BASF's Hydrasensyl Glucan Green combines properties of hyaluronic acid and collagen for skin and sun care

BASF's Hydrasensyl Glucan Green recently won the Kenvue Trusted Science Award at in-cosmetics Global 2024. According to BASF, the beta-glucan active ingredient can be used in after-sun, face, body and hand care.

The ingredient combines the beneficial properties of hyaluronic acid and collagen. The main structure of this beta-glucan is similar to hyaluronic acid and also consists of two long-chain disaccharide units composed of glucose derivatives. According to the company, this structure enables Hydrasensyl Glucan to absorb large amounts of water from the skin like a natural super absorbent.

The polysaccharide chains of the ingredient are intertwined to form a rope-like, highly elastic triple helix structure similar to collagen. This 3D structure makes it highly stable and insensitive to harsh formulation conditions. In addition to its clinically proven skin smoothing and moisturizing properties, it also helps to quickly soothe redness, the company said.

In vitro studies showed reduced UV-induced erythema, sustained moisturization in the short and long term, and sustained skin smoothness in the short and long term. In vivo studies showed reduced pro-inflammatory mediators, activation of the surveillance receptor TLR-2, and protection of circadian genes from blue light damage.

"Hydrasensyl Glucan Green is a fermentation-derived ingredient with a high purity and multifunctional, helical structure of polysaccharides, making it highly versatile in different personal care applications," said Allison Garlet, marketing manager for bioactives at BASF.

Garlet also mentioned that the original launch of Hydrasensyl Glucan green contained plant-derived pentylene glycol and caprylyl glycol as preservatives. The original version of Hydrasensyl Glucan, which contained phenoxyethanol as a preservative, is no longer available.