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18 best hair-loss shampoos to promote growth, tested by 700 people

Revive thinning hair during menopause and beyond

By and
VerifiedTested by Former Senior Beauty and Grooming Tester
best hair loss shampoo

A good hair day can boost your mood like nothing else. Equally, dealing with hair loss or thinning hair can have a real impact on your confidence.

If you start to notice your hair thinning or falling out at a faster rate, it could be down to a number of reasons, from damage caused by heat styling to fluctuating hormones, but, thankfully, the best hair loss shampoos are designed to help.

But, it can be hard to know if all those claims actually stand up. So, with the help of our reader panel, the Good Housekeeping Institute experts tested a range of shampoos (and their conditioner counterparts) for thinning hair to find the ones that will help reduce breakage, add volume and stimulate the root and scalp to promote healthy hair growth.

We tested these shampoos on a variety of different hair types (on 700 testers, to be specific) who have experienced hair loss. You'll find a full breakdown of how we test under our reviews. If you are looking to tackle other hair concerns, we've also rounded up the best shampoos for all hair types and goals.

Best anti-breakage shampoo

TRESemme Beauty-Full Strength Shampoo

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Beauty-Full Strength Shampoo

Pros

  • Long-lasting and affordable
  • Lathers well

Cons

  • Large bottle takes up a lot of bathroom space

Score: 91/100

Proving some good things come in big(ger) packages is TRESemme’s affordable strengthening shampoo (available with a matching conditioner), which lasted over a month for some of our testers and costs less than £8. Though low on price, this shampoo delivers on performance, with nearly all our panellists noticing less breakage and fallout after use. They also said their hair felt “stronger, shiner and smoother”.

It has a creamy texture that leaves hair softer, without any of the added weight or dull finish you often get from silicone heavy products. Testers also praised the deep clean it gave and the “fresh, exotic fragrance”. We think it’s worth making space on your shelf for this strengthening duo.

Key specifications

Volume680ml
Paraben freeYes
Silicone freeYes
Sulphate freeNo
Best for detangling

Monpure Strengthening Silk Protein Shampoo

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Strengthening Silk Protein Shampoo

Pros

  • Lovely scent
  • Left hair feeling extra clean

Cons

  • Thin consistency

Score: 86/100

As one of the top scorers for anti-breakage, most testers noted less fallout after using this shampoo and conditioner and many said their hair felt noticeably stronger.

Hair also felt softer, making it easier to detangle and style, while those with natural curls saw a reduction in flyaways. Almost everyone said they would continue using these products after the trial.

Key specifications

VolumeShampoo, 250ml; conditioner, 200ml
Paraben freeYes
Silicone freeYes
Sulphate freeYes
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Best for a deep clean

L'Oréal Professionnel Serié Expert Pro Longer Shampoo

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Serié Expert Pro Longer Shampoo

Pros

  • Gentle on the scalp
  • Reduced dandruff

Cons

  • Formula isn’t paraben-free

Score: 86/100

If you’re after that squeaky clean feeling, this shampoo was voted best for lather and texture. Testers said their scalps felt refreshed, while the matching conditioner nourished damaged ends.

Adding volume as well as tackling breakage, the majority of our panel noticed a reduction in hair loss by the end of the trial, with many saying their hair felt stronger.

Key specifications

VolumeShampoo, 300ml; conditioner, 200ml
Paraben freeNo
Silicone freeNo
Sulphate freeNo
Best for fine hair

Charles Worthington Grow Strong Activating Shampoo 250ml

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Grow Strong Activating Shampoo 250ml
Now 33% Off

Pros

  • Added shine
  • Rinsed out well

Cons

  • Slightly drying

Score: 82/100

Our testers were impressed by how little shampoo was needed to create a satisfying lather and all agreed that it didn't feel harsh on their hair.

They noted thicker, healthier-looking hair after using it alongside the conditioner, with most commenting on how hydrated their ends felt. Testers with fine hair noticed an impressive amount of added volume and an improvement in broken hair follicles.

Key specifications

VolumeShampoo, 250ml; conditioner, 250ml
Paraben freeNo
Silicone freeNo
Sulphate freeNo
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Best budget buy

Pantene Pro-V Miracles Grow Strong Shampoo

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Pro-V Miracles Grow Strong Shampoo

Pros

  • Smooths frizzy hair
  • Formulated with biotin and bamboo extract

Cons

  • Left a build-up on scalp over time

Score: 80/100

This Pantene shampoo, along with its matching conditioner, is infused with vitamins, bamboo and biotin ingredients. Our panellists with curls and waves noticed less frizz and breakages during the trial, with more bounce added to their natural texture.

