BASF has launched Probiolift and Postbiolift, a pair of biotic anti-ageing skincare active ingredients based on bacterium found in youthful skin.
Probiolift, which BASF says is the first cosmetic ingredient with live probiotic, is designed to help make the skin appear fuller and improves the appearance of forehead wrinkles.
Probiolift is made of living but dormant Lactobacillus crispatus (L. crispatus) bacteria that awaken in contact with water on the skin.
Postbiolift, a postbiotic, is meanwhile said to help make the skin appear more elastic, smooths the appearance of crow’s feet wrinkles, and creates an appearance of an even complexion.
The German giant claims that, unlike other biotics existing on the cosmetic market, the newly developed ingredients are the first to use a bacterium that is found naturally in the skin.
L. crispatus is a Gram-positive rod shape anaerobic bacterium that has been found to decrease with age.
“Consumers are increasingly aware of the health benefits that biotic ingredients offer, whether pre-, pro- or postbiotics. This trend has its roots in the food industry,” said Cécile Kalem, BASF Launch Manager for Active Ingredients in Europe.
“What is common practice in this field has, up to now, been one of the most challenging tasks for the personal care industry: incorporating living skin bacteria into cosmetic formulations and keeping them active,” she added.
“With Probiolift, we have found a solution for this challenge – a real breakthrough by our research and development teams.”
BASF said a new study on the difference in the facial microbiome composition of young and old people found that lactic acid bacteria, including Lactobacilli, noticeably decrease in mature skin.
“The L. crispatus specie in particular decreased in the undereye zone and was not detectable in the wrinkle hollow of the older volunteers,” the company said.
“This finding has led BASF researchers to assume that L. crispatus, isolated from human skin, may be the key to more youthful looking skin,” it added.
“With Probiolift, we have found a solution for this challenge – a real breakthrough by our research and development teams.”
