Our team, which consists of hair experts, nutritionists, and wellbeing gurus, burned the midnight oil during the holidays.
The mission was
To try different hair shampoos from a bunch of popular brands and sort out top hair loss shampoos that deserve to be in your bathroom cabinet in 2021.
The mission began a day after Halloween and ended on Christmas.
The team experimented the products on their own hair.
Mission is accomplished.
And what we have here is a list of top 5 shampoos that did wonders in 2020 and promise to do more wonders in 2021.
The verdict is based on each team member’s shampoo trials.
They ranked the shampoo based on the following points:
- How their hair felt and appeared after using the product
- Whether they noticed an increase in hair density or difference in their hair
- How easy it was to buy the product
The Verdict
Keranique stands out as the #1 hair loss shampoo, closely followed by Shapiro and Purador.
The 4th and 5th numbers are proudly held by Dr’s Formula and Lipogaine, respectively.
Below is a detailed account of each team member who picked a brand and used the product. Each has reviewed and rated the product on the scale of 1 to 5.
#1: Keranique
Our team member Amy complained of persistent hair thinning since the lockdown period. So, as soon as we created the mission, she grabbed the opportunity to try one of America’s top-notch hair care brands – Keranique.
As told by the company, Keranique is a woman-exclusive hair care brand.
The company provides a hair growth system, which is divided into 3 parts and features 4 products:
- Cleanse: Keranique Scalp Stimulating Shampoo
- Condition: Keranique Volumizing Keratin Conditioner
- Grow and Repair: Keranique 2% Minoxidil Hair Regrowth Treatment and Keranique Lift and Repair Treatment Spray
Who Can Use Keranique?
Amy contacted the customer service of this brand and asked this question. According to them, the brand is exclusively designed to treat thinning hair in women.
The brand is not for men, to be precise, not for balding scalps. It is meant only for thinning hair.
What’s Inside the Shampoo?
Our team member has this uncanny habit of digging out the ingredients of any product – edible or not. So, in this case, she didn’t want anything weird to put on her hair.
A little research revealed the chief ingredients of each product in the Keranique system.
Keranique Scalp Stimulating Shampoo contains
- Keratin Amino Complex: A blend of amino acids that produce keratin – the essential protein of hair. It forms a thin film around hair cuticles to seal them. This smoothens hair texture and imparts a lovely shine.
- Ginseng root: Prevents apoptosis (death of cells) of follicles; helps to curb hair loss by regenerating cells and protecting them.
- Peppermint oil: Important to improve blood flow to scalp. It also gives a refreshing aroma and feel to your hair.
- Pro-Vitamin B5: It converts into pantothenic acid or Vitamin B5 that has soothing, healing, moisturizing, and regenerating properties.
- Advanced Biotin Complex: Essential for healthy hair, nails, and skin.
- Dimethicone: A smoothing agent.
No sulfates and parabens.
Keranique Volumizing Keratin Conditioner contains similar set of ingredients, minus the cleansing agents, of course.
Keranique 2% Minoxidil Hair Regrowth Treatment contains minoxidil in 2% concentration. This is the only FDA-approved drug to be used in hair care products.
Keranique Lift and Repair Treatment Spray contains a range of lovely ingredients, but the ones that caught the eye of Amy were:
- Panthenol: It fights frizz and keeps hair hydrated.
- Keratin fibers: They strengthen and thicken tresses.
- Hydrolyzed vegetable protein: Also called PG-Propyl Silanetriol/Keravis protein. It repairs dry and damaged tresses.
- Castor oil: A proven hair-beneficial ingredient that deep moisturizes hair and prevents hair loss.
Shampoo Usage and Results
Amy was looking for a hair thinning solution. So, she bought the complete Keranique system. It’s always good to use shampoos, conditioners, and styling products from the same brand.
Day 1:
Amy washed her hair with Keranique’s shampoo. It is meant to cleanse gently and remove residue buildup on scalp, at the same time, nourish and moisturize hair.
Then she conditioned them with the volumizing conditioner. This is supposed to moisturize and nourish hair.
In the first wash itself, she felt her tresses softer and smoother. And they were amazingly manageable! She didn’t have to “fight” with her locks to detangle them.
When her hair were slightly damp, she applied the minoxidil-infused hair regrowth treatment formula through a dropper. Just 2-3 drops directly on the scalp, once in the morning and once in the evening. It is supposed to stimulate hair growth.
She waited for a minute for complete absorption of the formula.
Then she styled her hair with the spray, which is designed to repair hair texture. Amy reported that her hair, gradually, attained a smoother texture and needed no spray at times. The frizz was gone. Her tresses were, no longer, “wild.”
Day 42:
It’s been 6 weeks now.
Amy still uses the hair regrowth treatment. She can easily run her fingers through her tresses. This was impossible before due to the frizz and damage.
