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Alpecin Double Effect Caffeine Shampoo; the label reads “helps to reduce hair loss” and “anti-dandruff”.
Graphic shows the two effects of Alpecin Double Effect Caffeine Shampoo: Removes dandruff and strengthens hair and hair roots.
Back of Alpecin Double Effect Caffeine Shampoo with directions, ingredients, barcode, and 200 ml volume.

Double Effect Caffeine Shampoo

Against hair loss and dandruff

  • 1st Effect: Dandruff is thoroughly removed
  • 2nd Effect: Caffeine complex prevents hair loss
  • Suitable for daily use

Aqua, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Laureth-2, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Caffeine, Panthenol, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Piroctone Olamine, Sodium Citrate, Propylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-7, Menthol, Zinc PCA, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Niacinamide, Tetrasodium Etidronate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Linalyl Acetate, Limonene, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, CI 60730.

Description: Shampoo against dandruff and hereditary hair loss

The Alpecin Double Effect combines two actions.

Effect 1: Elimination of dandruff and cleansing of the scalp.
Effect 2: Caffeine Complex stimulates the hair roots and promotes hair growth.

  • Alpecin Caffeine Complex: Strengthens the hair roots

  • Anti-Dandruff Complex: Piroctone Olamine & Salicylic Acid against dandruff

  • Scientifically proven effectiveness

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.
  • Salicylic Acid: Salicylic acid is originally an extract from willow bark. In cosmetic products, salicylic acid has antibacterial and anti-dandruff properties.
  • Piroctone Olamine: The ethanolamine salt of a 2-pyridone derivative has fungicidal and antibacterial effects and is particularly effective against the yeast fungus Malassezia furfur.

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 effectiveness

  • Clinical study: Double-effect caffeine shampoo just as effective as market reference¹

    Alpecin Double-Effect Caffeine Shampoo compared to the leading anti-dandruff market reference - Conducted by Derma Consult GmbH Gesellschaft zur Prüfung von Dermatika

  • 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

  • Half-portrait of a man touching his parting, where dandruff has accumulated.

    Dandruff guide: The two types of dandruff

    Here's how to find the right product for your type of dandruff!

  • Split depiction of different types of dandruff: on the right side, oily dandruff that looks large and yellowish; on the left side, dry dandruff that appears small and white.

    Recognise the difference

    • Oily dandruff is yellowish, large, and plaque-like, often sticking to the hair and scalp
    • Dry dandruff is smaller, white, and often falls onto the shoulders
  • A man is standing in the shower washing his hair.

    Oily dandruff...

    ... can be treated with a traditional anti-dandruff shampoo.
    Antimicrobial ingredients inhibit the growth of germs and fungi and regulate sebum production.

  • Light-coloured liquid with bubbles, symbolising that a dry scalp needs a moisturising shampoo.

    Dry dandruff...

    ... indicate that the scalp is lacking moisture. Instead of traditional anti-dandruff shampoos, shampoos for dry and sensitive scalp are better suited in this case.

  • Rear view of a man washing his hair, symbolising the importance of using the right shampoo depending on the type of dandruff.

    Do you have oily dandruff? Then you are in the right place and have already found a care product that suits your type of dandruff!

    Do you have dry dandruff?

FAQ: Answers to your questions

In principle, yes. Thanks to the double effect, i.e. the simultaneous action against dandruff and hair loss, the shampoo prevents hereditary hair loss and gets rid of annoying dandruff. Both causes are permanent, i.e. the hereditary predisposition and the risk of skin irritation and dandruff caused by microorganisms and sebum persist throughout life.

By massaging the head with Alpecin Double Effect Caffeine Shampoo, the active ingredients are better absorbed by the skin and the hair roots and a supply of active ingredients (depot) is created. In addition, the gentle pressure removes the top cuticle layer more effectively.

You might also like

Alpecin Hybrid Caffeine Shampoo for dry, itchy scalps; the label reads “Gentle on the scalp” and “Strengthens the hair roots”.

Hybrid Sensitive Caffeine Shampoo

375 ml

$20.90 RRP
Alpecin C1 Caffeine Shampoo Hair Energizer; the label reads “Stimulates the hair roots during the hair washing” and “noticeably more hair”.

Caffeine Shampoo C1

250 ml

$16.20 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.