The Best Hair Growth Serums to Save Your Thinning Strands

It can feel scary to see your hair fall out or your hairline recede, hence your search for the best hair growth serums. You’re probably familiar with brands like Rogaine, which has an active ingredient known as minoxidil. Minoxidil (which helps to prevent the miniaturization of hair follicles) and finasteride (which helps to block DHT, an ingredient that causes hair loss) are presently the gold standards when it comes to hair loss, according to Dr. Macrene Alexiades, a New York City board-certified dermatologist. As is a treatment called PRP or “platelet-rich plasmas” injections where your blood is taken, spun in a centrifuge to obtain the plasma, and then injected back into the scalp.

“I’ve obtained the best results for hair growth in my patients by implementing a comprehensive plan of oral supplementation, topical prescriptions including minoxidil and finasteride, and injections with platelet-rich plasma [or PRP] for ideal outcomes,” explains Alexiades. “As for serums, outside of topical minoxidil, finasteride or herbal equivalents such as saw palmetto, there are several serums where the jury is still out!” Below, she shares the best serums with growth-stimulating ingredients that might help stop hair thinning and even aid in regrowth.

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The Best Hair Growth Serums, According to GQ

• The Best Hair Growth Serum Overall: Hims, $15
• The Best Affordable Hair Growth Serum: Hair Thickness Maximizer Saw Palmetto Serum, $14
• The Best Hair Growth Serum with Finasteride: Ro 3-in-1 Topical Finasteride Spray, $50
• The Best Hair Growth Serum with Minoxidil: Rogaine, $50
• The Best Viral Hair Growth Serum: Cécred Drops, $56
• The Best Hair Growth Serum for Sensitive Scalps: OneSkin OS-01 Scalp Serum, $69
• The Best Hair Growth Serum for Damaged Hair: Vegamour GRO+ Advanced Hair Serum, $78
• The Best Hair Growth Serum for Curly Hair: Briogeo Destined for Density, $57
• The Best Hair Growth Serum for Heat Damaged Hair: IGK Sponsored, $45
• The Best Hair Growth Serum for Dry Hair: The Nue Co. Supa Thick Scalp Serum, $45
• The Best Hair Growth Serum for Graying Hair: Living Proof Scalp Care Density Serum, $64

Best Hair Growth Serum Overall: Hims

For years, Hims has become the go-to brand for those looking for a solution to their thinning hair. Why? Because it’s cheaper than a flight to Turkey, and the stuff actually works. Our own Adam Hurly has tested Hims products for years, so much so that he’s needed to recruit others to try out the products because his hair’s already started growing back thicker and fuller. This affordable over-the-counter serum utilizes minoxidil, a popular vasodilator, to help hair grow back more densely, giving the appearance of a fuller head of hair. No, it won’t actually help you regrow hair that’s since been lost to time and genetics, but the strands you do have left will be doing more of the heavy lifting to give you a better-looking head of hair.

Best Affordable Hair Growth Serum: Hair Thickness Maximizer Saw Palmetto Serum

Not only is saw palmetto a natural ingredient, but it’s also fairly cost-effective compared to amped-up actives. While it’s not going to give you the most marked hair growth on the market, Alexiades says that studies have indicated that it can help with hair loss, as something of an “herbal equivalent” to minoxidil or finasteride.

The formula of this hair oil combines pumpkin seed, moringa, and flaxseed oils to promote overall hair health and to nourish strands that could be dry, damaged, or frizzy. Finally, peppermint and cedarwood essential oils provide both a soothing sensation on a stressed-out scalp and a nice scent to this serum.

Best Hair Growth Serum for Fine Hair: Ro 3-in-1 Topical Finasteride Spray

Somehow the fine mist of this spray is super relaxing—and that’s partially because the brand has perfectly portioned each spritz to deliver the exact dose of the product you need. In addition to minoxidil, it contains tretinoin, which you might recognize from prescription retinol formulas. Because it helps to stimulate cell turnover, studies have shown that it purportedly makes it easier for the scalp to effectively absorb the minoxidil and finasteride. This entire bottle will last you for up to one month, and it’s recommended that you use it on a daily basis.

Best Hair Growth Serum with Minoxidil: Rogaine

This is probably the most recognizable brand for hair loss, and that’s because of the popularity of the brand’s oral medications. That said, the serum is incredibly cost-effective because each order comes with a six-month supply of serum-style dropper bottles.

It contains minoxidil, which works to stimulate follicle hair growth. While this is the only active ingredient, it has been clinically proven to be one of the most important. It also contains alcohol, which can be drying—especially if your scalp is experiencing any irritation.

Best Viral Hair Growth Serum: Cécred Drops

Beyoncé’s line of hair care products, Cécred, already had a huge following, and that was before someone online claimed that the brand’s hair drops basically helped him to regrow a full head of hair. Whether you believe its results or not, we do think these drops are jam-packed with goodies that can potentially lead to a fuller-looking head of hair. This non-greasy serum uses five key peptides to give hair looking fuller and healthier, boosting scalp help to create and foster a better environment for hair growth. Existing strands get stronger and fuller, so they’re less prone to breakage and falling out, while your noggin overall just smells good. (We’re in the process of doing some long-term testing, so stay tuned for more here.)

Best Hair Growth Serum for Sensitive Scalps: OneSkin OS-01 Scalp Serum

According to OneSkin, as you age, some cells enter a stage of senescence, thereby turning into senescent cells. These cells start to trigger premature aging, which can result in signs like thinning hair. This scalp serum is meant to prevent the accumulation of those senescent cells to encourage better, thicker hair growth, thereby reducing the appearance of aging—at least at the hair level. The serum does this by using a special peptide, as well as good-for-your-hair ingredients like the antioxidants fisetin, sunflower sprout extract, and rice bran water.

Best Hair Growth Serum for Damaged Hair: Vegamour GRO+ Advanced Hair Serum

While the price of this product can seem like a bit much, you only use a dropperful at a day so it will last longer than one month even if you use it daily as the brand recommends. This formula is not only intended to curb shedding, it’s also made with scalp hydration and hair density in mind. To help maintain a healthy scalp, Spanish microalgae serves as a prebiotic hydrator that will help build up the skin barrier. Finally, plant stem cells provide a protein-rich boost to the roots that help anchor and strengthen them.

Best Hair Growth Serum for Curly Hair: Briogeo Destined for Density

Often, curly hair types tend to be drier because the hair strand is like a spiral staircase rather than a straight shoot for the oil to travel down. Because of this hair can break and this breakage can lead to it looking sparser than it should When that happens, you’ll want to stimulate the follicles to help hair grow. The formula also contains biotin, which naturally supports elasticity and strength while coating each strand to provide a thicker overall look. The copper peptides in the formula work to promote the production of collagen, which will definitely help the hair grow stronger over time. The caffeine and green coffee oil in the formula work hand-in-hand to stimulate the scalp, leaving each strand healthier overall.

While the biotin in this serum will help your hair look thicker, especially over time, this serum should be used more for the appearance of thicker hair versus actually promoting new growth. That said, peptides, which are included in this formula, have been found to improve hair re-growth as well in a number of studies.