BASF's new bioactive ingredient the wellness elixir for healthy skin

The active ingredient is a 100% natural extract from the chaga mushroom, obtained using an innovative eco-friendly technology: subcritical water extraction.

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: first, it offers a wellness approach proven to be effective on tired and stressed skin. Study participants reported that Inolixir was as effective as a 5-day relaxation cure in mitigating fatigue lines, dark circles and dullness. Second, 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.