15 Actually Effective Products for Hair Growth, According to MDs and Amazon Reviews

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(Image credit: @jaimeridge)

The allure of super-long locks to frame our favorite looks is a natural temptation. The only hitch? The important process of actually getting that ultra-long length. For many of us, growing out our strands can seem impossible—what with annoying factors like split ends, abuse from our favorite styling tools, scalp buildup, genetics, and basically anything else that poses a vendetta against all of our long-hair goals. Luckily, there are some effective solutions to help remedy the situation.

Getting regular trims and regularly treating your hair to some hard-earned TLC goes a long way, but sometimes extra help from hair growth–promoting products and supplements can do the trick too. We've heard from countless readers and co-workers that Amazon has an impressive secret stash of products for hair growth, so we decided to dig around and comb through reviews to find out which of said products Amazon reviewers love most. So in the name of longer, stronger hair this season, keep reading for 15 of the best products for hair growth, according to the nitpicky standards of Amazon's toughest beauty-shopping critics.

The Best Hair Growth Products, Listed

  1. Overall Best Hair Growth Product: Sports Research Collagen Peptides Powder
  2. Best Vitamin for Hair Growth: Nature's Bounty Extra-Strength Hair, Skin, & Nails Supplement
  3. Best Gummy Vitamin for Hair Growth: SugarBearPro Hair Vitamins
  4. Best Tool for Hair Growth: Maxsoft Hair Scalp Massager Shampoo Brush
  5. Best Supplement for Hair Growth: Zhou Hairfluence Premium Hair Growth Formula
  6. Best Biotin Supplement for Hair Growth: Sports Research Biotin Infused With Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
  7. Best DHT-Blocking Supplement for Hair Growth: Propidren by HairGenics DHT Blocker & Hair Growth Supplement
  8. Best Castor Oil for Hair Growth: Kate Blanc Cosmetics Certified Organic Castor Oil
  9. Best Oil Blend for Hair Growth: EssyNaturals Hair Growth Oil
  10. Best Shampoo For Hair Growth: Maple Holistics Biotin Shampoo Hair Growth B-Complex Formula
  11. Best Hair Mask for Hair Growth: The Roots Naturelle Virgin Hair Fertilizer Conditioning Treatment
  12. Best Hair Growth Serum: Vegamour Gro Hair Serum
  13. Viviscal Extra Strength Hair Growth Supplement
  14. Hum Nutrition Hair Strong Gummies
  15. Nutrafol Women's Hair Growth Supplement for Thicker, Stronger Hair

Overall Best Hair-Growth Product: Sports Research Collagen Peptides Powder

Best Vitamin for Hair Growth: Nature's Bounty Extra-Strength Hair, Skin, & Nails Supplement

Best Gummy Vitamin for Hair Growth: SugarBearPro Hair Vitamins

Best Tool for Hair Growth: Maxsoft Hair Scalp Massager Shampoo Brush

Best Supplement for Hair Growth: Zhou Hairfluence Premium Hair Support Formula

Best Biotin Supplement for Hair Growth: Sports Research Biotin Infused With Organic Virgin Coconut Oil

Best DHT-Blocking Supplement for Hair Growth: Propidren by HairGenics DHT Blocker & Hair Growth Supplement

Best Castor Oil for Hair Growth: Kate Blanc Cosmetics Certified Organic Castor Oil

Best Oil Blend for Hair Growth: EssyNaturals Hair Growth Oil

Best Shampoo for Hair Growth: Biotin Shampoo Hair Growth B-Complex Formula

Best Hair Mask for Hair Growth: The Roots Naturelle Virgin Hair Fertilizer Conditioning Treatment

Best Hair Growth Serum: Vegamour Gro Hair Serum

3 More Editor-Approved Hair Growth Products

Ingredients to Look for

To further help you on your search, we consulted board-certified dermatologists Neera Nathan, MD, and Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, on how to choose a hair growth product. We should note: Everyone's bodies are different. But when it comes to capsules and powders, Nathan recommends leaning on antioxidants. "I suggest looking for supplements that contain antioxidants like vitamin C or vitamin E, as well as natural DHT blockers like turmeric, saw palmetto or pumpkin seed oil," she says.

