During the past two years, a large number of unique and promising topical hair growth cosmeceuticals have entered the market. None of these have gone through clinical trials, since cosmetic type products can be released in this manner. All of these cosmeceuticals (listed below) have some legitimate science behind their potential efficacy.
This rapid proliferation of new well researched cosmeceuticals that can be purchased online to fight hair loss is encouraging. Even if many of the beneficial claims (sometimes in mice) turn out to be exaggerated. Hair loss sufferers are tired of lengthy clinical trials that ultimately lead to nowhere. So I for one am glad about this “shortcut” to market. Most importantly, we have thus far not heard of any major issues with side effects from any of these newly available hair loss products.
Note that the term “cosmeceutical” is a portmanteau of the words “cosmetic” and “pharmaceutical”. However, the FDA does not recognize it, and says that such a product has to be classified as: a (topical) drug, or a cosmetic, or both.
New Topical Hair Growth Cosmeceuticals
CosmeRNA for hair loss. The product that started this recent trend was CosmeRNA, first released in May 2023 in Western Europe by Bioneer (South Korea). In 2024, it was released in the US on Amazon. CosmeRNA targets the androgen receptor via self-assembled micelle inhibitory RNA (SAMiRNA) nanoparticle-type siRNA. Prior to the product’s release, the scientists behind its development published a study in Nature in January 2022.
Yuva Biosciences BosleyMD Revive+ Foam for Hair Loss. In February 2024, Bosley (US) and Yuva Biosciences (US) together released a new hair loss foam product that works by boosting mitochondria levels in scalp hair. It contains Yuva’s Y100™ small molecule that improves mitochondrial function, and is sold on Amazon.
Moreover, in December 2024, Elevai Labs (US) and Yuva launched a new line of hair loss products (shampoo, conditioner and serum) that contain Elevai ‘s PREx Exosomes™ and Yuva’s Y100™. Also of note, Atticus Pharma (US) is working on a hair growth topical product that will deliver a mitochondrial-activating molecule using the company’s Z-pod sustained-release technology.
Kintor Hair Loss Cosmeceutical. In June 2024, Kintor Pharmaceutical (China) released its much anticipated KX-826 (pyrilutamide) hair growth spray on Amazon. While the original version was at a strength of 0.5%, the company released a higher-strength version in 2025. This was followed by two additional versions, including a foam.
KX-826 is an androgen receptor antagonist, and is currently in Phase 3 clinical trials in both China and the US. It is expected to get released in China in 2027. Meanwhile, for the time being, we have the option to buy the cosmecutical version of KX-826 from Amazon.
- In October 2025, a South Korea based company called AriBio received permission from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to market its TeloAct product as a hair loss cosmetic. This topical product activates telomerase enzymes, which supposedly helps prevent hair loss due to telomere shortening. Read more about this in my post on telomerase activation and hair growth.
- In November 2025, Mallia Therapeutics (Germany) released its 8T3 Essentials Hair Serum. This hair growth product is based on a molecule called MAL-838, which is derived from a soluble version of the CD83 protein (aka sCD83). Research has indicated that hair follicle formation and wound healing are improved in CD83-treated mice.
- Coegin Pharma (Sweden) will release its Follicopeptide hair growth product in December 2025. This osteopontin-derived peptide product for hair growth has a decade of research behind it via Follicum (a company that was purchased by Coegin in 2022).
- A number of topical exosome products for hair growth were released in 2024 and 2025, with Calecim getting the most publicity. Some of them are only available at doctor or surgeon offices and often applied after scalp microneedling.
Other Potential Future Topical Hair Loss Cosmeceuticals
In July 2024, a study from the UK captured global media attention due to its viral finding that a naturally occurring sugar (2-deoxy-D-ribose — 2dDr) could reverse hair loss. The results were only in mice, and I doubt that anything significant will be seen in humans. Nevertheless, the scientists behind these findings plan to further research the potential of developing a topically delivered sugar gel product for human scalps. Meanwhile, a number of companies and entrepreneurs have already started selling cosmeceuticals based on 2dDr online.
OliX Pharmaceuticals (South Korea) is conducting Phase 2 clinical trials for its topical hair growth product OLX104C that targets the androgen receptor. In the meantime, in June 2025, they launched a functional hair loss cosmetic called U:BERNA. However, it is unclear if there is any link to OLX104C in terms of mechanism of action.
In October 2025, we heard about a new fatty acid serum from Taiwan that will likely be a cosmeceutical if and when released. The product will not need to go through any clinical trials since its fatty acid ingredients are already well established and safe.
Energenesis (Taiwan) is working on a topical AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) hair growth cosmetic product. It boosts the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels of human follicle dermal papilla cells. On a related note, Spain-based Ideeea Therapeutics is working on developing an injectable treatment consisting allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (derived from adipose tissue) combined with ATP.
Topical androgen receptor inhibitor Breezula from Cosmo Pharmaceuticals (Ireland) is also currently in Phase 3 clinical trials. Unlike what Kintor did with its earlier mentioned androgen receptor antagonist, Cosmo does not plan to release any cosmeceutical version of Breezula in advance of official government approval for its main product.
Note that the much anticipated PP405 from Pelage Pharmceuticals is a topical hair loss product that will enter Phase 3 clinical trials in 2026. However, it does not seem like the company plans to release any cosmeceutical version in advance.
