Laboratoires Sérobiologiques, a division of Cognis France, combined pepper extract and Inga Alba extract to address scalp health. Sanicapyl (INCI: Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate (and) Butylene Glycol (and) Piper Nigrum (Pepper) Fruit Extract (and) Inga Alba Bark Extract) is said to address scalp sebum, moisturization and irritation.
According to the company, oily dandruff conditions are mainly linked to excess production of sebum, exacerbated by hyperkeratosis and bacterial overproliferation. Associated inflammatory problems generate sensations of discomfort and itching, leaving hair shafts weakened and dull. The company noted that there are effective dandruff treatments on the market, but that these treatments have a low impact on regulating sebum production, allowing itching to persist while hair remains dull. Therefore, it created the compound to ensure scalp health by reducing dandruff, regulating sebum, and providing moisturization, anti-itching and soothing benefits while enhancing hair's appearance with shine-promoting and softness-boosting benefits.
The company conducted clinical tests comparing the effects of a shampoo with 1% zinc pyrithione against a shampoo with 1% of the compound. Findings indicated the compound exhibited significant activity on itch, sebum production regulation, dandruff reduction and on hair beautifying. In vitro tests were also conducted with the two formulations and revealed anti-inflammatory activity, moisturizing activity and anti-microbial activity on Malassezia furfur/Malassezia globosa.
The compound is an amber liquid with weak odor that is soluble in water and recommended at 0.3–1% in rebalancing scalp care, treatments for dandruff prone scalp, and hair beautifiers. The compound reportedly is suitable for all hair types and compatible with shampoo, conditioner and lotion formulas.