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Seeking longer and thicker lengths? The best hair growth serum can do more than boost your confidence—it can help create the right conditions for stronger, healthier strands, especially as your hair changes with age, stress, or hormonal shifts. While no serum can turn back time, the right formula can support growth, minimize shedding, and improve the appearance of thinning hair.
Still, not all serums are created equal. Understanding the cause of your hair changes is essential before investing in a product. “I encourage everyone concerned for hair thinning or shedding to consult with a health-care provider first,” says Dr. Paradi Mirmirani, MD, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in hair disorders at Kaiser Permanente in Vallejo, CA. “The best guidance is to ask questions and rely on trusted sources for scientific evidence and advice tailored to your needs.”
Vogue’s Favorite Hair Growth Serums
- Best Overall: Nutrafol Hair Serum, $69
- Best with Peptides: The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density, $23
- Best with Minoxidil: Hers Women’s Minoxidil 2% Topical Solution, $30
- Best Hair Oil: Aveda Invati ultra advanced Revitalizing Scalp Serum, $72
- Best for Grays: Living Proof Scalp Care Density Serum, $64
- Best for Age-Related Thinning: Act+Acre Cold Processed Stem Cell Scalp Serum, $86
- Best Spray Serum: Virtue Flourish Density Booster, $50
In This Story
- What is a hair growth serum
- How often should you apply hair growth serums?
- What to Look for in a Hair Growth Serum
- What’s the difference between a serum and a supplement
- How often should you apply hair growth serums?
- Do hair growth serums really work?
- Do naturally derived hair growth serums work as well as chemical formulas?
- Meet The Experts
That’s because everything from genetics and hormones to nutrition, medications, and emotional stress can contribute to hair thinning, and those underlying causes influence which ingredients will be most effective. It’s also important to know whether your goal is fuller hair or longer lengths, as the two aren’t always addressed the same way.
“Some serums for hair density versus length are essentially the same, and they often have overlaps in formulation,” cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose tells Vogue. “Generally speaking, however, hair growth serums for increasing length are formulated to strengthen strands, prevent breakage, and support the growth phase of the hair cycle. These help to promote healthier, longer strands. Serums that treat hair thinning focus on follicle health, reactivation of dormant hair follicles, and reducing shedding. They often address inflammation and/or hormonal factors. They may increase nutrient delivery to the hair and enhance circulation,” Dr. Murphy-Rose says.
With all that in mind, these are the 10 standout hair growth serums serums worth trying—each offering a unique formula to support your personal hair goals.
Best Overall: Nutrafol Hair Serum
Hair Serum
- Why We Love It: Much like its bestselling supplement—which many Vogue editors consider the gold standard among hair care products—Nutrafol’s topical serum takes a novel approach to thinning with ashwagandha, an adaptogen long used in Ayurvedic medicine to reduce inflammation and quell anxiety. This non-greasy serum also uses exosomes (small vesicles packed with protein, lipids, and plant RNA) to encourage cellular renewal at the scalp and defend against stress.
- Key Ingredients: Ashwagandha exosomes, Irish moss peptides, pea sprout extract
- Best for: All hair types, dry scalp
- Size: 50 ml
Best with Peptides: The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density
Multi-Peptide Serum
- Why We Love It: Peptides are often used in skin care to encourage collagen and elastin production, but applied to your scalp via topical hair products, they can also support healthy hair growth and lend a thicker, fuller appearance. This leave-in hair treatment harnesses an array of proprietary peptides to do just that, as well as caffeine to stimulate circulation on the scalp, thus delivering more nutrients to the roots with consistent use.
- Key Ingredients: Caffeine, peptides, green tea extract
- Best for: All hair types
- Size: 60 ml
Best with Minoxidil: Hers Women’s Minoxidil 2% Topical Solution
- Why We Love It: Minoxidil is the sole active ingredient approved by the FDA to support hair growth in women, but it often comes in a less-than-elegant format, like a foam. That’s not the case with this topical solution by Hers, which absorbs quickly into the scalp and extends the hair's natural growth cycle. Worth noting: It can’t be used while you’re breastfeeding or pregnant, so it might not be an option for postpartum hair shedding and loss.
