As we age, our hormone levels change, leading to thinning hair and hair loss. During perimenopause and menopause, our bodies produce less estrogen and progesterone to protect the hair, so androgens start making each strand grow back weaker and finer. Sometimes follicles stop working altogether, causing female pattern hair loss. (1)
Although there is no surefire cure yet, there are some things that reduce the damaging effects of menopause on the hair. Besides staying as healthy as possible with a good diet and exercise, the way we wash our hair can make a big difference. For example, the best shampoos for menopausal hair are gentle and moisturizing. They help the hair look and feel fuller and denser.
Also, the best shampoos for menopausal hair loss contain DHT blockers and other ingredients that stimulate growth. These include caffeine, biotin, and botanicals like horsetail and nettle. They function similar to treatments like minoxidil, better known by the brand name Rogaine.
Here are our top picks for the best female hair loss shampoos:
| The best shampoos for menopausal hair | Why we love them |
|---|---|
| ACTIIV Recover Thickening Cleansing Hair Loss Shampoo |
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| PURA D'OR Original Gold Label Anti-Thinning Biotin Shampoo |
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| Keranique Shampoo and Conditioner Set for Hair Growth and Thinning Hair |
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| Bellisso Biotin Shampoo for Hair Growth |
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| Andalou Naturals Argan Oil Stem Cells Age Defying Shampoo |
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| Hair Food Coconut and Chai Spice Shampoo, Nourishing Treatment |
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| Tree To Tub - Biotin Caffeine Volumizing Shampoo |
|
Best Shampoos for Menopausal Hair in 2024
ACTIIV Recover Thickening Cleansing Hair Loss Shampoo Treatment for Women
It’s described as a shampoo and hair loss treatment that takes five minutes every other day. Wet your hair, massage it into the scalp, and set a timer. Rinse with warm water and get on with your day.
Can something this easy actually thicken hair? Here’s what it has going for it: not only is it sulfate-free, it’s also packed with hair growth vitamins and herbs. Alongside panthenol (vitamin B5) and vitamin E, it has green tea, aloe, saw palmetto, ginger, lavender, and water hyssop. Among all these nutrients are DHT-blockers, a potent weapon in the fight against hair loss.
DHT is a form of testosterone that damages hair follicles. Thankfully, clinical trials have shown that saw palmetto and caffeine (like that in green tea) keep DHT from binding to the follicles and wreaking havoc. That’s the reason why the treatment needs to sit on the scalp longer than a typical shampoo.
But that’s not all. Hair is protein, which is why shampoos and conditioners that repair hair include protein in their formulas. This one features soy protein and a selection of amino acids to strengthen every strand.
Within the first few times of using the treatment, you’re likely to notice less hair falling out each time you wash. But to see a definite improvement, i.e. longer, thicker hair, it will take weeks or even months of repeated applications. Take a before photo and compare it with how you look twelve weeks later.
Is there a downside to this hair loss product? Other than the fact that it may take a while to work, we suggest that users with sensitive skin do a patch test first. Although the formula has no parabens or sulfates, it does contain an artificial fragrance.
Pros:
- Features natural DHT-blockers to protect hair follicles
- Stimulates growth with vitamins and botanicals
- Strengthens hair with amino acids and protein
- Sulfate-free and paraben-free
- Treatment takes only five minutes every other day
Cons:
- Not fragrance-free
PURA D’OR Original Gold Label Anti-Thinning Biotin Shampoo
Both women and men have found this shampoo helpful for hair growth. After eight weeks of using it, the participants in a clinical trial reported thicker, healthier hair with less strands in the brush. And reviewers with thin hair say that it creates volume while leaving the scalp comfortable and less dehydrated.
What’s the magic inside? You should see the list of active ingredients because it’s packed with over seventeen DHT blockers and growth stimulators. A few of the highlights include nettle, saw palmetto, biotin, and black cumin seed.
If you’ve been experiencing flaking and itching, the tea tree, aloe, niacin, and argan oil can help with that, too.
It’s interesting that the base ingredient isn’t water like most shampoos. Instead, it’s aloe vera leaf juice with plenty of healing nutrients and moisture. Furthermore, the shampoo is sulfate-free, with no parabens, artificial fragrance, or dyes to cause irritation. No wonder people with sensitive scalps find it comforting to use.
Lastly, the manufacturer offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee with the promise of a full refund if you’re not pleased with the shampoo.
Pros:
- Participants in an eight-week clinical trial had thicker, healthier hair with less hair fall
- Packed with more than seventeen DHT blockers and hair growth stimulators
- No artificial fragrance, sulfates, parabens, or dyes
- Comes with a satisfaction guarantee
Cons:
- None
Keranique Shampoo and Conditioner Set for Hair Growth and Thinning Hair
If you have thinning hair, don’t skip the conditioner. If your scalp and strands are dry, it will only make the problem worse. Of course, thin, fine hair will look limp and dull if the conditioner is too heavy. That’s where this shampoo and conditioner from Keranique come in handy. The first does a thorough cleansing and the second leaves hair shiny, soft, and manageable.
Together, they prevent frizz and flyaways while strengthening strands with a protective keratin layer and preventing damage and split ends. But to get the best results, you need to leave each product on the hair for two minutes before rinsing.
Don’t worry about letting the shampoo work that long because it’s non-drying and sulfate-free. Even better, it stimulates the scalp with ginseng, green tea, and pomegranate.
