Updated November 6 2024. It seems like for most people, going gray as we get older is a fact of life -or is it? Several products have come to the marketplace touting their ability to reverse gray hair. Darkenyl is one of the latest of these products. So, does Darkenyl work? Where can you get it? In this review, let's look at the research on this product and try to figure it out. We'll also discuss potential side effects.
What Is Darkenyl?
Darkenyl is an ant-gray cosmetic product touted as restoring hair color. It's not a dietary supplement but rather a substance applied to the scalp.
According to the company which makes the product (Givaudan), Darkenyl is a combination of:
- Taxifolin glucoside
- N-acetyl-tyrosine
Taxifolin glucoside is said to be an antioxidant and simulator of stem cells while N-acetyl-tyrosine is an amino acid that helps us produce melanin, the dark pigment in hair and skin.
What Does Darkenyl Do?
On the product website, the company claims it will:
- Boost the proliferation of stem cells in the hair bulb
- Improve melanogenesis in the melanocytes of the dermal papilla
- Reduce free radical damage in melanocytes by improving antioxidant defenses
- Stimulate the recovery of natural hair pigmentation
- Boosts proliferation of stem cells into the bulb
Darkenyl Research
In a Givaudan news release from October 30, 2018, the company states the Darkenyl compound can:
- boost stem cell proliferation by over 30%
- reduce free radical production in hair follicles by 53%
- help protect existing melanocytes by over 189%
- deliver its melanin synthesis precursor to reactivate melanogenesis (hair pigmentation) by over 364%
These statistics are impressive but it's not known if these results are published in a clinical journal or not.
The news release also states that a clinical study was conducted where Darkenyl was compared to a placebo. After 4 months of use, those given Darkenyl had 3x less white hair than those using a placebo. Those using the darkening hair product showed over 56% less white hairs than those using a placebo.
These results are also very impressive. It's not known if these results are based on a study published in a peer-reviewed medical journal.
Study
In 2021 researchers at Givaudan released the results of a study they conducted that compared active ingredients in a hair-darkening serum to a placebo. Darkenyl is not mentioned, but Givaudan is the maker of that product. The serum contained both taxifolin and N acetyl tyrosine. The participants were 44 men over the age of 50. After 4 months of once-daily use, those using the key ingredient had darker hairs than those taking a placebo.
Next, let's look at the research for the two ingredients which make up Darkenyl: Taxifolin glucoside and N-acetyl-tyrosine.
Taxifolin Glucoside
Taxifolin, also known as di-hydro-quercetin is a plant chemical called a flavonol. Flavonols are a part of a larger class of compounds called flavonoids. Flavonoids are found in a variety of foods, such as citrus fruits and onions, to name a few.
As you can tell from its other name, taxifolin is chemically related to quercetin, which is found in tomatoes, broccoli, and kale.
Taxifolin is an antioxidant, so it helps reduce the deleterious effects of too many free radicals. The overproduction of free radicals can play a role in health like cancer and diabetes. Too many free radicals can also damage hair follicles, causing loss of hair color too.
So, can taxifolin help your hair?
Researchers in Russia noted a taxifolin preparation helped improve skin and hair that had been damaged after a chemical burn. This was a mouse study and not a human investigation.
In an earlier study, researchers in Japan reported that a combination of ingredients – which included quercetin – improved hair growth in mice, similar to Minoxidil. No mention of reversing gray hair was mentioned.
This study is interesting. Since taxifolin is related to quercetin, it's easy to think taxifolin might have a similar effect. But, since we are not mice and this study involved many ingredients, we can't say if quercetin/taxifolin would work in the same way in people.
Ironically, in another mouse study, researchers noted taxifolin and the flavonoid, luteolin, inhibited the formation of melanin – but also increased the enzyme which stimulates melanin production (called tyrosinase ).
This is a strange finding. How could taxifolin and luteolin both reduce melanin production and increase the enzyme which makes melanin?
The reasons for these odd findings are not understood. Could it be even though taxifolin and luteolin increased tyrosinase production, they also reduced how well the enzyme worked at producing melanin? Since this was just a mouse cell study, it' may not be relevant to people.
Most of the research on taxifolin involves lab animals (mice and rats) or isolated cells.
