11 Shampoos That Boost Hair Growth (For Real)

by Beatrice Hazlehurst
Beatrice Hazlehurst is a journalist specializing in entertainment, culture and lifestyle, and a contributing writer for Byrdie.
Updated 09/18/20

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While there’s no accessory quite like it, maintaining healthy hair can be fickle and frustrating. If it’s thick, it may not be reaching your desired length fast enough. If it’s fine, it may have begun prematurely thinning. If you’re stressed, it could be falling out more than usual. The same goes for if hair loss runs in your family, you have a scalp infection or are undergoing medical treatment. Hell, you might even be experiencing hormone changes and noticing your hair growth at a sudden standstill.

Long story short, hair loss or slowed hair growth is a condition many women will confront in their lifetimes, but that doesn’t make it any less intimidating. Board-certified dermatologist and Byrdie Beauty & Wellness Review Board member Dr. Dendy Engelman specifies diet can be key when it comes to retention or accelerating growth (she recommends eating clean proteins as well as vitamins A, B, C, and D), but proper hair care can be the secret weapon to promote—or restimulate—hair growth and prevent hair thinning before it starts. 

 “Don't overprocess the strands with lots of chemicals, that will stress your scalp,” she says, “You want to make sure that you are using mild shampoos and regular washing to keep the scalp clean. If you are concerned about future thinning hair, you can pick products now to ensure your hair is as strong, healthy, and dense as possible.” So whether you’re seeking to clear the scalp of sebum to stimulate hair follicles, improve the overall strength of each strand to reach Rapunzel length, or all the above, you're in luck.

Below, we rounded up the best hair growth shampoos on the market.

Best Overall: Pura D'Or Hair Thinning Therapy Biotin Shampoo

There’s no way around it—achieving excellent hair must start at the root—or roots. This shampoo truly does it all: cleansing and purifying your scalp while blending the hair growth MVPs—biotin, argan oil, and niacin—to promote strand resilience as well as encourage overall volume and shine. That means less breakage plus reduced split ends and thinning, all while increasing the health of your scalp. Yes, please.

Best Budget: OGX Thick & Full Biotin & Collagen Shampoo

Thick & Full Biotin & Collagen Shampoo

 Courtesy of Ulta

As far as affordable shampoos go, this one does right by pretty much all hair types. Collagen and biotin are well-known individually for repairing strand structure, making them a prime pair to restore and revitalize damaged hair. Reviewers report the appearance of fuller hair after just a few washes; the sulfate-free formula volumizes each strand for luscious locks, all while promoting faster growth.

Best Drugstore: Garnier Active Fruit Protein Grow Strong Fortifying Hair Shampoo

Guaranteeing that each inch of hair will become 10 times stronger after frequent use, Garnier’s Fortifying Hair Shampoo has become known as the go-to to get the hair length of your dreams without investing a small fortune. Formulated with citrus protein, as well as vitamins B3 and B6, this is a no-brainer for those looking to improve their hair health.

Best Splurge: Kerastase Densifique Bain Densité Shampoo

Kerastase Densifique Bain Densité Shampoo

Courtesy of Sephora

If you’re a hyaluronic acid regular, you might be surprised to know it can also be implemented in your hair routine. “This shampoo plumps the strand to prevent future hair breakage, and contains peptides and ceramides to strengthen hair and enhance shine,” Dr. Engelman says.

Best for Thinning Hair: Nioxin System 1 Cleanser Shampoo

Nioxin System 1 Cleanser Shampoo

 Courtesy of Ulta

This little number is a dermatologist favorite for a reason: tons of users reported increased thickness, and the brand even encourage a 30-day challenge for users to see the difference for themselves. Removing product build-up, pollutants, and toxins without stripping your hair of its natural oils, this shampoo creates the ideal environment for your strands to grow uninhibited.

Best for Fine Hair: Briogeo Ginseng + Biotin Volumizing Shampoo

Briogeo Ginseng + Biotin Volumizing Shampoo

 Courtesy of Briogeo

Hairstylists and dermatologists alike will tell you supplementing your routine with vitamins is the only route to achieve healthy hair from the inside out. Luckily, there’s a shampoo already one step ahead, infusing their formula with the oral vitamins to boost your hair care. “It has ginseng to help stimulate the scalp, plus biotin and vitamin B5 to strengthen the hair and help you achieve maximum fullness,” says Dr. Engelman.

Best for Breakage Prevention: NatureLab Tokyo Volume Shampoo

NatureLab Tokyo Volume Shampoo

 Courtesy of Ulta

You’re never too young to start maximizing your hair density, which makes this product essential to those leaning into hair care, hoping to kickstart growth or stop thinning before it starts. “It's fortified with a blend of proteins to strengthen the hair, which will minimize breakage,” Dr. Engelman says. “It also has ingredients to help encourage blood flow to the scalp to help with overall hair health.”

Best for Dry Hair: Davines Nourishing Shampoo

Davines Nourishing Shampoo

 Courtesy of Davines

Dry, damaged, or just plain lackluster hair? Look no further than Davines Nourishing Shampoo. This is one of the few shampoos that welcome natural as well as chemically treated hair and is nothing short of a moisture bomb. Rich in antioxidants, this will create the optimum scalp environment for your hair to flourish.

Best for Natural Hair: African Pride Moisture Miracle Honey & Coconut Oil Shampoo

Curls will be nourished like never before after a few rounds of this shampoo. Known to be an all-rounder for all textures—even chemically relaxed hair—this product uses honey for moisture and shine, and crowd favorite coconut oil to deeply condition, all while gently removing any daily pollutants and promoting repair.

Best for Dandruff: Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

Prone to dandruff? Don't fret. Use Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo three-four times a week to keep your scalp flake-free and prevent hair thinning. “While it may seem unusual that a shampoo marketed for dandruff could slow down hair loss, this shampoo contains ketoconazole, which is anti-inflammatory and blocks the androgens at the hair follicle which contribute to hair loss,” shares Dr. Engleman.

Best Scent: Art Naturals Organic Argan Oil Hair Loss Shampoo

Art Naturals Organic Argan Oil Hair Loss Shampoo

 Courtesy of Target

Let’s be real, scent is a big motivator when it comes to washing our hair. With key ingredients aloe vera and argan oil, you’ll have a whiff of freshness every time you flip your hair after using this shampoo. It also soothes scalp inflammation for easier growth, while restoring damaged hair.

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