Top Hair Growth Serums of 2023, Ranked by Hair Experts

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Everybody experiences some type of regular hair loss and shedding. In fact, it’s normal to lose about 100 hairs a day since, at any given time, 10 percent of our strands are in the telogen, or shedding, stage, says Dr. Howard Sobel, Attending Dermatologic Surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital and the founder of Sobel Skin. Generally, you won’t notice the loss, since new hair is also growing in. However, if you’re beginning to be able to spot more of your scalp either all over your head or in specific patches, it may be time to consult a dermatologist who can do a “pull test” (do not try this at home, kids!) by grasping and pulling about 50 hairs. If more than six fall out, you may have a hair loss problem, Sobel says. 

Factors that can affect the natural hair growth cycle and cause excessive hair loss among women include genetics, stress, poor diet and nutrition, hormonal changes (particularly post-partum and during menopause) and Covid, says Wendy Iles, celebrity hair stylist and founder of Iles Formula hair care. A high fever and certain medications can also cause a sudden, significant increase in shedding.

Fortunately, there are a plethora of hair growth serums and other leave-in treatments that can help. Unlike wash-out shampoos, these work by penetrating the scalp where they can do any number of different things based on the particular formula, explains Gretchen Friese, a trichologist for BosleyMD, a company that specializes in hair loss and restoration. 'They can increase circulation, remove toxins and debris from the follicle to create a better environment for healthy growth, or even reactivate a dormant follicle so it will start growing hair again,' she says. Most people experiencing thinning, shedding, or loss can benefit from using one of these treatments, many of which can be applied either all-over or just on particular areas, she adds.

There's only one ingredient, minoxidil, that's FDA-approved to actually grow new hair, Sobel says. It’s the active ingredient in Rogaine, but also found in other OTC products and by prescription. This particular product can regrow up to 25 percent more hair, perfect for those dealing with serious thinning or bald spots. The lightweight foam is easy to use daily, although you'll have to apply it diligently for a few months to see results — and will have to keep using it in order to maintain those results. (Psst, A hair-growth supplement may also help you grow fuller, healthier hair.)

Key Ingredient: Minoxidil | Size: 2.1 oz

'This serum can visibly increase hair density up to 50 percent while reducing loss from combing and washing by up to 76 percent in four months,' says Friese. This is thanks to several unique ingredients not found in many other hair growth serums — namely, mung bean and red clover, which have been shown to help inhibit the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT, a hormone that plays a role in hair loss), and nicotiana benthamiana, an Australian plant whose proteins have been shown to increase the density of hair roots, she explains. You can read one former Shape editor’s review, which includes her two-year experience with the serum, as well as her results, here.

Key Ingredient: Curcumin Stem Cell Extract | Size: 1 fl oz

This hair growth serum relies on a blend of ergothioneine — a mushroom-derived amino acid — and vitamin D2. Humans only get these nutrients from our diets, since the body doesn't produce them naturally, which makes this topical treatment an excellent choice for hair issues caused by dietary deficiencies. In addition to stopping fall out and promoting regrowth, the Stimulating Scalp Serum helps rebalance and soothe the scalp, which is ideal for anyone who may be fighting flakes as well. (Pro tip: Pair it with one of the best thinning hair shampoos for even stronger results.)

Key Ingredient: Ergothioneine | Size: 2 oz

This botanical-based spray infuses your scalp with nutrients, including keratin and peptides, fueling fatigued follicles and nurturing new, fragile hairs so they thicken and thrive. Ideal for hair loss prevention or mild to moderate hair thinning, the product is also color-safe, paraben-free, vegan and gluten-free. 

An independent, third-party lab conducted a six-month clinical study on 65 women between the ages of 35 and 59 and found that 89 percent of women with self-reported hair loss who used Virtue Flourish Density Booster experienced an increase in the total number of anagen hairs (new growth), compared to 86 percent of women using Minoxidil for the same period of time.

For those looking for new hair growth and a formula that doesn’t use minoxidil, this is your best option. The spritz on application makes it easy to apply daily, on dry or damp hair. 

Key Ingredient: keratin | Size: 4 fl oz

Bridgette Hill, a trichologist and colorist at the Paul Labreque Salon is a fan of this lightweight serum, which uses a variety of plant-based ingredients (including lemon essential oil) to boost scalp circulation. The essential oils also give it a potent, but pleasant, citrus scent. Since continued use of any of these treatments is essential for best results, Hill also likes how simple this is to apply. To that point, it also needs to be used just once per week for three months. 

Key Ingredient: Lotus Mineral Complex | Size: 12 vials x .16 oz.

A wallet-friendly and Amazon-favorite pick, this hair loss serum earns rave reviews for working quickly and effectively (and reviewers also love the pleasant scent). It uses a patented pea sprout extract that's rich in nutrients good for your scalp and hair. According to a brand-backed clinical study, 95 percent of users noticed reduced hair loss after three months, though the brand does offer a complete money-back guarantee if you're not totally satisfied with your results.

