The 4 Best Hair Growth Serums in 2026
Discover the best hair serum to support thicker, healthier hair—approved by hair loss experts and real users.
- The Nutrafol Hair Serum is our top pick for the Best Hair Growth Serum for Women. We like its lightweight formula and its drug-free approach to healthier, stronger hair.
- Our top hair growth serums for 2026 range in price from $49–$79 for a one-month supply.
- Use of hair loss treatments is growing in the U.S., with as many as 13 million Americans using hair growth products in a single year.
- The hair serums included in this article are drug-free and use active ingredients such as saw palmetto and melatonin rather than pharmaceutical ingredients like minoxidil.
NCOA connects people with tools and resources to support a healthy life. We put products under the microscope before we can recommend them to you. To review hair loss products, we researched and tested for over 200 hours before making our first recommendation. To find the best hair loss treatments, we:
- Consulted with dermatologists, trichologists (hair and scalp specialists), psychologists, and primary care physicians
- Ordered a product and tested it for 2-4 weeks before moving it into the next round for consideration—with testing ongoing for 1 calendar year
- Interviewed long-time users of these brands
- Used the products as directed on an ongoing basis—they’re now staples in our testers’ showers and medicine cabinets
- Read thousands of verified customer reviews
We’re constantly testing new hair loss treatments to give you the most accurate and up-to-date recommendations. Read more about our hair loss treatment methodology.
If you’re considering a hair regrowth serum or the best hair loss treatments in general, you’re not alone. More than 13 million Americans use hair loss products in a single year. Unlike oral pills, hair growth serums are applied to the scalp daily. Many hair serums, including the ones we tested for this article, use active ingredients from plants such as saw palmetto, caffeine, and rosemary. For people who want to start their hair regrowth journey but aren’t ready for a prescription treatment like minoxidil or finasteride, hair serums can be a good drug-free alternative. You also may want to check out our story on the Best Vitamins for Hair Growth.
When used properly and consistently, hair growth serums can help you grow a healthier, thicker head of hair. To find the best hair loss serums in 2026, we tested several popular hair regrowth serums and talked to experts, including a board-certified dermatologist and a hair restoration surgeon. Keep reading to find our top picks.
Nutrafol Women’s Serum
- Non-greasy and lightweight
- No sulfates, silicones, or parabens
- Drug-free
Our picks for the best hair serums in 2026
- Nutrafol Women’s Serum: Best Overall
- Happy Head Topical Solution: Best for Thickness
- Nutrafol Men’s Serum: Best for Men
- Vegamour GRO Serum: Best Preventive
Comparing the best hair loss serums
| Comparison Features | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall brand rating (out of 10)* | 9.6 |
9.8 |
9.6 |
8,7 |
| Active ingredient(s) | Ashwagandha exosomes, pea sprout extract, maca root extract |
Procapil®, Capixyl®, Redensyl®, KGF (Keratinocyte Growth Factor) |
Ashwagandha exosomes, Irish moss peptides, caffeine, red ginseng |
Red clover, turmeric, and nicotiana benthamiana-derived peptides |
| Billing cycles | 1, 3, or 6 months |
Monthly |
1, 3, or 6 months |
1 or 3 months |
| Prescription required? | No |
No |
No |
No |
*Ratings reflect a brand's overall offering; the best overall pick doesn't necessarily have the highest score
How we tested the best hair growth serums
To test hair loss serums for hair regrowth, we started by reviewing current medical guidance on hair loss. We consulted experts, including dermatologists and hair restoration surgeons. The goal was to better understand the science behind common ingredients and approaches used in hair loss treatment.
Then, we asked older adult testers to try a range of hair growth serums and documented their experiences over time, from the purchasing process to daily use. We considered cost, the ease for testers to get and apply the product, and how accessible customer service and support were. Testers evaluated serums based on the following criteria:
- Ease of purchasing and overall user experience
- Ingredient quality and formulation
- Cost and overall value
- Texture, scent, and ease of application
- Overall satisfaction and perceived results
- Customer service and support
Our reviews of the best hair growth serums
Nutrafol Women’s Serum: Best Hair Growth Serum Overall
We chose the Nutrafol Women’s Serum as our top pick due to its non-greasy, lightweight formula and botanical ingredients for thickening hair and reducing shedding. This hair serum absorbs quickly, doesn’t leave a residue, and has a fresh, tea-tree scent.
