The 13 Best Hair Growth Shampoos That Actually Work

Best Overall

Vegamour GRO+ Advanced Replenishing Shampoo

$16 at Vegamour.com

Hair Type: Fine, thinning | Key Ingredients: Cannabidiol | Amount: 1.7, 8 oz | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Vegamour Gro+ Advanced stood out from the pack of formulas we tested. We used this shampoo consistently for six weeks, following the brand's instructions, which say to leave it on for a minute to let the active ingredient (cannabidiol, aka CBD) do its thing. (CBD can potentially help with hair loss by soothing scalp inflammation and regulating oil production.) One tester's hair grew about a half-inch more than usual in the same amount of time pre-test, and their baby hairs appeared slightly thicker.

In terms of daily performance, this shampoo did its job without stripping our strands or causing irritation. The scalp felt cleansed and the hair felt not only cleaner but also noticeably softer after each use. We also liked the mild herbal-citrusy scent. One thing to note: this shampoo doesn't contain sulfates, so you won't get that rich, sudsy lather. However, this didn't affect testers' ability to spread the shampoo onto the scalp and work it into the hair. It rinsed out easily too.

Best Budget

Marc Anthony Grow Long Shampoo

$8 at Amazon $8 at Target $9 at Walmart

Hair Type: Fine, damaged, thinning | Key Ingredients: Caffeine, ginseng, biotin, vitamin E | Amount: 8.4, 16 oz | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No

Wallet-friendly Marc Anthony Grow Long Super Fast Strength Shampoo certainly has all the right keywords in the product name. After trying it out, we can tell you it's not just lip service. We saw substantial hair growth during the testing period. While the formula didn't seem to promote new growth (no new baby hairs sprouted from scalps), the hair appeared healthier after six weeks of use. It also seemed to live up to its claims of preventing breakage.

This shampoo lathered into a nice, creamy consistency, gently cleansed the hair, and helped calm itchy scalps. One drawback is that it requires more thorough rinsing than other hair washes to get it all out and avoid a residue. We loved the light citrusy scent—and wished it lingered longer—and how smooth and shiny our hair felt after each use.

Best Drugstore

Garnier Fructis Grow Strong Shampoo

$9 at Amazon $7 at Target $4 at Walmart

Hair Type: Thin, damaged | Key Ingredients: Active fruit protein | Amount: 12.5, 22, 33.8 oz | Sulfate-Free: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Garnier makes one of the best drugstore options for strengthening hair. Though the growth results weren't as dramatic as some other formulas we tested, the brand's Grow Strong Shampoo seemed to thicken up strands a bit, encourage baby hairs to grow, help prevent breakage, and make hair more manageable. Testers also noticed fewer hairs in the shower drain.

Scalps and hair felt clean after washing with this shampoo, and it rinsed out easily without creating any buildup. We're also big fans of the foamy lather, classic apple scent, and massive pump bottle, which equals a big bang for your buck.

Best for Fast Results

Évolis Professional Promote Shampoo

$28 at Amazon View on Evolisproducts.com $24 at Macy's

Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: Burnet root extract, Japanese tea rose, swertia chirata extract | Amount: 8.5 oz | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

One tester's hair was significantly longer after six weeks of using Évolis Promote Shampoo—in fact, the results were noticeable in just two weeks. They didn't see any new baby hairs or increased thickness, but it definitely seemed to encourage faster growth.

The sulfate-free formula doesn't create much of a lather. This resulted in using more of the product than necessary (the brand says to use a "small amount"), which may have had the effect of drying out the hair. Still, it didn't cause any itchiness or aggravate dry, dandruff-prone scalps. The scent is also lovely—not super distinct but reminiscent of a high-end salon treatment.

Best for Natural Hair

Alodia Nourish & Hydrate Creme Shampoo

$18 at Amazon $16 at Alodiahaircare.com

Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: Peppermint oil, avocado oil | Amount: 8 oz | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This is a sulfate-free, low-lather shampoo, which isn't everyone's cup of tea but is often preferred by those with natural hair, as it's less likely to weaken hair fibers. We tested it on thick, curly hair, and while it didn't seem to speed up growth, our tester noticed more baby hairs and a reduction in shedding and hair loss at the end of the testing period. Their hair also felt fuller, smoother, and shinier.

This shampoo did a good job cleansing the hair without making it so squeaky clean that it stripped the natural oils. It has a subtle astringent feeling (likely due to the peppermint oil) without being overly harsh. The peppermint oil is supposed to minimize itching and flaking while stimulating the scalp to encourage hair growth. Unfortunately, there wasn't much of a difference in flyaway prevention.

Best for Color-Treated Hair

Grande Cosmetics GrandeHAIR Peptide Shampoo

$25 at Amazon View on Grandecosmetics.com

Hair Type: Color-treated, fine, thinning | Key Ingredients: Hexapeptide-11 | Amount: 8 oz | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Formulated specifically for color-treated hair, this shampoo exfoliates the scalp and supports healthy hair growth. We didn't observe faster or new hair growth from using this shampoo—but that's not what it claims to do. It calls on Hexapeptide-11 (a synthetic peptide) to improve scalp health and fortify hair follicles to encourage healthy (but not necessarily accelerated) growth while potentially reducing fallout and slowing hair loss.

There wasn't a substantial difference in the state of the hair at the end of the testing period, but it seems like the longer you use this shampoo, the more it'll work for you. Also, the brand notes you'll get the best results by using it alongside its Hair Enhancing Serum. As for day-to-day washing, this product cleansed without fading or dulling our color. Just be sure to rinse it out thoroughly—otherwise, it may leave a residue on your scalp.

