BASF expands peptide portfolio with Pepsensyal

BASF’s Personal Care business unit is launching a new synthetic peptide for skin care applications. Inspired by the skin’s natural regeneration process, Pepsensyal (INCI: Mannitol (and) Acetyl SH-Tetrapeptide-1 (and) Lauroyl SH-Tetrapeptide-1) is clinically proven to reduce and delay the first visible signs of aging.

The new ingredient is a response to the anti-aging trend and reflects a shift in consumer attitudes: Instead of fighting the natural aging process, consumers are increasingly focused on aging healthily through a holistic, preventative approach to skin care.

In recent years, peptides have been particularly popular in the personal care market, where they are seen by consumers as effective and science-backed ingredients. Pepsensyal expands BASF’s peptide portfolio with a new affordable peptide product. The new ingredient is paraben-free and 99% of its ingredients are of natural origin.

In a double-blind, randomized, split-face clinical trial involving 32 women aged 44 to 64, 0.2% of Pepsensyal was compared to a placebo product containing no novel ingredient. After just 14 days, crow's feet became smoother, with an 11% reduction in mean roughness and a 14% reduction in maximum relief.

At the same time, skin isotropy increased by 15%, indicating a skin remodeling effect. In the same test, Pepsensyal was also shown to replenish the skin from within: after 28 days, the skin became dense again and the echogenic surface area of the dermis increased by 21%.

Extensive in vitro testing confirmed the ingredient's ability to support skin regeneration, helping to slow down the visible signs of skin aging.