Wait, Do Hair-Growth Shampoos *Actually* Work?

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A year ago, I suddenly noticed that my hair was feeling super thin and sparse. I had always had baby-fine hair (thanks to genetics), but this was different—and definitely made worse by years of at-home hair highlighting and daily hair-straightening. So I panicked and started trying everything: castor oil, hair-growth vitamins, volumizing shampoo, scalp treatments—you name it, I’ve tried it. And then a hairstylist told me that while those things might help, the best thing I could do (other than see my dermatologist) was to try out a hair-growth shampoo for hair loss to help soothe my scalp and create a healthy foundation for new hair growth.

I know what you’re thinking: How can shampoo (which only sits on your scalp, max, 30 seconds) grow your hair longer? Well, the shampoo itself won’t grow your hair, says dermatologist Geeta Yadav, MD. “The only topical ingredient that can help is minoxidil, i.e., the active ingredient in treatments like Rogaine.” But they can potentially help encourage and support hair growth over time with moisturizers, medicated topicals, and soothing ingredients, trichologist Bridgette Hill previously told Cosmo.

Which is how I ended up with a shower full of and hair-growth/hair-loss shampoos. I narrowed ‘em down after talking to dermatologists Geeta Yadav, MD, and Ife Rodney, MD, then tested them all myself to compile this master list of the best shampoos for hair growth and hair loss in 2023. Here’s a quick look at my favorites:

✔️ P.S., This is new, up-to-date info, bb. We updated this article in June 2023 to add new hair-growth shampoos our editors tested and loved, delete outdated oldies, and check in with new experts for the latest in hair loss, just for you

Our top picks for hair-growth shampoos in 2023:

Now scroll through for the complete list, then keep reading to find out how to choose the best hair-growth shampoo, and what to look for depending on your hair type, goals, and ingredient preferences.

Lambdapil Hair-Loss Shampoo

Dermatologist Ife Rodney, MD, recommends this shampoo to her patients experiencing hair loss. Why? Because it’s filled with niacinamide and zinc, both of which are anti-inflammatory and “help improve skin barrier function, which can potentially reduce inflammation that can lead to hair fall.” I ordered this shampoo the minute she told me about it, and it’s become my new go-to for my oily scalp. It contains sulfates, fyi, which could be drying for some, but it gives my hair a super-deep clean once a week (but if you have a drier hair type, I’d limit to once a month as a “reset” wash, then follow with a moisturizing deep conditioner).

• Key ingredient: Niacinamide, zinc, hydrolyzed soy protein (strengthens)

• Sulfate free? No

• Hair type? Normal, oily

THE REVIEWS: One tester writes, “My dermatologist prescribed this shampoo, and I have been using it. This is my second order, and my hair has improved enormously.”

Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo

I’ve used this salicylic acid-based shampoo for years to help treat my hairline and scalp acne, but it’s also had the added bonus of keeping my follicles exfoliated and happy. As a reminder, “congested hair follicles will struggle to produce more hair growth,” says dermatologist Geeta Yadav, MD. So to give my hair the best chance at growing longer, I use this shampoo once a week on my very-oily roots to break down the product buildup, grease, and oils that can lead to an angry scalp. I don’t need much moisture in my hair, but I always tell my friends to pair this with an ultra-hydrating deep conditioner to avoid dryness.

• Key ingredient: Salicylic acid (exfoliating)

• Sulfate free? Yes* (*but contains some other harsher surfactants)

• Hair type? Oily

THE REVIEWS: One reviewer writes, “I have oily, acne-prone skin and was getting folliculitis pretty bad. After switching back and forth between various products, this turned out to be the one that does the job. My hair is always soft and oily, so I don't even need a conditioner.”

Destined For Density Peptide Shampoo

Since I started using this shampoo a month ago, I’ve gotten so many compliments on how full my fine hair looks. It’s full of antioxidant-rich caffeine, which can help stimulate your scalp’s blood flow, according to dermatologist Ife Rodney, MD, and skin-barrier-supporting peptides. I just massage it through my scalp with a silicone scalp massager, then rinse out. As my hair dries, my roots feel lighter and more lifted, and I don’t feel like I need to add as many volumizing products to get a ~tousled~ look. I haven’t noticed any hair growth—and tbh, I don’t expect to—but I’ll take thicker-looking hair any day.