Vitamin D is also a big one to consider: "There is data to suggest that low vitamin D levels are associated with hair loss, so this should be corrected under the supervision of a doctor." That said, always discuss any new supplements with your doctor, she adds, as everyone has different nutritional needs.

Biotin is super well-known but can be tricky: "At high levels, [it] can impede your lab results in other tests," notes Bhanusali. So you might want to assess whether you're low in other nutrients first.

On the topical front, both Nathan and Bhanusali are quick to call out minoxidil (aka, Rogaine). "I recommend using the 5% foam for best results," Nathan says, and Bhanusali notes that oral minoxidil options are becoming more popular. "While I am not against alternative treatments, they should be considered as supplement to standard therapies (not to replace them)," he adds. If you're looking for a natural alternative, caffeine, pumpkin seed oil, and niacinamide do show great promise.

"Topical caffeine was shown in one study to work as well as minoxidil for androgenetic alopecia. It also may help counteract stress-induced hair fall," Nathan says. "Pumpkin seed oil can be applied topically and may help reduce androgenetic alopecia. Niacinamide is great in a serum or shampoo because it is calming and can decrease scalp inflammation."

FAQ

What is the most effective hair growth product?

Short answer? It differs for everyone. Hair loss is complicated, and so are its solutions. "My best advice for anyone with hair loss is to 1) address it as soon as possible ("time is hair"); 2) use a combination approach (multiple treatments that support hair growth rather than relying on any single one); and 3) see a board-certified dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment," Nathan notes.

Our list above is a very good place to start, but ultimately, you'll want to I.D. your scalp and strands with a professional to get to the root of your thinning.

What are the best treatments for hair growth?

"There are actually many treatments that are effective for hair growth, in addition to the ones I mentioned previously," says Nathan. "Prescription treatments like low dose oral minoxidil and finasteride can work really well in some patients. In office injections (like PRP or PRF) have also shown promise. At home dermarollers, when used carefully and in combination with topical products, may also be effective for supporting healthy hair growth. I also recommend low-level laser therapy (LLLT) which is delivered through laser combs (my preference) and caps which can be used a few times per week."

What speeds up hair growth the most?

"The actives mentioned above should all help!" Nathan adds. "One additional tip is to hair oil with coconut oil for about 30 minutes once weekly on wash days before shampooing. Coconut oil may actually help prevent protein loss and can reduce hair breakage." If you're interested in learning more, we do have a full guide to using coconut oil for hair.

Overall, though, patience is key. It's easier said than done, of course, but trust that the right professional won't steer you wrong. Take it from Bhanusali: "In general, slow and steady wins the race, and if you are working with a good dermatologist, they’ll do their best to help."

This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

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Beauty Director

Erin has been writing a mix of beauty and wellness content for Who What Wear for over four years. Prior to that, she spent two and half years writing for Byrdie. She now calls Santa Monica home but grew up in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and studied writing, rhetoric, and communication at University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. She studied abroad in Galway, Ireland, and spent a summer in L.A. interning with the Byrdie and Who What Wear family. After graduating from UW, she spent one year in San Francisco, where she worked as a writer for Pottery Barn Kids and PBteen before moving down to L.A. to begin her career as a beauty editor. She considers her day-to-day beauty aesthetic very low-maintenance and relies on staples like clear brow serum (from Kimiko!), Lawless's Lip Plumping Mask in Cherry Vanilla, and an eyelash curler. For special occasions or days when she's taking more meetings or has an event, she'll wear anything and everything from Charlotte Tilbury (the foundations are game-changing), some shimmer on her lids (Stila and Róen do it best), and a few coats of the best mascara-type product on earth, Surratt's Noir Lash Tint.