Key Ingredient: Pea sprout extract | Size: 1 fl oz

Boasting thousands of five-star ratings, this formula features many of the ingredients experts recommend. The 15 different actives include (but are not limited to) biotin — which Friese says can strengthen the hair follicle — and circulation-boosting and DHT-inhibiting caffeine. A targeted nozzle makes application easy, and the dedicated following raves about how much it improves the thickness and overall quality of their hair. 

Key Ingredient: Biotin | Size: 4 oz

This powerhouse serum relies on a litany of different ingredients to improve the look and feel of your strands. 'Protective botanical extracts make for thicker, fuller-looking hair, biotin strengthens, while rosemary extract helps to reduce scalp inflammation and increase circulation,' says Friese, who advises using it on targeted areas rather than all over. 'With this product, I like to tell people, 'If you want hair, put it there’.”

Key Ingredient: Biotin and caffeine | Size: 1 fl oz

For those seeking instant gratification, this multitasking product is the choice. The Invati Advanced Scalp Revitalizer instantly thickens and lifts hair at the root so strands appear fuller right away, making it double as a styling product as well as a hair loss treatment. Its concentrated nozzle guarantees precision when applying and over time, the plant- and herb-based formula, which is rich in invigorating hair-healthy ingredients like turmeric and ginseng, works to support the keratin in your strands. This helps to ward off breakage and subsequent shedding.

Key Ingredient: A patented bio-fermented blend | Size: 5 fl oz

This powerful leave-in treatment, which took five years to develop, helps reduce the signs of premature or temporary hair loss (i.e., early onset receding hairline, postpartum, menopause, stress, or Covid-related loss) while boosting growth of thicker, stronger, healthy hair. It also has a particularly non-greasy texture, which makes it ideal for daily use. It is powered by a proprietary blend of ProcapilTM️ (Biotinoyl Tipeptide-1), wasabi and tomato and apple extracts and delivers superior results with three months of consistent, daily use. Botanically derived and vegan, this treatment fortifies the hair follicle by “strengthening its structure and metabolism,” says Iles. 

Key Ingredient: ProcapilTM️  | Size: 1.7 fl oz

A precisely designed patch that conforms perfectly to the contours of the hairline and temples, these patches are infused with Capixyl™ (a patented combination of acetyl tetrapeptide, dextran, and red clover flower extract, shown to help address key causes of hair loss) and other plant-based actives that both nourish and soothe the scalp. A few other key ingredients include Centella Asiatica, an antioxidant-rich, nourishing, and soothing herb that helps support a healthier looking scalp and hair, and red ginseng, which helps strengthen and smooth the appearance of hair strands and energize the scalp and hair follicles.

They’re SO easy to apply — and don’t pull on hair strands when removing. To use: place the patches at your hairline, leave for 15 or 20 minutes, then remove. Use four days per week for 12 weeks to see the full results. 

Key Ingredient: Capixyl™ | Size: 14 pairs

Dealing with hair loss can be challenging, and finding the right products to help promote hair growth isn’t easy, either. Not only did we rely on our own experiences with these hair growth serums and treatments, but we also interviewed multiple dermatologists (some who specifically focus on hair loss) and hair experts for the products they recommend to their patients. We also looked at the results for the products, clinical studies and real life reviews to ensure efficacy. 

Clearly, there's no shortage of hair growth serums to choose from, all of which boast a variety of different ingredients. Try plant-based options for more preventative measures and to help ward off thinning in the first place; rosemary extract, CBD, curcumin and Procapil (a botanical alternative to Minoxidil) are a few key ingredients to seek out. BosleyMD Follicle Energizer and Iles Formula Scalp + Hair Rejuvenating Booster, both on our list, both help rev up sluggish follicles. Keep in mind that there's only one ingredient, minoxidil, that's FDA-approved to actually grow new hair, Sobel says. Minoxidil is found in Women's Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Foam. 

If you’re suffering from hair loss, there are some ingredients you might want to steer clear of in all of your hair-care products. “Alcohol can dry out your hair, leading to breakage and hair loss,” explains  Jeannette Graf, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. “Silicones can clog the hair follicles, and formaldehyde can contribute to hair loss and dry out your scalp, too.”

Two other ingredients Dr. Graf suggests trying to avoid are parabens and sulfate. “Parabens should be avoided as they might affect hair loss and have negative effects on the scalp,” she explains. “Sulfates can strip the hair’s natural oils and potentially dry out your hair.” Pura D'Or Anti-Thinning Biotin Shampoo is sulfate, paraben, and silicone-free and is a great choice when you’re dealing with hair loss. 

Didi Gluck is a writer, editor, and content producer. Currently, she is the VP, Editorial Content Leader at Manifest, a content marketing agency in New York City. Didi has experience writing about and testing hair growth serums. She also interviewed dermatologists and hair experts to create this list.