The Best Hair Growth Serums, Reviewed by Research

If you’re experiencing hair loss or thinning, know that you’re not alone. Hair loss affects millions of people  , making hair growth products one of the fastest-growing categories in beauty and wellness.

Whether you’re recovering from stress-related hair shedding , noticing a decrease in hair volume, or simply hoping to support healthier-looking hair  , there are more options than ever before. From topical serums and oils to oral supplements and peptide-based formulas, today’s hair growth products promise everything from thicker-looking hair to improved scalp health.

With so many choices, finding the right product can feel overwhelming. In this guide, we walk through some of today’s most popular hair growth products to help you determine which product might suit you best.

Oral vs Topical Hair Growth Products: What’s the Difference?

Hair growth products generally fall into two main categories: topical treatments, like serums, and ingestible products, like capsules or gummies.

Topical products, such as serums, oils, sprays, and foams, are applied directly to the scalp or hair strands. Their main goal is typically to deliver active ingredients directly to the hair, support scalp health, and encourage hair growth where applied. Many people prefer topical products because they fit easily into a pre-existing hair care routine.

Oral products work differently. Instead of targeting the hair and scalp from the outside, they deliver nutrients and bioactive ingredients throughout the body, where they can help support the actual biological processes involved in healthy hair growth. Depending on their formulation, oral hair growth products may support keratin production  , nourish your hair follicles, and help strengthen hair from within.

Neither approach is universally “better,” and the best product for you will ultimately depend on your specific goals, lifestyle, and preferences. Some people respond well to topical products, while others prefer the simplicity and reliability of a daily capsule or gummy. Many dermatologists even recommend combining both approaches, depending on the cause of hair thinning.

At the end of the day, consistency is one of the biggest factors in seeing results with any hair growth routine, so ease of use is an important consideration.

What Does the Science Say About Hair Growth?

Hair growth  is a slow biological process. Since hair grows only about half an inch per month on average, meaningful improvements often take several months to become visible. Because of this, it’s important to choose products supported by credible research instead of relying on marketing claims and potentially wasting your time.

The strongest products typically include ingredients that have been evaluated in laboratory research or clinical studies. While not every ingredient has decades of research behind it, evidence-backed formulas offer greater confidence and give consumers a better idea of what the product may do, helping to set realistic expectations.

How We Evaluated Hair Growth Serums

To compare leading hair growth products, we focused on how they each approach hair wellness as a whole by considering the following important factors:

• Clinical research: Are the products and their active ingredients supported by scientific studies?

• Active ingredients: Does the formulation include ingredients with meaningful evidence for supporting hair health?

• Ease of use: Is the product simple enough to use consistently?

• Safety: Are the ingredients generally well-tolerated when used as directed?

• Overall value: Does the product offer enough benefits relative to its cost?

1. Women's Rogaine Topical Solution (Minoxidil)

Minoxidil is one of the most established ingredients in hair loss treatment, and it’s the only topical ingredient that’s currently FDA-approved for hair regrowth in women. Women's Rogaine delivers a 2% minoxidil solution designed to be applied directly to the scalp twice daily.

Minoxidil has been studied for decades, and it has one of the largest bodies of clinical evidence of any hair growth ingredient, with research supporting its ability to help regrow hair and slow further thinning in cases of androgenetic alopecia. Because of this track record, it's often recommended by dermatologists as a first-line treatment.

Best For

Rogaine is a good option for those who want an ingredient with a long, well-documented research history and who are comfortable with a twice-daily topical routine.

2. Vegamour GRO Serum

Vegamour GRO Hair Serum is one of the most recognizable botanical hair serums on the market. It focuses on plant-based ingredients that promote a healthier scalp environment while supporting fuller-looking hair. Its formula contains ingredients such as mung bean, red clover extract, caffeine, and turmeric, all selected for their potential role in supporting the appearance of healthy hair. Vegamour cites clinical testing on its finished product, reporting improvements in the appearance of hair density after consistent use.

Best For

Vegamour is a good choice for people who enjoy botanical skincare-inspired routines and want a lightweight topical serum that supports scalp health and fuller-looking hair.

3. The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum

The Ordinary has earned a reputation for ingredient-focused formulations at accessible prices, and its Multi-Peptide Serum follows the same philosophy. The serum contains multiple peptide complexes alongside caffeine and plant extracts intended to support a healthy scalp environment. This product is designed to support healthier-looking, denser hair with consistent use.

Best For

The Ordinary is a good option for someone interested in trying topical peptide-based care without making too large a financial investment.

4. Nutrafol Follicle Boost Serum

Nutrafol, known for its oral hair growth supplements, also offers a topical serum designed to complement its ingestible line. The Follicle Boost Serum combines peptides, plant-based actives, and hydrating ingredients intended to support a healthier scalp environment and encourage the appearance of fuller hair.

Nutrafol has clinical research across its product line, including studies on scalp condition and hair density with consistent use.

Best For

Nutrafol's serum is a good fit for people already using their oral supplements who want to pair it with a topical step, or for anyone looking for a scalp-focused serum from a brand with an established research presence.

What’s an Oral Hair Growth Product To Try?

OMI Hair Growth Peptides  take a different approach than topical products like hair serums. Instead of relying on physical application to your hair or scalp, we use an oral peptide formula designed to support healthier hair from within.

The centerpiece of our formula is IFP-131™ Hair Growth Peptides  , a patented keratin peptide technology developed to help activate the body’s natural keratin production pathways. Keratin is the primary structural protein that gives hair its strength and resilience, making it an important building block for healthy strands. We combine our patented peptides with complementary nutrients selected to support healthy hair follicles and your overall hair wellness.

Our IFP-131™ Hair Growth Peptides have been clinically studied  for their role in supporting healthy hair growth, helping strengthen hair, and encouraging fuller-looking hair over time. Rather than simply replacing nutrients, our peptide technology is designed to help stimulate your body’s natural biological processes involved in healthy hair production.

If you’re already using a topical product, you can add our peptides to your routine alongside it. Or, opt for our peptides instead if topical products just aren’t right for you.

The Takeaway

If you’re in the market for a hair growth product, the options can feel overwhelming. Your main choice is usually between a topical and an ingestible product, and the best pick will ultimately be the one you can commit to staying consistent with. Look for products with studies and research to back up the ingredients.

For an ingestible hair growth product with clinical studies to prove it, explore our hair growth peptides at OMI  .

Frequently Asked Questions

Do hair growth serums actually work?

Hair growth serums can support healthier-looking, fuller hair, but results depend on the active ingredients, cause of thinning, and consistent use.

Are topical or oral hair growth products better?

Both can be effective, but they work differently. Topical products target the scalp directly, while oral products support healthy hair growth from within.

How long does it take for hair growth products to work?

Most hair growth products take three to six months of consistent use before noticeable results appear, since hair grows slowly and follows a natural growth cycle. The exact timeline varies depending on the product and cause of thinning.

Can you use hair serum and oral hair growth supplements together?

Yes, many people combine an oral hair growth supplement with a topical serum to support hair health from multiple angles. It's always a good idea to consult a dermatologist before starting a new routine.

Are hair growth serums safe for daily use?

Most hair growth serums are formulated for daily use and are generally well-tolerated when used as directed. If you have a sensitive scalp or an underlying skin condition, it’s best to review the ingredients and consult a professional.

What ingredients should I look for in a hair growth product?

Look for ingredients backed by scientific research, such as peptides, botanical extracts, or keratin-supporting ingredients. Choosing a product with clinically studied active ingredients can help ensure that you’re investing in a formula designed to support healthy hair growth.