The 16 Best Hair Growth Shampoos Of 2023 For Every Hair Type

This brand's cult-favorite hair growth serum has amassed a huge, loyal following thanks to its efficacy. Well, those powerful plant-based ingredients make a star appearance in this gentle shampoo: The micro-encapsulated phyto-actives penetrate the scalp, delivering the nourishing growth-enhancing ingredients. What makes it particularly useful for damaged hair is the vegan silk protein complex that helps smooth and restore damaged strands with continued use. As if that's not enough, wild-harvested marula, baobab, and ximenia oils further condition the hair, too. 

What board-certified dermatologist Neera Nathan, M.D., says about the formula: 

“It is really important to be as gentle as possible when handling hair, and also to use products that will help to minimize the effects of breakage or external damage. Karmatin can coat the hair and help protect from some of this daily damage.”

From the makers of hair-focused nutraceuticals comes this scalp-focused shampoo. Since a healthy scalp is a vital part of the hair growth equation, finding a shampoo that nurtures the environment is top priority. 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.

While fine hair and thin hair are often used synonymously, there’s technically a difference. Fine hair refers to the diameter of the strand itself, while thin refers to the density (or how many strands you have on your head). So when speaking about the needs of fine hair in particular, you should find formulas that will give hair lift and won’t weigh the style down with too much moisture or heaviness. This shampoo offers a deep clean, lightweight hydration, as well as feeding it antioxidants and biotin—somehow, all in one bottle. 

What our tester says:

“This definitely helps my hair appear fuller. After regular use, I got a few comments that my hair was looking thicker lately—which is always a nice surprise. While the hair healthy-ingredients are certainly helping, I also suspect it has something to do with the addition of ​​maltodextrin—a starch-like substance that creates a film-like coating on the hair, which thickens the strands and gives the appearance of a volume.”  – mbg beauty director Alexandra Engler

Harklinikken is a hair growth clinic internationally renowned for its innovative botanical ingredients and astounding results. The brand takes in-person and remote appointments to create a personalized treatment plan—and if you’re looking for serious hair regrowth, it’s worth considering—but you can also get a lower-dose version of the formula with its hair care line. The restorative shampoo in particular uses the same actives found in the famously effective special scalp treatment: burdock root, flavonoids, and glycosides.

What our tester says: 

“When I was dealing with significant hair loss several years ago, I was introduced to Harklinikken by a hairstylist who encouraged me to get on their routine. The full system includes a customized treatment, shampoo, etcetera, and it truly brought life and fullness back to my hair. I’ve been grateful to the brand ever since, and recommend them to anyone who is dealing with hair loss themselves. While I’m not currently doing the full system, I still occasionally will cycle in their shampoo to stimulate hair growth as maintenance. Recently I called in a bottle to re-test, and can confirm it’s as effective as always.”  – mbg beauty director Alexandra Engler

With a light lather that’s never drying, this gentle number is safe enough for daily use. It’s infused with biotin, vitamin B5 (also called panthenol), and a protein complex to strengthen the hair fiber while also neutralizing free radicals at the scalp. This means the hair you do have is less prone to breakage, and the scalp is in prime condition for healthy growth. For those who appreciate scents—this juicy one is not to be missed, with light, easy notes of jasmine, red apple, and peach. 

What our tester says: 

“An exceptional shampoo for its price point, this quality shampoo lathers nicely and gently cleans the hair. My scalp and hair fiber don’t feel stripped after, but it definitely removes buildup effectively.”  – mbg beauty director Alexandra Engler

Thanks to a few innovative highlights, this option is perfect for those with curly or coily hair. The sulfate-free formula uses micellar water and salicylic acid to lift off buildup and sebum on the scalp; then the hyaluronic acid and castor oil help lock in long-lasting moisture for the skin and hair. The result is a refreshed scalp and bouncy defined curls.

What our tester says: 

“I love micellar water in shampoos—such a smart ingredient to utilize for the scalp. Micellar water is able to dissolve oil and debris without drying out the hair. My natural hair toggles between wavy and curly (I’m about 2b to 3b), and is very dry and breakage prone, so I’m always looking for formulas that aren’t too harsh just like this one. Bonus: The nozzle applicator makes it so easy to apply directly to the scalp.” – mbg beauty director Alexandra Engler 

The go-to brand of hair colorists everywhere, Olaplex’s bond-building technology mends damaged hair fiber to encourage healthy hair growth. This is particularly important for color treated hair, as the process is notoriously hard on the cuticles (and why you may experience increased shedding and breakage post coloring appointment if you’re not mindful). The strengthening technology is used throughout the line, including this gentle shampoo.

