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View compareThe Science Behind Motiya
Our Approach
At Motiya, we blend heritage rituals with modern research. Each formula supports hair in three ways:
Anagen support
Ingredients that help nudge follicles toward the active growth phase, supported by preclinical and/or clinical studies.
Scalp ecosystem
Antimicrobial, antioxidant, and soothing actions that keep the scalp comfortable — an essential base for healthy-looking hair.
Fibre care
Emollients and conditioners that reduce breakage, increase slip, and improve shine — so the length you grow is the length you keep.
We're transparent about evidence strength: Human RCT (randomized controlled trial) · Human (non-randomized) · Animal · In vitro/mechanistic (lab) · Traditional
What the research says — ingredient by ingredient
HUMAN RCT
Rice Bran CO₂ Extract
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Our density and thickness anchor
Why we use it
Among botanicals, RB-SCE has one of the strongest human signals for visible hair metrics.
Evidence
- Human RCT (topical, 16 weeks): In adults with androgenetic alopecia, 0.5% RB-SCE significantly increased hair density and hair diameter vs. placebo and was well tolerated.
- Animal: RB-SCE and key components (linoleic acid, γ-oryzanol) induced anagen and increased follicle numbers in vivo.
🧪 Found in: Fortifying Shampoo Bar, Fortifying Conditioner Bar, treatment oils
HUMAN RCT
Rosemary Oil / CO₂ Extract
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Comparative human data
Evidence
- Human RCT (6 months, n≈100): Rosemary oil performed similarly to 2% minoxidil for hair-count improvements in androgenetic alopecia, with itching more common in the minoxidil group.
- Human (blend, alopecia areata): An essential-oil massage blend that included rosemary outperformed carrier oil alone — supporting the value of topical massage combined with aromatics.
🧪 Found in: All products
HUMAN RCT
Pumpkin Seed Oil
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Human RCT for hair count
Evidence
- Human RCT (oral, 24 weeks, n=76 men): Men with mild-to-moderate androgenetic alopecia who received 400 mg pumpkin seed oil daily saw a 40% increase in hair count vs. 10% in the placebo group. No adverse effects reported.
- Human RCT (topical, 3 months, n=60 women): Topical pumpkin seed oil significantly decreased hair shaft diversity and vellus hairs, and increased regrowing hairs — with results comparable to 5% minoxidil foam.
- Mechanistic: Pumpkin seed oil blocks the action of 5-alpha reductase and has antiandrogenic effects — a pathway relevant to hormonal hair thinning.
🧪 Found in: Hair Repair Oil, Soothing Hair Oil
HUMAN RCT
Tea Tree Oil
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Clinically proven scalp clarifier
Evidence
- Human RCT (4 weeks, n=126): A 5% tea tree oil shampoo showed a 41% improvement in dandruff severity scores vs. 11% for placebo, with significant improvements in itchiness and greasiness. No adverse effects reported.
- In vitro: Tea tree oil demonstrates broad antifungal activity, including against Pityrosporum ovale (Malassezia) — the yeast most associated with dandruff. Its active compound, terpinen-4-ol, provides both antifungal and anti-inflammatory action.
🧪 Found in: Soothing Hair Oil for Dandruff
ANIMAL
Peppermint Essential Oil
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An anagen "spark" (preclinical)
Evidence
- Animal (4 weeks, mice): 3% peppermint oil increased follicle number/depth, IGF-1, and anagen induction — with hair-growth scores greater than 3% minoxidil in that model. Human trials are needed.
🧪 Found in: Soothing Hair Oil, Hair Repair Oil
ANIMAL
IN VITRO
Brahmi
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Ayurvedic scalp and follicle nourisher
Evidence
- Animal: Bacopa monnieri extract delivered transdermally showed markedly increased hair growth area in mice, with histological analysis confirming upregulation of hair-growth-related proteins — comparable to a commercial minoxidil product.
- In vitro/mechanistic: Brahmi contains triterpenoid saponins (bacosides) that influence collagen synthesis, providing nourishment to malnourished hair follicles.
- Traditional: A long-established Ayurvedic "medhya rasayana" (rejuvenating herb), used topically for centuries to treat dry scalp, reduce hair fall, and promote healthy growth.
🧪 Found in: Hair Repair Oil, Soothing Hair Oil
ANIMAL
Bhringraj
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Classic Ayurvedic support
Evidence
- Animal: Extracts of Eclipta alba accelerated entry into anagen, increased hair length, follicle counts, and skin thickness vs. controls.
🧪 Found in: Soothing Hair Oil, Hair Repair Oil
IN VITRO
Nettle Leaves
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Natural DHT pathway support
Evidence
- In vitro (2023): Urtica dioica leaf extract significantly downregulated 5-alpha reductase type II gene expression in human keratinocyte cells — the same enzyme pathway targeted by prescription hair-loss medications.
- Computational (2025): Phytochemicals from nettle identified six compounds with strong binding affinity to the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, supporting the mechanistic basis for traditional use against hair thinning.