• Key ingredients: Coffee seed oil, biotin

• Sulfate free? Yes* (*but still contains some strong surfactants)

• Hair type? Dry, normal

THE REVIEWS: “I have been using this shampoo for a few months and love the way that my hair feels fuller,” one tester writes. “As someone who has noticed their hair has been thinning over the years, this has been a positive experience. The smell is also very pleasant too!”

Peptide Prep Color Safe Detox Clarifying Shampoo

Heads up: A scalp that’s consistently gunked up with product can lead to inflammation that could possibly inhibit hair growth. Swap in this sulfate-free clarifying shampoo every three to four washes to exfoliate dead skin and oils that could clog your scalp, thanks to the formula’s salicylic acid and charcoal powder. “Clarifying your scalp and removing product buildup can go a long way toward supporting healthy hair growth,” says board-certified dermatologist Geeta Yadav, MD. Just note that if you’re prone to dryness, you’ll want to follow with a moisturizing deep conditioner to keep your ends soft and moisturized.

• Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, charcoal powder

• Sulfate free? Yes* (*but contains other strong surfactants)

• Hair type? All* (*but might be drying if used too often on dry hair)

THE REVIEWS: One tester writes, “My hair gets very very oily, and this shampoo completely leaves my hair clean and refreshed! I use this once a week before using my K18 Leave-In Treatment, and I will say, I do notice my hair is softer on days I use this combo.”

Balancing Shampoo

An itchy, dry, dandruff-prone scalp does not make for the happiest environment for hair growth. To help calm the irritation, massage this dandruff shampoo into your roots every time you wash until your flakes subside, then cut back to once every three washes. And no, this won’t just mask symptoms—the formula actually helps treat dandruff with pyrithione zinc (a prescription-level antifungal), along with a mix of moisturizing oils (see: safflower seed oil, coconut oil, and squalane) to help reduce dryness.

• Key ingredients: Zinc pyrithione (anti-fungal), coconut oil

• Sulfate free? Yes

• Hair type? All

THE REVIEWS: “After the first use, my scalp stopped itching,” one reviewer writes. “It’s crazy how fast it calmed my irritated skin. My scalp is beyond sensitive, and I have tried so many products, but this one truly does what it says!”

Grow Gorgeous Intense Thickening Shampoo

If you’re hoping to grow longer, thicker, fuller hair, look for a shampoo filled with ingredients that’ll soothe an irritated scalp (because, again: hair growth cannot start with angry hair follicles). One of my favorites? This shampoo from Grow Gorgeous that contains caffeine and niacinamide, two skin soothers with anti-inflammatory properties to help reduce irritation that can lead to flakes and clogged follicles. Plus, it’s spiked with a bit of moisturizing arginine and urea to mitigate dryness.

• Key ingredients: Caffeine, niacinamide

• Sulfate free? Yes

• Hair type? All

THE REVIEWS: According to one review, “This product line is fabulous. This shampoo leaves my scalp and hair feeling ultra clean without over-drying. It's the perfect blend of moisturizing and clarifying. I would recommend it!”

DS Laboratories Revita Shampoo For Thinning Hair

Lemme say it louder for the people in the back: An inflamed, flaky scalp can potentially hinder hair growth (!). Which means if you’re prone to dandruff and you want longer hair, you should absolutely be sudsing up with a medicated shampoo like this one from DS Laboratories. It contains every dermatologist’s favorite antifungal, ketoconazole, which not only helps neutralize flakes, fungus, and itch, but also helps prevent them from coming back. Leave the formula on for one to two minutes before rinsing, then lather up your ends with a moisturizing conditioner to help offset any potential dryness.

• Key ingredients: Ketoconazole (antifungal), caffeine

• Sulfate free? Yes* (*but contains other strong surfactants)

• Hair type? All* (*but might be drying if used too often on dry hair)

THE REVIEWS: “After being really sick, my hair started to fall out really bad and was getting thin,” writes one tester. “This shampoo started to work after about three weeks. My hair quit falling out, and I began having new hair growth. I’m on my third bottle, and my hair is coming in and is thick again.”

