Redensyl, Capixyl, Procapil, Anagain and Baicapil: what the evidence shows

For years, hair loss treatments have been dominated by two big names: minoxidil and finasteride. Minoxidil, approved by the FDA since the late 1980s, mainly acts as a vasodilator: it improves blood flow to the scalp, which supports nutrient supply to hair follicles and prolongs the anagen phase (the hair growth phase).

It is commonly available in topical solutions or foams, and is indicated for both men and women with androgenetic alopecia. Finasteride, on the other hand, is an oral medication originally indicated for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia. Its mechanism is based on inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase type II, responsible for converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that shortens the hair cycle and miniaturizes follicles. Both have been tested in clinical trials, and both have limits. Finasteride can cause sexual side effects; the US label also reports sexual dysfunction that continued after stopping, and depression and suicidal thoughts (Propecia label, DailyMed). The UK regulator (MHRA, May 2026) advises stopping finasteride 1 mg immediately and contacting a doctor if depression or suicidal thoughts develop. Women who are or may be pregnant should not handle crushed or broken finasteride tablets. Minoxidil works only while it is used. Discuss these with a prescriber.

Separately, several cosmetic ingredients are marketed for thinning hair: Redensyl, Capixyl, Procapil, Anagain and Baicapil.

But how effective are they really? What does the science say behind these components?

What exactly is Redensyl and why has it caused such a stir?

Redensyl is a patented active ingredient developed by Swiss company Induchem, composed mainly of two molecules: DHQG (dihydroquercetin-glucoside, a quercetin derivative) and EGCG2 (a stabilized form of epigallocatechin gallate, an antioxidant from green tea).

The manufacturer says it stimulates hair follicle stem cells (bulge stem cells), which start each new hair growth cycle, and that this thickens existing hair. These claims have not been confirmed in independent studies.

Research and scientific backing:

The manufacturer (Induchem) reported in 2014 that, in laboratory tests, Redensyl increased follicle stem cell activity and reduced apoptosis (programmed cell death) of keratinocytes (manufacturer-reported, not independently verified). The manufacturer also reports a small 12-week study in 26 men; it is unpublished, not peer-reviewed and cannot be independently checked.

In the manufacturer's ex vivo study (not independently verified), human follicles extracted during hair transplants were cultured and evaluated after 10 days of product exposure. The evaluation method included cell staining to determine cell proliferation and inflammation markers. However, the main weakness of this research is the lack of a large-scale clinical trial with humans, which limits the external validity of its results.

(In vitro means that the experiment was conducted in a lab dish using cells or tissues, and ex vivo refers to experiments using organs or tissues outside the organism but in a controlled environment. These methods are useful for early testing but don’t fully reflect how ingredients will behave in real human use. Ideally, randomized controlled trials with a significant number of participants are needed to validate these ingredients in real-world conditions.)

Capixyl: peptides with promise

Capixyl is a combination of a biomimetic peptide (Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3) and a red clover extract rich in biochanin A, an isoflavone with anti-inflammatory properties. Its proposed mechanism is to act on the hormonal and inflammatory causes of androgenetic alopecia.

The supplier (Sederma) reported in 2011 that Capixyl reduced DHT production in cultured human skin cells and increased collagen and anchoring proteins (manufacturer-reported, not independently verified). These were laboratory tests; no independent human trial of Capixyl alone has been published.

(Biomimetic peptides are lab-created molecules designed to mimic natural proteins in the body. The supplier says the peptide supports follicle structure and that biochanin A reduces inflammation; neither claim has been tested independently on hair loss.)

Procapil: strengthening follicle anchoring

Procapil is a blend of three ingredients: apigenin (a flavonoid), oleanolic acid and a peptide called Biotinyl-GHK. The supplier says it improves scalp microcirculation and follicle structure.

The supplier (Sederma) reports internal testing in men with androgenetic alopecia (manufacturer-reported, not independently verified; not peer-reviewed or published). A few small published studies have tested Procapil only in combination with other treatments, such as caffeine (Samadi et al., 2024) or platelet-rich plasma (Khoso & Fahim, 2024), so they cannot show what Procapil does alone.

Anagain: the power of pea sprouts

Anagain is an extract from organic pea sprouts (Pisum sativum). The supplier says it prolongs the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle.

The supplier (Mibelle Biochemistry) reports a small study in volunteers without a control group (manufacturer-reported, not independently verified). With no control group and a small sample, it cannot show that Anagain works.

Baicapil: botanical synergy for growth

Baicapil combines three plant-based ingredients: Scutellaria baicalensis, soybean sprouts and wheat sprouts. The supplier says it stimulates cell growth in the follicle and moves follicles from the resting (telogen) to the growing (anagen) phase.

The supplier (Provital) reports its own volunteer study (manufacturer-reported, not independently verified). It has not been published in a peer-reviewed journal or replicated.

Consumer reviews

Many retail products combine several of these ingredients. Star ratings and consumer reviews are not evidence that a product works.

What does the evidence add up to?

While all these ingredients are promoted with supplier data, the lack of large, peer-reviewed clinical studies published in high-level scientific journals is a major limitation. Most studies are small, funded by the companies developing the ingredients, and in many cases, lack a control group or objective evaluation. None of these ingredients is a proven treatment for hair loss or a proven replacement for approved treatments. Anyone considering options should discuss them with a doctor.

References

• Induchem (2014). "Redensyl: The breakthrough against hair loss" (manufacturer material, not peer-reviewed).

• Sederma (2011). "Capixyl: A new anti-hair loss and hair care complex". Access at: https://www.sederma.com/en/products/capixyl/

• Sederma (2005). "Procapil: The molecular complex against hair loss". Access at: https://www.sederma.com/en/products/procapil

• Mibelle Biochemistry (2014). "Anagain: A novel active ingredient based on organic pea sprouts" (manufacturer material, not peer-reviewed).

• Provital Group (2015). "Baicapil: Active ingredient to reduce hair loss and increase hair density". Info at: https://www.provital.com/en/baicapil

• Samadi, A., Rokhsat, E., Saffarian, Z., et al. (2024). Assessment of the efficacy and tolerability of a topical formulation containing caffeine and Procapil 3% for improvement of male pattern hair loss. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 23, 1492–1494. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37990760/

• Khoso, H., & Fahim, M. (2024). Comparison of platelet rich therapy alone with platelet rich therapy along with daily topical 5% Procapil application for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Journal of Ayub Medical College Abbottabad, 36, 299–304. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39609969/

• Propecia (finasteride) prescribing information. DailyMed. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=6f904709-65aa-44ce-b144-b4c8a0416e36

• MHRA Drug Safety Update (11 May 2026). Finasteride and dutasteride – updated safety warnings for psychiatric side effects and sexual dysfunction. https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/finasteride-and-dutasteride-updated-safety-warnings-for-psychiatric-side-effects-and-sexual-dysfunction