- Key Ingredients: Minoxidil
- Best for: Female pattern baldness,
- Size: 60 ml
Best Silicone-Free: Vegamour Gro Revitalizing Hair Serum
- Why We Love It: Free of silicones yet brimming with plant extracts, this water-based formula uses phytoactives like turmeric to increase the look of hair density and caffeine to stimulate the scalp. Although it contains biotin (often derived from animal sources), the hair loss treatment is still vegan and cruelty-free—and helps deliver hair regrowth in a matter of months.
- Key Ingredients: Turmeric, biotin, caffeine
- Best for: Thinning hair
- Size: 30 ml
Best Over-the-Counter Minoxidil: Rogaine Women’s 2% Minoxidil Topical Solution
- Why We Love It: While some levels of minoxidil require a prescription, this lower concentration does not—making for easier accessibility. But it’s no less effective in improving overall hair growth: “By extending the length that hair remains in the anagen phase of the growth cycle, it can slow the pace of thinning and can even help to thicken hair after using the product consistently for about one year,” says Dr. Christine Shaver, MD, a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in hair restoration at Bernstein Medical Center in New York, NY. This particular set comes with a six-month supply, although you can choose from three- or four-month supplies as well. And, instead of the typical foam offered by Rogaine, which can be hard to apply without disturbing a blowout, the serum sinks in and dries quickly.
- Key Ingredients: Minoxidil
- Best for: Female pattern baldness
- Size: 60 ml
Best for Temporary Hair Thinning: René Furterer Triphasic Reactional Concentrated Serum
- Why We Love It: Some forms of hair loss, such as those related to acute stress or postpartum hormones, are temporary—but still worthy of treatment. This serum uses plant-based extracts, such as a lotus complex and Brazilian ginseng extract, to restore hair to its anagen, or growth, phase. It has an extra advantage in terms of convenience, too: Each of the 12 ampoules in this set is intended to be applied just once a week for three months.
- Key Ingredients: Lotus minerals, pfaffia extract, lemon essential oil
- Best for: Sudden or temporary hair thinning
- Size: 12 0.16 oz. vials
Best Oil: Aveda Invati Ultra Advanced Revitalizing Scalp Serum
- Why We Love It: Powered by a blend of Ayurvedic botanicals (antioxidant turmeric, ginseng, amla) and high-performance actives, this bestseller creates the optimal environment for stronger, fuller-looking hair. “Aveda’s plant-powered approach includes turmeric and ginseng, which support scalp circulation and reduce inflammation. While it may not regrow hair in a clinical sense, it could improve overall scalp health and reduce hair breakage,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Noah Gratch tells Vogue. With continued use, the lightweight, non-greasy formula helps invigorate roots, improve blood flow, and minimize shedding.
- Key Ingredients: Turmeric, ginseng, amla
- Best for: Fragile or thinning hair
- Size: 150 ml
Best for Age-Related Thinning: Act+Acre Cold Processed Stem Cell Scalp Serum
- Why We Love It: Born of a desire to support scalp health, Act+Acre is the brainchild of trichologist Helen Reavey, whose celebrity clients include Tilda Swinton and Alicia Keys. The brand’s stem cell-powered scalp serum connects the dots even more clearly between scalp health and thick hair. It uses apple stem cells extracted through a cold-pressing process—the better to retain its nutrients—as well as aloe vera and bamboo extract to bolster the scalp's skin barrier and microbiome, thus restoring (and maintaining) the hair growth cycle.
- Key Ingredients: Apple stem cells, aloe vera, bamboo extract
- Best for: Mildly thinning hair
- Size: 65 ml
Best for Grays: Living Proof Scalp Care Density Serum
- Why We Love It: No matter how well you may care for your hair, time takes a toll in the form of thinning and graying. This scalp serum intends to address both, with a proprietary complex that minimizes the appearance of grays alongside peptides, phytonutrients, and other cutting-edge actives that simultaneously boost hair density. Together, they deliver the hair of your youth in a matter of months.
