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10 shampoos for hair growth trichologists actually recommend for thicker, healthier hair – tried and tested
Plus, tips on how to minimise hair loss
There are plenty of reasons you might find yourself reaching for a hair-growth shampoo. Maybe a DIY trim went sideways (we see you, uneven fringe), or perhaps your latest bleaching session left your strands feeling a little fragile (the blonde life isn’t always low-maintenance). Honestly, we've all been there.
So, if longer, healthier, more Rapunzel-esque lengths are your goal, a hair-growth shampoo could be just what you need. But before you lather up, here are the expert-backed facts, courtesy of trichologists Helen Reavey, Hannah Gaboardi, Mark Blake and Steven Goldsworthy.
Side note: If you are experiencing significant thinning or hair loss (as in, more than a few strands in the plughole), it’s important to get to the root of the issue first. Unfortunately, a bottle of shampoo won't fix all your problems – yes, a clever, trichologist-developed formula can help, but it's best to find solace in a doctor's appointment.
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Steven’s recommendation
L'Oreal Professionnel Serié Expert Serioxyl Advanced Purifier and Bodifier Shampoo 300ml
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Here’s the thing: before you get too excited thinking all your hair loss worries are over, we should clarify – a hair growth
shampoo won’t magically make new hairs sprout overnight. As Mark Blake, globally recognised trichologist & Nioxin ambassador, says: “If things were that easy, I’d be out of a job.”
“The reality is a shampoo only stays on your scalp for a couple of minutes in the shower, and by the time it’s mixed with all that water, it’s hugely diluted. While a good shampoo can help create a healthy scalp environment, it’s unlikely to be the thing that suddenly kickstarts hair growth,” he adds.
The lesson being, while shampoos alone aren’t a solution for hair loss, they will assist in creating the perfect scalp environment to support your natural growth cycle and fortify the existing follicles on the scalp. See it as maintaining a pot of soil in order to see a strong, beautiful flower grow.
Tips for promoting hair growth
Hair growth is affected by many different factors like genetics, hormones and vitamin deficiencies. There are many factors to hair growth, but minimising hair loss and hair shedding is key.
For this, Hannah Gaboardi, leading trichologist and founder of The Hannah Gaboardi Clinic, says: “It is important to maintain high vitamin and iron levels. Keeping your vitamins within range helps to keep your hair in its natural hair cycle. When your hair growth cycle is disrupted, this leads to the telogen phase, which begins hair shedding.”
Not only that, but adopting healthy haircare habits plays a crucial role in retention and growth. "Use high-quality hair products, brush gently to avoid breakage, trim your hair regularly to prevent split ends, and exercise caution when using chemical treatments such as hair colouring or perms," recommends Steven Goldsworthy, director at Goldsworthy’s in Swindon and leading trichologist.
“In terms of hair growth,” he adds, “it is important to seek professional advice once you are aware of hair loss, hair growth can be encouraged by using the correct medication, supplements and diet, which can be advised by a medical professional.”
Now you're armed with the knowledge (and realistic expectations), scroll down for the hair-growth shampoos that met our very high standards...
The best hair growth shampoos to try now
If you’re familiar with the transformative results of UKLash’s eyelash growth serum, you can only imagine how effective the brand’s shampoo is at encouraging strong and healthy growth. Of course, like with most hair-growth formulas, this shampoo won’t magically sprout you new strands. But what it will do is create the optimal scalp environment for growth.
This particular bottle contains amino acids and pineapple extract, both designed to stimulate circulation at the scalp while supporting the hair follicle itself. This will reinforce strands from the root to tip, and the result? Hair that feels stronger, looks fuller and is less prone to breakage.
Key ingredients:
| Key ingredients: | Amino acids, vitamin E, pineapple extract |
|---|---|
| Sulphate free? | No |
You don’t have to spend lots to find a decent bottle of hair growth shampoo. And proving that is L’Oreal Paris’ Growth Booster Shampoo. This budget buy contains aminexil – a very popular ingredient used in hair growth formulas – as it takes a dual-action approach to tackling hair fall.
It works by helping to anchor the hair fibre at the root while preventing the hardening of collagen around the follicle – these are two factors that can contribute to premature shedding. So while it won’t actually cause hair growth, it’ll prevent your strands from falling out, resulting in thicker hair over time.
Key Specifications:
| Key ingredients: | Aminexil, niacinamide, ginger extract. |
|---|---|
| Sulphate free? | Yes |
L'Oreal Professionnel Serié Expert Serioxyl Advanced Purifier and Bodifier Shampoo 300ml
Let's face it, this bottle looks as serious as its name suggests. We might not be picturing it on our grids anytime soon, but what it lacks in aesthetics, it makes up for in performance and great value.
