According to the company, the tension at the stretch mark site causes the skin fibroblasts to contract, this affects their structure and can render them unable to produce the skin proteins collagen or elastin.
BASF claims that its new ingredient, D-Stria, can help reduce the contraction of the dormant myofibroblasts that result from the skin tension, making them functional again.
Promotes elastin and collagen synthesis
In addition, the company has said the ingredient also promotes collagen and elastin synthesis at the stretch mark site.
In vitro studies performed by the company suggest that the extract is able to reduce the contractile strength of the of the stretch mark-derived myofibroblasts by 27 per cent, as well as doubling collagen I synthesis and elastin gene expression.
D-Stria, an extract from the seeds of the saw palmetto (Serenoa Serrulata) plant, is an ingredient that should be applied after the appearance of stretch marks rather than a preventative solution, spokesperson for the company Olivier Teillac told CosmeticsDesign-Europe.com.
A clinical study conducted by the company investigated the effect of the ingredient on recent stretch marks, ones that appeared within the year, he added.
The study, performed on 25 volunteers, showed that after two months of application 77 per cent of the study community had noticed a reduction in their stretch marks, with 87 per cent declaring that after three months their skin felt more elastic and toned and stretch marks appeared less deep.
The company will be presenting the ingredient at the up-coming in-cosmetics show, to be held in Milan, Italy, in March.