If you want extra conditioning or faster results, follow up with the Follicle Boosting Serum or the Keranique Hair Regrowth Treatment.
Like almost everything, there’s a wee bit of a downside if you have very sensitive skin. Both products have artificial fragrances and the conditioner has menthol. Additionally, the shampoo has cocamidopropyl betaine which was once named Allergen of the Year and may affect a handful of users.
Pros:
- Adds a protective layer of keratin to prevent breakage and mend split ends
- Stimulates growth with ginseng, green tea, and other botanicals
- Leaves hair silky soft and shiny
- Sulfate-free
Cons:
- Alert for sensitive scalps: both the shampoo and conditioner have artificial fragrances
- The shampoo has cocamidopropyl betaine and the conditioner has menthol
Bellisso Biotin Shampoo for Hair Growth
If you like the smell of orchids, you may enjoy this shampoo. But the scent is less important than the benefits, and those are huge for menopausal hair. Try it if you’re tired of scraping hairs out of the drain because it’s one of the best anti-hair loss shampoos. Reviewers say it takes a few weeks, but they’ve seen thicker, shinier hair after switching to it.
It works well because it blocks DHT and protects follicles from shrinking and failing. It uses biotin, spirulina, and other botanicals to do the heavy lifting. Plus, it has hair strengthening ingredients like silk and keratin.
Lastly, the sulfate-free shampoo is safe for all hair types including color-treated styles. Be sure to grab the matching conditioner.
Pros:
- Enriched with DHT blockers and hair growth stimulants like biotin and spirulina
- Strengthens strands with silk and keratin
- Sulfate-free and safe for color-treated hair
Cons:
- Not fragrance-free
Andalou Naturals Argan Oil Stem Cells Age Defying Shampoo
Which is the best shampoo for thinning hair over 60? We recommend this lush organic formula that can be used daily even on color-treated hair.
Although it’s an argan oil shampoo, that’s not the only active ingredient. The clean-smelling formula also features fruit stem cells to ramp up hair growth and keep follicles young and healthy.
Happily, you won’t have to worry about sulfates, parabens, or GMOs. Both the shampoo and the matching conditioner are vegan and cruelty-free as well.
Pros:
- Organic shampoo with argan oil and fruit stem cells
- Rejuvenates follicles to increase hair growth
- Vegan, cruelty-free, and contains no sulfates, parabens, or GMOs
Cons:
- None
Hair Food Coconut and Chai Spice Shampoo, Nourishing Treatment
We love chai, so it was no sacrifice to try this hair loss shampoo that smells so good. It’s ideal for normal to coarse hair but might be a little too moisturizing for fine hair. It will breathe life back into dry hair and strands, leaving them moisturized and manageable. This is even true for color-treated styles.
What’s more, it clears up dandruff because it exfoliates the scalp with glycolic and salicylic acids. Together, they sweep away flakes and soothe inflammation and itching. This has a helpful side effect of keeping follicles unclogged for better hair growth.
Of course, the formula is sulfate-free, yet it lathers up nicely. Although it has an artificial fragrance, it’s paraben-free.
Pros:
- Sulfate-free and fragrant
- Safe for color-treated hair
- Clears up flaking with glycolic and salicylic acids
- Rehydrates hair and scalp
Cons:
- Has an artificial fragrance (that it smells great)
Tree To Tub – Biotin Caffeine Volumizing Shampoo
It was endearing to open the box and find a little soapberry inside courtesy of the manufacturer. It’s the main ingredient of this gentle and effective shampoo. Seriously, the base ingredient is wild soapberry juice followed closely by organic aloe. No wonder the formula is so moisturizing even though it cleans so well.
Go on, read the label. It’s like an essay about what to use on your hair to make it grow faster and thicker. It includes highlights like saw palmetto, biotin, vitamins, caffeine, pumpkin seed, rosemary, and argan oil. Even the fragrance comes from botanicals like orange essential oil, mint, and eucalyptus. There are no scary chemicals, just nutrients from nature. Best of all, many of these ingredients are scientifically proven to stimulate hair growth.
One reviewer had this to say, “I feel like it has given my hair life again”. She goes on to explain that her hair has bounce now and she feels more confident. Isn’t that what we all want?
In other good news, the sulfate-free shampoo is also pH-balanced and free of toxins. It has no silicone, artificial fragrances, parabens, or DEA/MEA. Furthermore, the little soapberry that makes the shampoo such an effective yet gentle cleanser is sustainably harvested in Taiwan. Even the packaging is made from recycled and recyclable materials.
Pros:
- Gentle and effective shampoo based on wild soapberry and aloe
- Packed with hair growth ingredients like biotin, caffeine, saw palmetto, rosemary, and pumpkin seed
- pH-balanced and free of sulfates, parabens, perfumes, and silicone
- Made with sustainably harvested ingredients and packaged in recycled material
Cons:
- None
Conclusion
The best shampoos for menopausal hair are mild and moisturizing with ingredients that stimulate growth and encourage body and volume. It may take time for your hair to rebound, but it’s always worth it to switch to a better shampoo.
We hope our reviews helped you find the best hair care products for your needs today. If you love what you found, please tell us about it in the comments below.
Source:
1. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/heres-how-menopause-affects-your-skin-and-hair/ published February 19, 2021, accessed November 26, 2021