The best hair growth serums are liquid solutions packed with active ingredients that can help to stimulate growth. As we age, it's only natural for us for our hair to start thinning and grow more slowly. Not only can this be the result of biological factors such as menopause, but it can also be the result of environmental factors such as styling products. While it can be difficult to pin down an exact cause as to why your hair is thinning, hair growth products, such as the best hair growth serums, can help with that.
There is a wide variety of hair growth products on the market right now, such as hair growth shampoo, yet hair growth serums tend to be some of the best out there. While you may categorise them all under one umbrella term, there are many different ones to choose from on the market, from organic hair serums to plant protein hair serums that help regrow thinning hair.
Best hair growth serums at a glance:
• Best overall: Vegamour GRO Hair Serum - View on Vegamour
• Most popular: Grow Gorgeous Hair Growth Serum Intense - View on Grow Gorgeous
• Best value: Lee Stafford Hair Growth Stimulating Scalp Serum - View on Boots
To find out more, we spoke to Anabel Kingsley, Trichologist and Brand President at Philip Kingsley. "[The best serum] is all dependent on the ingredients and whether they are clinically proven to work, but targeted scalp serums or drops are the most effective at treating hair loss." Hair serums work by targeting the scalp and hair follicles. Applying the serum to the roots and massaging into the scalp can help to stimulate blood flow, oxygen and hair growth. Not only this, but most of these serums will also work to improve the overall condition of the hair through nourishment. After all, healthy hair encourages healthy hair growth, too.
However, there are many different types of hair loss so you may find one serum to be more effective than another. For instance, treating hair loss caused by telogen effluvium may be a different process from treating hair loss caused by abnormalities in someone's hair shaft. We'd always recommend checking for tried and tested results and reading the ingredients list for each serum. Without further ado, here are the best hair growth serums available to shop.
The best hair growth serums
Best hair growth serum
uk.vegamour.com
One of the most highly rated hair growth serums on this list, the Vegamour GRO Hair Serum has achieved status with photo-based reviews across the site. The vegan-friendly, plant-based formula has been clinically tested to support a healthy and balanced follicular ecosystem while soothing the scalp and revitalizing hair roots.
Review: "I love this stuff! It’s definitely helped my hair get thicker after a bought of taking medication that made my hair thin out. I would definitely recommend it!"
Pros
- The website includes photo reviews
- Vegan
Cons
- Higher price for smaller quantity
Best popular hair growth serum
www.growgorgeous.co.uk
The Grow Gorgeous hair growth serum has seen increased popularity and interest lately, achieving positive reviews across its site. Its formula is vegan-friendly and free from harmful sulfates, parabens or silicones. Made with various organic ingredients, this serum works to thicken the appearance of the hair and even comes with a free mini product to claim with each purchase.
Review: "Have tried so many hair products to help get my hair looking thicker and healthier as it’s my biggest insecurity! This serum is genuinely the best product I have ever come across. Been using it for a month and my hairline and parting are so much thicker and healthier looking, really helped me get back my self-confidence. 100% best hair serum."
Pros
- Additional mini product gifted with £45 purchase
- Free from harmful sulfates, parabens and silicones
Cons
- It has a strong smell but enjoyed by most!
Best affordable hair growth serum
www.boots.com
From Boots, the Lee Stafford hair growth serum works to nourish the scalp and boost proteins to support stronger hair. With a blend of powerful growth-boosting proteins sourced from plants, this hair growth serum strengthens hair and encourages growth with regular use.
Review: "I really like this product, I suffer from a lot of hair loss and have been using this product 3 times a week. I have noticed a difference already in the amount of hair that I am losing which has halved at least. It is too early to say if there is a massive difference in hair growth but I will definitely continue to use it as my hair loss has improved and my hair feels lovely. I will update in future."
Pros
- Vegan-friendly formula
- Nourishing
Cons
- Some reviewers found the consistency slightly sticky
Best styling hair growth serum
www.boots.com
Consisting of vegetable proteins and pro-vitamin B5, the Grow Long Serum from Umberto Giannini, available from Boots, works to nourish and style the hair. As well as a styling serum, this product is intended to accelerate the process of hair growth with its ingredients that stimulate the scalp and improve hair health.
Review: "I’ve been trying to grow my hair for my wedding and bought this and some other products in the range as a last ditch attempt to get longer hair before I get married (wedding is in October) I started using this at the beginning of November and have seen amazing results. I also go to my hairdresser for regular cuts and she’s even shocked by how much healthier and longer my hair has got. This stuff is magic!"
