Innovative cosmetics made in Germany and based on current research: ribogrow is the first brand in Europe to launch a care product containing the active ingredient 2-Deoxy-D-Ribose (2DDR). According to a recent study¹, more than half (59.6%) of all women and men in Germany suffer from hair loss. Often, it is more than just an aesthetic problem. However, the selection of trustworthy and effective products is limited – they either come with severe side effects or show no visible effect at all. Since early 2025, the Berlin-based brand ribogrow has been offering a new, innovative solution: ribogrow Hair Booster Tonic and ribogrow Hair Booster Serum combine scientifically proven active ingredients without side effects with a minimalist formulation for visible results in hair loss. At the heart of the new formulation is the main active ingredient 2-Deoxy-D-Ribose (2DDR): a bioactive sugar molecule known as part of human DNA, which has shown promising results in preclinical studies for stimulating hair growth and improving blood circulation. 2DDR is complemented by two highly effective components known from hair loss research. With Pisum Sativum extract and caffeine, ribogrow has developed an effective active ingredient matrix without unnecessary additives, which can be integrated into any care routine. The dermatologically developed solution is aimed at people with stress-related, hereditary, or hormonally induced hair loss and redefines hair health. The products are available at ribogrow.com from a price of EUR 35.97 (RRP). Hair loss affects millions of people and is far more than just an aesthetic concern – often, along with hair loss, a piece of self-confidence is lost. ribogrow co-founder Felix Bonnert has struggled with hair loss from a young age – and therefore knows this feeling from personal experience. From the age of 20, he used medical products for treatment, including the well-known active ingredients finasteride and minoxidil. However, both substances caused him side effects such as severe skin irritations. This prompted him to intensively search for alternative treatment approaches. In 2024, he first came across recent studies on the active ingredient 2-Deoxy-D-Ribose (2DDR) as a potential stimulator for growth and regeneration processes. Together with his business partner Frieder Damm, he saw in the promising scientific findings a new innovative approach to hair health. Driven by the vision to create an innovative and effective alternative to conventional hair loss products, the two entrepreneurs – with extensive experience in product development – developed and iterated, in close collaboration with dermatologists, pharmacists, and formulation developers, the first cosmetic product in Europe based on an active ingredient matrix with 2-Deoxy-D-Ribose – scientifically grounded, dermatologically developed, and without the side effects known from other remedies. “I have personally experienced how distressing it is when treatment approaches for hair loss don’t work or even create new problems. Our vision with ribogrow is to bring a well-tolerated active ingredient complex to the market that works, is based on scientific findings, contains no unnecessary ingredients, and can give people back their hair health – and with it a piece of their self-confidence,” explains Felix Bonnert.
SCIENTIFICALLY BACKED: THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT COMPLEX
Carefully reduced to the essentials, ribogrow’s Hair Booster Tonic and Hair Booster Serum are based on tested ingredients whose effectiveness is backed by scientific studies. The unique active ingredient matrix with 2-Deoxy-D-Ribose stimulates hair growth at the root and increases hair density – without burdening the body with hormonal mechanisms of action. 2-Deoxy-D-Ribose (2DDR) is a bioactive sugar molecule and, as a natural component of human DNA, plays a central role in cell division and regeneration. This sugar molecule is found in all human cells, especially in those that divide rapidly – such as in the skin or hair follicles. A recent preclinical study² from 2024 shows that the application of the naturally occurring sugar demonstrates comparable effectiveness to minoxidil – the established treatment for hair loss – but without side effects such as skin redness, itching, or headaches. The results of another study³ show that 2-Deoxy-D-Ribose increases the production of VEGF – a natural signaling protein that stimulates the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis). This allows tissue to be better supplied with oxygen and nutrients. Not only does this promote cell regeneration, but it also supports healing processes in the skin and can actively stimulate hair growth. 2-Deoxy-D-Ribose thus acts at the cellular level, because the stimulated blood circulation increases energy supply in skin cells. This additional energy can strengthen hair follicles and support their regeneration. The innovative active ingredient is complemented by Pisum Sativum and caffeine – two proven components in hair care. Pisum Sativum is a plant extract from pea sprouts (Pisum Sativum) with proven effects on the hair cycle. It specifically stimulates signaling molecules in the dermal papilla, the central point of the hair root that supplies the hair with nutrients and controls growth. This can reactivate the hair growth process. Caffeine promotes blood circulation in the scalp, strengthens the hair root, and inhibits the effect of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) – a hormone that causes hair follicles to shrink in genetically determined hair loss (androgenetic alopecia). Other ingredients include water, alcohol for preservation and improved skin penetration of the active ingredients, as well as an antioxidant to ensure product stability and lasting effectiveness.
PIONEERING WORK FROM BERLIN & INNOVATION MADE IN GERMANY
Behind ribogrow founders Felix Bonnert and Frieder Damm lies not only personal experience with hair loss but also a great deal of entrepreneurial pioneering spirit. Both bring many years of product development experience and immediately recognized the potential of the promising ingredient 2-Deoxy-D-Ribose. In just a few months, they developed, in close collaboration with experts, the first cosmetic product with 2DDR as the main active ingredient. Following the publication of the first studies on the effectiveness of 2DDR in June 2024, ribogrow launched its first product, the Hair Booster Tonic, in early 2025 – a remarkably short development time, as such processes usually take well over a year. The two experienced entrepreneurs place the highest value on quality standards, scientific evidence, and expert collaboration in product development. “Our formulas were developed in close cooperation with dermatologists and based on the latest studies, and are optimally dosed for their effectiveness,” explains co-founder Frieder Damm. All products are developed, produced, and certified in Germany under the highest quality standards.
APPLICATION & EFFECT
The active ingredients in ribogrow Hair Booster Tonic and Hair Booster Serum are all well-tolerated, effective regardless of gender, and free of side effects. They stimulate hair growth, strengthen the hair root, and promote scalp circulation. The tonic and serum have no hormonal effects and therefore do not interfere with the hormonal balance. They are suitable for hereditary hair loss as well as diffuse, hormonally induced, or stress-related hair loss. They also provide a well-tolerated and highly effective solution for supportive care in sensitive life phases such as after pregnancy or during menopause. The application of ribogrow Hair Booster products is simple and suitable for daily routines. They are applied twice daily to areas affected by hair loss and massaged in. Depending on hair type and preference, consumers can choose between the tonic or serum – and thus whether to apply the product with a spray head or a pipette. Both ribogrow Hair Booster Tonic and Hair Booster Serum contain equally potent formulations, adapted to their respective application method. The light, non-greasy texture absorbs quickly and leaves no residue. Hair styling is possible as usual after a 10-minute absorption time. With its silicone scalp brush, ribogrow also offers an additional product for gentle scalp stimulation. With continuous use, the products show visible results after just three months. ribogrow products are available now at ribogrow.com starting at EUR 35.97 (RRP).
WHO IS BEHIND IT
ribogrow is a brand of F2 Labs GmbH, a Berlin-based company specializing in the development of innovative and natural solutions in the cosmetics sector. Behind ribogrow are Felix Bonnert and Frieder Damm – two founders with years of experience in product development, marketing, strategy, and design. Felix Bonnert gained his expertise in the cosmetics sector and worked in marketing and product development at Henkel Beauty Care, among others. Frieder Damm was co-founder and managing director of successful companies in the pharmaceutical, life sciences, and e-commerce sectors. What unites them is the ambition to create not just more products, but solutions with genuine added value. With F2 Labs, the two aim to build a long-term portfolio that makes scientific innovation practical for everyday life.