Experiencing hair loss, thinning, or shedding can be quite disheartening. It is essential to consult a dermatologist to identify the best approach tailored to individual needs. Although hair loss can stem from aging or inadequate nutrition, certain hair care products may also contribute to or worsen the problem.
To mitigate these adverse effects, medical experts and hair specialists have shared valuable information about six particular shampoo ingredients that foster and “stimulate hair growth” and revitalize dry, fragile, and lackluster hair.
Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from dermatologists Dr. Yoram Harth, MD, Medical Director of MDhair and Dr. Elaine Kung, MD, FAAD, founder of Future Bright Dermatology.
We also checked in with hair experts and stylists including Ghanima Abdullah, cosmetologist at The Right Hairstyles and Dr. Rebecca Hilton, hair expert at J-Beauty.
6 Hydrating Shampoo Ingredients That Promote Hair Growth
1. Biotin
Biotin (aka vitamin B₇) is an important nutrient often found in foods like eggs, broccoli, bananas and milk. Many people take biotin as a supplement as they age, Abdullah explains, to strengthen their tresses. If also using a shampoo with biotin as a main ingredient, one can really reap the benefits of this vitamin in more ways than one.
“Biotin is the ingredient to look for in shampoo if you want thicker, fuller, healthier hair,” Abdullah says. Abdullah highlights the benefits of incorporating biotin-infused shampoo into one's hair care routine, which includes enhancing hair growth, relieving discomfort associated with itchy hair. “Not only can it be taken as a supplement, but when used in shampoo the ingredient goes directly into the hair follicles.”
2. Saw Palmetto
Incorporating saw palmetto into your shampoo can prove to be advantageous in reducing hair loss, Hilton says, as it is a highly sought-after ingredient in the realm of hair care. "Saw palmetto is a natural extract from the berries of the Serenoa repens plant and has been used for centuries for the treatment of various conditions including hair loss," she explains.
Hilton adds that "saw palmetto works by blocking the production of DHT," which helps to "reduce hair shedding." Kung concurs and points out that because saw palmetto is a DHT blocker, it is "helpful in the treatment of female pattern baldness that can become quite apparent when a woman is in her 40s."
3. Rosemary Oil
According to Abdullah, rosemary oil "works against the hair loss hormone DHT," and "the hairline and crown are common areas of thinning for women with hair loss that's related to age." She advises getting a shampoo with rosemary oil and/or "adding a few drops of rosemary oil to a 4 ounce bottle of lotion." Lotion works just as well (if not better) than oil for some women with thicker textures because it "absorbs quicker into the skin," she explains.
Abdullah recommends "using this solution twice daily." She stresses not "expecting to see results overnight," as it often takes "at least six months" to see hair regrowth at the crown. "If you're not sure what type of hair loss you have, use more than one essential oil [on its own or in] your lotion," she recommends.
4. Peppermint Oil
Another oil and shampoo ingredient that often leads to stronger, thicker and healthier strands is peppermint oil, Abdullah shares. Using this along with rosemary oil can "stimulate the hair follicles, and hydrolyzed protein and collagen can help fortify the hair shaft against damage and breakage," she says.
Regarding haircare products as a beginner, Harth says that "particularly those designed as scalp treatment serums," can be "beneficial for thin, fine hair." These oils, like many rosemary and peppermint-infused options, are "formulated to promote scalp health, nourish the hair follicles, and stimulate blood circulation in the scalp."
5. Pumpkin Seed Oil
Abdullah also recommends trying a "pumpkin seed oil" shampoo for your hair and scalp, as it has been "scientifically proven to grow more hair and aid those who have thinning hair."
She continues: "The best oil for thickening hair is pumpkin seed oil. It puts more hair follicles into the hair growth phase, which means you can see thicker hair near the roots in as little as three weeks."
6. Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil shines brightly in the arena of hair growth. Abundant in hair-nourishing vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin B, vitamin E, copper, and zinc, it provides essential nutrients that moisturize the scalp, condition the hair, and ward off dryness, dandruff, and hair breakage, according to hair experts.
Jojoba oil shampoos offer numerous benefits, including the prevention of hair loss and the promotion of hair growth. They help tame frizz and flyaways, fortify hair follicles, and minimize porosity buildup. Additionally, they protect your hair's cuticles, deeply moisturize dry strands, and soothe an itchy scalp.
The Bottom Line
Overall, Kung stresses that choosing the right shampoo for your hair is crucial as "shampoos are not only scalp cleaners, but indubitably act as preventing the hair shaft damage." Many scalp diseases are also "treated by active ingredients that are added to the shampoo's formulations," she says.
She concludes that "shampoos are typically composed of 10–30 ingredients, although products with as few as four ingredients are available." While awaiting a doctor's recommendation for a tailored treatment for your hair and scalp, it is recommended to keep a lookout for products that contain biotin and saw palmetto, as suggested by our experts.
