
Retinol is renowned for its anti-aging skin care benefits — as well as its potential for skin irritation and instability in formulations. BASF developed its VitaGuard A solid lipid encapsulation technology to address these and other issues, stabilizing retinol and enhancing its functionality.
Key Functions and Benefits of VitaGuard A
Per BASF, VitaGuard A (INCI: Water (Aqua) (and) Cetyl Palmitate (and) Glycerin (and) Ceteareth-12 (and) Polysorbate 20 (and) Retinol (and) Glyceryl Stearate (and) Pentylene Glycol (and) Ceteareth-20 (and) Cetearyl Alcohol) provides several benefits, including the following.
- Enhanced stability: By encapsulating free retinol, VitaGuard A prevents its degradation due to exposure to light and air, ensuring the active ingredient remains potent in formulations.
- Reduced irritation: Encapsulation limits the direct contact of retinol with the skin, lowering the risk of irritation typically associated with retinol use.
- Improved skin bioavailability: The encapsulation technology increases the bioavailability of retinol, enhancing its absorption and effectiveness in cosmetic applications.
Clinically Proven Results
According to BASF, in a randomized, double-blind study evaluating a 2% VitaGuard A cream (equivalent to 0.1% retinol) in Asian volunteers for its anti-aging effects, the active cream demonstrated directionally better performance compared with non-encapsulated retinol at the same concentration.
Effects included:
- Wrinkle reduction: A 37% decrease in forehead wrinkle appearance after eight weeks (p < 0.01), compared to baseline;
- Increased skin elasticity: A 16% improvement in elasticity (p < 0.001), versus baseline; and
- Evenness of skin tone: A 15% enhancement in skin tone uniformity (p < 0.001), compared with baseline.
Meeting the Need for Safety and Efficacy
VitaGuard A can therefore provide formulators with a stabilized and effective retinol solution, enabling the development of advanced anti-aging cosmetics to meet consumer demand. Per BASF, by addressing core challenges in retinol formulation while delivering clinical efficacy, VitaGuard A sets a new standard for retinol-based products in the personal care industry.