Capixyl (Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Red Clover Extract) Solution

Capixyl as the original Lucas Meyer complex

Capixyl is the trade name Lucas Meyer Cosmetics uses for a complex of Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 and red clover flower extract, a plant source of the isoflavone biochanin A, carried in butylene glycol, water and dextran. The supplier specification is that original raw material in the manufacturer composition, with the certificate of analysis for each lot. It belongs to our peptide solutions, the peptides supplied as ready liquids for the cool-down phase.

Who orders the branded version

Hair and lash brands that put Capixyl on the carton, or that build a product story on the original manufacturer, need the branded raw material and its documents. Brands that only need the INCI composition can use the IO Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 and red clover complex, which carries the same INCI under our own name. Deciding early avoids a mismatch between the label and the raw material file.

How the complex is used

The peptide and the red clover extract are used together in scalp care aimed at fuller-looking, denser-looking hair and a healthier-looking scalp, and in lash and brow serums for fuller-looking lashes. Leave-on products such as serums, tonics and foams give the longest contact time. Finished claims should stay cosmetic, and manufacturer study figures should not appear on a pack as promises.

Use levels and method

The working range is 0.5 to 5.0% of the finished formula: 0.5 to 2.5% for maintenance products and 2.5 to 5.0% for intensive formats. Add the solution during cool-down below 40 °C, either to a water-based tonic or to a cooled emulsion, and stir until uniform. The material tolerates a pH of 4.0 to 8.0, so most scalp products, which finish around pH 5 to 6, are comfortable for it.

Formulating scalp and lash products

The complex is often combined with other scalp actives such as caffeine, niacinamide and panthenol, and with scalp peptides like Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9 powder in multi-active serums. In lash serums keep the base simple, fragrance-free and gentle for the eye area. Very high alcohol bases can be used for tonics, but add the complex after the alcohol is in and check clarity.

Appearance and specification

The material is a clear liquid solution, soluble in water. Its shelf life is 24 months from manufacture. The certificate lists the full INCI, the lot number, the manufacturing date and release data, and the CAS numbers for the components are Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 827306-88-7, red clover extract 85085-25-2 and dextran 9004-54-0.

Product formats that suit it

Scalp serums with a dropper, spray tonics, leave-on foams and overnight scalp masks are the formats where the complex gets the most contact time. Lash and brow serums use a brush applicator and a very gentle base. Rinse-off shampoos can carry the complex as part of a routine, but the short contact time means the leave-on step does most of the work. When a range has both a shampoo and a serum, many brands put the higher level in the serum and a lower level in the shampoo. Clear packaging suits the clear solution, though amber glass gives extra light protection for the plant extract.

Recipe: leave-on scalp tonic, 100 g

Water 82.4 g, Capixyl solution 2.5 g, propanediol 5 g, glycerin 2 g, niacinamide 2 g, panthenol 1 g, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil 0.8 g, ethanol 3 g, phenoxyethanol and ethylhexylglycerin 1 g, sodium gluconate 0.1 g, lactic acid solution (10%) 0.2 g. Dissolve niacinamide, panthenol and gluconate in water, add glycerin and propanediol, premix the solubilizer with ethanol and add it, then the Capixyl solution and preservative. Adjust pH to about 5.5.

Storage

Keep it tightly closed in a cool place, away from light, and use within 24 months of manufacture.