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Byrdie / Marcus Millan
Caffeine is a non-negotiable in our morning routines to energize our bodies for the day (raise your hand if you succumb to the daily iced latte). But the ingredient is not just a coffee mainstay. Caffeine has also emerged in volumizing products and shampoos due to its ability to promote and stimulate hair growth.
Lathering your hair with the hero ingredient can strengthen, revitalize, and nourish the scalp leaving you with longer, healthier, and more luxurious hair. We conducted hours of research to find the best caffeine shampoos for a voluminous shampoo regimen, evaluating formulas on active ingredients—aside from caffeine, like biotin, and turmeric. We rated products based on their benefits, what types of hair the formula works best on, and the results. We also had a look at what the formulas don’t contain—namely sulfates, which can weigh down hair negating the effects of a caffeinated shampoo. After consulting with a celebrity hairstylist and a trichologist, and narrowing down our list to top-rated formulas, we landed on the following best in show.
Best Overall
Briogeo Destined for Density Caffeine + Biotin Peptide Density Shampoo
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Sephora
Safe on color treatments and keratin
Works on all hair types
Works best with the full line of products
It’s nearly impossible to find a product that prioritizes the hero ingredient more than Briogeo—the brand’s Destined for Density Shampoo puts hair growth ingredients at the forefront of its formula. The energy complex features a concoction of caffeine, green coffee oil, and an energizing enzyme to stimulate hair growth and fuller hair. Plus, with biotin strengthening the hair and follicle to support elasticity, your thinning strands are no match for this shampoo.
It’s also filled with a nourishing copper peptide and zinc to promote and support overall scalp health and hair density. The fusion of growth-stimulating ingredients coupled with real-world results gives Briogeo a well-deserved top spot on the list of the best caffeine shampoos. And for ultimate volume, the brand also makes a conditioner, serum, and supplement counterparts to the hair cleanser.
Price at time of publish: $32
Active Ingredients: Caffeine, biotin, green coffee oil, copper peptide | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty Free: Yes
Best Budget
OGX Anti-Hair Fall + Coconut Caffeine Shampoo
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Amazon
Features growth and hydrating ingredients
Inexpensive
Might not be best for super oily hair
Looking to spend less than ten dollars (yes, you read that right) on a shampoo with caffeine? Look no further than OGX’s Anti-Hair Fall + Coconut Caffeine Strengthening Shampoo. This ingredient list features caffeine and white tea extract to improve hair growth, and coconut oil to hydrate and strengthen the hair.
Made with an inexpensive yet scalp-loving formula, this shampoo smoothly coats your strands, dousing them with plenty of growth-promoting and moisture-locking ingredients. And, the coconut-coffee blend will leave your hair smelling like a tropical java drink.
Price at time of publish: $8
Active Ingredients: Caffeine, white tea extract, coconut oil, coffee extract | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty Free: No
Best Splurge
Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo
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Notrdstrom
Has a chorus of growth-promoting ingredients
Luxe packaging
Lathers well
Comes in travel and refill sizes
The only deterrent is the price
Even your scalp deserves a “treat yourself” moment, and that’s where Oribe’s Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo comes into our haircare routines. This product is the top pick among caffeine shampoos for Penny James, a New York City-based Certified Trichologist. She praises the brand’s signature “bio-restorative complex featuring plant collagen, caffeine, and biotin.”
James explains that “these active ingredients repair, nourish, and strengthen the cuticles and hair shaft while also energizing the scalp and stimulating the follicles,” thus creating an ideal environment for hair strengthening and growth.
The formula’s amino acid complex and Mediterranean cypress extract also work to strengthen the hair, penetrate the hair cuticles, and supply strands with extra hydration. Plus, the product basically doubles as shower decor, thanks to its sleek packaging that is sure to elevate any shower space.
Price at time of publish: $53
Active Ingredients: Biotin, plant collagen, caffeine, and niacinamide | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty Free: Yes
Best Strengthening
Bumble and bumble Full Potential Hair Preserving Shampoo
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Sephora
Lathers well
Features multiple growth-stimulating ingredients
Some shoppers complained of the stronger scent
This formula works double duty to clean and nourish the hair. The formula is part cleanser, part exfoliator, and part strengthener, invigorating the scalp and leaving your head with softened strands, a clean canvas, and salon-level volume.
Formulated with stimulating ingredients like rosemary leaf extract, and of course, caffeine, this shampoo penetrates the hair follicles to support hair growth and fight against hair loss. The product features plant extract centella asiatica (aka hydrocotyle), which also fights against hair loss by promoting collagen production and increasing circulation, an ideal combination for those with breakage-prone and thinning hair.
This cleansing shampoo has everything you need for an overall lavish shower experience with its cleansing, exfoliating, and fortifying properties that work overtime to soothe the scalp and promote hair growth.
Price at time of publish: $34
Active Ingredients: Rosemary leaf extract, caffeine, hydrocotyle extract | Sulfate-Free: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Exfoliating
Aveda Invati Advanced Exfoliating Shampoo
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Aveda
Contains other hair-growth agents including ginseng and turmeric
Exfoliates the scalp
For thinner hair, you may want to opt for the light version of this shampoo
We’re constantly on the hunt for multitasking products that have the ability to pare down extensive routines, and Aveda’s Invati Advanced Exfoliating shampoo is the epitome of a double-duty product. The formula multitasks as an exfoliator and a strengthener, ideal for those with scalp build-up, and who still desire an extra dose of strengthening ingredients.
