BASF Uses AquaGenesis Technology to Develop Next-Generation Floral Skin Care Actives

BASF Uses AquaGenesis Technology to Develop Next-Generation Floral Skin Care Actives

(IN BRIEF) BASF’s Personal Care business has launched Floragenist™, a new generation of floral active ingredients combining responsibly sourced botanicals, sustainable extraction and epigenetic science for skin care applications. The range includes Floragenist™ Rose, derived from Damask Rose from Morocco and designed to support skin radiance and a refined “diamond skin” effect, and Floragenist™ Blossom, derived from Bitter Orange blossom and developed to support adaptive skin resilience against daily stressors. Both ingredients are powered by BASF’s AquaGenesis extraction technology, which uses coconut water as a natural solvent to gently extract bioactive compounds while enhancing flavonoid levels. BASF said clinical studies showed Floragenist™ Rose improved the appearance of skin luminosity by 2.7-fold and reduced redness by 22 percent at a 0.4 percent concentration compared with placebo, while an in vivo study showed Floragenist™ Blossom helped reduce variation in transepidermal water loss by 52 percent after harsh cleansing when used at 0.1 percent for 28 days. The ingredients are developed under BASF’s Responsibly Active program, with certified organically cultivated flowers that are hand-harvested in Morocco and traceable to source.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUDWIGSHAFEN, 13-Aug-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — BASF’s Personal Care business has introduced Floragenist™, a new generation of floral active ingredients designed to combine consumer demand for natural beauty solutions with scientifically validated skin care performance.

The new range includes Floragenist™ Rose and Floragenist™ Blossom, two complementary cosmetic actives developed to support skin radiance and adaptive skin resilience.

Floragenist™ Rose is designed to help promote skin luminosity and support a refined, radiant appearance described as a “diamond skin” effect.

Floragenist™ Blossom is designed to help strengthen the skin’s ability to adapt to daily environmental and lifestyle-related stressors.

Both ingredients are derived from sustainably and carefully sourced flowers from Morocco.

Floragenist™ Rose is based on Damask Rose (Rosa damascena), while Floragenist™ Blossom is derived from Bitter Orange blossom (Citrus aurantium var. amara).

BASF said the botanicals are sourced with traceability and responsible sourcing practices in mind.

Combining floral heritage with modern science

The Floragenist™ range is powered by AquaGenesis, BASF’s advanced extraction technology that uses coconut water as a natural solvent.

The technology supports BASF’s approach to more sustainable innovation by enabling gentle extraction of bioactive compounds without the use of aggressive solvents.

According to BASF, AquaGenesis helps preserve delicate phytochemicals while increasing the concentration of key active molecules.

Compared with conventional extraction methods, the technology delivers enhanced levels of flavonoids, supporting performance in skin care applications.

For the development of Floragenist™, BASF researchers combined the AquaGenesis extraction process with epigenetic science.

This combination has resulted in advanced flower extracts designed to provide high-precision support for the epidermis.

Floragenist™ Rose supports visible skin radiance

Floragenist™ Rose is focused on improving the appearance of skin radiance by supporting a smoother and more refined-looking skin surface.

Inspired by epigenetic science, the ingredient helps support the skin’s own expression of “surface optics” proteins.

These proteins are involved in maintaining skin structure and light-reflecting properties, contributing to skin cohesion and visible luminosity.

Floragenist™ Rose also helps address the visible effects of oxidative stress, supporting a more even-looking complexion.

Clinical studies using VISIA imaging confirmed an improved appearance of skin luminosity by 2.7-fold and a 22 percent decrease in redness at a concentration of 0.4 percent of the new ingredient compared with the placebo group.

Floragenist™ Blossom supports adaptive skin resilience

Floragenist™ Blossom is designed to reinforce the skin’s adaptive capacity in response to daily stress.

The ingredient supports skin resilience by helping the skin naturally express key skin integrity proteins.

This contributes to maintaining the skin’s natural barrier function, improving the appearance of epidermal cohesion and helping the skin better cope with external stressors.

These stressors may include mechanical stress, over-cleansing or microbial imbalance.

An in vivo study showed that harsh cleansing of skin pre-treated with 0.1 percent Floragenist™ Blossom for 28 days resulted in 52 percent lower variation in transepidermal water loss, known as TEWL, compared with placebo.

BASF said the result indicates a supportive effect of the ingredient on the skin barrier.

Responsible sourcing and traceability

The Floragenist™ range has been developed in line with BASF’s Responsibly Active program for cosmetic bioactives.

The program focuses on transparency, ethical conduct and environmental responsibility.

The new ingredients are derived from certified organically cultivated Damask Rose and Bitter Orange, which are hand-harvested in Morocco and fully traceable to their source.

The Damask Rose used in the range comes from a supply chain verified against a sustainable sourcing standard.

BASF said this helps promote responsible agricultural practices while creating positive impacts for local communities.

Through Floragenist™, BASF’s Personal Care business is expanding its portfolio of cosmetic bioactives with floral ingredients that bring together botanical sourcing, sustainable extraction, epigenetic science and clinically supported skin care benefits.

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.

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. Our ambition: We want to be the preferred chemical company to enable our customers’ green transformation. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 95,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises, as core businesses, the segments Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, and Nutrition & Care; our standalone businesses are bundled in the segments Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of around €60 billion in 2025. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.

Media Contact:

Annika Müller
+49 172 2356 012
annika.mueller@basf.com

SOURCE: BASF