Testers praised how nourishing the products were, leaving them with healthier-feeling, shiny hair and cleansed scalps. Note that some testers said their hair felt greasier more quickly, so it may not be one for finer locks.

Key specifications

VolumeShampoo, 400ml; conditioner, 275ml
Paraben freeYes
Silicone freeNo
Sulphate freeNo
Best thickening hair-loss shampoo

Nanogen Shampoo Luxe For Women

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Shampoo Luxe For Women

Pros

  • A little goes a long way
  • Packaging makes it easy to dispense

Cons

  • It didn't promote hair growth for all

Score: 82/100

Blending keratin proteins, hyaluronic acid and glycerin, this shampoo is packed with ingredients to nourish damaged ends. Our testers said it was gentle on hair, with some noting their scalps felt instantly soothed.

Our panellists were impressed by the glossy results too, with one commenting on the shampoo's luxurious moisturising effect. Almost everyone noticed less fallout and hair breakage, with most seeing an improvement in thickness. It didn’t significantly promote hair growth for all testers though.

Key specifications

Volume240ml
Paraben freeYes
Silicone freeYes
Sulphate freeYes
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Best for promoting hair growth

L’Oréal Professionnel Serioxyl Clarifying & Densifying Shampoo

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Serioxyl Clarifying & Densifying Shampoo

Pros

  • Pump bottle makes it easy to dispense
  • Softens hair

Cons

  • Required a generous application for some

Score: 81/100

This treatment promises to encourage volume and clarify the scalp. It performed brilliantly in the lab when it came to improving hair density and thickness, and it left our panel's hair looking fuller.

Everyone agreed it provided a thorough clean too, leaving their scalps feeling nourished and not at all itchy. All panellists reported fewer split ends, with most finding their hair loss concerns reduced by the end of the trial.

Key specifications

VolumeShampoo, 250ml
Paraben freeYes
Silicone freeYes
Sulphate freeYes
Best for adding volume

Virtue Flourish Shampoo for Thinning Hair

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Shampoo for Thinning Hair

Pros

  • Improves hair density
  • Strengthens hair

Cons

  • Can leave the scalp feeling dry

Score: 80/100

If a faux blow dry effect is what you're after, no shampoo packed more of a volume punch than this one. Though far from budget-friendly (see Pantene for that), it came packed with keratin proteins to revitalise tired strands.

Nearly all testers saw fewer breakages, saying their hair looked and felt thicker and fuller after the trial period. The shampoo boosted shine, frizz and smoothness for everybody, with many impressed by how much lift it gave their roots.

Key specifications

VolumeShampoo, 240ml; conditioner, 200ml
Paraben freeYes
Silicone freeYes
Sulphate freeYes
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Best for damaged hair

Percy & Reed Give Me Strength Strengthening Shampoo

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Give Me Strength Strengthening Shampoo

Pros

  • Deeply cleans hair without stripping natural oils
  • Creates noticeable hair regrowth

Cons

  • Left sticky residue for some

Score: 80/100

Years spent frying strands with hair straighteners or using the wrong shampoo can leave locks looking limp and damaged. But this shampoo and conditioner helped deliver healthier-looking hair, with most of our panel reporting improved thickness and strength and everyone seeing fewer split ends.

Testers happily noticed less fallout during the trial, with one delighted by their “softer, thicker and more manageable” hair.

Key specifications

VolumeBoth 250ml
Paraben freeYes
Silicone freeYes
Sulphate freeYes
Best for reducing breakage

Kérastase Genesis Bain Hydra-Fortifiant Shampoo

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Genesis Bain Hydra-Fortifiant Shampoo

Pros

  • Thick consistency that left hair feeling nourished
  • Reduced shedding in post-partum hair

Cons

  • Some fading for coloured hair

Score: 80/100

If your hair is lacking oomph, give this strengthening shampoo (and matching conditioner) a go; it claims to reduce breakages while gently cleansing from root to tip.

Many testers said their hair felt healthier and looked stronger after use, with less fallout and fewer breakages, as promised. The floral scent was described as calming by one tester, while another said their hair felt “instantly thicker, even when lathering”, leaving it soft and boosting condition.