This growth-boosting winner contains resveratrol – an ingredient that claims to keep hair follicles healthy – so over time you'll notice fewer split ends and thicker, more voluminous lengths.
Plus, it's one that Steven recommends. "It helps improve hair density and strength, making it suitable for thinning hair types," he says.
Key Specifications:
| Key ingredients: | Magnesium sulphate, salicylic acid, menthol |
|---|---|
| Sulphate free? | No |
Kérastase Genesis Bain Hydra-Fortifiant
Steven also recommends the Kérastase Genesis Bain Hydra-Fortifiant for promoting hair growth. "Designed to promote a healthy scalp environment, this shampoo effectively addresses dandruff while maintaining hydration," he says.
After only a few washes, you'll notice stronger, healthier lengths and its floral scent makes showering a sensory delight.
Key Specification:
| Key ingredients: | Edelweiss native cells, ginger root and Aquaxyl (to boost moisture) |
|---|---|
| Sulphate free? | No |
Act+Acre Stem Cell Shampoo for Hair Thinning and Growth 295ml
"I always recommend a shampoo that supports scalp health first – because that’s the foundation for thicker, fuller-looking hair. Our Act+Acre Stem Cell Shampoo is my go-to," says Helen.
"It’s powered by Swiss Apple Stem Cells, which help protect against follicle damage and oxidative stress – two key factors in hair thinning. It also has caffeine to help stimulate the follicle and improve circulation, and uses Apple Amino Acids to gently cleanse without disrupting the scalp barrier."
Key specifications:
| Key ingredients: | apple stem cells, caffeine, hyaluronic acid |
|---|---|
| Sulphate free? | Yes |
Hannah recommends Nioxin for hair growth, a brand centred around products for fine and thinning hair.
"This shampoo includes key ingredients like niacinamide, saw palmetto and peppermint oil, ingredients that help support blocking of DHT, a hormone which is linked to androgenetic alopecia," says Hannah. "Nioxin also includes ingredients like menthol, which helps increase blood flow to the scalp. This allows the hair follicles to receive the correct nutrients to promote hair growth. And vitamins like biotin and proteins included help strengthen the hair shaft, which makes the strands stronger and less prone to breakage."
Key Specifications:
| Key ingredients: | Niacinamide, saw palmetto, peppermint oil, menthol and biotin |
|---|---|
| Sulphate free? | No |
K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Peptide Prep Detox Shampoo
If your scalp is clogged with product residue, it'll struggle to grow healthy, thick lengths. So what’s your best bet? A great clarifying shampoo to wash away the build-up. One of the coolest scientific innovations is K18’s Peptide Prep Detox Shampoo (alongside the insanely popular Molecular Repair Mask).
The formula contains the brand’s patented peptide to encourage hair growth, while salicylic acid and activated charcoal remove dirt and oil. Just note, this is a heavy-duty shampoo, so you only need to use it once a week. But don’t worry, the non-stripping lather won’t tamper with your colour (phew).
Key Specifications:
| Key ingredients: | Peptides, salicylic acid and activated charcoal |
|---|---|
| Sulphate free? | Yes |
As mentioned, everything from dry shampoo to heat protection sprays can cling to the hairs on your scalp and, over time, leave them flat and brittle – not to mention that these sorts of products can clog pores and prevent hair regrowth (but you already knew that).
Bumble and bumble describe their Sunday Shampoo as "a weekly detox to rid hair of product residue, hard water minerals, pollutants, you name it." So, if you're a dry shampoo addicts and are looking to cleanse your base before using a targeted hair regrowth serum of sorts, look no further.
Key Specifications:
| Key ingredients: | Ginseng, citric acid, glycerin |
|---|---|
| Sulphate free? | No |
If you’ve ever used a tube of Revitalash, you’ll know just how effective it is at growing long, dense lashes. But what you may not know is the brand also delivers the same results to your strands with its Thickening Shampoo – a formula designed to strengthen, nourish and create the ideal scalp environment for fuller, healthier hair.
Containing biotin, flax protein, ginseng, willow bark and panthenol, this is an all-rounder formula that not only strengthens and hydrates brittle strands, but cleanses the scalp to promote a healthy foundation for hair growth.
Key Specifications:
| Key ingredients: | Biotin, flax protein, ginseng, willow bark and panthenol |
|---|---|
| Sulphate free? | Yes |
Consider this a wake up call for your scalp. The Davines Energising Shampoo is formulated with plant extracts and caffeine, designed to stimulate circulation at the roots. Over time, this will create the ideal environment for healthy hair growth.
