If you’re starting to notice hair thinning of any kind, growth serums seem like an obvious solution.
Hair growth serums are far more affordable, discreet, and less painful than hair transplants. They’re less risky than medicated products. (Not to mention, some pharmaceutical hair growth options are off the table for women because of the hormonal side effects.)
But can a serum really solve female hair thinning? As a scientist and researcher, I can tell you what the clinical studies say and how to choose the best hair serums on the market right now.
As a PhD in dermatology, I specialize in skin and hair health science. So, it’s not surprising that I became very intrigued by the potential of hair growth solutions.
I wanted to know if it’s possible for serums to affect growth without medicated ingredients. To find out, I did an extensive review of the scientific research.
As it turns out, hair serums (the best ones) contain active ingredients that do penetrate the scalp to the follicles and actively affect growth. Studies show that serums can influence hair growth in three ways:
TL; DR: There’s clear evidence that hair growth serums can stop shedding and promote growth.
Caveat: Hair growth serums work best if your hair loss is relatively recent. (This is true for medications, too.) If you’ve been ignoring hair loss for years, nudging those follicles back to life might not be possible.
Women’s hair loss is complicated! There’s genetic female pattern hair loss. But women also experience hormonal changes that lead to thinning. Stress and nutrition are major factors in women’s hair loss. So is haircare, though. Chemical processing and tight hairstyles can all contribute to female hair loss.
Women’s hair loss shows up in a few different ways…
But at the root, the issues are similar. The growth cycle is too short, so you see more shedding.
To solve it, you need to create a healthy scalp environment, stimulate follicles, and improve circulation to the scalp. Exactly what we look for in a hair growth serum.
Let’s talk about the results you can expect. Your growth can depend on many factors, including whether your hair loss is recent or a long-term issue.
An effective hair serum can often significantly slow or stop hair shedding. It can help you hold on the hair you have. Some hair serums can stimulate new growth, so that after several months, your hair is thicker and fuller.
It does take time, though! Even with the best hair growth serums, you will need to be patient for several weeks before you see noticeable results. Realistically, you’ll notice less hair loss in the first 6 weeks and growth in 3-9 months.
Don’t forget to take before pictures and repeat the photo every week, in the same light, at the same angle. That’s the best way to track your hair growth journey.
Also, consistency is key! Make using the hair serum part of your daily routine. Eventually, you may be able to transition to a maintenance schedule with fewer applications, but when you’re experiencing active hair thinning, keep it daily.
Some hair serums moisturize the scalp and make your hair feel nice. Others get real results. To help you tell the difference, I’ve evaluated the ingredients and claims of dozens of products.
I also consider safety, which might be surprising, but hair growth serums are “use at your own risk” products. The wrong ingredients can irritate or even damage the scalp, which can worsen hair loss.
To evaluate hair growth serums for women, I’ve looked for products with ingredients that…
In the top rankings, I’ve only included products with ingredients backed by real research. Each is ranked based on the quality of the ingredients, whether there’s a risk of irritation or allergic reaction, customer results, and value for money.
Where possible, I’ve also evaluated how the product feels, looks and smells. Hair growth serums should be used every day, so it needs to works with your hair texture, style and preferences.
When shopping for a growth serum, these are the factors you should consider, too!
Now you know what we’re looking for… Which hair growth serums make the cut?
Here, you’ll find my top picks for 2025, ranked.
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As one of the market leaders in clinically tested, plant-powered hair growth products, Scandinavian Biolabs’ hair serum tops our 2025 ranking.
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Bio-Pilixin was developed in Europe using relatively new stem cell technology. The brand’s star ingredient, Bio-Pilixin, is backed by successful third-party clinical trials involving women ages 18-65 with multiple types of hair loss.
Reviews and before/after pictures specifically refer to hormonal hair loss (perimenopausal, menopausal, and postpartum).
Scandinavian Biolabs’ Bio-Pilixin® Activation Serum is backed by a 150-day money-back guarantee, which is about how long it takes to see results.
Editor’s Note: After recent wide media coverage, we’ve noticed that Scandinavian Biolabs products can run out of stock.
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This serum is not specific to women’s hair loss, but there are some reviews relevant to menopause, post-partum and female genetic hair thinning.
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The active ingredients in this hair growth serum are rosemary oil and caffeine, which are backed by scientific evidence and recognized as safe. However, the complete list of ingredients is not available online, so it’s impossible to fully evaluate this product.
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Forest & Shore’s serum offers a blend of oils to revitalize and preserve damaged hair. These oils combine moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and stimulating properties. Some ingredients are used traditionally and have not been extensively researched for application in hair growth.
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With its peachy-pink branding, Vegamour has really targeted the female hair loss market. However, the serum includes fairly standard ingredients found in growth products for men and women, specifically caffeine, Curcuma longa, and biotin.
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Notice that the results come solely from a “consumer study. Brand-led consumer studies are far less reliable than research studies, which is where this serum loses points.
The cost can be prohibitive. Ounce for ounce, Vegamour is almost 3x the price of the top-rated growth serum.
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Grow Gorgeous is a “hair density” serum combining natural and synthetic ingredients. Some research supports the growth ingredients, which include caffeine, pea sprout extract, green tea extract, and clover flower extract.
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It’s also noticeable that there are no before and after pictures and no information on how this product works for the main causes of women’s hair loss.
Tricho Insights uses only trusted sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.