Key specifications

VolumeShampoo, 250ml; conditioner, 200ml
Paraben freeYes
Silicone freeYes
Sulphate freeYes
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Best root-stimulating shampoo

Umberto Giannini Grow Long Root Stimulating Shampoo

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Grow Long Root Stimulating Shampoo
Now 33% Off

Pros

  • Hair looks and feels hydrated
  • Reduced frizz

Cons

  • Didn't lather well

Score: 79/100

Our panellists were happy with the full-bodied head of hair this shampoo and conditioner provided, with some testers reporting significant hair growth. Overall, they noticed less hair breakage and fallout, with strands looking and feeling softer and thicker.

The scent smelt too sweet for some and if your hair is prone to tangles, the shampoo made it difficult for a few to brush a comb through, but the conditioner seemed to help combat this.

Key specifications

VolumeShampoo, 250ml; conditioner
Paraben freeYes
Silicone freeYes
Sulphate freeNo

Bumble and Bumble Full Potential Shampoo

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Full Potential Shampoo

Pros

  • Good at detangling
  • Made hair easy to style

Cons

  • Didn’t lead to any hair regrowth for some

Score: 78/100

No matter its other benefits, a good shampoo must effectively lift built-up dirt and grime to leave your hair feeling clean. And that's exactly what this salon favourite did.

Our testers appreciated its fresh scent and loved how thoroughly it cleansed their scalps. It calmed any inflammation, and many found their hair easier to comb through after washing. Only a few noticed new hair growth, but fewer strands ended up in our lab team’s hairbrush and it helped reduce breakages too.

Key specifications

VolumeShampoo, 250ml; conditioner, 200ml
Paraben freeYes
Silicone freeYes
Sulphate freeYes
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Best for split ends

Redken Extreme Shampoo

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Extreme Shampoo

Pros

  • Good for dyed hair, as no testers experienced fading
  • Easy to comb through

Cons

  • Hard to get the final bit of product out

Score: 77/100

This shampoo (along with its matching conditioner) aims to strengthen strands and prevent breakage with the help of its pH-balancing formulation.

It won testers over with its deep yet gentle cleanse, with many enjoying noticeably more volume and everyone spotting fewer split ends. Our lab test found it did a great job at detangling and reducing breakages, while testers with colour-treated hair appreciated the vibrancy it gave their colour.

Key specifications

VolumeBoth 300ml
Paraben freeYes
Silicone freeYes
Sulphate freeNo
Best for adding bounce

Hairburst Longer Stronger Hair Shampoo & Conditioner

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Longer Stronger Hair Shampoo & Conditioner

Pros

  • Rinses out well
  • Deeply cleansing

Cons

  • Caused some colour fading

Score: 75/100

Originally famous for its hair-growth gummies, Hairburst has since tried to replicate that science in shampoo format.

This set left panellists' hair more hydrated and injected a welcome bit of bounce into their ends. Strands not only felt fresh, but also looked shinier and softer, with fewer breakages when brushing through wet hair. Overall, hair was left looking fuller and more voluminous.

Key specifications

VolumeBoth 350ml
Paraben freeYes
Silicone freeYes
Sulphate freeYes
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Best vegan formula

Aveda Botanical Repair Strengthening Shampoo

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Botanical Repair Strengthening Shampoo

Pros

  • Gives hair shine
  • Doesn’t cause irritation

Cons

  • Some testers said their hair became greasy, quicker

Score: 75/100

This strengthening shampoo from Aveda, which is certified vegan, aced our lab tests for detangling knots and limiting hair breakage and fallout.

Testers felt their strands were stronger and healthier after use, with one noticing a difference after only a single wash. Hair was left more hydrated and it soothed irritated scalps.

Key specifications

VolumeBoth 200ml
Paraben freeYes
Silicone freeYes
Sulphate freeYes
Best formula with collagen

Absolute Collagen Thickening Collagen Complex Shampoo

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Thickening Collagen Complex Shampoo

Pros

  • Lathers well
  • Hydrates hair

Cons

  • Hard to dispense

Score: 75/100

Collagen has been a holy grail ingredient in the skincare world for a while now, but did you know it can benefit hair, too? The hero protein in this shampoo and its matching conditioner promises to strengthen thinning locks, leaving them thicker and bouncier.