Shampoo for Sensitive Skin

If every shampoo you try makes your scalp burn or itch, opt for this fragrance-free, hypoallergenic formula from Vanicream that’s specifically created (and dermatologist loved—really) to be gentle on scalp eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, and dry scalp. No, this alone won’t make your hair grow, but it can lead to a less inflamed scalp over time if fragrance and essential oils irritate you, which definitely doesn’t hurt hair growth.

• Key ingredients: Glycerin, panthenol

• Sulfate free? Yes

• Hair type? Very dry, dry, normal

THE REVIEWS: “I’m so relieved,” writes one reviewer. “I’ve lived with an itchy head for so long I thought it was just my lot in life. I tried this on a whim, and hallelujah, my head stopped itching!”

Original Gold Label Anti-Thinning Biotin Shampoo

A burning, itching scalp is no way to embark on a hair-growth journey, which I learned after a gnarly scalp sunburn (I now spritz spray sunscreen on my part constantly, fwiw). While in the depths of sunburn hell, Amazon led me to this highly rated shampoo from Pura D’or (over 17,000 five-star reviews) that’s filled with soothing aloe vera and lactobacillus ferment, a probiotic known for calming inflammation, which help reduce irritation from dry scalp or dandruff. Plus, it’s got antibacterial tea tree oil to help tackle some of the itch and flaking.

• Key ingredients: Tea tree oil, aloe vera, lactobacillus ferment (probiotic)

• Sulfate free? Yes

• Hair type? All

THE REVIEWS: “I gave it several weeks of use, washing my hair three times a week,” reads one review. “I noticed results after just two weeks, and those results have been consistent. There has been considerably less hair loss, and my hair still feels clean and not weighed down. It works!”

SahaScalp Wild Ginger Purifying Scrub

Okay, yes, technically this is a scalp scrub, but if you're looking to stimulate hair growth even a tiny bit, board-certified dermatologist Geeta Yadav, MD, says that “studies show that four minutes of scalp massaging a day can thicken your hair follicle.” So, I’ll be loading up my roots once a week with this salt-based scrub to maybe—maybe!—encourage some growth while also smoothing bumps and flakes.

• Key ingredients: Salt (exfoliates); ginger root extract, amla (soothes)

• Sulfate free? Yes

• Hair type? All* (*but might be drying if used too often on coarse, dry hair)

THE REVIEWS: “Loving this scrub,” writes one tester. “It is the first one I’ve tried that isn’t too drying and actually has a decent smell. Fable and Mane knocked it out of the park with this creamy-yet-hard-working scrub that left my scalp feeling like a baby’s bottom when it is typically scaly and dry.”

Strengthen and Restore Shampoo for Damaged Hair

If you’ve got curly hair (or a thing for DIY beauty), you’re probably no stranger to castor oil and its hair-growth claims. And though there’s no evidence to support the hype, that doesn’t mean it’s not still a worthwhile ingredient in your shampoo, especially if you’ve got dry or coarse hair. Why? Because castor oil is one of the richest and thickest oils, making it great for reducing moisture loss that could lead to dry scalp and hair (and possibly hinder hair growth down the line). This one from Shea Moisture is beloved on Amazon (hi, 24,000 five-star reviews) because it incorporates shea butter to add hella moisture to your hair at the same time.

• Key ingredients: Jamaican black castor oil, shea butter

• Sulfate free? Yes

• Hair type? Very dry, dry, normal

THE REVIEWS: “This stuff has worked wonders for my hair,” writes one reviewer. “I've been using it for a little over a year, and my hair is long, silky, buoyant, and full of volume. I used to struggle with dryness and breakage, but this combined with better hair care and protective practices have turned that around for me.”

Biotin Hair Shampoo

This Maple Holistics shampoo is legit filled with some of the best proteins (like hydrolyzed wheat, corn, and soy proteins) to strengthen and help repair mechanical, heat, and chemical damage. No, it won’t necessarily grow your hair—womp—but can make your hair feel stronger and thicker over time, along with softer and more moisturized hair, thanks to olive, argan, and rosemary oils.

