Ready for a hair transformation? These are the hair growth serums that *actually* work (2024)

Ready for a hair transformation? These are the hair growth serums that *actually* work (1)

Hairbrush pulling out a few stray strands each morning? No dramas. Hair loss is incredibly common, in fact, we lose up to 80-100 hairs a day naturally, but if you're noticing extra fall than usual, it may be time to tweak your hair routine. Enter the best hair growth serums.

Now, sadly, a bottle of this stuff won’t make your hair regrow overnight, but the best serum can help get hair loss under control, give the illusion of a thicker, fuller mane and add a bit of length to your locks.

The big question is: do hair growth serums actually work? Like you guys, we were sceptical, so our beauty team put some potent potions to the test. Spoiler alert: some really do make a difference.

Here's a sneak peek at the hair growth serums we rate:

Best hair growth serums

What might be causing hair loss?

No matter your age, race or gender, hair loss can plague us all. So, how do you determine what's going wrong?

Queue our expert, Consultant Dermatologist and Hair Specialist, Dr Sharon Wong, to give us the lowdown.

First up is intermittent shedding, aka going through phases of seeing more hair in your drains.

"Seasonal hair shedding is a perfect example,” says Dr Wong. “Some people’s hair follicles are sensitive to changes to the number of daylight hours, leading to shedding that will self-limit without any treatment.

“Intermittent shedding can also be due to stress, dietary changes, periods of time when sex hormones are in flux – such as when starting, changing or stopping hormonal contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy (HRT), or after pregnancy – and following illnesses accompanied by a fever."

There's also the stuff that can be trickier to treat:

Genetic hair loss: Such as male or female pattern hair loss.

Telogen effluvium: Sounds like a Harry Potter spell, but actually means excess hair shedding.

Alopecia areata: This autoimmune hair loss condition may affect a single patch of skin, but it can also take over multiple areas across the body, scalp and face.

Traction alopecia: Hair loss due to excessive pulling from tight hairstyles (that slicked-back ponytail look ain’t worth it if you ask us). If you notice inflammation, spots or sores around the area of hair loss, Dr Wong advises making an appointment with your GP. They can arrange a blood test to find out what's going on and give you a prescription if necessary.

Do hair growth serums work?

No hair growth treatment or serum will make you sprout Disney princess-style hair, especially not overnight. They can, however, have a positive impact on the condition of your scalp, encouraging healthier hair growth, as well as improving the look and feel of your existing strands.

Dr Wong explains: "Many hair growth serums contain peptides/amino acids and conditioning agents such as hyaluronic acid. These have an aesthetic effect on the hair that’s already on your head, giving it more volume and plumping up its fibres to make them seem thicker and denser."

Best hair growth serums

Best hair growth serum

Monpure Follicle Boost Hair Density Serum

Ready for a hair transformation? These are the hair growth serums that *actually* work (12)

Best hair growth serum

Monpure Follicle Boost Hair Density Serum

If you ever suspected that vegan products weren't as powerful as their animal-derived counterparts, this serum will prove you wrong.

Expect to see healthier, smoother, more hydrated ends, with a big drop in split ends, too. Some injected volume could also be spotted at the roots, while strands were seen with some diamond-like shine. Prepare to be seriously impressed.

Customer review: "I have been experiencing a lot of hair loss. My hair was looking and feeling thinner, and I was feeling self conscious. I tried soooo many other oils and nothing changed. I gave this one a try and OMG. The week after I started using it, I could count the hairs in my brush with one hand. After two + weeks, my scalp has been feeling less tender to the touch, and I can even see my scalp slowly starting to cover with hair again! It is a little more pricey, but if you buy anything hair oil, it is a waste of your money. But this one instead!"

Best for eradicating dandruff

Kérastase Genesis Serum Anti-Chute Fortifiant

Ready for a hair transformation? These are the hair growth serums that *actually* work (13)

Ready for a hair transformation? These are the hair growth serums that *actually* work (14)

Best for eradicating dandruff

Kérastase Genesis Serum Anti-Chute Fortifiant

Now 24% Off

Your hair is never going to look or feel good if your scalp isn't on point. This formula delivers some much-needed hydration to roots, helping to eliminate dandruff.

Containing energising ginger root and Aminexil (L'Oreal's big dog in the hair loss treatment game), the lightweight serum left us with healthier heads of hair and fewer breakages. Locks were left shinier and smoother, too.

If you're struggling with baby hairs' that refuse to grow past a certain point, add this one to your basket ASAP.

Customer review: "Lord!!! wonderful product, I have used many other companies against hair loss, this one is number 1, smells so nice and gentle. This is my 2nd bottle results after two weeks. Thank you Kerastase!!!The most important thing is that the shine of the hair is not lost after application."

Best for desert-dry scalps

Dr. Barbara Sturm Anti-Hair Fall Scalp Serum

Ready for a hair transformation? These are the hair growth serums that *actually* work (15)

Best for desert-dry scalps

Dr. Barbara Sturm Anti-Hair Fall Scalp Serum

This takes a whole new approach to hair growth and focuses on preventing heavy shedding to leave you with fuller locks. It's oilier in texture than other serums on our list but manages to nourish and hydrate, without leaving crowns looking greasy.

This repairing cocktail contains glycerin, hyaluronic acid and camellia extract to hydrate follicles and encourage them to stay put, while pro-vitamin B5 creates an 'anti-hair fall' effect.