- Nutrafol Review
- Absorbs quickly
- Light tea-tree scent
- Safe for color-treated hair
- Drug-free ingredients from plants
- Active Ingredients: Ashwagandha exosomes, pea sprout extract, and maca root extract
- Treatment type: Topical
- Billing cycles: 1, 3, or 6 months
Pros
- Lightweight and non-greasy
- Safe for color-treated hair, with no sulfates or parabens
- Users report less shedding after 3 months of consistent use
Cons
- Daily application is necessary to see results
- Some users may experience mild irritation at application site
Why our testers chose Nutrafol Women's as Best Hair Growth Serum Overall
Losing hair as we age can be stressful. For women experiencing hair loss, there can be real psychological effects, with nearly 30% of women with hair loss reporting symptoms of depression.1 If you’re looking for the best hair loss treatments for women, the Nutrafol Women’s Hair Serum, with its drug-free, color-safe formula,could be a good place to start.
Our testers found it was easy to navigate the Nutrafol website and purchase the Nutrafol Women’s Hair Serum. Unlike some hair loss treatments, Nutrafol does not require a lengthy intake questionnaire or a prescription process. The product page stood out for its detailed ingredient information, thorough FAQ, and clear directions for use. Users also appreciated how Nutrafol compares the serum to other Nutrafol products, highlighting key differences. Customer support was easily accessible through chat, text, phone, and email.
While hair serums are generally messier than oral pills or sprays, testers found the dropper in the Nutrafol Women’s Serum allowed for more targeted application. Also, the website provided clear instructions, including a video, on how to apply the product and massage it into the scalp for the best results.
Our testers appreciated that the Nutrafol serum is drug-free and safe for color-treated hair. They also liked the all-natural ingredient list, which includes plant extracts such as sea buckthorn and maca root. Nutrafol Women’s Serum also includes ashwagandha exosomes, a highly concentrated extract of the herb designed for maximum absorption and shown to stimulate hair growth in people with male or female pattern hair loss.2
The Nutrafol customer experience
- Warranty and trial period: Nutrafol purchases do not include a warranty or money-back guarantee. But Nutrafol will issue a refund for unopened items within 30 days of purchase. Nutrafol doesn’t offer a trial period.
- Financing: No
Customer service
Available via phone 800-454-3320 or email support@nutrafol.com. A chatbot is also available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. ET to 7 p.m. ET.
All subscribers have access to Nutrafol’s naturopathic doctors, so users can check in with questions and concerns about treatment.
Learn more in our Nutrafol review.
Happy Head Hair Serum: Best Hair Growth Serum for Thickness
We chose Happy Head Hair Serum as our Best Hair Serum for Thickness because its ingredients—Procapil, Capixyl, Redensyl, and growth-supporting peptides—are specifically designed to support fuller, denser-looking hair. This lightweight serum can help to improve the appearance of volume without leaving behind a greasy residue.
- Happy Head Review
- Leave-in, non-greasy formula
- Patented ingredient combinations designed to grow thicker hair
- Ingredients help moisturize & improve overall scalp health
- Active Ingredients: Procapil®, Capixyl® , Redensyl®, KGF (Keratinocyte Growth Factor)
- Treatment type: Topical
- Billing cycles: Monthly
Pros
- Strong ingredients to strengthen hair follicles
- Non-itchy formula helps moisturize scalp
- Doesn’t weigh down the hair
Cons
- More expensive than other hair serums
- Some users find the scent too strong
Why our testers chose Happy Head Hair Serum as Best Hair Growth Serum for Thickness
According to Alan J. Bauman, MD, hair transplant surgeon at Bauman Medical in Boca Raton, Florida, “hair loss and hair thinning are essentially the same gradual process in which your hair follicles begin producing thinner, shorter, and weaker hairs over time until some follicles shrink and stop growing new hairs altogether.” If you’re beginning to notice a widening part or sparse patches, it’s a good idea to seek a professional diagnosis to help identify the underlying cause. Products like Happy Head Hair Serum may help support scalp health and fuller-looking hair, especially in the early stages of thinning.
For our testers, purchasing the Happy Head Hair Serum was simple. And the Happy Head website was easy to navigate. While many Happy Head products require a prescription, the serum is drug-free and does not require an intake questionnaire or medical consultation.
Our testers appreciated the website's ingredient transparency, including explanations of all the active ingredients and how each one may support hair growth and scalp health. The product was easy to purchase and arrived within one week. But some testers noted that the serum was an expensive option they might not be able to afford monthly.
The Happy Head Hair Serum uses patented ingredients designed to support thicker, fuller-looking hair. This includes Procapil, Capixyl, and Redensyl, along with moisturizing botanicals such as rosemary and argan oils. These ingredients may help strengthen hair follicles, improve scalp circulation, and reduce shedding.
A 2025 review published in the International Journal of Trichology found that patented complexes such as Redensyl, Procapil, and Capixyl show promising results for improving hair density and reducing hair thinning.3 But researchers said more large-scale clinical studies are needed to confirm long-term effectiveness.
The Happy Head customer experience
- Warranty and trial period: Happy Head offers a six-month money-back guarantee on products you’ve most recently ordered. So, you won’t receive money back for all of the products you’ve ordered or used during the six months.
