We Tested The Best Hair Growth Serums — Here Are The 8 That Worked

As mindbodygreen’s beauty director Alexandra Engler says, “This checks a lot of hair growth boxes, with turmeric, caffeine, and biotin.” However, it’s missing peptides and stem cells, which would really add to the formula. It does contain fragrance, which isn’t fit for everyone.

As mentioned above, this one just works. If you visit the Vegamour website, you’ll find the before and after photos from women who used this serum for 150 days during a consumer trial–the results for hairline, part, and overall thickness are shocking. 

It comes in a dropper bottle, so it’s super easy to apply. 

The texture is very thin and absorbs quickly. A quick massage with my fingertips, and it’s practically undetectable.

Certified trichologist Bridgette Hill, founder of Root Cause Scalp Analysis told us about the formula, she’s a fan of using vasodilators (like caffeine) for hair follicle health as they boost circulation. In addition, mung bean extracts are "believed to strengthen the dermal papilla. The dermal papilla, which is at the base of the hair follicle, regulates hair growth functions." And peptides play a role here too: "There are exciting discoveries in the world of peptides and hair growth."

The ingredients in this formula are conducive to hydrating a flaky, dry scalp and keeping it that way. Glycerin acts as a gel-like humectant to pull water into the skin while antioxidants nourish the barrier and protect it from oxidative stress. It does contain fragrance, though, which some people are sensitive to.

In my experience and as reflected in the before and after images on the Ouai website, this one does have slightly less hair growth power than some of the other items on this list. However, optimal hair growth can’t happen without a hydrated scalp, so it’s still a great investment for scalp health. 

The long dropper is super easy to work through your hair, especially thick or texted roots. 

I’ve never seen any kind of residue from this product. As for texture, it disappears once applied to a wet scalp—however, it does feel a bit sticky when used on dry hair. 

“It has two complexes for hair growth and scalp health, as well as hyaluronic acid. The Swiss Apple Stem Cells (included at 2%) was the ingredient that caught my attention most — clinicals show that it may help decrease hair shedding by 34% within a month,” says Engler. The hyaluronic acid makes it super hydrating, too. 

“What’s most noticeable for me is the decrease in shedding,” mindbodygreen’s assistant beauty and health editor Hannah Frye says about this pick. She adds that hairline growth was certainly another perk, but that it didn’t encourage growth as quickly as other products she’s tried. 

Another dropper format, which is easy to use and maneuver around the scalp. 

“This has a slightly thicker quality—less liquid-like and closer to a cushiony gel,” says Engler. You may assume that would leave behind a nasty residue, but the opposite is true: It sinks into the scalp with ease. 

This serum contains a few different active ingredients to address hair growth: Niacinamide, rosemary, and caffeine energize the scalp, biotin strengthens hair from the root, and natural botanical extracts provide antioxidant protection. It does contain essential oils, so it may be irritating for sensitive scalps.

This serum has demonstrated great hairline results for one of our testers. However, she notes that this formula doesn’t feel quite as hydrating as the other serums she’s tried. 

The spray-on format makes this one easy to use and mess-free. 

“The residue is non-existent,” Frye says about this serum. It does take a while to dry though, so it’s best used in the evenings.

This treatment has a solid list of growth-contributors without the fragrance and unneccesary fillers. The lineup includes caffeine, a proprietary ingredient called REDENSYL (a plant-derived stem cell used to promote hair growth), and betaine for extra hydration. 

“I do think this product helped decrease hair shedding, but given I wasn't able to use it as often as directed I know I wasn’t getting the full benefits,” Engler says. Again, if you’re able to use this treatment each night as directed you may see even more benefits than decreased shedding. 

“I found that the formula came out too easily from the nozzle, so Ii was oversaturing my scalp,” Engler says. Plus, you can’t leave it in during the day without your hair looking greasy (unless you commit to a slicked-back style). 

It does leave behind noticeable residue, but that doesn’t matter as much here given that it is an overnight treatment. 

It contains butylene glycol but no fragrance. I also want to call out the hero ingredient, apple cider vinegar, which makes the serum gently clarifying—it can lift buildup and create a clean, healthy environment for hair growth, which makes it unique from other serums on this list. 

It is gentle enough to use daily, which I consider a major win for a subtly purifying formula. I have noticed a cleaner, calmer scalp since using it, which is important for healthy hair growth. 

With a pipette applicator and lightweight formula, it’s very easy to use! 

This is another lightweight, water-based serum that can dribble down if you’re not careful. My tip: Try to tilt your hair back while you apply it. 

Simple yet effective: organic sunflower oil, organic jasmine oil and organic amla extract. Hydration, scalp stimulation, and antioxidant protection—the triple threat for hair growth. 

This serum goes above and beyond to keep the hair you do have moisturized and healthy. That said, I wouldn’t consider it a targeted growth serum for precise areas of thinning. It’s more of a hydrating serum I glob on from root to tip—I’ve seen results over time I’m sure, but it’s hard to tell if I’ve noticed growth in my specific problem areas. 

The packaging comes in a pump bottle, rather than a pipette, which makes it harder to target precise areas. I find it easiest to rub a few pumps in between my hands then massage with my fingertips.

This serum is the perfect middle ground for me. It’s not too watery, so it doesn’t dribble down my face when I apply, and it’s not too thick, so it doesn’t weigh down my locks. It’s also very buildable; I can saturate my entire head for slicked-back styles or apply just a bit of oil to enhance shine.

From their unique stimulating complex with green coffee oil, caffeine, and CoQ10 to the strengthening biotin addition and even copper peptides to support cell turnover—it’s no wonder our tester saw such quick results. 

This serum goes above and beyond to keep the hair you do have moisturized and healthy. That said, I wouldn’t consider it a targeted growth serum for precise areas of thinning. It’s more of a hydrating serum I glob on from root to tip—I’ve seen results over time I’m sure, but it’s hard to tell if I’ve noticed growth in my specific problem areas. 

The dropper bottle allows for targetted, easy application. However, Engler notes the formula does take a bit longer to dry, so consider using it before bed.

“It’s a light jelly-liquid that does absorb into the hair, but takes a bit longer,” Engler notes.