Consumers around the world are looking for products that will help protect their scalp against dehydration, while improving hair structure and shine. In response, BASF has reassessed its highly effective hydra-protect technology for skin moisturisation, PatcH2O, and found it to be suitable for hair care applications such as antiageing scalp care.
A double-blind placebocontrolled clinical study showed a significant, immediate and sustained improvement in scalp moisturisation. The study was performed on female volunteers with different skin and hair types: Caucasian, African, Hispanic and Asian. They tested a 2 per cent PatcH2O-containing leave-on hair serum against placebo in two groups. Scalp hydration was evaluated by dielectric conductivity at baseline, four hours, 21 days, and three days post treatment. Increased scalp hydration up to 52 per cent against baseline could be demonstrated. Volunteers indicated that their scalp felt more comfortable and that PatcH2O led to a noticeable improvement in hair quality and shine.
The patch technology is a result of BASF’s dual expertise in natural macromolecules and the controlled release of active ingredients. Acting on two levels, PatcH2O offers optimum hydration: on the scalp’s surface, the unique combination of natural biopolymers, hyaluronic acid, alginate, and a natural glucan known as pullulan forms a 3D molecular mesh that reduces water evaporation like a protective film. This micronetwork is loaded with a moisturising complex containing glycerin, L-serine, trehalose and urea, which is gradually released into the heart of the stratum corneum to rebalance the skin’s moisture level.