It did just that for our testers, with hair looking healthier, fuller and more hydrated after use. The shampoo’s rich, creamy lather proved a hit, and many said their hair felt more manageable after rinsing. If hair loss is your main issue, most found it helped to nip excess shedding and breakages in the bud.

Key specifications

VolumeBoth 250ml
Paraben freeYes
Silicone freeYes
Sulphate freeYes
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Garnier Ultimate Blends Honey Strengthening Shampoo

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Ultimate Blends Honey Strengthening Shampoo

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Thick and creamy texture

Cons

  • Lots of conditioner needed afterwards

Score: 74/100

Garnier’s golden shampoo creates a surprisingly luxurious lather and indulgent experience for the price point. Our panellists’ brittle ends were bid adieu and soft, strokable lengths were left in their wake.

Testers were impressed with the rich texture and said their locks looked thicker and shinier after using it for the duration of the trial. At this price, it’s one to stock up on.

Key specifications

Volume360ml
Paraben freeNo
Silicone freeNo
Sulphate freeNo

L'Oreal Elvive Full Resist Shampoo

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Elvive Full Resist Shampoo

Pros

  • Vitamin rich formula
  • Gentle on the scalp

Cons

  • Hair became more greasy quickly

Score: 73/100

This cheap and cheerful option contains vitamin B5 and biotin to soothe the scalp and promote strength from root to tip. Its real standout quality for our testers was how well it transformed dry and brittle strands into velvety-smooth tresses.

It didn’t provide a thick lather, but it did deliver a gentle yet effective cleanse at the root. Many testers noticed slight regrowth during the trial, with some saying their hair grew faster, while others were just pleased to see less shedding.

Key specifications

Volume400ml
Paraben freeYes
Silicone freeYes
Sulphate freeYes
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These also passed...

best hair loss shampoos

How we test hair loss shampoos

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We gave 700 testers — all with self-diagnosed mild to extreme hair loss or thinning and with a range of hair types, from straight to afro — a shampoo and conditioner set to trial for between one and two months. The products all claimed to correct one of the three main causes of hair loss: anti-breakage, hair-thickening and root- or scalp-stimulation.

After the trial period, our panellists gave us detailed feedback on the products, noting any differences they saw in their scalp and hair condition over the trial period and how their hair felt after each wash, as well as reviewing packaging design, ease of use, texture and scent.

In the Good Housekeeping Institute beauty lab, we assessed anti-breakage shampoos by combing through hair switches that had been treated with the product and comparing them to untreated ones. The easier the treated switches were to comb, the less risk of hair breakage and fall out in real life.

To assess the efficacy of thickening and root-stimulating shampoos, we used our specialist Hair Metrix machine to analyse the effect each formula had on hair density and thickness.

The above products are not designed to treat those with medically related conditions such as alopecia or male/female pattern baldness. Please seek a medical professional for advice on treating these conditions.

Headshot of Florence Reeves-White
Florence Reeves-White
Senior Beauty Writer

Florence is our Senior Beauty Writer, specialising in expert-tested beauty and grooming reviews — from toothbrushes to the latest skincare launches. She’s committed to sharing recommendations for products that truly work and make people feel confident and healthy. Prior to this she was at Tropic Skincare, where she worked closely with biochemists in the lab, delving into the functions of each fresh, natural ingredient and conveying its efficacy to her audience in easy-to-digest terms. 

With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work.

When she isn’t packing for a trip away, working out, eating out or reading up on retinol serums, you’ll probably find her experimenting with her film camera and building her portfolio of portraits. Florence’s photography can be found at florencereeves-white.com, her Instagram is @florencereeveswhite and her twitter is @floreadsnwrites

Headshot of Madeleine Evans
Madeleine Evans
Lifestyle Writer

Madeleine is our Lifestyle Writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and round-ups on the latest beauty Beauty and Health & Wellness products. From skincare to protein powders, Maddie is committed to providing honest and helpful reviews to help guide readers to the best product for them. Maddie has a BA in English Literature and Language, which stemmed from her lifelong interest in reading and writing. She started her post graduate life at Hearst UK within a marketing capacity, which quickly turned into a desire to fulfil a writing career.

When she is not writing about the latest expert reviewed products, you can find her rifling through vintage shops or car boots, reading a print magazine, or capturing portraits on her film camera.

Headshot of Orla Badger
Tested byOrla Badger
Former Senior Beauty and Grooming Tester

Orla was our Former Senior Beauty and Grooming Tester.

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