ORY® product lines:
☑ Skincare (night antioxidant; photoprotection)
☑ Haircare (scalp — clinical evidence)
☒ Handmade Soap (rinse-off waste)
◐ Cosmetics (limited: night-wear products) — dual-use with market-specific regulatory checks
Melatonin is the “night hormone” the pineal gland releases in darkness — but the skin makes its own melatonin too, and uses it as a front-line antioxidant. Reviews describe melatonin as a major skin protectant: a direct free-radical scavenger that also up-regulates antioxidant enzymes and supports DNA-damage repair after UV [1], and topical melatonin applied before UV exposure reduced sunburn (erythema) in controlled human studies [2]. Its scalp evidence is unusually strong for a cosmetic ingredient: a 0.1% melatonin solution increased anagen hair in women with androgenetic or diffuse alopecia in a randomized controlled pilot [3], and a series of studies with the same solution showed reduced hair loss and improved hair density in men and women [4]. Regulatory status varies — melatonin is a dietary supplement in the U.S. and a prescription medicine in some countries — so ORY® confirms cosmetic permissibility per market, keeps levels low, and positions it as a night antioxidant and scalp active with cosmetic claims.
What is Melatonin made of?
Cosmetic melatonin is synthesized (nature-identical) as a white-to-off-white crystalline powder. Points to know [1, 4]:
- Indoleamine (tryptophan-derived): Amphiphilic — soluble in ethanol, glycols, and oils; sparingly in water.
- Antioxidant mechanisms: Direct radical scavenging, antioxidant-enzyme induction, DNA-repair support, mitochondrial protection [1].
- Photoprotective: Effective when applied before UV; not a sunscreen [2].
- Light- and oxidation-sensitive: Opaque, airless packaging; add at cool-down.
- Regulatory: U.S. dietary supplement (cosmetic use permitted); prescription/restricted in some jurisdictions — verify per market.
- Typical use: 0.05–0.5% skincare; 0.1% scalp (trial level).
What skin type is best suited for Melatonin?
Melatonin suits all seven ORY® skin types as a night-time antioxidant:
- Mature: Antioxidant, DNA-repair support; night creams [1].
- Sensitive: Anti-inflammatory; reduces UV erythema when pre-applied [2].
- Normal: Night antioxidant defense.
- Combination: Light night serums.
- Dry: In night creams with ceramides.
- Oily: Alcohol/glycol-based night serums.
- Acne-prone: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory; non-comedogenic.
What hair type is best suited for Melatonin?
Melatonin has randomized and observational scalp evidence:
- Mature or thinning: The core use — 0.1% solution increased anagen hair in women (RCT pilot) [3] and improved density/reduced loss in men and women [4]; cosmetic claims.
- Straight, wavy, curly, coily: Leave-on scalp solution for all.
- Sensitive scalp: Well tolerated at 0.1%.
- Oily scalp: Alcohol/glycol solution suits.
- Dandruff-prone: Neutral; pair with piroctone olamine.
- Dry or damaged, color-treated: Scalp-focused.
What are the benefits of Melatonin?
Melatonin’s benefits are supported by reviews and controlled human studies [1–4]:
- Skin antioxidant: Radical scavenging plus antioxidant-enzyme induction [1].
- Photoprotection (pre-exposure): Reduced UV erythema in controlled studies [2].
- DNA-repair support: After UV [1].
- Night-repair positioning: Aligns with the skin’s nocturnal repair cycle.
- Hair anagen increase: Randomized controlled pilot in women [3].
- Reduced hair loss, improved density: Observational series, men and women [4].
- Anti-inflammatory: Reduces UV-induced inflammation.
- Skin-native molecule: Biocompatible.
Dual use across ORY® product lines
Melatonin is a leave-on active for skincare, haircare, and night-wear cosmetics; it is wasted in soap.
| ORY® line | Dual use? | How it is used | Typical level |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ORY® Skincare |
Yes |
Night serums and creams, pre-sun antioxidant serums (under SPF), post-sun repair. |
0.05–0.5% |
|
ORY® Haircare |
Yes |
Leave-on scalp solutions and serums for thinning hair (0.1%), scalp ampoules. |
0.1% |
|
ORY® Handmade Soap |
No |
Rinse-off waste. |
— |
|
ORY® Cosmetics |
Limited |
Night-wear tints or treatment balms; not daytime makeup (light-sensitive). |
0.05–0.1% |
Pros and cons of Melatonin
Pros
Cons
- Randomized scalp evidence: [3, 4].
- Human UV-erythema evidence: [2].
- Potent, skin-native antioxidant: [1].
- Night-repair story: Distinctive positioning.
- Low use levels: Cost-effective.
- Regulatory variability: Verify cosmetic permissibility per market (drug in some countries).
- Light/oxidation sensitivity: Airless, opaque packaging.
- Hormone perception: Topical systemic absorption at cosmetic levels is minimal, but explain; avoid in pregnancy/children without guidance.
- Claims discipline: Cosmetic only; no sleep or medical claims.
- Solubility: Needs ethanol/glycol/oil.
What is the best application of Melatonin?
Melatonin is used at night and on the scalp:
- Night serum: 0.1–0.3% in a glycol/ethanol base with vitamin E; PM.
- Night cream: 0.1% with ceramides.
- Pre-sun antioxidant serum: 0.1% applied under SPF [2].
- Scalp solution: 0.1% in a light ethanol/propanediol base, nightly on thinning areas [3, 4].
- Cosmetics: 0.05% in a night-wear balm.
Peer-reviewed references
- Fischer TW, Slominski A, Zmijewski MA, Reiter RJ, Paus R. Melatonin as a major skin protectant: from free radical scavenging to DNA damage repair. Experimental Dermatology. 2008;17(9):713–730.
- Scheuer C. Melatonin for prevention of erythema and oxidative stress in response to ultraviolet radiation. Danish Medical Journal. 2017;64(6):B5358.
- Fischer TW, Burmeister G, Schmidt HW, Elsner P. Melatonin increases anagen hair rate in women with androgenetic alopecia or diffuse alopecia: results of a pilot randomized controlled trial. British Journal of Dermatology. 2004;150(2):341–345.
- Fischer TW, Trüeb RM, Hänggi G, Innocenti M, Elsner P. Topical melatonin for treatment of androgenetic alopecia. International Journal of Trichology. 2012;4(4):236–245.
Disclaimer:
The information on this page is provided by ORY International, LC for educational purposes only. It summarizes published research about melatonin as an ingredient, including laboratory and animal studies and clinical studies of formulas that may differ from ORY® products. Results from these studies may not apply to every person or to ORY® products. This page is not medical advice and does not replace advice from a dermatologist, physician, or other qualified healthcare provider.
ORY® Skincare, Haircare, Handmade Soap, and Cosmetics products are cosmetics. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease or condition, including hair loss, androgenetic alopecia, thinning hair, wrinkles as a medical condition, or any other condition, insomnia, sunburn, or any other condition. References to FDA or Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) findings describe the ingredient, not ORY® products, and do not mean FDA has reviewed or approved any ORY® product.
Results vary by skin and scalp type, formulation, and use. Topical melatonin is rarely irritating. Any cosmetic can cause irritation, sometimes from other ingredients. Always patch test, follow label directions, and stop use if irritation occurs. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, consult a healthcare provider before use.
ORY International, LC works to keep this page accurate and current but makes no warranty as to its completeness. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ORY International, LC is not liable for any loss or injury arising from reliance on this information or from use of any product contrary to its label directions. To report a reaction, contact us at [insert contact email / phone].