- Financing: No
Customer service
For Happy Head customer service, you can submit a help request online, use the website’s chat function, text 213-464-0214, or call 844-962-4247.
Learn more in our Happy Head review.
Nutrafol Men’s Serum: Best Hair Growth Serum for Men
We chose Nutrafol Men’s Hair Serum as the Best Hair Growth Serum for Men because its ingredients are chosen to target common hair concerns among men, like thinning at the crown, excess shedding, and scalp inflammation. It includes clinically studied plants in a lightweight, low-residue formula to support thicker, healthier-looking hair.
- Nutrafol Review
- Targets hair thinning areas common in men
- Non-greasy and didn’t weigh down the hair
- Drug-free alternative to finasteride and other prescription treatments
- Active Ingredients: Ashwagandha exosomes, Irish moss peptides, caffeine, and red ginseng
- Treatment type: Topical
- Billing cycles: 1, 3, and 6 months
Pros
- Absorbs quickly without leaving residue
- No-rinse applicator and quick-dry formula help reduce mess
- Uses plant-based ingredients
Cons
- Requires long-term, daily use to see results
- Could cause itchiness or scalp irritation in some users
Why our testers chose the Nutrafol Men's Serum as Best Hair Growth Serum for Men
As with women, hair loss can affect the mental health of men, with some reporting an impact on their social life and symptoms of depression.4 For men who want to start treating their hair loss but aren’t ready for prescription drugs like finasteride, Nutrafol Men’s Serum could be a good starting point.
There is no intake questionnaire or consultation process required to purchase this serum. Testers said finding the product was as easy as searching “Nutrafol men’s hair serum” online. Testers appreciated the website's detailed ingredient transparency, easy-to-find application instructions, and comparison charts explaining how the serum differs from other products. The product arrived within one week. And testers found it easy to incorporate the once-daily regimen into their routines.
The Nutrafol Hair Serum for Men is a similar formula to the Nutrafol Women’s Hair Serum, with ashwagandha exosomes, Irish moss peptides, and a fresh, tea-tree scent. The Nutrafol Men’s Serum also contains ingredients like caffeine and red ginseng, which have been shown to stimulate hair growth and may help treat areas where men commonly experience thinning, such as the crown of the head and the hairline.5
Men who are interested in a prescription hair loss formula can learn more in our review of the best hair loss treatments for men.
Application is only once a day, so you can choose whenever is most convenient for you. Also, Nutrafol developed a technology to extract plant exosomes—something unique I didn’t see in some other similar products.”
—A Nutrafol Men’s Serum tester
The Nutrafol customer experience
- Warranty and trial period: Nutrafol purchases do not include a warranty or money-back guarantee. But Nutrafol will issue a refund for unopened items within 30 days of purchase. Nutrafol doesn’t offer a trial period.
- Financing: No
Customer service
Available via phone 800-454-3320 or email support@nutrafol.com. A chatbot is also available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. ET to 7 p.m. ET.
All subscribers have access to Nutrafol’s naturopathic doctors, so users can check in with questions and concerns about treatment.
Learn more in our Nutrafol review.
Vegamour GRO Serum: Best Preventive Hair Serum
We picked the Vegamour GRO Serum as the Best Preventive Hair Serum because it contains ingredients like caffeine and red clover to increase overall scalp health before hair thinning becomes noticeable.
- Free of hormones, harsh chemicals, and silicones
- Red clover, turmeric, and caffeine support scalp circulation
- Plant-based formula aimed at creating a healthier hair growth cycle
- Active Ingredients: Red clover, caffeine, turmeric, and Nicotiana benthamiana-derived peptides
- Treatment type: Topical
- Billing cycles: 1 or 3 months
Pros
- Lightweight, leave-in formula
- Vegan ingredients
Cons
- One of the more expensive serums on the list
- Must use every day for 3+ months to see results
Why our testers chose Vegamour GRO Serum as Best Preventive Hair Serum
Some hair serums aim to stop excess shedding before thinning becomes visible. Taking a proactive approach to hair loss by focusing on scalp health and strengthening hair may help support fuller, healthier-looking hair over time before more noticeable thinning occurs. This is the approach of the Vegamour GRO Hair Serum.
Our testers found purchasing the Vegamour GRO Hair Serum to be straightforward and informative. The product page was easy to navigate and did not require an assessment, questionnaire, or account creation. Testers liked the detailed breakdown of ingredients and the science-backed explanations of how the active ingredients work to prevent hair shedding. The before-and-after photos, in particular, helped shoppers feel confident and well-informed.
The Vegamour GRO Hair Serum includes ingredients like caffeine, turmeric, and red clover. It also contains Nicotiana benthamiana peptides, short amino acid chains that can help stimulate scalp circulation and reduce inflammation. Red clover, one of the ingredients this serum uses to reduce shedding, has been shown to increase hairline density and hair shaft thickness.6 For people who are noticing more shedding than usual but don’t yet see a widening hairline or thinner hair, this serum may be a good preventive tool.