Pros
- Smooths hair out and adds shine
- uses vegetable proteins and pro-vitamin B5 to accelerate hair growth
Cons
- Some reviewers said too much product may weigh hair down
Best new hair growth serum
www.philipkingsley.co.uk
Anabel Kingsley, Trichologist and Brand President at Philip Kingsley, says:
"To support healthy hair regrowth if you are experiencing hair shedding we’d recommend our Density Preserving Scalp Drops clinically proven to help slow hair loss with continued daily use within three months. Our Density Preserving Scalp Drops are a lightweight scalp serum containing a biomimetic peptide blend.
This is an innovative and unique combination of actives designed to help slow hair loss and improve hair density and quality over time. The ingredients work to help reduce scalp visibility over time and improve the health of hair follicles. These drops are clinically proven to work, fully tested in an independent clinical trial over a three-month period."
Pros
- The website includes case studies from clients on their hair loss journey
- lightweight scalp serum
Cons
- Based on reviews, wouldn't recommend if you have acne rosacea
Best vegan hair growth serum
www.boots.com
A great leave-in treatment to promote a healthy moisturised scalp and optimise an environment for growth, the Noughty Get Set Grow Tonic contains natural extracts with a vegan-friendly formula. According to reviewers, the serum feels lovely against your scalp as you treat yourself to a scalp massage.
Review: "Im well into my 70s. Since going through the menopause in my 40s I have struggled with fine and thinning hair. I have tried every advertised product I've come across over the years. Wasted an absolute fortune as none have made any difference until now. I don't know whether I'll get any new growth as I've only been using this tonic for a short time but what a difference it has made to my hair. The shine, the condition and the thickness all so much improved. It's not sticky or heavy, I'm so glad I tried this product. For the first time in years I love my hair instead of being embarrassed by it, friends have even commented on it and that's a first too. I can't thank you enough."
Pros
- Free from parabens, silicones and sulfates
- contains natural extracts
Cons
- Some reviewers found it made their hair feel greasy
Best concentrated hair growth serum
www.lookfantastic.com
The Ordinary is another popular brand for beauty treatments, from skincare to haircare, they're one of the most searched-for skincare brands worldwide. Their concentrated formula has been designed to support hair health and is free from harmful chemicals that strip the hair of moisture. In fact, this vegan-friendly formula is a lightweight serum that works to promote a thicker, denser, fuller and healthier-looking head of hair.
Review: "I have previously used this product and HAD to repurchase as it really helped improve the density and thickness of my hair. My hairline drastically improved - I recommend using it in conjunction with a scalp massager to get optimal results."
Pros
- The company is highly popular
- concentrated formula
Cons
- Some reviewers found it made their hair feel greasy
Best pure hair growth serum
Rosemary oil has so many benefits, but did you know that one of them is improving circulation in the scalp and hair health? This rosemary oil from Amazon has thousands of reviews about the product's multi-purpose benefits, but plenty about how it's helped people to achieve healthier hair all round.
Review: "Mixed this with a carrier oil as described and used on my scalp and hair. Shampoos out of hair nicely and without a problem. Will be buying again from this Seller. Quick arrival and is as described."
Pros
- Affordable and highly rated
- Rosemary oil is known to improve circulation
Cons
- Must be mixed with a carrier oil first
Best strengthening hair growth serum
Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Growth Oil has received promising reviews and is also an affordable solution to hair care. Made from a blend of natural essential oils, this organic hair serum is made up of a nutrient-rich, intensive formula that supports a range of hair concerns.
Review: "It is a heavy product and my very fine hair gets really weighted down with oil but I use this as a conditioning mask before washing. I leave it on for as long as I can, at least half and hour though often longer and then wash. Feels like my hair is thickening and like I am having more growth. Very pleased."
Pros
- Can be used for daily hair care or specialised scalp treatments
- nourishing intensive formula
Cons
- Some reviewers said too much product may weigh hair down
Best natural hair growth serum
uk.iherb.com
Another natural oil that's amazing for improving the health of the hair is argan oil. Not only does it help to bring moisture back to the hair shaft and condition the scalp, but you may also find the improved condition will help to regrow thinning hair. With highly rated reviews, this multi-purpose oil has a number of uses, from the skin to the hair.