What our tester says: 

“As someone who spent 5-plus years bleaching their hair, I’ve grown to know Olaplex very well. The bond building technology really does help reduce breakage, especially if you’re someone who has fragile hair to begin with. I’m not currently coloring my hair, but still like keeping this shampoo in my rotation for a strengthening boost. Also: If you’re someone who does bleach their hair, check out the purple version — one of the better purple shampoos out there.”  – mbg beauty director Alexandra Engler

Castor oil has long been hailed as the secret to achieving long, flowing locks. (Certainly, the oil can help keep your strands conditioned, and therefore less prone to breakage. You can read more about the science behind the ingredient here.) This shampoo uses it as it’s namesake ingredient, plus a few other actives that aid the scalp and hair itself. For example, the refreshing peppermint oil has been shown to be beneficial for the scalp, with some research indicating it can boost circulation and growth. Apple cider vinegar balances pH and provides shine. Shea butter gives a boost of moisture. All around a solid pick. 

This jam-packed formula feeds strands loads of ingredients to bolster hair from all angles. It uses a plant-derived glycerol, a humectant, for hydration. Then it’s enriched with 70+ fulvic minerals and 18 amino acids to infuse strength. There’s also several vitamins to fight free radicals and neutralize oxidative stress. Finally, it’s rounded out with biotin and caffeine to encourage hair growth. It’s topped with orange extracts for a delightfully bright scent. 

Break down oil, buildup, product, and dead skin with this exfoliating cleanser. The formula contains a wintergreen-derived salicylic acid; the BHA effectively break down oils, which will helps unclog pores and clears out hair follicles. (As we’ve covered: A clean, fresh scalp is essential for hair growth.) It’s also infused with turmeric and ginger for anti-inflammatory properties.    

The clean line uses a unique ingredient called Alpha Keratin 60ku CLINICAL® Protein that is almost bioidentical to the keratin that makes up your hair fibers. This protein is better able to attach onto the hair fiber, where it can fill in gaps due to breakage, heat damage, and so on. Truly: This helps hair look and feel renewed. In addition to this smart protein, this sulfate-free shampoo uses a signal peptide that encourages a robust environment for hair growth, hyaluronic acid for scalp hydration, and red algae extract to keep the hair soft. All around, an all-star formula. 

What our tester says: 

“From the first time I tried this brand several years ago, I have been impressed by the unique protein that helps reduce hair breakage and damage. This newer collection, which specifically targets growth and fullness, also contains additional ingredients to stimulate and support the hair follicle like signal peptides and red algae. While it can be challenging to get wow-worthy results from wash-off products, this shampoo always makes my hair at least look fuller. Worth noting that it’s a joy to use: It has a thick, but not too sudsy, lather and smells like you’re in a spa.” — mindbodygreen beauty director Alexandra Engler

Clarifying shampoos are basically superpowered shampoos that help remove product buildup, oil, and minerals that gunk up the hair follicle and coat the strands. (A reminder: clogged pores on the scalp can lead to hair loss.) Clarifying shampoos should be used by folks who use a lot of styling products day-to-day, don’t wash their hair that often, or are affected by hard water. However, these run the risk of stripping the hair and causing damage—so it’s important to find one that protects the integrity of the hair fiber. This formula uses activated charcoal and salicylic acid to remove buildup, alongside the brand’s signature peptide that repairs the hair shaft.

If a thick, full head of hair is what you’re after, this plant-powered formula delivers on volume. It’s made with a blend of phyto-actives that can support hair growth, such as biotin and rosemary extracts. But it doesn’t stop there, it also contains ingredients that help strengthen the hair shaft as well (castor oil, ceramics, and amino acids, for example), so the hair you do have remains full and breakage-free.

One of my favorite drugstore brands, OGX always delivered meaningful formulas with high-quality ingredients at an affordable price. Their Thick & Full line is ideal for folks who have thinning hair looking for a boost. This uses amino acids from collagen and wheat proteins to help strengthen the hair, while biotin (a B vitamin) helps support the hair follicles.

Pre-shampoo treatments, like this excellent option from JVN Hair, are applied before you hop in the shower (as the moniker might suggest). Do so about 10-20 minutes before and massage it into the scalp, letting the actives sink in. This does a few things: First, it feeds the scalp ingredients such as rosemary extract and turmeric, both of which can support healthy hair growth. Second, the plant oils (like squalane) help coat the hair fibers so they’re better protected while under the spray of the shower. Finally, you get all these hair healthy benefits without having to deal with greasy roots, because you’re doing the treatment before the shampoo!

If hair growth is only one of your needs, you may want to look into getting a customized shampoo. Prose is the most famous for a reason: The easy-to-use test helps you determine what suits your goals best, creating a nutrient dense formula perfect for you. They have several ingredients that can help your hair appear thicker and healthier, like amino acids and antioxidant rich plant oils.