• Key ingredients: Hydrolyzed wheat protein, corn protein, soy protein

• Sulfate free? Yes

• Hair type? Very dry, dry, normal

THE REVIEWS: “I've been using this shampoo for a little over two years now, and I absolutely love it,” writes one tester in a review. “It's helped with my thinning spots and improved hair growth.”

Thick & Full + Biotin & Collagen Volumizing Shampoo

For less than a few spicy margs, grab yourself this OGX shampoo to help get healthier, stronger hair with each use. It’s spiked with wheat protein to help repair cracks and holes in your hair strands, along with biotin and collagen to lightly moisturize. You won't miraculously wake up with longer hair, but you can eventually have stronger, more hydrated hair, which is a great starting point.

• Key ingredients: Biotin, hydrolyzed collagen

• Sulfate free? Yes* (*but contains other strong surfactants)

• Hair type? All

THE REVIEWS: “I have searched high and low to find a good, reasonably priced volumizing shampoo,” writes one tester. “Light enough to not hold my hair down but also good enough to see improvement. There are plenty who cost a fortune, but this gives me both! I can't say enough good things!”

African Black Soap Reviving Shampoo

A moisturized scalp is a healthy one, which is what you need if you ever hope to grow your hair out. So if yours is feeling a lil tight and itchy, switch to this ultra-moisturizing shampoo from Melanin Haircare that uses a cocktail of shea butter and cocoa butter to moisturize, along with anti-inflammatory tea-tree oil to help kill irritation-causing fungus.

• Key ingredients: Shea butter, cocoa butter

• Sulfate free? Yes

• Hair type? Very dry, dry, normal

THE REVIEWS: One review reads, “Melanin Haircare’s African Black Soap Reviving Shampoo is the truth! It’s gentle, yet effective. Smells great! There’s a cool refreshing tingle from the peppermint oil. It really cleans my hair without stripping it at all. And it doesn’t take much.”

Ceremonia Aceite de Moska Pre-Shampoo Scalp & Hair Oil

Regardless of your hair type, you’ve gotta keep your scalp moisturized if you want your hair to grow. Enter: This oil-filled pre-poo treatment from Ceremonia. Before shampooing, massage a dollop through your scalp to help moisture your skin, break down buildup, and speed up detangling, thanks to its meadowfoam, chia, and babassu seed oils that add major slip. Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes, then shampoo it off in the shower.

• Key ingredients: Meadowfoam seed oil, chia seed oil (moisturizers)

• Sulfate free? Yes

• Hair type? All* (*oily hair might need to use with a clarifying shampoo)

THE REVIEWS: “I love this oil,” writes one reviewer. “It’s not too heavy but not too light either. It has a nice fragrance to it and leaves my hair really soft. I notice my hair really drinks this up, and it doesn’t just sit on top of my strands.”

Gro Revitalizing Shampoo for Thinning Hair

If you’re experiencing hair thinning from color or chemical damage, try this protein-packed shampoo from Vegamour. It uses vegan keratin to strengthen your hair, along with peptides, aloe, and mannitol (a humectant that helps attract and maintain moisture, according to dermatologist Ife Rodney, MD), to moisturize your scalp to help reduce breakage from dryness. But if you’re noticing major hair loss—and your doctor has already given you a clean bill of health—talk to your dermatologist about trying topical minoxidil or oral finasteride, which are proven to help trigger hair regrowth.

• Key ingredients: Panthenol, mannitol (moisturizers)

• Sulfate free? Yes

• Hair type? All

THE REVIEWS: “I started using this shampoo because I was concerned about my hair being too dry in addition to being heat damaged,” reads one review. “Since using it, my hair has started to look more vibrant. It helps lock in moisture without weighing my hair down.”

Ranavat Regenerative Veda Bond Repair Shampoo

Prefer a shower full of all-natural skincare products and hair products? Grab this clean shampoo from Ranavat. With a mix of vitamins and botanical extracts—like lotus flower, hibiscus, amla, and Ashwagandha—this antioxidant-rich shampoo helps moisturize your hair and calm irritation, which is the number-one requirement for getting healthier hair growth.