🧪 Found in: Soothing Hair Oil
ANIMAL
IN VITRO
Hibiscus
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Potential 5-α-reductase pathway effects
Evidence
- Animal: Topical hibiscus extracts increased hair length and anagen follicles in rats.
- Mechanistic: Early work suggests inhibition of 5-α-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT — a pathway targeted by medical hair-loss therapies. Human topical data remain limited.
🧪 Found in: Treatment oils
IN VITRO
Castor Oil
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Fibre protection, lustre, and emerging PGD2 research
Evidence
- In vitro/mechanistic: Ricinoleic acid (90% of castor oil) has been shown to bind and inhibit prostaglandin D2 synthase (PTGDS) — a compound found in elevated concentrations on the scalps of people with androgenetic alopecia. This represents a distinct pathway from DHT blocking.
- Clinical observation: Castor oil increases hair lustre (the contrast between hair strands), suggesting improved light reflection and strand coating.
- Anti-inflammatory: Ricinoleic acid demonstrates anti-inflammatory properties and antibacterial activity against common scalp pathogens.
🧪 Found in: Hair Repair Oil
HUMAN RCT (ORAL)
Amla
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Antioxidant scalp support; emerging human data
Evidence
- Human RCT (oral syrup, 12 weeks): In women with androgenetic alopecia, amla syrup improved anagen metrics vs. placebo. This informs biological plausibility but is oral, not topical.
🧪 Found in: Treatment oils
IN VITRO
Jasmine
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Ritual sensorial + scalp ecosystem
Evidence
- In vitro: Jasmine extracts/essential oil show antifungal and antibacterial activity (including activity against Malassezia, a common scalp yeast) and antioxidant effects — mechanisms relevant to scalp comfort. Human hair-growth trials are limited.
🧪 Found in: All oils (signature scent)
SAFETY REVIEWED
Sweet Almond Oil
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Fibre slip, shine, and scalp comfort
Evidence
- Safety & derm use: Independent cosmetic-safety panels conclude sweet almond oil is safe in current cosmetic use and widely utilised as an emollient to support barrier function and reduce dryness/roughness. Avoid if you have nut allergies.
🧪 Found in: Oils and conditioner bar
Why Motiya works as a system
Our sensorial profile turns care into a habit — and consistent daily use is exactly how the best botanical studies were conducted.
Density anchors
Rice bran + rosemary + pumpkin seed oil — three ingredients with human RCT support for visible density and diameter.
DHT pathway
Pumpkin seed, hibiscus, and nettle target 5-alpha reductase through different mechanisms. Castor oil adds a complementary PGD2-inhibition pathway.
Scalp ecosystem
Tea tree oil (human RCT for dandruff), jasmine (antimicrobial), and amla (antioxidant) — comfort, clarity, and balance.
Fibre care
Almond oil and castor oil for slip, shine, and length retention — so gains in density are visible along the length.
How the science maps to each Motiya product
Fortifying Shampoo Bar
Cleanses without stripping; supports the look of fuller, thicker hair over time.
Why it works: Rice-bran derivatives (density/diameter support) + rosemary (clinical comparative signal) + gentle surfactants for scalp comfort. Use every wash.
Soothing Hair Oil
Calms the scalp feel and supports a balanced environment; ideal for itchy, tight, or flaky-prone scalps.
Why it works: Tea tree (dandruff RCT), jasmine (antimicrobial), amla (antioxidant), hibiscus (5-AR signals), rosemary, nettle, and peppermint (cooling, massage adherence). Use 2–3×/week.
Fortifying Conditioner Bar
Detangles, improves slip, reduces breakage, boosts shine.
Why it works: Emollient butters/oils (including almond oil) smooth the cuticle while rice-bran + rosemary keep the routine aligned to our growth-phase anchors.
Hair Repair Oil
Targets breakage, adds shine, and supports the appearance of density when used consistently.
Why it works: Pumpkin seed oil + castor oil (DHT + PGD2 pathways), almond oil for fibre slip, bhringraj + brahmi + peppermint for preclinical anagen support, layered over rosemary and rice-bran anchors. Scalp massage 2–3×/week.
What to expect (and when)
Consistency window
Most botanical studies showing visible change ran 12–16 weeks (RB-SCE) and approximately 6 months (rosemary). That's our recommended commitment for a full cosmetic result.
Realistic outcomes
Cosmetic formulas can support the look of density and thickness, reduce breakage, and improve manageability. For medical hair-loss treatment, consult a clinician.
The Motiya ritual
1. Oil: massage into scalp/lengths (30–120 min pre-wash or overnight). 2. Cleanse: Fortifying Shampoo Bar. 3. Condition: Fortifying Conditioner Bar. Repeat regularly.
Scientific references (selected)
Our products are cosmetics, not drugs; we don't claim to treat or cure medical hair-loss conditions. Patch test essential-oil products; avoid use near eyes. Do not use almond-containing products if you have nut allergies. See product pages for full INCI lists and usage guidance.