Hope Medicine’s HMI-115 prolactin blocker is delivered via injection, so it is not exactly a topical (lotion, cream, gel or spray). But I will still mention it here since it has completed Phase 2 trials and is also very eagerly awaited.
It sure seems that news have stalled somehow in the past months (not talking about basic research which has been delivering amazing data).
I can imagine that the rapid rise of Veradermics and Pelage has affected funding and R&D for other ventures…for example what happened to Dermaliq? Amplifica? Eirion? Technoderma? Each of them with great MOAs.
I mean if I were an investor and I see Pelage ploughing through with a 120 mil backing and entering phase 3, with a treatment (supposedly) much more effective than anything on the market – I‘d be heading out.
So admin – it’s only Veradermics, Pelage and HopeMed left? Funnily all with a 2027 market release (if everything goes well)…
And the less exciting Breezula and KX-826 (Pyrilutamide).
Hopefully, one of the many South Korean companies or OrganTech throw a surprise too.
Hopemed probably failed, they haven’t announced the p2 results.
The founder of HopeMed said in an interview HMI-115 is gonna be on the market in 2027.
They are very likely in phase 3 at the moment.
Isn’t that for endometriosis and not for AGA?
Anyways if we are looking for something that targets prolactin Absci might be quicker to market despite them starting Ph1 in upcoming months.
As far as I remember it was specifically for AGA – it’s also further in development compared to endometriosis so that makes sense.
I don‘t know how the heck AbSci could be faster than HopeMed, that’s an absolute absurd or even insane take. HopeMed is 5 years ahead, that’s just the reality of clinical trials.
That was a year ago, and since then they haven’t even updated us on the p2 trial while providing frequent updates on their endometriosis trials.
It’s more likely that it failed.
One can never rule out that it failed, that applies to every new treatment in development.
They didn’t publish any data from phase
2, that’s true unfortunately. But they also don’t have to…phase 2 was in China only and I don’t think they have to publish any results there.
Also the founder literally said that HMI-115 will be on the market in 2027 – you can believe it or not, but that’s a very clear statement.
Erion said in an interview in March that they needed some additional data for a phase 2 to start. No update since.
Not much use of stuff coming to market if it doesn’t work. All these new products and yet the situation is still the same as in 2005; if you can’t use Fin, you’re bald.
Fin doesn’t work either. I been on it for almost 3 years and can’t tell any difference. My take is the only trial worth mentioning here is Pelage!
Lately it seems that a concrete solution to our problem is just around the corner, those famous five years have been reduced to a maximum of two, but is this really the case?
Not really.
PP405, CB-03-01 and VDPHL01 all in Ph3, decent odds at least one will reach the market in the next 2-3 years.
Mainly commented on “concrete solution”.
How can you comment until the respective Ph3 results are reported?
CB is an AA and VDPHL is oral minox. PP405 remains to be seen.
Hate to be a Dougie Downer, I have a contrarian view of these so called “cosmeceuticals” for hair loss, not excited about their shortcut to market. They didn’t go thru proper clinical trials because they’re duds, couldn’t attract investments capital or the company is looking for a quick buck on the hopes of the afflicted. In the world of hair loss it’s not a sucker born every minute, more like every second, myself included many times. Hope I’m wrong and at least one of these lives up to it’s marketing claims, so far in the world of hair loss it hasn’t happened yet (minoxidil was an FDA approved RX drug before it became an OTC drug, not a cosmeceutical). Now as for the pharmaceuticals in the pipeline, stage 2 and above clinical trials, that’s worth being guardedly optimistic about!
August 2025 study from China:
“Technological Advances in Anti-hair Loss and Hair Regrowth Cosmeceuticals”
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00266-025-05077-3
Very glad to read this. My regime has been whittled down to a pathetic LLLT, Microneedling and Redensyl application, as EVERY single therapy has given me some kind of side effect..which of the new cosmoceuticals do you have the most faith in?
I hope Hope medicine gives us an update soon!
How is it that a totally untested RNA “vaccine” can be rolled out in 6 months and forced on people, yet when it comes to hair we have to wait through 5 years of idiotic clinical trials?
If you’re talking about the covid vaccines, they were tested on thousands of people in clinical trials before they (Pfizer and Moderna) were approved for the general public. It was an amazing accomplishment.
People gain great power within these government agencies and they do not want to lose that power. It is difficult to make those changes. They may try to kill you for attempting so! Pelage for example has already proved it is not systemic so common sense says it should be approved and let the people decide if it works. But the system says no, you follow all policies and procedures.
Which of these produce cosmetically noticeable improvements above using 5% minox and fin or dut?
Clinical trials would be needed to answer that question.
I’ll take anecdotes. If even just a few people saying I added X to my regimen with photos on r/tressless, that’s good enough for me to give it a chance. Without that or clinical studies, I’ll pass.
HMI-115 is in phase 3 admin? Is there any official statement?
I have changed to completed Phase 2 trials.
In my Hope Medicine post, the December 2024 interview quote from company’s founder is probably an overpromise:
2027 is the new 2020.
This was a much needed post and excellent summary. Thanks admin.
The original trend was started by Brotzu lotion though :-)