• Key ingredients: Lotus flower water, amla extract (soothing)

• Sulfate free? Yes

• Hair type? All

THE REVIEWS: “Whether used after an oil treatment or just a typical wash, this formula has everything I look for in a shampoo,” writes one tester. “My scalp and hair feel refreshed and nourished with lasting results.”

Olaplex No4D Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo

I use dry shampoo nearly every single day, which means I have to be careful to avoid getting build-up and scalp irritation—two no-nos in any hair-growth journey. So to make my life easier, I switched to Olaplex’s brand-new dry shampoo, and now I’m fully obsessed. The formula uses an ultra-fine starch powder to help avoid clogging pores, along with bentonite clay (ahem, the main ingredient in the viral Aztec Clay Healing Mask) to soak up scalp oils. And, as an added bonus, it’s formulated with a bond-building ingredient to help strengthen hair and potentially cut down on a liiiittle bit of shedding—basically, the opposite of my regular follicle-clogging shampoos.

• Key ingredients: Bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate (strengthening); aluminum starch octenylsuccinate, bentonite (oil-absorbers)

• Sulfate free? Yes

• Hair type? Dry, normal, oily

THE REVIEWS: “This has totally changed the game for me,” writes one tester. “The best part for me is it leaves my hair feeling fresh, not dry and damaged. It also has a great smell, unlike other dry shampoos. It feels light and doesn’t collect on my scalp. I love this product!”

Can shampoo help hair grow?

Sadly, no, shampoo alone can’t help your hair grow faster. The only factors that actually impact hair growth or prevent hair loss are genetics, hormones, health, and age, as trichologist Bridgette Hill previously told Cosmo—not a cleanser you massage into your scalp and immediately rinse off.

In fact, the only topical product board-certified dermatologist Geeta Yadav, MD, recommends for hair growth is minoxidil, the active ingredient in Rogaine and other hair-growth treatments, “But it must be used daily, often for the rest of your life, to deliver and maintain results,” she says. Still, that doesn’t mean hair-growth shampoos are totally worthless. Hair growth does require a 360 approach, and the right shampoo can help improve the health of your scalp by moisturizing and reducing inflammation and irritation, which makes a solid foundation for hair growth.

What causes thinning hair?

Thinning hair is caused by a combination of factors generally, says Dr. Rodney. Mostly, it’s hereditary (often referred to as androgenic alopecia, or male or female-pattern baldness). But it can also be caused by:

• Hormonal imbalances from pregnancy, menopause, and conditions like polycystic-ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

• Certain medical conditions like thyroid disorders and autoimmune diseases

• Nutritional deficiencies like low iron, zinc, and other vitamins

• Chronic stress

• Rapid weight fluctuations

• Traumatic events (known as telogen effluvium, which occurred for many after the COVID-19 pandemic)

• Some hairstyling techniques, like excessive heat styling, tight hairstyles, and chemical treatments (relaxers, hair dye, etc.)

• Certain medication side effects

If you’re experiencing thinning, make an appointment with your dermatologist (or try a telemed service like Apostrophe or Ro). Once you’ve identified the cause of your hair thinning, you can much more easily and effectively treat your symptoms. Which brings us to…

What stimulates hair growth?

The only factors that stimulate hair growth are based on your genetics, health, and hormones, which is out of our control. But there are some topical treatments and in-office procedures that can potentially help encourage hair growth over time, says Dr. Rodney. Lemme break them down:

In-office hair-growth treatments

In office, your doctor might prescribe medications like finasteride or spironolactone, which can help potentially reduce hormone-related hair loss. Or they could recommend a prescription-strength minoxidil. Dr. Rodney also recommends platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments, a procedure during which your dermatologist will draw your blood, spin it in a centrifuge to extract the plasma, and then inject into your scalp.

PRP treatments help increase fresh, wound-healing blood flow to your scalp, which could possibly encourage some hair growth after three sessions (but keep in mind: it’s about $1,500 to $3,500 for all three treatments and usually not covered by insurance).

