According to the Cleveland Clinic, more than 50% of women experience hair loss. (Many Byrdie editors can relate.) But before you despair, there is good news—finding the right topical treatment for hair loss can be a total game-changer.
The reasons behind hair loss are as varied as they are frustrating: stress, hormones, genetics, even harsh hair products can all contribute to thinning strands, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Peterson Pierre. There’s only one FDA-approved ingredient formulated to effectively treat hair loss—minoxidil. And many products contain scalp exfoliating ingredients like saw palmetto and tea tree oil to soothe and support a healthy environment for hair to grow.
To help you navigate the world of hair loss solutions, we combed through hours of research and tested top products ourselves, evaluating active ingredients, treatment type, ease of use, and results over time. Then, we combined our findings with guidance from hair loss experts to create this ultimate guide to the very best hair loss treatments.
Do Over-the-counter Hair Loss Treatments Work?
It depends. While there aren't any miracle solutions, the options on our list can definitely be a effective at slowing hair shedding, thinning, and loss. Be patient—it can take several weeks of consistent use to start seeing a difference, and your results will depend on the specific cause of your hair loss. If over-the-counter products don’t work for you, consult a trichologist or dermatologist to get a personalized diagnosis and explore treatment options.
Easy to use
Dermatologist-recommended brand
Unscented
Must use daily to maintain results
Type: Leave-on | Active Ingredients: Minoxidil | Dosage: Once daily | Cruelty-Free: No
"Over-the-counter minoxidil has a long-standing history of being effective in slowing down hair loss while promoting hair growth,” says Dr. Pierre. This option, which contains a 5 percent concentration of the ingredient, is effective and scientifically proven to boost hair growth. In short, this is our top pick because there’s no question about it getting the job done. The unscented foam is easy to use, though FYI, it does have to be used daily to see and then maintain results. One box contains a two-month supply.
Gentle
Squeeze-top applicator
Sulfate-free
Hard to rinse off
Type: Scrub | Active Ingredients: Alpha-hydroxy acids | Dosage: Once to twice per week | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Exfoliation isn’t just for your face or body, it’s also an important step for your scalp. When you exfoliate your scalp, you're essentially eliminating build-up (either in the form of product residue or dead skin cells), which can clog the follicles from which new hair grows. We like this option because it uses a combo of different alpha-hydroxy acids (aka AHAs)—glycolic, citric, lactic, and tartaric—to dissolve all of the above without irritating. And unlike so many other scalp scrubs out there, it comes in a squeeze bottle instead of a jar, thus preventing a mess.
Vegan
Non-greasy
Works on all hair types
Dropper could be designed better
Type: Serum | Active Ingredients: Panthenol | Dosage: Daily | Cruelty-Free: Yes
The plant-based serum uses a combination of clinically-tested, vegan phyto-actives that work together to support a healthy scalp, which lays the groundwork for hair growth. Featuring ingredients like mung bean (a naturally occurring vegan phyto-active that fortifies each hair follicle) and curcumin (which is a healthy scalp supporting nutrient derived from turmeric root), this formula addresses hair loss and shedding at once. The hardest part? Remembering to apply it to your scalp each day. Pro tip: Massage the serum into the scalp with a scalp massager for better absorption and an indulgent moment of self-care.
Gentle yet effective
Easy to use thanks to spout
Unscented formula ideal for sensitive skin
Has to be used twice daily
Takes a little while to see results
Type: Leave-on | Active Ingredients: Minoxidil | Dosage: Twice daily | Cruelty-Free: No
Ideal for those trying to stimulate hair regrowth, the Nioxin Hair Regrowth Treatment for Women contains 2% minoxidil. The colorless, odorless formula should be applied directly to the area in question twice daily (psst, using more won't improve results). Reviewers rave about how well it works, though note that it does take some time to see results. Our advice: Trust the process.
Targeted sprayer for precise application
Clinically proven
Affordable
May leave hair greasy
Type: Leave-on | Active Ingredients: Minoxidil | Dosage: Twice daily | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Offering a 30-day supply for under $30, this pick from Keranique is a great wallet-friendly choice. The formula contains 2% minoxidil and is to be used twice daily. In our research, many reviewers rave about the targeted sprayer nozzle, noting that it makes application a breeze. Seeing as how you'll use it frequently, we think this is really important.
