The Ordinary's Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density is a water-based leave-on scalp serum combining branded complexes such as Redensyl, Procapil, Capixyl, Baicapil and AnaGain with caffeine. The brand says it improves the appearance of hair thickness and fullness and helps combat the look of thinning. Dermatologists, trichologists and hair doctors have reviewed it at length on YouTube, often weighing it against minoxidil, while the brand itself makes only cosmetic claims. It is vegan, silicone-free and inexpensive, though it needs daily use for months.

Best for

Fine or thinning-looking hair wanting a low-risk cosmetic serum
Adding to an existing scalp routine on a budget

What we love

Inexpensive at $24 for 60 ml
Lightweight, fragrance-free, silicone- and alcohol-free leave-on formula
Combines several peptide complexes with caffeine in one serum
Vegan and cruelty-free

Worth knowing

Cosmetic claims only; not a replacement for medical hair-loss treatments
Needs nightly application for months before any change is visible
Some long-term reviewers report little or no difference

How it scored

The breakdown.

Five factors, weighted for formulas. Here’s our working.

7.8Good

Beauty score out of 10. Brands can’t pay for placement — ever.

Results30%6.9
Long-term creator trials report modest improvements in fullness and shedding for some, and doctors stress it is cosmetic rather than a proven hair-loss treatment.
Formula & ingredients20%8.0
A dense mix of trademarked peptide and botanical complexes plus caffeine, silicone- and alcohol-free, though the actives' clinical data come mostly from ingredient suppliers.
Texture & experience15%8.0
Lightweight, water-based and fragrance-free; the main burden is massaging it in every night without washing it out.
Value20%8.9
$24 for 60 ml undercuts most peptide scalp serums by a wide margin.
Community love15%7.6
Very widely reviewed, from dermatologists to year-long user diaries, with sentiment ranging from cautiously positive to underwhelmed.

Beauty profile

Inside the bottle.

Texture

Lightweight water-based serum (brand description)

Format

Scalp serum

Fragrance

Fragrance-free

Size

2 fl oz / 60 ml

Key ingredients

Ingredient encyclopedia →

What’s in it: REDENSYL (larch extract, glycine, zinc chloride, green tea), AnaGain (pea sprout extract), Procapil (biotinoyl tripeptide-1, apigenin, oleanolic acid), CAPIXYL (acetyl tetrapeptide-3, red clover), BAICAPIL (skullcap, soy and wheat germ) and high-solubility caffeine; no percentages disclosed.

How to use

Massage a few drops into a clean, dry scalp once daily, ideally at bedtime; it is a leave-in treatment, so do not wash hair or scalp after application.

Free from (brand-stated)

alcohol
silicones
gluten

Claims & certifications

Vegan
Cruelty-free (brand-stated)
Silicone-free

Full ingredient list (INCI)36 ingredients · key actives highlighted · as listed by the brand

Aqua (Water),
Propanediol,
Butylene Glycol,
Glycerin,
Caffeine,
Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1,
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3,
Larix Europaea Wood Extract,
Pisum Sativum Extract,
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract,
Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract,
Glycine Soja Germ Extract,
Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract,
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract,
Apigenin,
Oleanolic Acid,
Arginine,
Glycine,
Calcium Gluconate,
Zinc Chloride,
Lactic Acid,
Gluconolactone,
Dextran,
Maltodextrin,
Hydroxyethylcellulose,
Xanthan Gum,
Pentylene Glycol,
Dimethyl Isosorbide,
Polysorbate 20,
PPG-26-Buteth-26,
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil,
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate,
Sodium Metabisulfite,
Sodium Benzoate,
Phenoxyethanol,
Chlorphenesin.

Formulas change. Always check the packaging, and patch-test if your skin is reactive.

Official product page

Creator video reviews

Watch it in action.

Real reviews, try-ons and wear tests from independent creators — verified with TikTok and YouTube and labelled when sponsored.

We don’t pay creators for reviews, and they don’t pay us. Nothing from TikTok or YouTube loads until you press play.

Price & value

Is it worth it?

Typical price

$24.00

for 2 fl oz / 60 ml

Per ounce

$11.83

DrugstoreMid-rangePrestigeLuxury

About 11% less per ounce than the typical treatments we review. Our value score: 8.9/10 for a mid-range pick.

Price checked November 2026 at a non-Amazon retailer. Prices change — retailers show the current one.

Where to buy

Check price on Amazon Buy from the brand$24.00

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Community

What members noticed.

Ratings, skin types and the benefits people actually saw — logged on the Benefit Wheel.

No member ratings yet.

Tried it? Your score — and your skin or hair type — helps the next person decide.

Highlighted: what it’s built to do.

Discussion

No discussions yet.

Tried The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density? Ask a question or share how it’s working for your skin or hair — you’ll be the first.

FAQ

Good questions.

Is The Ordinary hair serum a substitute for minoxidil?

No. The Ordinary describes it as improving the appearance of hair thickness and fullness, a cosmetic claim, and several doctor reviewers on YouTube weigh it against minoxidil. Anyone with significant or sudden hair loss should see a dermatologist.

How do I apply it?

Massage a few drops into a clean, dry scalp once a day, ideally at bedtime, and leave it on without washing it out. The brand advises patch testing first.

What are the key ingredients?

The serum combines REDENSYL, AnaGain, Procapil, CAPIXYL and BAICAPIL complexes with high-solubility caffeine, according to The Ordinary.

How long does it take to see results?

The Ordinary does not give a timeline on its product page. Creator trials featured in reviews ran for many months, including one-year and twelve-month diaries, and daily use is part of the directions.

Sources we checked (4)