At-home hair-growth treatments

At home, Dr. Ife recommends over-the-counter minoxidil to her patients to possibly promote some hair growth and slow down hair loss. Minoxidil works by prolonging the growth phase of your hair follicles so that they have a longer time to grow before entering the rest or shed phase. It takes continued use (think: pretty much the rest of your life) to keep seeing results, but it’s typically available for less than $40 at drugstores, Amazon, and Sephora.

You can also try incorporating regular hair-oil scalp massages into your routine. This won’t make your hair grow necessarily, but can potentially improve blood circulation that creates a healthy environment for growth. (Fwiw, I love rosemary oil and jojoba oil for my own scalp massages). Dr. Ife also recommends following a healthy hair routine will set up a good foundation for hair growth. This includes washing with a shampoo (like one of the above that features anti-inflammatory niacinamide, like Isdin Lambdapil Hair Density Shampoo) once a week, as well as limiting heat styling and coloring your hair, which can damage your hair and lead to hair fall over time.

How can I regrow my thinning hair?

If you want to regrow your thinning hair, the first step is to make an appointment with your dermatologist, says dermatologist Ife Rodney, MD. “A doctor can provide an accurate diagnosis, identify the underlying cause, and recommend appropriate treatment options based on your individual needs,” she says. Plus, your derm can suggest a combination of multiple treatments to get the best results for your specific concerns. Here’s a quick rundown of what your doctor might recommend:

• Topical minoxidil to help extend the growth phase of your hair cycle

• Cortisone shots in your scalp to reduce inflammation

• Limiting heat styling and hair dye to reduce breakage and thinning

• Managing stress levels through relaxation techniques, exercise, or talk therapy

• Addressing underlying medical conditions or hormonal imbalances

• Working with a nutritionist to evaluate any deficiencies

How to choose the best hair-growth shampoo:

Look for exfoliating ingredients

“Incorporate shampoos with exfoliating ingredients, whether that's physical exfoliants like sea salt or chemical exfoliants like fruit enzymes, AHAs, or BHAs,” says Dr. Yadav. Why? Because exfoliators can dissolve and break down excess oil that can clog your hair follicles and disrupt hair growth. A salicylic acid shampoo, like K18 Peptide Prep Shampoo, is a gentle MVP in the exfoliating department (and additionally great at treating scalp acne and dandruff). Or, you can try the Fable and Mane Saha Scalp Wild Ginger Purifying Scrub once a week to physically slough away the buildup on your scalp.

Consider your scalp health

Is your scalp mostly clear of acne, bumps, and flakes? A moisturizing shampoo, like Briogeo Destined for Density Shampoo, is a good place to start to grow healthier hair. But if you’re dealing with inflammation, dandruff, or dry scalp, you should definitely swap in a medicated shampoo with antifungal ingredients, (try Jupiter Balancing Shampoo with pyrithione zinc or DS Laboratories Revita Shampoo with ketoconazole, until your scalp calms down. And when in doubt (or anxiety), go see a dermatologist for a targeted approach to your hair growth.

Meet the experts:

• Ife Rodney, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Fulton, MD, where she runs her own practice, Eternal Dermatology and Aesthetic Center. She specializes in hair loss and hair growth treatments.

• Geeta Yadav, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Facet Dermatology in Toronto, ON, CA. Dr. Yadav is an expert in both medical and cosmetic dermatology, as well as in treating concerns of BIPOC patients.

• Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery in New York, NY. Dr. Bhanusali is also the founder of HairStim, a custom-compounded hair loss formula that’s created and prescribed by your own dermatologist. He was previously interviewed about biotin for hair growth.

• Bridgette Hill is a certified trichologist and founder of Root Cause Scalp Analysis, a virtual platform that offers personalized scalp analyses and treatment plans. She was previously interviewed about castor oil for hair growth.

Why trust ‘Cosmopolitan’?

Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with four years of experience researching, writing, and editing hair stories that range from hair botox to best curly hair products to chlorine-removal shampoos. She’s an authority in all hair categories but is an expert when it comes to hair-growth shampoo from testing dozens on her own short, fine hair. She regularly tests and analyzes shampoos for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top dermatologists and trichologists to assess new formulas and brands.

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