Has clinical evidence behind it
Targets various hair and scalp issues
Full of medical-grade, natural ingredients
Have to take four pills daily
Type: Supplement | Active Ingredients: Saw palmetto, ashwagandha, marine collagen peptides | Dosage: 4 capsules daily | Cruelty-Free: Yes
According to Dr. Pierre, this is one of the very few supplements that has research backing up its claims. It's also a best-seller with tons of positive reviews. The formula contains saw palmetto to help address DHT (an androgen that’s derived from testosterone and can shrink the hair follicle), ashwagandha, and marine collagen peptides. Ingredients work in tandem to help slow shedding and help hair grow longer, faster, and stronger.
Gentle on the stomach
Drug-free formula
Nourishing
Can take time to see results
Type: Supplement | Active Ingredients: Biotin, iron, horsetail extract | Dosage: 2 capsules daily | Cruelty-Free: Yes
A more affordable pick, Dr. Pierre says this has research behind it to show it works; credit a combo of biotin, iron, and horsetail extract. Not only can it help promote hair regrowth, but it also strengthens the hair you do have, always a good thing in our book. You only need to take two tablets daily, though bear in mind that it may take anywhere from three to six months to see results.
Targets various hair and scalp issues
Leaves hair soft
Trichologist-developed
Three- to five-minute application
Type: Shampoo | Active Ingredients: Saw palmetto, biotin, tea tree oil | Dosage: Up to three times daily | Cruelty-Free: Yes
While a rinse-off hair growth shampoo isn’t going to be a miracle solution on its own, it is a good option to use in tandem with other treatments. This one was developed by a trichologist and has 14 years of research behind it. The formula contains ingredients such as saw palmetto to help block DHT, biotin, and natural antibacterial tea tree oil to combat scalp issues.
Packed with natural ingredients
Vegan
Clinically proven to help with hair thinning
Can take time to see results
Type: Shampoo | Active Ingredients: Biotin, saw palmetto, argan oil | Dosage: Daily | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Another great shampoo option, this formula from Pura D'Or contains a blend of 17 natural herbs to help with hair loss, such as argan oil, saw palmetto, and tea tree oil. It's been clinically tested to show that its formula improves hair growth, but if that isn't enough to convince you, its almost 15,000 5-star reviews on Amazon will probably do the trick. Reviewers love that their hair looked noticeably thicker after continued use, and they saw less shedding after washing.
Doesn't weigh down hair
Comes in two sizes
Reduces scalp inflammation
Not compatible with colored hair
Type: Shampoo | Active Ingredients: Panthenol | Dosage: Daily | Cruelty-Free: Yes
By definition, a conditioner is meant for the lengths of your hair and not your scalp; in other words, it’s not going to do much in the way of growth. But what the right conditioner can do is help strengthen hair and make it look fuller, giving you instant gratification that other products can’t. This particular pick has panthenol to strengthen hair and improve moisture retention so that hair looks fuller, so much so that, according to a brand-backed study, 94% of users saw more volume in their hair.
Strengthens hair
Adds shine
Vegan
Reviewers note the bottle doesn't come with a pump
Type: Conditioner | Active Ingredients: Argan oil, shea butter, vitamin E, coconut oil | Dosage: Daily | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This is a great conditioner choice if you're looking for something that can nourish and protect the hair. It's full of ingredients that are popular for their moisturizing and strengthening properties, such as argan oil, olive oil, shea butter, and vitamin E. Reviewers love that it doesn't leave their hair feeling greasy or heavy.
Natural formula
Affordable
Feels great on scalp and hair
Can take time to see results
Type: Oil | Active Ingredients: Jojoba oil, chamomile, tea tree oil | Dosage: 1 to 2 drops per section of hair | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This oil formula penetrates the hair follicles to strengthen from the inside. A blend of tea tree, chamomile, peppermint oil, and spearmint oils stimulate growth, and cool, calm, and soothe an itchy or irritated scalp. Reviewers love that it takes a natural approach, although it can take some time to see results without any potent actives at work.