- Key Ingredients: Amino acids, amaranth peptides, pea sprout extract
- Best for: Age-related hair loss and graying
- Size: 50 ml
Best Spray Serum: Virtue Flourish Density Booster
- Why We Love It: This clever multitasker does the work of a serum with the ease and weightlessness of a mist. Virtue’s innovative formula targets early thinning by nourishing the scalp and awakening dormant follicles at the root. “This scalp spray uses a keratin-based protein complex and biomimetic signal peptides, which may help support follicle health and hair density—it’s good for being proactive about early signs of thinning,” says Dr. Gratch. A few spritzes daily can help encourage stronger, more resilient strands over time.
- Key Ingredients: Alpha Keratin 60ku, biomimetic peptides, red algae
- Best for: Early signs of thinning or weakened hair
- Size: 120 ml
Everything You Need To Know
What is a hair growth serum?
Like that for your scalp, a hair growth serum is a formula that, generally speaking, offers a high concentration of ingredients, such as vitamins, botanical extracts, and essential oils, with the purpose of improving the appearance, strength, and thickness of hair, according to Shaver. You can also find hair growth serums that contain active ingredients that have been FDA-approved to promote hair growth, like minoxidil.
Depending on their formulation and how often you use them, “hair growth serums can provide a variety of benefits, from improving the healthy appearance of hair to enhancing hair growth,” says Dr. Shaver, who notes that it’s critical to choose a formula that targets your unique hair goals.
What to Look for in a Hair Growth Serum
First, consider your hair needs. For instance, if your hair tends to be dry, then “look for serums that contain oils to help hydrate the dry hair shaft,” says Shaver. Meanwhile, if you simply want better, faster hair growth, then she recommends looking for products with ingredients that have been clinically proven to do just that—and have scientific data that support their use. With that in mind, consider these active ingredients, which are mainstays in hair-growth products:
- Minoxidil: One such ingredient that both Shaver and Mirmirani recommend is minoxidil, “which is a drug with a long and proven track record for hair growth,” says Mirmirani. “These minoxidil serums will have a benefit, but are often more costly than over-the-counter minoxidil solution or foam.”
- Rosemary oil: Rosemary oil may “fortify hair by improving moisture and strength [while] delivering nutrients and antioxidants, which protect hair follicle cells from oxidative stress," dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp previously shared with Vogue.
- Caffeine: Products with caffeine “may encourage hair growth by improving blood flow and circulation around the root of the follicle," said Camp.
Other ingredients may have the potential to spur hair growth, among them peptides, keratin, castor oil, and amla extract. However, “only minoxidil has scientific evidence showing that it can provide benefit in hair growth for women with androgenetic alopecia, or genetic thinning,” Shaver says. “While many positive case reports exist for various other topical ingredients, the data do not support their use as effective treatment options.”
Finally, consider avoiding formulations that contain additives that might be irritating to the scalp and inadvertently cause dryness or itchiness, such as harsh chemicals, dyes, and fragrances. Instead, Shaver advises to seek out those that have been dermatologist-tested.
What’s the difference between a serum and a supplement?
For one, supplements, which are often taken orally, can “address specific nutritional deficiencies that may be lacking in a person’s diet,” says Dr. Mirmirani. So, they can be helpful to address systemic causes of hair thinning, such as a deficiency in certain nutrients. (For instance, research has found that deficiencies in iron, vitamin D, and folate may correlate to hair thinning or slow hair growth.)
But these do take longer to work, as supplements “must first be metabolized by the body and dispersed by the bloodstream to be beneficial,” says Dr. Shaver. And oral supplements may have more systemic side effects and interactions with other medications, so it’s especially important to check with your doctor before taking a supplement.
Meanwhile, “the goal of a serum is to target the hair follicle directly by delivering compounds that may allow for improved or optimal hair growth,” says Dr. Mirmirani. These ingredients are those that aren’t typically found in the diet, such as minoxidil and plant-based compounds.
