And if you’re dealing with increased shedding (a very common hair care concern), select a shampoo specifically geared toward thinning hair. Not sure what ingredients to look for or where to start? Here, find our prized recommendations. Take it from Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and founder of Mudgil Dermatology: “If buildup is really extreme, it can even pull the hair down because there’s so much inflammation around the hair follicle,” he previously told mbg. You don’t want to completely strip the scalp of moisture, though, so cleansing with gentle, sulfate-free washes is key. As you gently scrub in your shampoo, you also stimulate the scalp, which can help encourage growth. “While shampooing, massage the scalp to increase the flow of blood, relieve stress, and stimulate hair follicles. It’s a win-win!” says hairstylist Miko Branch. In fact, regular scalp massages have been shown to increase hair fullness1 in small studies, and in some self-reported cases, individuals who gave themselves daily scalp massages, over the course of months, saw hair loss stabilization or regrowth2. Finally, these shampoos come with naturally derived ingredients to help further stimulate the scalp (rosemary oil, lavender oil, and the like) or antioxidants to help combat free radicals from UV rays or pollution. Plenty of shampoos even feature the same ingredients found in your favorite hair growth serums—they just come with a shorter contact time, since these products are meant to be washed out. Thinning hair can also just be a natural part of aging—hair ages just like the rest of your body—or a result of postpartum hair loss. Oftentimes, the hair loss is temporary and can be restored with a few lifestyle adjustments. We have a full guide to the types and causes of hair shedding here, but if you’re experiencing severe thinning or hair loss in patches, it’s best to consult a doctor to get to the root of the issue. Then once you understand your own reasons for hair loss, you can find the right hair and scalp products to set the stage for healthy regrowth. Just know that your hair does lose density as you age, and sometimes a receding hairline is unavoidable. According to hair restoration specialist Craig Ziering, D.O., FAOCD, FISHRS, FAAD, owner of Ziering Medical, your hair ultimately reaches what’s known as its “mature hairline,” a new normal for your aging hair, so to speak. It’s when that thinning doesn’t slow or stop that it becomes an issue. Our high standards also come from testing products—many, many products. Our editors and writers rigorously test and research the products featured in our roundups to offer you the best, most informed recommendations. When we write reviews, you can trust we spend quality time with the formulas: We don’t simply rave about products we’ve slathered on the back of our hand. We endorse products we’ve tried and loved. Learn more about our testing process and clean beauty standards here.