The exfoliant-enriched formula (thanks to salicylic acid and lactic acid) is ideal for removing build-up and dandruff. And in addition to caffeine, this formula is filled with other hardworking ingredients including ginseng and tumeric extracts, ideal for strengthening hair follicles, promoting hair growth, and overall scalp health.
Price at time of publish: $36
Active Ingredients: Turmeric extract, ginseng, salicylic acid, caffeine | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty Free: Yes
Best for Fine Hair
Klorane Strengthening Shampoo with Quinine and Edelweiss
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Klorane
Made from natural ingredients
Caffeine is supported by other volumizing ingredients
It has a scent, but it fades once the product is washed out
If you’re searching for an impressive strengthening formula for ultra-fine hair, we highly suggest Klorane’s Strengthening Shampoo, which is all about boosting the hair’s density during your shower routine, courtesy of its growth-promoting actives. The plant-based shampoo is enriched with quinine bark extract, organic edelweiss, and caffeine which work to target thinning hair.
Plus, it makes the hair look and feel extra soft, apropos of a vitamin B complex, which fortifies the hair and prevents breakage, ultimately improving the hair’s overall health and shine.
Price at time of publish: $24
Active Ingredients: Quinine bark extract, organic edelweiss, caffeine, vitamin B complex | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty Free: Yes
Best for Color-Treated Hair
LolaVie Restorative Shampoo
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LolaVie
Comes in a travel size
Leaves the hair glossy and smooth
Non-greasy
Works best with the entire product lineup
Not only is Jennifer Aniston’s haircare line the first step in achieving that highly coveted and '90s-inspired Rachel Green look, but it also supplies the hair with a dose of caffeine while doing so.
The caffeine-filled formula is bolstered with growth-stimulating biotin and melatonin to aid in repairing damage and improving volume. It's also formulated with soothing niacinamide and a cocktail of plant extracts including ginger, peppermint, and chia to nourish the scalp with natural ingredients and stimulate hair growth. Not to mention, it leaves the hair with a fresh fruity scent and a super soft finish, with no styling needed.
Price at time of publish: $29
Active Ingredients: Caffeine, niacinamide, biotin | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty Free: Yes
Best for Dry Hair
Terez & Honor Caffeine Hair Loss Shampoo
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Terez & Honor
Works well on men's and women’s hair
Prioritizes caffeine
Takes a couple of minutes to fully lather into hair
Terez & Honor’s Caffeine Anti-Hair Loss Shampoo comes highly recommended by professional hairstylist Joseph Michael, who explains “caffeine helps to suppress the hair loss hormone called DHT at the follicle,” resulting in a decreased amount of hair loss. He adds that “caffeine along with other ingredients together can help stimulate hair growth.” And luckily, this caffeine-first formula is coupled with black sesame and Chinese knotweed which work to promote scalp circulation and aid in hair growth. Plus, hydrating acacia moisturizes the hair for ultimate revitalization for the driest of strands.
Price at time of publish: $28
Active Ingredients: Caffeine, acacia, black sesame, Chinese knotweed | Sulfate-Free: No | Cruelty Free: Yes
Best for Frizzy Hair
JVN Embody Daily Volumizing Shampoo
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Sephora
Color-safe
Works well with any hair type
The larger pump bottle takes up a decent amount of shower real estate
While the Embody Daily Volumizing Shampoo can be used on any type of hair, this product is especially advantageous for those with frizzy hair types. JVN haircare has pioneered the use of hemi-squalene, an innovative molecule that “deeply penetrates the hair to repair, protect, and smooth all types and textures,” according to the brand. The hero ingredient is not only color-safe, but keeps frizz and flyaways at bay by smoothing and nourishing the strands.
Plus, the formula boasts some serious volume payoff, making it a go-to formula for those with fine or thinning hair. The lightweight formula combined with a lathering cleanse removes any unwanted build-up without stripping the hair of its natural oils. The efficacious shampoo is also gentle enough for daily use and is scientifically formulated to combat hair loss.
Price at time of publish: $21
Active Ingredients: Squalane, hemi-squalene, caffeine, aloe leaf juice | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty Free: Yes
Final Verdict
For a product that prioritizes hair growth through caffeine, Briogeo’s Destined for Density Shampoo earned our top spot. The powerhouse formula also features biotin and peptides to stimulate the scalp and follicles for a fuller head of hair. If you’re willing to splurge on a luxe formula, we suggest Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo. And for a wallet-friendly pick, OGX Anti-Hair Fall + Coconut Caffeine Strengthening Shampoo also puts caffeine at the forefront of its formula.
Meet the Expert
- Penny James is a board-certified Trichologist and owner of Penny James Trichology Center
- Joseph Michael is a celebrity hairstylist with more than 15 years of experience in the industry
What to Look for in Shampoo with Caffeine
Active Ingredients
In addition to caffeine, there are other growth-promoting factors to look for in shampoo. James suggests looking for biotin alongside caffeine, “to strengthen the hair shaft.” Briogeo’s Destined for Density Shampoo, Oribe’s Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo, and Lolavie’s Restorative Shampoo all feature biotin.
Scalp Soothing Ingredients
Niacinamide is a hero ingredient for the scalp due to its nourishing, moisturizing, and soothing properties. It also promotes circulation and blood flow in the scalp, therefore strengthening the hair follicles and stimulating healthy hair growth.
Why Trust Byrdie
Jasmine Hyman is a commerce writer covering all things fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. For this article, she spent hours researching the best shampoos with caffeine on the market. Jasmine also evaluated customer reviews and spoke with professional hairstylist Joseph Michael and trichologist Penny James for their product recommendations, haircare advice, and insight.