BASF and its research partners are sharing their latest scientific findings in skin and hair care, by means of both podium presentations and posters at this year’s International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists (IFSCC) conference. The event is taking place virtually over the course of two weeks from 18 October.
Nicolas Pelletier’s presentation, ‘Improving elasticity by reversing histone modification induced after UVA damage’, focuses on a study that has clarified the impact of a specific acetylation among post-translational modifications of histones, and its impact on the expression of dermal proteins involved in skin elasticity. The results “provided the basis for selecting products that could help support healthier skin post-photoexposure”, BASF said.
There will be posters on skin microbiome research in two fields. One will highlight the differences of skin microbiota composition between young and old skin, while the second explores the effects of galenics contained in a cosmetic formulation, such as emollients, emulsifiers, and polymers. This has helped in the development of microbiome-friendly skin care formulations.
Another poster presentation shares some study results of three highly titrated extracts from traditional Chinese medicine containing either iridoids, flavonoids or a polysaccharide. Opportunities are seen in moisturisation (for Dendrobium sp. stems), anti-ageing (Pyracantha sp. fruits) and sensitive skin (Gentiana sp. roots).
Two more deal with acne-prone skin. In one, BASF developed bacterial and 3D microbiotic skin models to test the ability of Staphylococcus epidermidis to protect the skin against Cutibacterium acnes, leading to the development of active ingredients to support the natural mechanisms of skin defence.
The second study builds on the finding that different phylogenic groups are present within the C. acnes population, which differ in the release of virulence factors. BASF scientists have defined relevant methods to characterise and modulate these factors, taking an important step forward
Finally, together with the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, BASF scientists will present a new approach to assess hair histology and heparan sulfate proteoglycan distribution changes in follicles at different phases of the growth cycle via an infrared spectral imaging method. This “represents a promising technique for studying the causes of hair loss”, the firm concluded.
