Formula 01 ingredients: what is in this 2-DDR scalp serum

2-deoxy-D-ribose (2-DDR) is a simple five-carbon sugar, best known as the sugar in the backbone of DNA. It is the core ingredient of Formula 01, at a high stated 2.5%, and the reason Formula 01 is a 2dDR serum for fuller-looking, denser-looking hair. It dissolves in water, which lets it sit in the alginate gel base. It is a reducing sugar, so the formula pairs it with sodium phytate. More: what is 2-DDR?

Niacinamide is the amide form of vitamin B3. It is one of the most widely used conditioning ingredients in leave-on skin and scalp products. In Formula 01 it conditions the scalp and provides moisture barrier support, for a comfortable, healthy-looking scalp surface.

Caffeine is the familiar compound from coffee and tea leaves, used in cosmetics as a skin-conditioning ingredient. It appears often in scalp products. Formula 01 uses it at 1.5%, alongside adenosine at 0.75%, for a revitalized-looking scalp.

Panthenol is provitamin B5. It is a humectant, meaning it holds water, and a conditioning ingredient used across hair and skin care. It brings surface nourishment and moisture to the scalp and the hair at the root, and promotes the appearance of stronger-looking, more resilient strands.

Adenosine is a small molecule made of adenine joined to ribose, used in skin and hair care as a conditioning ingredient. Formula 01 uses exactly 0.75%. That level matches established use in hair-care products and was chosen deliberately, not rounded up for the label. It conditions the scalp alongside caffeine.

Melatonin is a small molecule used in cosmetics as a skin-conditioning ingredient. Formula 01 uses 0.10%, the smallest of the stated active levels, as part of its scalp-conditioning complex.

Sodium alginate comes from brown seaweed. It holds water to form a soft gel, which gives Formula 01 its thick texture, then dries to a light film on the scalp. No sodium chloride, zinc or copper salts are added to thicken the gel. More: why an alginate gel.

Sodium phytate is the sodium salt of phytic acid, a compound found in plant seeds. It is a chelating agent: it binds stray metal ions such as calcium and magnesium so they do not disturb the alginate gel, and it supports the preservative system.

Ethylhexylglycerin is a glycerin-derived ingredient used with preservatives to support them, and as a skin-conditioning ingredient.