Her hair appear fuller. (One of her team mates pointed this out to her.) They do not fall flat and limp anymore.
Keranique is working!
Amy’s Review and Rating
“I am in love with Keranique. Absolutely recommend it.
But, hey, buy the complete system for the best results. This may get a bit expensive, but your tresses are priceless, right? I love the way the entire system makes my hair super silky, soft, and shiny. It’s a stunning transformation.
The fact that it contains minoxidil, the proven hair-growing ingredient, makes it all the more preferable.
You might feel a bit tingling on the scalp after applying minoxidil, but it goes away soon.”
Rating: 5.0
Please DO NOT use Keranique’s minoxidil hair growth treatment, if:
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
- You suffer from conditions of the heart, liver, or kidneys. Consult a doctor in this case.
- You suffer from scalp inflammation or disease. Consult a dermatologist in this case.
- You are already under some other scalp treatment.
Where to Buy?
You can buy Keranique by using this link.
#2: Shapiro
David, another member of our team, had a balding patch at the top of scalp. He tried Shapiro, one of the most talked about shampoos.
He contacted the customer service of the company to enquire about the brand.
The brand features three main products
- Shapiro MD Shampoo
- Shapiro MD Conditioner
- Shapiro MD Daily Leave-In Foam
This is a patented formula that contains 3 powerful DHT blockers. So, basically, the shampoo is a DHT-blocking shampoo.
Who Can Use Shapiro?
People suffering from DHT-induced hair loss must use this shampoo. Although this shampoo works on balding scalps, women can also use it, in case they are suffering from hair loss due to DHT.
David chose this shampoo because his doctor had diagnosed his hair loss as androgenetic alopecia, which is caused by DHT (dihydrotestosterone) – the male hormone.
What’s Inside the Shampoo?
Inspired by Amy, David, too, researched about the chief ingredients of Shapiro shampoo.
They are:
- Caffeine: A stimulating agent, Caffeine is found to encourage better blood flow to scalp and help in hair growth. Increased blood flow leads to better nourishment of follicles. Caffeine blocks the function of 5-alpha reductase enzyme, which produces DHT.
- Epigallocatechin/Green Tea Polyphenols (EGCG): According to studies, when applied topically on scalp, EGCG present in green tea lengthens the anagen (active) phase of follicles. It thwarts the production of DHT and blocks the receptor that DHT needs to bind to.
- Saw Palmetto Berry Extract: Saw Palmetto is famous for anti-androgenetic effects. This means it can beautifully block DHT. Also a powerful antioxidant; used in folk medicine for centuries.
No sulfates, parabens, phthalates, dyes, and toxins in the formula.
Although the company claims its products to be cruelty free and our experts did not find any animal product in it, we don’t promise that it is 100% vegan. The company hasn’t certified it as vegan.
Shampoo Usage and Results
Shapiro’s products are gentle, so you can use them daily. However, hair experts do not recommend daily shampooing.
David bought home the Natural Kit, consisting of shampoo, conditioner, and foam.
Day 1:
David has a habit of washing hair every alternate day. So, this sulfate-free gentle shampoo suited him well. He slathered the shampoo on hair and kept it for a minute to let its ingredients do their work.
Although the customer care of the company advised him to leave on the shampoo for 2-5 minutes and use it daily, David was apprehensive of product build-up, so he kept it only for a minute and used the shampoo alternate days.
He then thoroughly rinsed his hair and applied Shapiro conditioner, leaving it for half a minute.
Shapiro foam is a styling product designed for dry and damaged hair texture. Although David needed no foam, he used it just to see what it actually does to hair. Once your clean hair are slightly damp, you apply the foam and leave it. Then style hair.
Day 42:
It’s been 6 weeks David is using Shapiro’s shampoo and conditioner.
His hair had attained a smoother, softer texture within a couple of uses.
He noticed a reduction in hair loss after 4 weeks of use.
Today, he finds fewer number of strands on his comb. Our whole team noticed his mane fuller and thicker than before.
David’s Review and Rating
“I like Shapiro’s products and will continue to use them. My hair are not too dry, so I skipped using the foam. The conditioner is enough for me.
Unlike minoxidil-infused treatment, I found no irritation on scalp.
Perhaps this is a more natural way of solving the problem, if you are suffering from DHT-induced hair loss.
I used it alternate days. Maybe if you use it daily, you may get results quicker.”
Rating: 5.0
Where to Buy?
You can easily buy Shapiro MD using this link.
#3: Purador
Pura D’or is a name making waves in the hair care market. The company markets its shampoo as anti-thinning.
Our third team member, Diana, decided to test this shampoo and see if the waves are worth surfing or just that – waves.
She suspected DHT to be the culprit for her hair thinning. DHT sensitivity runs in her family.
Besides, Diana loves coloring her hair. So, she also suspects the frequent hair-coloring sessions for weakening her hair.