Natural formula
Strengthens hair to prevent split ends
Stimulates blood circulation
May leave hair greasy
Type: Oil | Active Ingredients: Rosemary oil, horsetail extract, biotin | Dosage: 3 to 5 drops | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Trichologist Bridgette Hill likes this hair growth oil because it contains rosemary oil, which can help stimulate hair follicle growth with daily application. She adds that it also improves blood circulation to the scalp, destroys bacteria that clog hair follicles, and has fewer side effects than minoxidil. Plus, there are other ingredients here that are good for your hair and scalp, including moisturizing olive oil, horsetail extract, and biotin, among others.
Restores hair's natural moisture
Volumizing
Can be used many different ways
Feels a bit heavy to some
Type: Oil | Active Ingredients: Castor oil, coconut oil | Dosage: A liberal amount | Cruelty-Free: Yes
The start of the show here is castor oil, says Hill. "It's essentially made of fatty acids that have been shown to reduce DHT formation by inhibiting the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT," she explains. "DHT is a major cause of genetic hair loss, so by reducing its formation, we're combatting that hair loss." Also nice: There are plenty of ways to use it. It works well as a pre-shampoo treatment, hot oil treatment, or simply to accompany a scalp massage.
Trichologist-recommended
Protects against pollutants
Anti-itching effect
Can take time to see results
Type: Serum | Active Ingredients: Purslane extract, sunflower seed sprout extract, panthenol | Dosage: A few drops as needed | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This hair growth serum contains botanical active ingredients and nutrients (such as purslane extract and sunflower seed sprout extract) helps keep the hair follicle healthy and the hair fiber strong and intact. Also nice: It contains panthenol to keep the hair you do have from splitting.
Easy to work into an existing routine
Nice smell
Drug-free formula
May tingle the scalp to some
Type: Serum | Active Ingredients: Amino proteins, panthenol | Dosage: Twice weekly for the first month and then once a week on an ongoing basis | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you’re trying to prevent hair loss, Hill recommends this serum. “It nourishes the scalp with hydration and feeds it the necessary ingredients to support scalp and hair at the cellular level, helping to create healthy hair." It only needs to be used twice per week for the first month and once per week thereafter.
Works for all hair types
Soothes an itchy scalp
Prevents damage
Reviewers note it has a strong smell
Type: Oil | Active Ingredients: Rosemary oil, jojoba oil, peppermint oil | Dosage: Daily | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This product has been all over TikTok lately as a must-have product for hair growth, and for good reason. It's formulated with over 30 essential oils to stimulate the hair follicles and infused with biotin to accelerate hair growth—and it can also be used to soothe dry scalp and treat split ends. Reviewers love that it has a cooling sensation when applying and that they can see noticeable results. For more on our experience with it, check out our full review.
What to Look For in Hair Loss Treatments
- Cause: There are a multitude of reasons why you could be experiencing hair loss and there is no single cure. However, there are many products out there that support both scalp and hair health, so it's important to get to the root of your issue and treat it accordingly. We recommend speaking with a professional to get the attention you need.
- Type of product: The type of product you choose is ultimately up to you. There is a litany of hair growth solutions on the market, spanning supplements you can take orally, as well as products you can apply topically—hair oils and serums, shampoos and conditioners, leave-in treatments, and more.
- Ingredients: Hill says there is truly only one ingredient approved by the FDA to help regrow hair: minoxidil. “It was initially created to support patients with hypertension and later found to help regrow hair,” she says. “It’s reported to push the hair from the resting phase to the growing stage. However, there is no defined reason for how this happens.” She also mentions that there may be some adverse side effects when using a Minoxidil product, so be sure to do your research before trying it for yourself. Of course, other helpful formulas rely on non-active ingredients (i.e., saw palmetto, rosemary oil, peppermint oil, tea tree oil, and more) that can improve hair health, though they don’t boast growth benefits.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. She considered numerous formulas from various brands, ultimately choosing options with clinically proven ingredients to treat hair loss in women. For this story, she enlisted the help of:
- Peterson Pierre, MD is a board-certified dermatologist.
- Bridgette Hill is a certified trichologist.
- William Gaunitz is a certified trichologist.