N-acetyl-tyrosine
This is basically the amino acid tyrosine. Tyrosine is required to produce melanin. The process of making melanin is called melanogenesis. Foods that contain tyrosine include nuts, beans, cheese, meats, and fish. There are actually many different types of melanin, each having different colors. For example, two types of melanin are:
- Eumelanin (brown/black pigment)
- Pheomelanin (red pigment)
Feeding dogs tyrosine has been shown to alter the color of their hair. This is intriguing. However, no human studies on this topic can be located. So, it's not known if taking tyrosine supplements would restore hair color in people.
In theory, applying a tyrosine-containing substance (like Darkenyl) directly to the skin /scalp might improve the production of melanin. Other than the research presented by Givaudan, clinical studies to further substantiate this claim cannot be located.
Tyrosine also helps us make thyroid hormones (T3 and T4). As many know, hypothyroidism is associated with hair loss. Interestingly some evidence suggests high levels of thyroid hormone may restore hair color. Might this be another reason tyrosine is part of the Darkenyl molecule?
It's an interesting theory. While there seems no doubt thyroid hormones play a role in hair follicle health and hair color, reversing gray hair is complicated. For what it's worth, nobody with hypothyroidism has ever told me their thyroid medicine reversed their gray hair.
Who Makes Darkenyl
The company, Givaudan (Givaudan.com), sells flavor and fragrance components to various food, beverage, and cosmetics companies worldwide. According to Bloomberg, Givaudan was founded in 1795 and has over 13,000 employees.
Givaudan is located at Chemin de la Parfumerie 5 Vernier, 1214 Switzerland.
Where Can You Buy Darkenyl?
Darkenyl may not yet be available in the US as a stand-alone product. Attempts to locate it at stores like Ulta, Target, Walmart etc. were not successful. When checked, neither Amazon or eBay carried it either.
This may be because the compound is so new to the marketplace.
This substance may be found as an ingredient in other hair color-restoring shampoos and topical applications. One product that contains the Darkenyl substance is called S3D ColourBack. This product also seems to not yet be available in the US.
See these videos for unbiased reviews on many anti-gray and hair growth products
Darkenyl Side Effects
No side effects were known when this review was created. There are no known drug interactions, but because it contains tyrosine, if you take any medicine for high blood pressure, Parkinson's disease or depression talk to your doctor and pharmacist.
Because the product is applied topically on the scalp, if you have any skin/scalp conditions, speak to your dermatologist prior to using it. Testing the substance on a small part of your skin first may help reveal any side effects you may experience.
Does Darkenyl Work?
It's hard to say. In theory, the ingredients in Darkenyl make some sense. The Givaudan company has presented some very interesting findings which are sure to have people looking for a natural way to restore hair color excited. For now, let's say I'm intrigued. I'd like to see their research published in medical journals and replicated a few times by others. See the comments below on the people who've tried it.
How well it works may vary according to your degree of gray or white. If their research is taken as gospel, one thing that seems certain is that if it's going to work, you should see results after about 3-4 months of use.
where i can purchase your product darkenyl 2%
Ishwar, this website is not associated with Darkenyl. The last time I checked I did not see it in stores in the US. Things may have changed so I suggest you check local stores or contact the company that makes it. Scroll up for that info.
Ishwar – there is 1.0% Darkenyl (the recommended percentage) and 2.0% Greyverse in RevivHair REV from Reviv Serums.:
revivserums.com/products/revivhair-rev-with-grey-hair-reverse
Very interesting. Please continue to have more information like this.
Thanks Lily. I have several reviews on hair supplements here. Here’s a link to several of them
http://supplementclarity.com/?s=hair
I’ve posted a review on My Biotin Pro Clinical, which is being advertised on TV
http://supplementclarity.com/my-biotin-proclinical-review/
What about rosemary oil? Here’s a video I posted to my YT channel on the proof for rosemary oil regrowing hair. I included before & after pics too
https://youtu.be/BrDkF6A0_34
We must use this product while taking bath. Say for example, we must apply this product once washed with shampoo or what. Direction to use?
Jansilakshmi, Im not sure but Id think applying after washing hair would be the way to go. Does anyone else offer assistance on this?
Now Im under pregnancy treatment. Can i use this product
Babiitha, congratulations!! I’m not aware of any research on women who are pregnant so I cant say either way. Why don’t you show Darkenyl ingredients to your doctor and pharmacist and ask them if it’s okay. Let me know what they say, and again, congratulations!
I wouldn’t, not worth it. I tried this for 6 months at least years back and saw no difference.
Jo thanks for sharing that. Sorry, Darkenyl didn’t work for you.
What age we should call a premature age? My daughter is 17+ I consulted with the doctor of bodywise company. They said that she is too small for the product. What to do?