Topical serums tend to be better for “addressing superficial concerns, such as scaling of the scalp and dryness of the hair shaft, since the product can be applied directly to the location that needs the serum,” says Dr. Shaver, who notes that they can also offer benefits more quickly, such as hydrating and comforting the scalp.
How To Apply Hair Growth Serums
The most important step is to test your serum before using it for the first time. “Apply the serum to a small spot on the scalp for a few days to ensure that there is no irritation before applying it more broadly,” says Dr. Mirmirani. “A measured approach is best.” To that end, get comfortable with the fact that you’ll need to be both consistent and patient in your usage, as the results can take time.
As for the application itself, apply a hair growth serum to a clean scalp (though this might vary with the exact product). Ideally, it helps to do it while hair is lightly damp, since this “can help to disperse the product across the scalp and make the scalp more porous and enhance absorption,” says Dr. Shaver. (However, she notes, a very wet scalp would dilute your serum and potentially make it less effective.)
For those with thick hair, then “partition the hair so that the scalp can be exposed and the serum can reach the skin if the purpose is for hair growth, since the product needs to be directly on the scalp so it can be absorbed and reach the base of the hair follicles,” says Dr. Shaver. While many products do provide applicator nozzles that reach through the hair, some droppers aren’t as precise.
Finally, if you’re applying hair growth serum in the evening, consider your skin type—since certain ingredients, such as oils, can potentially rub off onto your pillow and be transferred to skin. “For sensitive or acne-prone skin, either frequent pillowcase changes or wearing a hair bonnet after serum application may be helpful,” she says.
How often should you apply hair growth serums?
As with any product, consistency is critical to seeing (and maintaining) long-term results. For that reason, Mirimani recommends daily use for minoxidil. However, “as with any new product, you should read the manufacturer’s instructions on frequency of use and how much to apply,” Shaver adds.
Do hair growth serums really work?
They can work, with some caveats. It’s key to choose your product carefully. “I’m generally skeptical of products that promise a lot of benefits and don’t provide good scientific evidence to support their claims,” says Dr. Mirmirani. “Some hair growths serums are promising, but the vast majority don’t provide strong evidence for me to recommend to my patients.”
She also stresses the importance of other, healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating a well-rounded diet, getting eight hours of sleep, making time for regular exercise, and addressing sources of stress. “These changes to your routine may be just as effective as some serums and supplements,” she says. “While these behaviors can be difficult to implement or difficult to stick with, they are free—and will have benefits far beyond hair growth.”
Do naturally derived hair growth serums work as well as chemical formulas?
Experts agree that naturally derived serums are excellent for those seeking gentler solutions or enhancing an overall haircare routine. However, more intensive interventions may be necessary in chronic or advanced hair loss cases.
“Plant-derived serums can offer meaningful benefits, particularly when they support a healthy scalp environment, which is essential for hair growth,” says Dr. Gratch. “However, those with clinically significant hair thinning or pattern hair loss, more evidence-based options such as minoxidil or low-dose topical finasteride tend to have stronger clinical backing.”
According to Dr. Murphy-Rose, that doesn’t mean natural serums should be dismissed altogether. “Recent data has shown that some plant-derived hair growth serums may have similar efficacy as synthetically derived counterparts,” she explains. “For example, data suggests that rosemary oil and pumpkin seed oil have similar effects as topical minoxidil (a.k.a. Rogaine).” No matter which route you choose, consistency is key—results require patience, not instant gratification.
Meet The Experts
- Dr. Noah Gratch, MD, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in treatments for acne, eczema, hyperhidrosis, rosacea, psoriasis, and skin cancer.
- Dr. Paradi Mirmirani is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in hair disorders with Kaiser Permanente in Vallejo, CA
- Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD is an award-winning cosmetic and medical dermatologist and founder of Skincare Junkie. She specializes in facial rejuvenation at Newport Beach Dermatology and Plastic Surgery, while serving as clinical instructor of dermatology at Cornell.
- Dr. Christine Shaver is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in hair restoration at Bernstein Medical Center in New York, NY.
