# Biotinoyl tripeptide-1 (Procapil) & Capixyl hair serums

Cosmetic anti-shedding peptides in cheap leave-on scalp serums; a minority see baby hairs.

- Page: https://peprank.xyz/peptides/biotinoyl-tripeptide-1
- Category: Skin & hair (Supplement)
- Also known as: Procapil (biotinoyl tripeptide-1 + oleanolic acid + apigenin); biotin-GHK; Capixyl (acetyl tetrapeptide-3 + red clover extract); RCP serums (Redensyl, Capixyl, Procapil); The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density
- Routes: Topical
- Sequence: GHK (N-biotinoyl-)
- Safety tier: Strict: Caution · Balanced: Clean · Evidence only: Clean
- Risk axes (0 none to 3 severe): Seen harm 0, Mechanism 0, Data gap 2, Silent harm 0, Product 0
- Positive: 42% of 25 graded reports glowing or positive, shrunk toward the 49% all-report average by 8 reports' weight
- Rank: #18 of 23 supplements
- Graded reports: 25 (Positive 10, Mixed 5, Nothing 5, Negative 3, Bad reaction 2)
- Evidence: Small human studies — small industry-run trials of the cosmetic complexes (Capixyl placebo-controlled n=30; RCP vs minoxidil open comparison); no independent trial of biotinoyl tripeptide-1 alone
- Access: Supplement
- Onset: Less shedding within 2-6 weeks for some; regrowth, when it happens, at 3-6 months
- Lasts: Only while used; gains reported lost 1-2 months after stopping
- Cost per month: ≈ €10–20 (researchers' estimate)
- Updated: 2026-10-30

## What users report

Almost all first-hand data is for multi-active serums, chiefly The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum (biotinoyl tripeptide-1 and acetyl tetrapeptide-3 alongside Redensyl, Baicapil, AnaGain and caffeine), so no single peptide can be credited. About 40% report real gains: baby hairs at temples and edges or less shedding after 2-6 months, best in shedding (telogen effluvium), traction or post-damage hair. They fade within 1-2 months of stopping. As many see nothing beyond a fluffier, 'plumped' feel, even after a year or two. A minority get itch, flaking on natural hair, or a shed. Two report headaches or palpitations, plausibly from the caffeine in the formula. Felt nothing: ~20% felt nothing; another ~20% mixed (cosmetic thickening only).

**Effects:** less shedding; baby hairs at temples, edges and hairline after 2-6 months; hair looks and feels thicker (partly cosmetic coating); calmer, less itchy scalp for some

**Downsides:** scalp itch or irritation; flaking/white residue, sticky or greasy feel; early shed reported by a minority; gains lost within 1-2 months of stopping; headache or palpitations in a few (formula contains caffeine)

**Caveat:** Biotinoyl tripeptide-1 is biotin bound to GHK (without copper); its anti-5-alpha-reductase and anchoring claims come from supplier (Sederma) in-vitro data. Public evidence is two small industry-adjacent trials of blends, and Reddit reports are of blends, so the score is for 'peptide hair serums', not the molecule. Acetyl tetrapeptide-3 (Capixyl) had too few standalone reports for its own entry and is folded in here. No harm path found; the palpitation/headache reports fit the caffeine in The Ordinary's formula and resolved on stopping.

**Typical use:** A few drops to 1 ml leave-on to the scalp once daily (The Ordinary), or a 3-5% Procapil spray once or twice daily; judge after 3-6 months.

**Getting it:** Over-the-counter cosmetic: The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density (~€20/60 ml), many RCP/Procapil sprays (3-5%) and shampoos, especially in India and Turkey.