The Vegamour customer experience
- Warranty and trial period: If dissatisfied, new or gently used products may be returned within 30 days of purchase. Returns have a handling fee of $6.95 per order. After 30 days, products can be returned for store credit or exchange.
- Financing: Yes, via Klarna and Afterpay
Customer service
Access Vegamour customer support via the email form on their contact page, phone 213-325-5112 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and by chat or text 213-566-8541 from 7 a.m to 4 p.m. seven days per week.
Types of hair serums
When it comes to serums for hair loss treatment, there are drug-free, botanical options and topical solutions with prescription ingredients like minoxidil, finasteride, and spironolactone.
Drug-free hair serums
Hair serums with active ingredients derived from plants are often rich in vitamin E, folic acid, and other nutrients essential to the hair cycle. Often, these botanical ingredients work to block dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that can cause hair follicles to shrink, leading to male and female pattern baldness.
According to Dr. Bauman, the best drug-free serums “use evidence-based actives—saw palmetto, caffeine, green tea extract, peptides like biotinoyl tripeptide-1 or GHK-Cu, niacinamide—to support scalp health, calm inflammation, modulate DHT at the scalp level, and create the optimal environment for the follicles you still have.”
Prescription topical hair solutions
Some hair serums, also called topical solutions, deliver prescription-level active ingredients like minoxidil, finasteride, and spironolactone directly to the scalp. While minoxidil is FDA-approved for topical hair loss treatment, finasteride and spironolactone are often used off-label to treat hair loss. Though these active ingredients have clinical evidence supporting their use for treating hair loss, they are not safe for people who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. And they may have a higher likelihood of side effects. Minoxidil is safe for most users, though, and is considered by many experts to be a highly effective hair loss treatment.
Drug-free hair serums are not designed to deliver a single pharmacologic mechanism the way minoxidil does. The best ones use evidence-based actives— saw palmetto, caffeine, green tea extract, peptides like biotinoyl tripeptide-1 or GHK-Cu, apigenin, niacinamide—to support scalp health, calm inflammation, modulate DHT at the scalp level, and create the optimal environment for the follicles you still have. They tend to be gentler, easier to layer, and a good fit for patients who want to start somewhere or who don’t tolerate minoxidil.”
—Dr. Alan J. Bauman
How to use hair serums
How to use a hair growth serum will vary according to the brand and type of hair serum you’re using. Most topical hair serums are applied once per day to a clean scalp, following these steps:
- Use the dropper to help part the hair so you can apply the serum directly to the scalp, adding enough product to lightly cover thinning areas like the temples and crown.
- After you’ve applied the serum, gently massage it into the scalp for 1-3 minutes to ensure absorption and promote circulation. Make sure your hands are clean before massaging.
- Do not rinse the serum out of your hair. Hair loss serums are designed as leave-in formulas and should absorb quickly without leaving a residue.
As with all hair loss treatments, results depend on consistent, daily use over a period of 3–6 months.
How long does it take for hair serums to work?
Consistency is key with all hair loss treatments. “Hair grows about a quarter to a half inch per month,” said Dr. Bauman. “So any topical regimen, including a serum, needs to be evaluated on the hair cycle’s timeline, not the patient’s. At three months, patients may begin to see reduced shedding and slightly improved scalp coverage. By six months, early signs of regrowth often become visible to the naked eye, with thicker, longer, and stronger hair strands. At 12 months, we typically see the most substantial cosmetic improvement, and stabilization thereafter if treatment continues.”
As Dr. Bauman emphasized, the naked eye is not a good diagnostic tool, as hair loss can become quite advanced before it is visibly noticeable. When evaluating how well a product is working, it’s important to consult with a dermatologist or hair restoration surgeon to get an objective measurement of your hair loss. You should do this both before and during your hair loss treatment.
Read more of our reviews of the best hair regrowth treatments here:
Frequently asked questions
What is the best hair serum?
The best hair serum for you depends on your unique needs and hair concerns. For people who want a drug-free hair serum to support thicker strands and a healthier scalp, Nutrafol Women’s Serum and Nutrafol Men’s Serum offer clinically backed ingredients to treat hair loss.
What stimulates hair growth best?
Minoxidil is an FDA-approved topical treatment for stimulating hair growth. For people who want a drug-free option, Nutrafol offers clinically backed botanical ingredients to stimulate hair growth. Proper nutrition and scalp care may also support healthy hair growth.
How do hair growth serums work?
Most hair growth serums work by blocking the body’s production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that can shrink hair follicles. Most serums also contain ingredients to help moisturize and maintain a healthy scalp.
Questions? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.