Desert-dry scalps were left rejuvenated, while hair looked healthier and more velvety-smooth after a few weeks. Did we mention it's vegan and helps protect against heat and UV damage too? Talk about multi-purpose.

Customer review: "It is my second bottle. It is expensive but after using the first bottle I was shocked at how good it is. I have hormonal problems and most serums don't work for me. But this one works great!"

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Best budget serum

The Inkey List Caffeine Stimulating Scalp Treatment

Ready for a hair transformation? These are the hair growth serums that *actually* work (16)

Best budget serum

The Inkey List Caffeine Stimulating Scalp Treatment

Products promising to grow you a new head of hair don't come cheap, but this one's less than £15 and...it works.

It contains invigorating caffeine extract, which aims to help to improve hair thickness and density. Thanks to its anti-fallout and anti-dandruff powers, this will help give hair a full reset. It even works for colour-treated strands, so you can enjoy more dazzling vibrancy.

Customer review: "I have repurchased this 3, maybe 4 times so far. It feels like it is working, I like the applicator and the coolness when you put it on your scalp. I've been using this alongside rosemary oil, so I don't know if it is either or the combination that works, but it does work!"

Best pre-wash hair growth treatment

Fable & Mane HoliRoots Hair Oil

Ready for a hair transformation? These are the hair growth serums that *actually* work (17)

Best pre-wash hair growth treatment

Fable & Mane HoliRoots Hair Oil

Never used a pre-wash treatment? 1) Where have you been?! 2) It's dead easy and will leave you with healthier hair in no time. This did just that, thanks to its oil-rich formula including safflower, sesame, castor and jojoba, to name but a handful of goodies.

Not only does it leave hair smelling divine thanks to its nose-pleasing scent, but it also improves thickness and works to banish dandruff. Prepare to see hair looking revived and healthier, with dry scalps quenched.

Customer review: "As a nurse in New York my hair is consistently getting damaged by washing it before and after work cause you know in healthcare with the current situation we're in. Either from overwashing or the stress, I noticed my hair getting weaker and thin. Since I started using this in my hair routine, my hair feels fuller. The scent is very calming. I would absolutely recommend this product to individuals who work in a field where they put a lot of stress on their hair."

Best for speedy hair growth

Aveda Invati Advanced Scalp Revitalizer

Ready for a hair transformation? These are the hair growth serums that *actually* work (18)

Best for speedy hair growth

Aveda Invati Advanced Scalp Revitalizer

Let’s face it, modern tech (hi, social media and Deliveroo) has made us all pretty darn impatient, so you'll love that this serum delivers speedy results. It’s the Ferrari of hair growth treatments, basically.

Not only does it work to improve thickness and strength, but healthier strands were spotted too, with minimal shedding. The blend of natural oils left hair smelling incredible, too.

Customer review: "Very expensive but worth the money. I found it certainly stopped my hair from falling out, use it whenever needed."

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Best B Corp brand

Weleda Revitalising Hair Tonic

Ready for a hair transformation? These are the hair growth serums that *actually* work (19)

Best B Corp brand

Weleda Revitalising Hair Tonic

There is so much greenwashing in beauty, but a B Corp certification is a big deal. It means a company has been thoroughly reviewed and confirmed to have a positive social and environmental impact. Great job, Weleda.

Just as importantly, did this serum actually work? Tick! This vegan offering will help restore locks to their former glory, helping to limit shedding and split ends. Basically, it will leave your hair in altogether better nick.

Customer review: "I have been using this hair tonic for about 4 months now and it works. I have fine thinning hair. I use this every time I wash my hair. I have noticed there is less hair on my brushes. Even my hairdresser has noticed the difference."

Best for healthier hair

KLORANE Strengthening Serum with Quinine and Organic Edelweiss for Thinning Hair

Ready for a hair transformation? These are the hair growth serums that *actually* work (20)

Best for healthier hair

KLORANE Strengthening Serum with Quinine and Organic Edelweiss for Thinning Hair

Whether you've fried your tresses with hair tools or have a penchant for bleach, you might not be seeing any growth because your hair health is suffering.

Help get things back on track with this nourishing formula featuring organic quinine (to prevent breakages) and edelweiss (to strengthen). Yes, it sounds like a healthy salad but bear with us.

This cocktail aims to revive brittle strands, leaving you with shinier, hydrated and more voluminous hair. Thicker, more resilient strands were spotted as a result.

Customer review: "Smells beautiful, my hair feels stronger and they shiner than ever!! recommended to any friend who needs a quick hair fix after damage."

Best for curly hair

Curlsmith Scalp Stimulating Booster

Ready for a hair transformation? These are the hair growth serums that *actually* work (21)

Best for curly hair

Curlsmith Scalp Stimulating Booster

This soybean and ginger blend aims to restore and reshape all manner of curls, from kinks to coils.

It works to minimise hair fallout, while also leaving tresses looking and feeling fuller and stronger. We were pleased with the thickness and hydration it added, with some XL volume spotted too.

Customer review: "I started using this along with the "Full Lengths Density Oil" and it has been a dream. I have noticed that my hair has been thicker and healthier. I have also noticed some regrowth of my baby hairs which has been amazing. I am now on my 4th bottle and still love it!"

Ready for a hair transformation? These are the hair growth serums that *actually* work (2024)

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