BASF bets on epigenetics and sustainability with new Floragenist floral actives

Vincent Gallon (Photo: BASF)

28 August 2026

BASF bets on epigenetics and sustainability with new Floragenist floral actives

The manufacturer is expanding its portfolio of personal care botanical ingredients with Floragenist, a new range of floral actives that combines epigenetic research with a solvent-free extraction technology based on coconut water. Designed for premium skin care formulations, the launch reflects the industry’s growing focus on natural ingredients backed by measurable clinical performance.

The new range includes two complementary debut ingredients sourced from certified organic flowers cultivated in Morocco: Floragenist Rose, derived from Damask rose (Rosa damascena), and Floragenist Blossom, obtained from bitter orange blossom (Citrus aurantium var. amara). According to BASF, both actives are fully traceable and developed under the company’s Responsibly Active program, which emphasizes transparency, ethical sourcing, and environmental responsibility.

Epigenetics meets botanical innovation

BASF’s Personal Care division has placed epigenetic science at the center of the innovation. The company says the actives are designed to support the skin’s natural expression of proteins involved in skin structure, resilience, and optical appearance.

The ingredients are produced using AquaGenesis, BASF’s proprietary extraction process that replaces conventional solvents with coconut water. The gentle extraction method is intended to preserve delicate phytochemicals while increasing the concentration of key bioactive molecules, particularly flavonoids, compared with traditional extraction techniques. The technology also supports the company’s sustainability positioning by reducing reliance on aggressive solvents during production.

Skin radiance and resilience

Floragenist Rose is positioned as a key ingredient for radiance-focused formulations. BASF says the ingredient helps improve skin surface refinement and light-reflecting properties while also addressing visible signs of oxidative stress. In a clinical study using VISIA imaging, a formulation containing 0.4% Floragenist Rose reportedly delivered a 2.7-fold improvement in skin luminosity and 22% less redness compared with a placebo.

Meanwhile, Floragenist Blossom targets skin resilience, helping strengthen the skin’s adaptive response to everyday environmental and lifestyle stressors by supporting proteins associated with skin integrity. An in vivo study showed that harsh cleansing of skin pre-treated with 0.1% Floragenist Blossom for 28 days resulted in 52% lower variation in transepidermal water loss (TEWL) than placebo, indicating a supportive effect of the new ingredient on the skin barrier.

Together, the two ingredients form a complementary platform aimed at brands seeking multifunctional botanical actives with both wellness-inspired storytelling and clinically supported performance.

Evolving expectations

The launch comes as premium skin care brands increasingly seek ingredients that combine natural origin, scientific validation, and transparent sourcing. Floral ingredients have long played a strong role in beauty marketing, but suppliers are now expected to demonstrate efficacy through molecular research and clinical testing. By pairing epigenetic mechanisms with sustainable extraction and organic certified sourcing, BASF is positioning the new Floragenist line at the intersection of several high-growth trends: biotechnology-inspired cosmetics, clean extraction processes, and traceable botanical supply chains.