We Found Them: The Best Hair Growth Products To Serve Your Length Goals

You can’t have healthy hair growth without a high-quality shampoo. After all, your follicles are the literal source of hair growth, so you want to keep them cleansed and happy. 

That being said, you also don’t want a shampoo that’s over-drying, as stripping your scalp of essential moisture can totally hinder hair growth. Good news: Clinical results show this Nutrafol number reduces dryness and flakes. I’ve been using it exclusively for the past few weeks, and my scalp feels invigorated and fresh.

It features gentle surfactants to lift buildup and remove excess oil, along with prebiotics to feed the scalp’s delicate microbiome. There’s also vegan protein to actively strengthen strands with every wash. Not to mention, there are no sulfates or synthetic fragrances. 

“I wish it had more ingredients specifically focused on hair growth (i.e., peptides or rosemary oil), but the point of this shampoo is to use as part of a broader system from Nutrafol,” says mbg beauty director Alexandra Engler. That said, it does its job as an invigorating scalp cleanser. 

It’s also silicone-free, which Engler and I both appreciate. “Silicone-free isn’t mandatory for me, but it certainly is a nice bonus,” Engler says, and I wholeheartedly agree. Here, find how we scored this shampoo on a scale from 1 to 5:

The link between prebiotics and skin (or scalp) health is well documented. Prebiotics—such as plant sugars, algae, and minerals—are essentially ingredients that "feed" good bacteria on the skin, and studies show that they can support skin barrier function. And healthy, thriving skin up top is crucial for hair growth. 

Nutrafol also conducted a clinical study of 37 people, in which 100% of the participants had immediate improvement in scalp dryness; they also showed a reduction in sebum (aka oil) after two weeks of using this shampoo.

Boy, does this shampoo please my scalp! It lathers effortlessly yet doesn’t strip my scalp or strands of precious moisture. I’ve been using it exclusively for the past few weeks, and my scalp feels more balanced than ever, which is a great sign for healthy hair growth.

Engler agrees: “This helps restore the pH and microbiome of the skin in the area, resulting in balanced sebum production and improved hydration—with clinical results to back it,” she notes. That said, it’s difficult to glean results from a shampoo alone, since I also use targeted serums and oils (which I’ve added below).

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Keeping the strands you have aptly moisturized is crucial for hair growth down the line, so we definitely wanted a conditioner on this list. And this one plays double duty: Not only does it seriously hydrate my lengths but it also helps repair damage from heat styling, chemical processing, and the like. With every use, I can feel my tresses becoming softer and smoother.

As far as ingredients go, this conditioner contains a signature “Active Bonding Technology” to penetrate strands and repair broken hair bonds, as well as protect vulnerable hairs from future damage. Note: The formula does contain dimethicone if you’re someone who avoids silicones. I don’t personally follow a hard no-silicones rule, but I try not to overdo it. Something to note!

Below, discover how this conditioner measured up to our testing rubric:

Protein-rich ingredients—like arginine, an amino acid—help protect the hair from damage and keep it healthy. And as a general rule, healthy hair grows way faster. Take it from celebrity hairstylist Annagjid "Kee" Taylor: "A good protein treatment can aid in the repair of severely damaged hair, hair growth, and the penetration and healing of a dry, flaky scalp," she once told mbg about protein treatments.

This conditioner also features humectants, like panthenol, which have the ability to attract water to the surface of the skin and hair and plump the strands with hydration. You can probably guess where I’m going here: Aptly hydrated strands appear fuller, too.

Like I mentioned, I did notice my broken hairs at the crown of my head becoming less noticeable, which I see as a success. When those hairs stick out, it’s easy for them to break further (thus impeding hair growth). 

However, this conditioner exists as part of a 4-step bonding system—shampoo, conditioner, treatment, and leave-in—and I didn’t add the full regimen to my routine. It’s a solid conditioner, don’t get me wrong, but I suspect better results from using the full system.

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Of all the hair growth serums out there, this Vegamour number is one of the best. It comes recommended time and again by experts, hairstylists, and editors—both Engler and I consider ourselves loyal fans. 

“This is the No. 1 serum I recommend to folks for hair growth,” Engler says. “It’s efficient, doesn't weigh hair down, and easy to fit into your routine.” On a personal note, it’s one of the few serums I’ve actually noticed visible results from, like new baby hairs along my temples.

“This checks a lot of hair growth boxes, with turmeric, caffeine, and biotin,” says Engler. “The only thing missing is some peptides or stem cells.” 

