When it comes to increasing hair growth efforts, there are numerous products on the market. To assist you, Shape beauty editor Madison Barber reviewed top-rated formulas which are popular with shoppers for healthy and long locks – these contain ingredients such as biotin, caffeine and green tea to stimulate follicles and increase thickness in strands.
1. Biotin
Biotin, a B vitamin known for supporting healthy skin, nails and hair. Dermatologists often advise taking supplements of biotin; however, you can also find it in various hair products such as shampoo and styling creams.
Biotin-infused hair products feature the vitamin alongside ingredients designed to thicken strands, like turmeric (to stimulate keratin production) and caffeine (which stimulates the scalp), along with argan oil for its nourishing benefits to both hair and scalp. PEOPLE-Tested products like the ones below include serum-style treatments which can either stand alone as treatments, or be added into existing beauty regimens like shampoo, conditioner and hair spray.
3. Green Tea
Green tea is one of the world’s favorite antioxidant-rich beverages, but it can also be used for hair health. There is an increasing variety of hair care products containing green tea – from rinses, conditioners and shampoos to DIY rinses containing it – available to enhance hair health. Green tea works best when applied topically; try rinsing your scalp and roots with freshly-brewed green tea or use products containing extract or oil from green tea leaves; alternatively you could drink 1-2 cups per day to increase your antioxidant consumption (EGCG has been linked with reduced risk for heart disease as well as cancer risk) (1,2). (1, 2)
DIY hair treatments are simple; all it takes is adding green tea bags to boiling water and letting them steep for 5 minutes, before allowing the liquid to cool before using it as a scalp rinse before shampooing and conditioning your locks.
4. Argan Oil
Argan oil is an increasingly popular hair product used to both nourish and protect scalp and strands, as well as being rich in essential fatty acids such as vitamin E. It can be added to shampoo, conditioner and hair mask products; particularly beneficial for those suffering from dry or damaged locks as it has the ability to increase elasticity while helping prevent breakage.
Hill acknowledges that while argan oil does not directly promote hair growth, it does help prevent thinning by hydrating the scalp and keeping cuticles from swelling up which could otherwise cause breakage of strands of hair to fall out. He recommends applying it directly onto both scalp and ends before washing hair for optimal results.
To identify high-quality argan oil, look for its golden yellow hue and fragrant, nutty aroma. When applied to the skin it should remain clear without strong fruity notes that might suggest mixing or heating processes have compromised it.