Zenagen “redefines daily hair wash” using CO2-extracted botanicals

Plant-powered hair care brand, Zenagen, is aiming to challenge shampoo paradigms by transforming daily hair washes into a performance step with the launch of a new formula. Zenergy is designed to support long-term hair appearance and scalp health, bridging the gap between treatment systems and everyday hair care.

The shampoo’s Microfoam Technology incorporates four surfactant systems — including three coconut-derived anionic cleansers and an amphoteric system — to create a controlled, fine lather that lifts build-up and oil effectively without over-stripping. According to the brand, this allows the scalp to absorb the botanicals and bioactives better, optimizing their impact on hair follicle health and scalp balance.

The brand also uses CO2-extracted methods that use pressurized carbon dioxide as a solvent to extract bioactive compounds from botanicals. The process can be done at relatively low temperatures, which preserves heat-sensitive compounds, but it specifically relies on CO2 as the extracting medium.

The company combines botanical ingredients with scientific innovation to create hair care products that support scalp health and strengthen hair strands.CO2-extracted botanicals such as saw palmetto, green tea, and red clover also reinforce the scalp environment, while antioxidant-rich compounds protect hair and improve overall appearance. 

Personal Care Insights speaks with the company’s founder and molecular biologist, Jared Reynolds, about the product’s sustainability profile and how it fills a gap in daily hair care. 

What specific industry gap or insight inspired you to create Zenergy?
Reynolds: For years, one question kept coming up from both consumers and salon professionals: ‘What should I use on the days I’m not using my Zenagen treatment shampoo?’

It was a valid question. Our treatment shampoos are formulated for use every other day, yet the daily shampoo is often the most frequently used product. I felt there was a disconnect between the sophistication of our treatment products and the simplicity of what people were using the rest of the week.

Most volumizing shampoos focus on temporary lift, cosmetic coating, or styling. We saw an opportunity to create something different — a daily shampoo that supports the scalp, improves the feel and appearance of the hair, and helps create a better foundation for volume over time. Zenergy was designed to elevate the most repeated step in hair care: the daily cleanse.

How does your background as a molecular biologist influence ingredient selection and formulation strategy for scalp and hair health?
Reynolds: I tend to look beyond ingredient trends and focus on biological function. Every ingredient has to justify its place in the formula. I’m less interested in what’s popular and more interested in what problem we’re solving.

When developing a product, I start by understanding the biology of the scalp and hair fiber. The scalp is a living ecosystem, while the hair fiber is a structural material. They require different approaches. From there, we evaluate ingredients based on mechanism, compatibility, stability, and delivery. In Zenergy, that meant combining targeted scalp-support ingredients with technologies that improve cleansing performance and overall hair quality. The goal wasn’t simply to add ingredients — it was to create a system where every component works together to support healthier-looking hair and a balanced scalp environment.

Could you explain the benefits of CO2-extracted botanicals in Zenergy vs. traditional extraction methods?
Reynolds: One of the things we’ve prioritized at Zenagen for years is ingredient integrity. Many traditional extraction methods rely on high heat or harsh solvents, which can alter or degrade some of the naturally occurring compounds found in botanical ingredients. CO2 extraction uses pressurized carbon dioxide to isolate desirable compounds from plant materials without exposing them to excessive heat. The process allows us to obtain highly concentrated botanical extracts while preserving a broader range of naturally occurring constituents.

From a formulation perspective, this gives us greater control over ingredient quality and consistency. It’s one of the reasons we utilize CO2-extracted botanicals such as saw palmetto and green tea within our formulations. These ingredients are selected not because they’re trendy, but because they help support the scalp-focused philosophy that guides our product development.

As a molecular biologist, I’m always interested in maximizing ingredient performance while minimizing unnecessary processing. CO2 extraction aligns well with that philosophy because it allows us to preserve the characteristics that make these botanical ingredients valuable in the first place.

How do the surfactant systems in Zenergy improve ingredient absorption and hair appearance without stripping or irritating the scalp?
Reynolds: Most shampoos are evaluated primarily on how well they cleanse. We approached the challenge differently. We wanted a cleansing system that could effectively remove oil, buildup, and environmental residue while maintaining scalp comfort and preserving the overall feel of the hair.

Zenergy utilizes a proprietary four-surfactant Microfoam Technology system that creates a finer, more controlled lather. This allows for more uniform distribution across the scalp and hair while reducing the harsh cleansing experience often associated with traditional clarifying shampoos. The result is a deeper-feeling cleanse without the tight, stripped sensation that consumers often associate with over-cleansing. By maintaining a balanced cleansing environment, the formula helps create conditions where both the scalp and hair fiber can perform at their best.

What formulation challenges were faced in creating Zenergy?
Reynolds: The biggest challenge was balancing cleansing power with daily usability. Many products that deliver immediate volume do so by leaving behind residue or creating a temporary coating effect. On the other hand, many gentle shampoos sacrifice performance in favor of mildness.

We wanted both. Developing the Microfoam Technology system required extensive testing to achieve the right balance between cleansing efficiency, scalp comfort, volume, and overall hair feel. TheZenagan says users of Zenergy can maintain results between specialized treatments, reducing the loss of momentum that often diminishes perceived efficacy. final formula needed to leave the hair feeling clean, light, and full of movement without creating dryness, buildup, or heaviness. Achieving all of those objectives simultaneously was one of the most complex parts of the development process.

Can you share more about the clinical testing results and before-and-after outcomes that demonstrate Zenergy’s performance after one wash?
Reynolds: Performance validation was extremely important to us. Independent laboratory testing demonstrated a 121% increase in hair volume after a single use, with 114% of that volume remaining after eight hours. Additional testing showed 48% less combing friction on damaged hair, 70% less hair breakage, and 24-hour frizz control.

What is most exciting is that these results were achieved through a daily-use shampoo format. Consumers often assume they need a specialized treatment or styling product to create visible improvements in volume and manageability. Our testing suggests that upgrading the daily cleanse can have a meaningful impact on overall hair performance.

How does Zenergy’s launch reflect your vision for reaching both stylists and consumers with scientifically backed performance?
Reynolds: I’ve always believed that great products should succeed in both environments. Professional stylists are some of the most demanding product evaluators in our industry. They need products that perform consistently behind the chair and produce results clients can see and feel. 

At the same time, consumers want solutions that fit naturally into their daily lives. Launching through both professional and direct-to-consumer channels allows us to serve both audiences while maintaining the same commitment to science and performance. Stylists help validate the product through professional experience, while consumers experience the benefits through daily use. When both groups arrive at the same conclusion — that a product genuinely performs — that’s where real brand trust is built.