Hair Health Ingredient Showed Promise in New Study

Researchers found that a new blend of botanical extracts increased cell growth in laboratory models.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Beauty

Gouache-painted illustration of botanical leaf fragments in sage and ochre, representing natural hair health ingredients.
Researchers at Monteloeder reported that a new blend of botanical extracts, dubbed Elissara, showed promise in protecting scalp tissue from oxidative damage in preclinical laboratory studies. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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On September 2, 2026, Monteloeder announced preclinical findings for Elissara, a new ingredient aimed at supporting hair health. The findings suggest the blend may help protect scalp tissue and support cellular activity in laboratory settings.

Why it matters

These early laboratory results are part of a broader industry shift toward using science-backed botanical ingredients to address hair and skin health. Understanding how these ingredients behave in preclinical models provides a foundation for potential future human clinical trials.

In a preclinical study, the botanical extract blend Elissara increased cell proliferation to approximately 2.5 times that of untreated human dermal papilla cell controls. The research also showed the ingredient helped preserve IGF-1 protein levels in scalp explants under environmental stress.

The players

Monteloeder

A company specializing in the development of science-backed natural ingredients for metabolic health and beauty-from-within applications.

The details

Elissara is composed of extracts from lemon verbena, olive leaf, Japanese pagoda tree, and rosemary. The blend aims to reduce markers of oxidative damage in scalp tissue specifically exposed to UVA-induced stress and PM2.5 pollution. By preserving protein levels during cellular stress, the ingredient is intended to help maintain the structural integrity of the scalp.

Timeline

  1. September 2, 2026: Monteloeder announced the preclinical trial findings.

  2. September 2 to 4, 2026: Vitafoods Asia 2026 took place in Bangkok.

Health Landscape

This research follows a pattern of companies utilizing established frameworks like the Visible Health Platform to validate new botanical ingredients for the beauty-from-within market. These preclinical efforts are a necessary step in the industry's focus on clinical innovation for consumer health.

While these findings are promising for ingredient development, they are based on laboratory cell cultures rather than human participants. Always discuss the potential use of new supplements or wellness ingredients with your physician to ensure they align with your health needs.

The takeaway

These findings represent an early-stage exploration of how botanical compounds might one day influence hair and scalp health. Consumers should look for future clinical trial data, which is essential to confirm whether these laboratory effects translate to meaningful changes in human health.

Further reading

For more on the current research surrounding skin and hair wellness, visit Beauty.

Source note: This article includes information reported by NutraIngredients.

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