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Alpecin C1 Caffeine Shampoo Hair Energizer; the label reads “Stimulates the hair roots during the hair washing” and “noticeably more hair”.
Illustration of the Caffeine Complex with a microscopic view of a hair root. Black arrows point to areas where caffeine acts. At the top, large red and black text reads ‘CAFFEINE COMPLEX’. To the right, two bullet points state: ‘Caffeine stimulates the hair root’ and ‘Hereditary hair loss is prevented’.
Back of Alpecin C1 Caffeine Shampoo Hair Energizer with directions, ingredients, barcode, and 375 ml volume.
Alpecin C1 Caffeine Shampoo Hair Energizer; the label reads “Stimulates the hair roots during the hair washing” and “noticeably more hair”.

Caffeine Shampoo C1

For noticeably more hair

  • Helps to preserve hair growth and prevent hair loss
  • Stimulates the hair during washing
  • Important: leave on for 2 minutes

Aqua, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Laureth-2, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Sodium Chloride, Caffeine, Panthenol, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Propylene Glycol, Menthol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyquaternium-7, Disodium EDTA, Zinc PCA, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Niacinamide, Tocopherol, Vegetable Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Linalyl Acetate, Limonene, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, CI 42090, CI 60730.

Microscopic view of a hair root, coloured in brown and blue, symbolising the mechanism of action of caffeine against hair loss.

Doping for your hair

Thanks to a special pharmaceutical carrier base (galenic formulation), the unique Caffeine Complex reaches the hair follicle in just 2 minutes. There, it exerts its positive effect:

Hereditary hair loss can be counteracted.

Caffeine has been known for more than 20 years for its growth-stimulating effect on hair roots. It inhibits the breakdown of the intracellular messenger cAMP. As a result, more energy is available to the cells and cell growth is stimulated. Caffeine is therefore the most researched active ingredient of plant origin against hereditary hair loss.

Caffeine stimulates the hair roots

Caffeine has been known for more than 20 years for its growth-stimulating effect on hair roots. It inhibits the breakdown of the intracellular messenger cAMP. As a result, more energy is available to the cells and cell growth is stimulated.

Caffeine is therefore the most researched active ingredient of plant origin against hereditary hair loss.

  • Zinc and niacinamide: Zinc and niacinamide promote energy metabolism and can ensure better nutrient supply to the hair roots.

Application: This is the only way to achieve the best result

  • Apply daily

  • Leave on for 2 minutes

  • Apply consistently with every wash

Scientifically proven: the effect of caffeine

  • Clinical study: Proven efficacy of Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo for the treatment of hereditary hair loss in men¹

    Conducted at the Center for Cosmetic Research at Sacred Heart Catholic University in Rome, Italy

  • Clinical study: Caffeine shampoo can be detected in the hair follicle for 24 hours after just 2 minutes of application²

    Conducted at the Center for Experimental and Applied Skin Physiology and Clinical Research Center for Hair and Skin Physiology of the Charité University Hospital, Berlin

  • Clinical study: Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo reduces hereditary hair loss³

    Conducted at the Center for Cosmetic Research at Sacred Heart Catholic University in Rome, Italy

  • Clinical study: Caffeine stimulates hair follicle growth and counteracts the negative effects of testosterone⁴

    Conducted at the Clinic for Dermatology and Dermatological Allergology at Friedrich Schiller University Jena

  • Clinical study: Caffeine counteracts the negative effects of testosterone⁵

    Conducted at the Clinic and Polyclinic for Dermatology and Venereology at the University of Hamburg-Eppendorf

  • Clinical study: Caffeine counteracts UV-induced damage to the hair follicle⁶

    Carried out at the Monasterium Laboratory Skin & Hair research Solutions GmbH, Münster

  • Clinical study: Caffeine counteracts stress-induced hair damage and promotes healthy hair growth⁷

    Conducted at five different research institutes in Germany, Austria, the USA and the UK

  • Further studies & research results

FAQs: Answers to your questions

Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo C1 is generally well tolerated. However, leaving the shampoo on your scalp for longer allows more caffeine to take effect, which may increase the risk of scalp redness, particularly if you have a sensitive scalp.

Hence, it is important to monitor how your scalp reacts when leaving the shampoo on for longer. In most cases, two minutes is sufficient to stimulate the hair roots.

If you have a sensitive scalp, you can also consider using another of Alpecin's shampoos, specially formulated for sensitive scalps, together with daily use of Alpecin Caffeine Liquid to help prevent hair loss.

Scientific studies have shown that a caffeine-containing shampoo can be effective for hair loss with just two minutes of exposure - from application to rinsing.

Caffeine can already be detected at the hair roots after 120 seconds, meaning a longer application time is not necessary.

However, studies have also found that caffeine absorption continues to increase with longer exposure, up to around 30 minutes. The active ingredient can then penetrate the skin around the hair follicles, supporting a continued supply of caffeine for up to 8 hours.

If you leave the shampoo on for longer than two minutes, it’s important to consider your scalp’s sensitivity. Prolonged exposure may cause temporary redness, particularly for those with sensitive scalps.

Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo C1 must be left on the scalp for at least 2 minutes so that sufficient caffeine can penetrate to the hair root and prevent hair loss.

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Alpecin Caffeine Liquid Hair Energizer; the label reads “Helps to strengthen the hair and reduce hair loss” and “For all scalp types”.

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$21.30 RRP

Product finder: Not the right product for you?

Discover which Alpecin product suits you best - tailored individually for strong hair and a healthy scalp.

¹ T. Sisto, C. Bussoletti and L. Celleno (2013): Efficacy of a Cosmetic Caffeine Shampoo in Androgenetic Alopecia management. II Note. Journal of Applied Cosmetology. 31, 1/2 (Jun. 2013), 57/66.

² Otberg N, Teichmann A, Rasuljev U, Sinkgraven R, Sterry W, Lademann J (2007): Follicular penetration of topically applied caffeine via a shampoo formulation. Skin Pharmacol Physiol.;20(4):195-8.

³ C. Bussoletti, F. Mastropietro, M. V. Tolaini, L. Celleno (2010): Use of a caffeine shampoo for the treatment of male androgenetic alopecia. Journal of Applied Cosmetology. 28,4 (Oct. 2010), 153-162.

⁴ Fischer TW, Hipler UC, Elsner P. (2007): Effect of caffeine and testosterone on the proliferation of human hair follicles in vitro. Int J Dermatol.;46(1):27-35.

⁵ Brandner JM, Behne MJ, Huesing B, Moll I. (2006): Caffeine improves barrier function in male skin. Int J Cosmet Sci.;28(5):343-7.

⁶ Gherardini J, Wegner J, Chéret J, Ghatak S, Lehmann J, Alam M, Jimenez F, Funk W, Böhm M, Botchkareva NV, Ward C, Paus R, Bertolini M (2019): Transepidermal UV radiation of scalp skin ex vivo induces hair follicle damage that is alleviated by the topical treatment with caffeine. Int J Cosmet Sci.; 41(2):164-182.

⁷ Fischer TW, Bergmann A, Kruse N, Kleszczynski K, Skobowiat C, Slominski AT, Paus R. (2021): New effects of caffeine on corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)-induced stress along the intrafollicular classical hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis (CRH-R1/2, IP3 -R, ACTH, MC-R2) and the neurogenic non-HPA axis (substance P, p75NTR and TrkA) in ex vivo human male androgenetic scalp hair follicles. Br J Dermatol.;184(1):96-110.