Review: "I bought this also for hair. I am blonde, my hair is often dry. Even the highest quality serum is sometimes not enough to nourish the hair. I use this oil like this: 3 drops in a serum, stir it and apply it to the length, on damp, clean hair. The quality of the hair has become better, it is soft, it splits and breaks less, the length begins to grow."
Pros
- Can be used on skin and hair
- improves hairs regrowth condition
Cons
- Some reviewers said too much product may weigh hair down
Best revitalising hair growth serum
www.hollandandbarrett.com
When used daily, Weleda Revitalising Hair Tonic will assist growth and strengthen the shaft of each hair. Regular use can help the condition of permed, bleached or damaged hair. With added rosemary, this certified natural hair care product is the solution to a healthy scalp.
Review: "So happy that gave this product a chance. I had bad hair fall and thinning hair. After first bottle I noticed new hair coming out and after a month hair fall stopped. Slowly my hair get thicker. I used it every day in the morning and it didn’t made my hair look greasy. It’s a tonic after all. Smells lovely, naturally."
Pros
- Uses natural extracts of rosemary
- can help condition of permed, bleached or damaged hair
Cons
- Some reviewers found the application tricky
Best organic hair growth serum
www.hollandandbarrett.com
From Holland & Barrett, this pure organic castor oil is high in Vitamin E and contains Omega-6 and Omega-9 fatty acids that help circulation and hair growth. This vegan-friendly formula has promising reviews, where purchasers say it's helped their hair to feel soft, stronger and thicker.
Review: "This oil has really improved the condition of my dry hair. My hair is stronger and thicker using this oil before washing my hair."
Pros
- 100 per cent organic cold-pressed castor oil
- rich in vitamin E and contains Omega 6 and 9
Cons
- Some reviewers found the consistency slightly too thick
Best hair growth serums FAQs
What are the best hair growth serums?
In our opinion, we think the best serum is the Vegamour GRO Hair Serum, due to the number of reviews this product has received. It may be expensive, but this hair serum is highly rated with 'before and after' photographs within the review section.
However, a more affordable option may be The Ordinary's Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density due to the reviews, the ingredients free from sulfates, parabens, silicones and alcohols, as well as its vegan-friendly formula. This hair serum is definitely a contender on the list.
Are hair growth serums safe?
In recent years, there's been a lot more scrutiny on the ingredients that go into our hair products. It's no wonder, as of course, we only want products that are safe for us on our hair. But, can hair ingredients do more harm than good? The answer is - yes.
There are some hair products that contain chemicals such as sulfates, parabens, silicones and alcohols. These ingredients have been linked to dryness, breakage and hair loss. They can create a barrier on the hair and stop moisture from penetrating the hair shaft.
That said, be sure to always read the ingredient labels of hair products, especially hair growth serums. Of course, you don't want to buy a product only for it to attribute to the problem and make things worse. Sometimes, opting for organic hair products is your best bet. In summary, while hair serums are generally safe, our advice is to always read the ingredients beforehand.
How does hair loss occur?
"Healthy hair growth is as much about what is happening on the inside, as what you do on the outside," Anabel says. "Therefore, vitamin, mineral and energy deficiencies are very common causes of hair loss in women. Even a small deficiency, or levels that fall towards the lower end of the normal blood reference range, can cause hair loss long before they impact your general health.
"There are many types of hair loss but the most common we see at our Trichological Clinics is hair shedding, known as telogen effluvium. Hair shedding is usually triggered by an internal disturbance to the body. These can be such as but not limited to illness, stress, post-partum or nutritional changes and deficiencies.
"However, there are many types of hair loss and it is important to identify the root cause in order to proceed with the correct treatment method. For example, if your hair loss is not due to a nutritional deficiency then taking a nutritional supplement isn’t going to be effective."
How can you achieve thicker hair?
While your hair is still growing out, you can style your hair in ways to appear thicker. However, when it comes to styling, try to use products that are free from sulfates, parabens and harsh chemicals. This may also mean cutting back on colouring your hair, protecting your hair when applying heat and washing your hair less.
Meet the expert
This article contains expert advice from Anabel Kingsley, Trichologist and Brand President at Philip Kingsley. Her passion for hair and scalp health was ignited from a young age by her father, Philip Kingsley. With a great interest in and knowledge of the hair and scalp, Anabel has a particular focus on post-partum hair loss, nutrition and the psychology of hair loss.
Samantha 'Sam' Price is a Beauty, Fashion & Wellness Products Writer at Yours, Grazia, heat and Closer. She specialises in beauty, fashion and wellness content across many brands.
