleaning industries, Care Chemicals offers innovative and sustainable products, solutions, and concepts. Their diverse portfolio includes high-performance ingredients like surfactants, emulsifiers, polymers, emollients, chelating agents, active cosmetic ingredients, and UV filters.  With production and development facilities worldwide, the division is also growing its presence in emerging markets.