**Stacked with:** Minoxidil (commonly layered at a different time of day; users who credit it most often already use minoxidil or spironolactone); Microneedling (frequently paired; adds its own effect); Ketoconazole shampoo (helps the itch/flaking some get from the serum)

## Risk profile

- **Seen harm 0/3:** No serious events; first-hand reports of headaches and of palpitations with dizziness for two hours fit the caffeine in the commonest serum and resolved on stopping.
- **Mechanism 0/3:** Biotin bound to GHK, with supplier in-vitro claims on 5-alpha-reductase; no pathway to serious harm is known for topical use.
- **Data gap 2/3:** No CIR or other safety assessment of biotinoyl tripeptide-1 or acetyl tetrapeptide-3; human data are small industry-linked trials (n=30-32) of blends.
- **Silent harm 0/3:** Itch, shedding and caffeine effects appear within days or weeks and stop with the product.
- **Product 0/3:** OTC cosmetic hair serums and shampoos from mainstream brands.
- **Never if:** Caffeine sensitivity or arrhythmia, with caffeine-containing serums

## Top reports

- Positive, skin-hair: “I wished I had better pictures but I definitely see an improvement. It looks like I have more baby hairs but actually I think they are my existing hair but just thicker.” — [r/FemaleHairLoss](https://www.reddit.com/r/FemaleHairLoss/comments/1ojzm39/10_weeks_on_the_ordinary_hair_density_serum/)
- Positive, skin-hair: “Personally, I think my hair looks noticeably fuller now, especially around the crown. It also seems healthier and denser overall.” — [r/tressless](https://www.reddit.com/r/tressless/comments/1wp1rbm/the_ordinary_multipeptide_hair_serum_review_after/)
- Positive, skin-hair: “Works for me, but I use it almost daily! Took a good 3 months of consistent use to start noticing. My temples filled in and I started sprouting lots of baby hairs.” — [r/hairgrowth](https://www.reddit.com/r/hairgrowth/comments/1vzi6vb/the_ordinary_multi_peptide_hair_serum_does_it/p66xj7e/)
- Positive, skin-hair: “I saw significant difference after finishing 2 bottles (everyday consistent use)” — [r/FemaleHairLoss](https://www.reddit.com/r/FemaleHairLoss/comments/s6964i/june_2021_vs_jan_2022_i_used_the_ordinary/ht27b3j/)
- Positive, skin-hair: “I ran a little experiment with it where I was on it for 6 months, then off for 6 and now I am back on for 2. I can conclude that personally it helped me tremendously in the 6 months that I used it” — [r/tressless](https://www.reddit.com/r/tressless/comments/z48sm2/whats_the_consensus_on_the_ordinary_multipeptide/ixpqliw/)

## Cheapest in Europe

- [Amazon.fr](https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0FKK45T4X/) (FR): Masofta Hair Growth Serum (3% Procapil, 5% Capixyl, 3% Redensyl), €21 (also contains Capixyl (5%); also contains Redensyl (3%); also contains Anagain (4%); also contains Baicapil (3%); also contains rosemary)

## Studies

- [Loing et al., A new strategy to modulate alopecia using a combination of two specific and unique ingredients (J Cosmet Sci 2013)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23449130/) (rct, n=30, 2013): Capixyl (acetyl tetrapeptide-3 + red clover extract) for 4 months: anagen hair +13%, telogen density -29%, A/T ratio +46% vs placebo -33%; manufacturer-linked authors.
- [Karaca & Akpolat, A comparative study between topical 5% minoxidil and topical Redensyl, Capixyl and Procapil combination in men with AGA (J Cosmo Trichol 2019)](https://www.hilarispublisher.com/abstract/a-comparative-study-between-topical-5-minoxidil-and-topical-redensyl-capixyl-and-procapil-combination-in-men-with-androg-21971.html) (controlled, 2019): 24 weeks twice-daily RCP beat 5% minoxidil on investigator score (64.7% vs 25.5%) and global photo score (88.9% vs 60%); small, low-tier journal, not replicated.

## Sources

- [The Ordinary: Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density ingredient list](https://theordinary.com/en-us/multi-peptide-serum-for-hair-density-hair-scalp-treatment-100434.html)
- [Loing et al. 2013 (Capixyl placebo-controlled trial, PubMed)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23449130/)
- [Topical alternatives for hair loss: beyond the conventional (review, 2025)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12251978/)