• BASF’s latest bioactive ingredient Inolixir™ promotes skin health with a dual action approach that produces quick and long-lasting results for tired and sensitive skin.
• Inolixir™ fortifies the skin’s natural protection system and reduces pro-inflammatory response with visible results on fine lines, dark circles and redness.
• The active ingredient is a 100% natural extract from the chaga mushroom, obtained using an innovative eco-friendly technology: subcritical water extraction.

Extracted from the chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus), native to the Northern Canadian forest, Inolixir™ is the most recent addition to BASF’s portfolio of bioactive ingredients. With its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it fortifies the skin’s natural protection system by strengthening barrier function and the microvascular network – working on all fronts to return skin to a healthier condition, with visible results on fine lines, dark-circles and redness.

A superfood ingredient for healthy skin

The chaga mushroom is a superfood renowned for various health benefits and has both traditional and modern uses. With Inolixir™ (INCI: Glycerin (and) Water (and) Inonotus Obliquus (Mushroom) Extract), BASF scientists have now harnessed the chaga mushroom’s power for use in skin care products, catering to the worldwide consumer trend of changing perceptions of beauty and the increasing popularity of a more holistic approach. This often involves consumers making lifestyle changes and, importantly, looking for cosmetic products with natural ingredients.

A powerful, dual action bioactive ingredient offering quick and long-lasting results

Inolixir works in two ways: firstly, it offers a wellness approach proven to be effective on tired and stressed skin. Study participants reported that Inolixir was as effective as a five-day relaxation cure in mitigating fatigue lines, dark circles and dullness. Secondly, the bioactive ingredient presents dermocosmetic solutions for sensitive skin: it offers anti-redness and anti-dullness benefits, leading 85% of study participants to perceive a health benefit for their skin and 91% to report increased skin comfort within 7 to 28 days of application. Inolixir is a hyper-concentrated bioactive ingredient, benefitting from all the nutrients and properties of the chaga mushroom thanks to an innovative and eco-friendly technology: subcritical water extraction (SWE). Instead of organic solvents, this method uses pressurized water heated to between 100 °C and 374 °C for extraction. In vitro tests have proven that SWE extracts phytochemicals more efficiently than other common methods, such as conventional hydroethanolic extraction and water extraction.

About the Care Chemicals division at BASF

The BASF division Care Chemicals offers a broad range of ingredients for personal care, home care, industrial & institutional cleaning, and technical applications. We are a leading global supplier for the cosmetics industry as well as the detergents and cleaners industry, and support our customers with innovative and sustainable products, solutions and concepts. The division’s high-performance product portfolio includes surfactants, emulsifiers, polymers, emollients, chelating agents, cosmetic active ingredients and UV filters. We have production and development sites in all regions and are expanding our presence in emerging markets. Further information is available online at www.care-chemicals.basf.com.

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The approximately 122,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of around €63 billion in 2018. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.