Vithai, what Bodywise supplement were you thinking about for your daughter? The Bodywise company has a lot of different supplements ranging from anti-aging to weight loss products.
Is this product Bodywise 1% Darkenyl suitable for man aged 39 years old? can I use this product for beard and mustache greying problem?
Hi Mohan, I didn’t see where Bodywise hair gummies contained darkenyl. Do they? From what I could see bodywise contains biotin, vitamins A E C and zinc and some fiber. Biotin is found in many hair vitamins such as SugarBear hair gummies that I previously reviewed. As for darkenyl, while its popular, I remain skeptical about it. If you try either of these products let us know what happens.
Have you come across this piece of research done by Givaudan (presumably on Darkenyl)? https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/4/1533/pdf
Cindy, thanks for this study! I have looked at the pdf of the study and added it to the review. So Darkenyl is not mentioned in the study but the key ingredients in the hair darkening serum used are the same. From their data, it looks like it worked after 4 months of daily use. See the picture in the pdf file you provided or recheck this review. I posted the picture in the review. At the end of the study, you provided the researchers state they had “no conflicts of interest” however all of them work for Givaudan, the maker of Darkenyl. Regardless, it’s an interesting investigation. I’m not sure if Darkenyl or anything like it is available in the US. Has anybody seen it at Ulta Beauty etc?
RevivHair REV contains Darkenyl + Greyverse:
https;//revivserums.com/rev
Bill, is RevivSerums available in the US? Do you have research showing it works?
Joe – Yes, it’s available in the U.S. direct-to-consumer from RevivSerums.com and select salons and medspas. Check the prior comments on this topic thread. There are data sheets on the product page’s INGREDIENT DATA SHEETS tab, and you can also see many before-after photos on the REVIEW tab. The reviews are authenticated by reviews moderator Judge.me.
Bill, how long does it take for the change in hair color to be seen and how long does it last?
Many customers begin to see good results with just one bottle. All the before/after photos depicted on the product page are from one bottle of usage.
Although the serum does have some longer-term benefits, upon cessation the hair will gradually (in several months) return to the color and state it was in before commencing use.
Really interesting indeed – likewise I’ve not seen any Darkenyl products on shelves. The one by Inkey List has mixed reviews.
I just recently bought a product containing Givaudans Darkenyl, it is called Amino Acid Anti-gray scalp treatment and made by a startup called The Inkey List. Should be available in the European and US market.
Fragrance, thanks for the tip. I see the Amino Acid Anti Gray Scalp Treatment has tyrosine which is popular in gray hair products.
Hi Joe,
any news about Darkenyl?
Is it worth to buy?
If yes, at least for a try, where to buy?
Thanks in advance.
BR,
Csilla
Csilla, I have not heard much about Darkenyl since this review was posted. Read through the comments to see what others think about it.
Thank you, Joe, for your fast replay! It’s done, but unfortunately not too much comments are available…
Csilla, I try to keep up with any new developments on Darkenel and other things that are supposed to restore hair color. I have not heard anything new about Darkenyl so far. I don’t think it is sold in the US either – but that may change if it gets popular. If you try Darkenyl, let me know what happens.
“N-acetyl-tyrosine, a soluble precursor of melanin synthesis”. Imo this is the active ingredient and is water-soluble. I dissolved NAT crystals in room temp water until some crystals remained on the bottom of the mixing vessel. For the last 6 weeks, I applied freshly made saturated NAT sol’n on the scalp, 1 to 2 x/week, then leaving it covered for several hrs. Slight, temporary irritation/itchiness of scalp; no change in base hair pigmentation after at least 10 such applications …
Not sure if taxifolin glucoside would make a difference.
I would buy the ready-made product if it had much higher odds of success, and if the bottle size would be 200…300 mL to cover at least the 4 months of treatment required to see a visible difference.
A, I wondered too if N acetyl tyrosine might be the key ingredient in Darkenyl. I appreciate you sharing the results of what happened when you tried it. I know your words will benefit many people reading this.
Darkenyl patent WO2020089216 specifies 15% concentration of N-acetyl tyrosine in liquid hair treatment composition. Darknyl’s NAT concentration is barely 1%…this might explain why it works only on occasion.
A, that is a very interesting observation. Thank you for pointing that out.
That is 15% concentration of that component in the “active agent” — not in the final formulation.
I.E., it’s the ratio of N-acetyl tyrosine to taloxifin, EGCG, etc. and the other molecules that make up the Darnenyl active.