I will point out it does contain natural fragrance (in the form of essential oils), and it has butylene glycol and denatured alcohol, which can be irritating for sensitive scalps. “I am very sensitive to EOs, so I will say sometimes the smell irritated my eyes (since I was mainly applying it around my temples), but those without those sensitivities won’t have that issue,” adds Engler. 

Here, find our full rubric:

“I think that one of the star ingredients is the topical caffeine, which has been shown to stimulate hair growth and also counteract the potentially damaging effects of hormones and stress on the hair follicle,” board-certified dermatologist Neera Nathan, M.D., says about the formula. “Curcuma longa, or turmeric, is another powerful active that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.”

Certified trichologist Bridgette Hill is also a fan of using vasodilators (like caffeine) for hair follicle health, as they boost circulation. In addition, mung bean extracts are "believed to strengthen the dermal papilla. The dermal papilla, which is at the base of the hair follicle, regulates hair growth functions,” she previously told us.

I used this serum after a stint of stress-induced hair shedding, and, boy, am I so glad I did. After a few weeks of consistency, I finally started to see precious baby hairs cropping up around my temples. Take it from me, this product works. Says Engler, “This serum has noticeably helped fill in my part and hairline.”

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We’d be remiss not to call out Mielle’s famed rosemary oil. It went viral for a reason, after all. Still, we don’t merely hop on the bandwagon without testing a product thoroughly. We take pride in our discerning recommendations, and lo and behold: This oil really works. I have noticed more baby hairs growing around my temples since adding it to my routine, and I have the simple-yet-effective ingredients to thank. 

The workhorse here of course is rosemary oil, which stimulates circulation on the scalp—this, in turn, has the potential to spur hair growth. Peppermint oil also helps stimulate those follicles, which can contribute to growth. It also features biotin, which strengthens existing strands and provides antioxidant properties.

Here, find our full testing rubric:

Rosemary oil is frequently lauded for its hair growth properties. In fact, a 2015 randomized comparative trial found that rosemary essential oil was just as effective as minoxidil (the active ingredient in many commercial hair-growth products) for reversing hair loss caused by androgens—also known as male- or female-pattern baldness—after six months. Perhaps that's why holistic plastic surgeon Anthony Youn, M.D., deemed the blend "a very reasonable option for people who want to stay natural and have some thinning hair issues" on the mindbodygreen podcast. 

Peppermint oil, too, has some follicle-stimulating power: In one animal study, peppermint oil improved hair growth in mice when compared to jojoba oil and minoxidil. According to researchers, this suggests that peppermint oil may speed up the anagen stage, aka the active growing phase of hair growth.

It makes for a wonderful hair growth treatment! I’ve loved using it as a pre-shampoo treatment: I’ll apply a few drops on my scalp and hairline, massage it in with my fingertips (or a scalp brush), and leave it in for at least 30 minutes before hopping in the shower. 

It does contain other moisturizing oils (grapeseed, almond, and the like), but I prefer to use it only on my scalp and hairline, opting for a heavier oil to coat on my lengths. That said, this is definitely a treatment oil as opposed to a styling oil: It does make your hair look pretty greasy post-application. But if you’re using it as a pre-shampoo treatment (like me), you likely won’t mind the slick appearance.

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I love a scalp brush. As far as tools go, don’t underestimate the humble scalp brush. I’ll use one to help my shampoo lather, break up buildup, or give myself a follicle-stimulating scalp massage—and this Ouai tool is the perfect pick. Sure, high-tech red light devices and vibrating caps have all the bells and whistles, but a simple scalp massage goes a very long way. 

The best “ingredient” for a scalp brush is silicone, since the gentle material won’t scratch up your scalp and is water-resistant (since, you know, you’ll likely store it in the shower). Below, see how this Ouai tool measures up:

Regular scalp massages have been associated with hair growth: "Beautiful, strong hair depends on good blood circulation, proper nutrition, and a healthy and supple scalp," says board-certified dermatologist Raechele Cochran Gathers, M.D., who specializes in hair care and founded MDHairMixtress about scalp massages. 

In fact, in a 2016 study, a small number of men received a daily four-minute scalp massage. At the conclusion of the study, the investigators found an increase in hair thickness. A more recent 2019 study found that of the 300 or so participants who followed a specific massage regimen, nearly 70% reported improved hair thickness at the end.

Will this tool make or break your hair growth goals? Not exactly, but given the benefits of regular scalp massages, it’s a solid investment into an existing hair growth routine. And the wide silicone bristles on this Ouai number easily penetrate my thick locks and feel incredible on the scalp. Not for nothing, the sandstone hue looks oh-so-chic in my shower.

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