14 best hair growth shampoos tested, plus the ingredients to look out for

Does your hair seem vertically challenged? If so, you’re far from alone. It's the reason why myriad hair growth shampoos, gummies and supplements have flooded your local Boots in recent years.

And yet, with so many formulas out there promising to give you strands long enough to rival a Love Island contestant, how do you know if they really work? Rather than truly having the ability to add inches to your strands, are these products money down the drain?

We spoke to the experts and put products to the test to find out if these next-gen shampoos are miracle workers or marketing BS. Stay with us for the honest truth.

Or skip straight to our roundup of the best hair growth shampoos that actually work:

What makes your hair grow faster?

It’s important to figure out why your hair isn’t growing as you’d like it to. If it’s hair thinning or loss you’re dealing with, then it’s best to consult a doctor. If you’re noticing too much hair in your hairbrush or think you could be struggling with a medical condition such as alopecia, there may be a prescription-only solution open to you.

However, if you’re simply struggling to grow out a bad haircut or can't get your ends to creep past your shoulders, you may want to consider a hair-growth shampoo.

However it's important to also bear in mind that various environmental and lifestyle factors can play a part in boosting (or slowing down) hair growth.

Anabel Kingsley, Trichologist at Philip Kingsley, explains: 'The scalp is the bedrock for the hair follicle, and if it's not in good condition, the chances of you experiencing problems with hair growth and health increase significantly. In fact, research has proven that a flaky, itchy scalp can cause and/or worsen hair loss in certain individuals.'

There is some evidence that sulphates (lather-inducing detergents used in many mainstream beauty products) can irritate a sensitive scalp — which can be an issue when it comes to hair growth – so look for sulphate-free shampoos if you think that's a problem.

The way you brush can have an impact too. Attacking tangles with a hairbrush is likely to snap your strands, which means your hair just won't reach the mile-long lengths of your dreams. Opt for a detangler with flexible bristles for gentler brushing.

What foods help hair growth?

Ensure your diet includes plenty of hair growth-supporting biotin, aka water-soluble vitamin B. You can find this in egg yolk, yeast and wholegrains — or from a supplement if you aren't getting what you need from your diet.

Now, onto the big question...

Do hair growth shampoos really work?

Dr Max Malik, aesthetic dermatologist and hair-restoration surgeon, warns that hair growth shampoos may not live up to the hype. ‘Over-the-counter versions of these shampoos and other hair growth treatments are now widely sold. It's a huge industry. However, there is actually minimal evidence in support of these treatments,' he says.

Kingsley agrees that the buzzy claims made by hair growth shampoos may be misleading, drawing attention to the many factors that can hamper their success.

‘It’s important to note that the effectiveness of a product is not just reliant on the ingredients inside. It’s heavily dependent on the concentrations of the ingredients, the quality of them and how they are formulated into the product,’ she explains.

What’s more, Kingsley suggests that the way these shampoos are used may determine whether they work or not. ‘For instance, many ingredients need to be left on the scalp for an extended period of time and/or be used daily, in order to be effective,’ she says.

What is the best product for hair growth?

Kingsley does highlight several ingredients contained in some hair growth products that can help optimise the health of your scalp and in turn support healthy hair growth. These include:

• mentho, a stimulant,
• piroctone olamine, an antimicrobial that helps to clear flaking and itching,
• caffeine and peppermint oil, which can help boost circulation at the scalp, and
• amino acids and proteins, which can strengthen the hair strands.

Essentially, the best ‘hair-growth’ shampoos don’t actually give your hair a growth spurt, but rather play a supporting role in ensuring your lengths reach their full potential.

So, there you have it. Nothing on the shelves will give you hip-skimming hair in a fortnight, but they can help ensure your strands are growing at their optimal natural rate. Scroll down to discover the best products for the job.

How we test

Every product has been tried by our panel of 700 testers, all with self-diagnosed mild hair loss or thinning.

Each tester tried a targeted shampoo and conditioner set for one to two months. The products all claimed to correct one of the three main causes of hair loss: breakage, thinning, and lack of root or scalp stimulation.

Testers made a note of any changes to their scalp or hair’s condition during the trial period, as well as how their hair felt after each wash. The panel included women with a range of hair types, from straight to Afro.

Our team tested anti-breakage shampoos by combing through hair switches treated with the product(s) and comparing them to untreated switches. The easier the treated switches were to comb, the lower the risk of hair breakages and fallout in real life. For those shampoos with thickening and root-stimulating claims, our in-house testers used a HairMetrix machine to analyse the effect each set had on hair thickness and density.

14 of the best hair growth shampoos