Best for Damaged Hair

Oribe Hair Alchemy Shampoo

$52 at Amazon $20 at Sephora $52 at Dermstore

Hair Type: Damaged, brittle | Key Ingredients: Chia seed, fermented bamboo, plant protein | Amount: 2.5, 8.5, 34 oz | Sulfate-Free: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If your hair has seen better days, this strengthening shampoo will bring it back from the brink and foster healthy growth. Oribe's Hair Alchemy Shampoo promises to fortify weak, damaged hair to reduce breakage and prevent fallout. Our tester didn't notice faster growth or new hairs cropping up, but after six weeks, their hair was smoother and shinier with fewer flyaways and more body.

The sulfate-free formula wasn't irritating or drying at all. But they had to use substantially more of it to generate the sudsy lather you get with many drugstore shampoos. They also liked the light floral scent, which is subtler than most other Oribe products.

Best for Dry Hair

Luseta Beauty Jamaican Black Castor Oil Shampoo

$16 at Amazon $18 at Walmart View on Lusetabeauty.com

Hair Type: Dry, brittle, damaged, fine | Key Ingredients: Castor oil | Amount: 16.9, 33.8 oz | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This hydrating shampoo nourishes dry, brittle hair to promote growth and prevent breakage, thanks to the inclusion of castor oil and shea butter. It doesn't claim to help hair grow faster or make you sprout new hairs but rather supports general healthy growth. On that front, we think it delivered. After the testing period, the hair felt somewhat denser and maybe a bit stronger.

If you have dry hair, the moisturizing formula will replenish it without leaving a residue. Since the consistency is thick, it can be hard to spread throughout the hair and get a good lather going, but it still rinses out easily. It's also sulfate-free, so you shouldn't have to worry about it stripping or dulling your color.

Best for Curly Hair

The Mane Choice Manetabolism Rejuvenation Solution Shampoo

$21 at Amazon $20 at Walmart View on Themanechoice.com

Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: Biotin, vitamin E, rosemary oil | Amount: 8 oz | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This shampoo from The Mane Choice made the hair feel noticeably fuller and more voluminous. And although it was super hydrating, it didn't weigh down hair or leave roots feeling greasy. Our tester didn't have anything to report in terms of new or faster growth, but the formula helped detangle and add definition, which is clutch for curly hair.

Since the consistency is thick and creamy, it doesn't lather as readily as other products we tested—you'll need a bit more product and extra water to get it to foam. The non-stripping shampoo doesn't dry out hair, but you won't get that squeaky-clean feeling of a clarifying formula, either.

Best Thickening

Miriam Quevedo Black Baccara Shampoo

$50 at Nordstrom $50 at Bloomingdales $50 at Neiman Marcus

Hair Type: Fine, thinning, brittle | Key Ingredients: Black baccara rose, rose stem cells, growth factors, bond filler | Amount: 8.5 oz | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

After six weeks of lathering up with this shampoo our tester's hair appeared thicker and fuller. It seemed to help speed up hair growth slightly but not necessarily curb shedding or spark new growth. While it made the hair more manageable and they could go longer between washes, it didn't do much to improve the texture, smooth flyaways, or add shine.

this shampoo did, however, strengthen the hair, helping protect it against daily stressors like blow drying, brushing, and wearing a tight ponytail. The showering experience was pleasant as well: It easily foamed up into thick suds and had a light rose water scent.

Best Bar

Kitsch Rice Water Shampoo Bar for Hair Growth

$12 at Amazon $14 at Ulta $14 at Walmart

Hair Type: Thinning, fine, damaged | Key Ingredients: Rice water protein, amino acids | Amount: 3.2 oz | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This shampoo bar is great for travel and people who want to minimize their use of plastic containers. It contains rice protein, which the brand says can boost hair volume by 20% in as little as five washes. We didn't notice a whole lot of increased growth, but our tester's hair was undeniably smoother, shinier, and easier to manage after six weeks.

With daily use, the hair felt clean, refreshed, and incredibly soft. The hydrating, sulfate-free formula didn't strip strands of their natural oils and seemed to help prevent a dry, flaky scalp. It also lathered well, considering that it's a solid bar. And it never left behind a residue—a common complaint with bar shampoos.

Best Strengthening

Kérastase Densifique Shampoo

$42 at Amazon $42 at Sephora View on Kerastase-usa.com

Read Full Review: Kérastase Will Turn Your Bathroom into a French Salon

Hair Type: Fine, thinning, damaged | Key Ingredients: Peptides, ceramides, salicylic acid | Amount: 8.5 oz | Sulfate-Free: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Kérastase Densifique Shampoo promises to visibly thicken your hair while strengthening it from the roots down. After testing it at home, we're thrilled to report it does that and more. The formula infused normally flat, oily strands with noticeable density. After just one use, the hair seemed to have more natural-looking volume and lifted roots.

What's more, this shampoo appeared to help curb hair loss. It also does its job in terms of daily cleansing and getting rid of scalp buildup. The scent has notes of bergamot, pink mint, musk, and cedar. Some people love it, but it might be a bit too fragrant for the scent-sensitive.

Best for Daily Use

PURA D'OR Hair Thinning Therapy Shampoo

View on Ulta $23 at Amazon $15 at Target

Hair Type: Thinning, fine, damaged, color-treated | Key Ingredients: Saw palmetto, rosemary oil, green tea | Amount: 8, 16 oz | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Not all hair-growth shampoos are suitable for daily use. If you're looking for something you can use regularly without worrying about stripping your hair or irritating your scalp, this gentle, sulfate-free shampoo from Pura D'or is the way to go.

It's formulated with plant-based ingredients, many of which are organic. It contains saw palmetto, green tea, and rosemary oil, which have been shown to block the hormone DHT (short for dihydrotestosterone). An excess of DHT can cause some forms of hair loss. However, since it's sulfate-free, it doesn't lather much.