Beyond just cleansing, it the formula strengthens fragile strands, reduces breakage, and fortifies hair from root to tip. So while it doesn’t actually grow you new strands (sorry) it will work behind the scenes to support your natural hair growth cycle so over time your hair will appear thicker and fuller. Oh, and did we mention it smells fresh and inviting, too.
Key Specifications:
| Key ingredients: | Caffeine, eucalyptus and peppermint oil extracts, niacinamide and citric acid |
|---|---|
| Sulphate free? | Yes |
Do hair-growth shampoos actually work?
We've got good news and bad news: "Shampoos can’t create hair growth," says Helen Reavy, leading trichologist and founder of Act+Acre, "however, they can absolutely support it."
So, while no shampoo will give you Rapunzel-like lengths overnight, the very best formulas can help keep your follicles happy and your lengths fortified, which in turn creates optimal conditions for your hair to grow. Think better growth, not faster.
"A good shampoo removes build-up and balances the scalp microbiome, creating the ideal conditions for healthy follicles," Helen says, while Hannah, adds: "Cleansing the scalp helps reduce any inflammation and clogged pores, which can cause hair loss. Shampoo also helps strengthen your hair shaft; these make the hair appear thicker and fuller but also help reduce breakage.
"Helen also notes that it’s a myth that frequent washing can be damaging – instead, what matters is how and what you’re cleansing with. "I always recommend a double cleanse: the first wash breaks down build-up, the second actually cleans the scalp and allows active ingredients to work," she says.
Which ingredients help growth?
In certain shampoos, there are active ingredients that are beneficial for hair growth. “Caffeine is thought to help support hair density and reduce shedding, while peppermint can stimulate blood flow to the scalp, which helps nourish the hair follicle. You can also look out for niacinamide as it supports a healthier scalp environment,” Mark shares.
But wait, because there's more! "Ketoconazole is an antifungal and keeps the scalp clean, removing inflammation or dandruff on the scalp," Hannah says, recommending the ingredient. "It also has DHT blocking properties, which is the main hormone which causes female and male pattern hair-loss.
"When it comes to strengthening strands, Hannah says keratin is beneficial; "this helps strengthen the hair shaft, reducing breakage and leaving a thicker feel to your hair shaft."
Adding to this, Steven breaks down his four ingredient recommendations for promoting hair growth. "Biotin enhances the keratin infrastructure within the hair follicle," he says, while "niacinamide retains moisture in the hair, promoting healthier strands. Amino acids and collagen are also great promoters of hair growth; the former are the building blocks of protein, essential for strengthening hair, and the latter supports hair strength and elasticity.
"We've got the ingredients to know down, but what about ingredients to avoid? Well, Helen says to steer clear of sulfates, silicones, or synthetic fragrance. "They tend to disrupt the scalp barrier and weigh hair down," she says.
How long does a hair growth shampoo take to work?
The hard truth is that you may never see results from a hair growth shampoo, suggests Mark. Well, that’s if you only use a hair growth shampoo.
“Shampoos are designed to cleanse the scalp, not treat the hair follicle. For an active ingredient to properly work, it needs to be left on the scalp long enough to penetrate the follicle, not diluted, massaged in for two minutes and rinsed straight down the plughole,” he says.
In order to see the best results, a shampoo should only be a small part of your hair growth journey. Factors like a healthy diet, reduced cortisol levels and the right hair care routine all support your hair’s natural growth cycle. “A shampoo can give the follicles a little ‘tickle’, but anything claiming serious growth needs to stay on the scalp,” adds Mark.
How we test the best hair growth shampoos
We didn’t just create this edit of the best hair growth shampoos at random. No we did not. Each and every formula has been tried and tested by one of the Cosmopolitan beauty team members, or come highly recommended by the leading trichologists we interviewed for the piece.
The formula was tested for six weeks, where we analysed how well the shampoo reduced hair shedding and boosted fullness. As the results will vary depending on the person, we also took into consideration the price point, whether or not it has a fragrance and how well it lathered in the hair. Carefully analysing the ingredients list played a huge part too: we wanted to confirm that these formulas contained the high-performing actives, as identified by the experts, to support healthy growth.
Meet the experts:
- Helen Reavey is a leading trichologist and founder of Act+Acre.
- Hannah Gaboardi is a leading trichologist and founder of The Hannah Gaboardi Clinic.
- Mark Blake is a leading, globally recognised trichologist and Nioxin ambassador.
- Steven Goldsworthy the director at Goldsworthy’s in Swindon and a leading trichologist.
Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
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