While David grabbed Shapiro, Diana decided to try Pura D’or, which can be seen almost everywhere online.
Diana contacted the company and found that they provide the shampoo in two labels:
- Blue: It contains 12 main active ingredients.
- Gold: It contains 15 main active ingredients and heavier moisturization. This one is pricier than Blue.
Who Can Use Pura D’or?
Anybody, male or female, suffering from profuse hair thinning can use this shampoo. Whether your hair thinning is due to malnourishment or due to DHT, this shampoo will help you.
It contains 24 active ingredients, 12-15 of them are DHT blockers.
As per the company’s claims, it is a great choice for people with color-treated hair. No wonder this shampoo was a smart pick for Diana!
What’s Inside the Shampoo?
Out of the 24 natural and vegan ingredients, the following caught the eye of Diana and made her more confident of her shampoo choice:
- Biotin: Also called Vitamin B12, this water-soluble vitamin is a proven promoter of hair growth. In fact, as doctors put it, lack of biotin can lead to hair loss.
- Saw Palmetto: A famous and powerful DHT-blocker, the shampoo contains Saw Palmetto as one of its main active ingredients. It is natural: extracted from the bark of the tree.
- Aloe vera: This ingredient is proven to be amazing for skin and hair.
- Argan Oil: This one is anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal (so helps in dandruff), and anti-bacterial. It protects and moisturizes your scalp. It is a proven hair moisturizer and contains scalp healing properties, so many cosmetic manufacturers use it. The oil has Omega -6 fatty acids, Vitamins A and E, and linoleic acid.
- Nettle Extract: This is derived from the stinging nettle plant famous for its medicinal properties. It contains sulfur, phosphorus, nitrogen, magnesium, and iron – quite a mineral powerhouse!
- Ketoconazole: It kills bacteria and fungus and possesses anti-dandruff property. It encourages absorption of other ingredients, including DHT blockers and minoxidil.
- Red Korean Seaweed: It strengthens hair.
- Pumpkin seed: It is a powerhouse of minerals like zinc and magnesium, contains anti-bacterial and emollient properties. The latter works on frizz and makes hair softer. A 2016 study found it to fight male pattern baldness.
- Black Cumin seed oil: Known to increase hair volume.
- Zinc Pyrithione: Known to cleanse scalp and handle scalp issues.
So much in one humble bottle of a shampoo, and these are only a few main ingredients!
No sulfates.
Shampoo Usage and Results
Apply the shampoo lather on the scalp rather than the hair. Massage scalp for 40-50 seconds. Rinse thoroughly.
Diana picked the Gold label of Pura D’or, as she had color-treated hair that had gone frizzy.
Day 1:
Nothing magical happened after washing hair. In fact, Diana found no change in hair density. However, her hair were better in appearance with each passing week.
Also, the shampoo has a sweet, subtle aromatherapy scent.
Day 42:
Diana patiently used the shampoo thrice a week. She had started using Pura D’or around a week after Halloween.
By Thanksgiving, she noticed a reduction in hair fall. No amazingly fuller look yet, but definitely, her hair were lustrous and livelier.
By Christmas (that’s almost 6 weeks), she proudly flaunted softer, shinier, and healthier tresses that appeared fuller.
Diana’s Review and Rating
“The shampoo works, certainly. But, it is a bit slow. You need patience to use it, yet, the results are amazing.
The fact that it contains all natural ingredients packed with benefits makes it a long-term choice in shampoos. I am going to use it throughout 2021.”
Rating: 5.0
Where to Buy?
You can buy Pura D’or using this link.
#4: Dr’s Formula
Dr’s Formula is a complete hair and skin care system. They offer supplements, shampoos, conditioners, and styling products for hair.
Our fourth team member, Tina, tried their shampoo and conditioner.
Tina had begun to notice abnormal hair shedding during the pandemic lockdown. Suspecting stress to be the reason, she picked Dr’s Formula for her hair.
Do you know stress increases DHT production in the body?
According to doctors, stress hormone cortisol suppresses collagen and bones in the body. The body reacts by increasing DHT and DHEA levels.
Coronavirus pandemic brought a wave of stress and anxiety to the world. No wonder, hair experts got a flood of DHT-induced hair loss cases after the lockdown.
Who Can Use Dr’s Formula?
Anybody, male or female, suffering from DHT-induced hair loss or stress-induced hair loss can use this shampoo.
What’s Inside the Shampoo?
Tina is like Amy (our first team member) – finicky about ingredients. So, she dug up the internet and called up the customer service to find out the main ingredients of the shampoo.
One thing that Tina loved about the shampoo is the presence of essential oils in it.
The main ingredients are:
- Saw Palmetto: A powerful DHT blocker.
- Caffeine: A recent study reveals that topical application of caffeine in 0.001 and 0.005 per cent concentrations can nullify the suppressive effects of androgens (male hormone) on scalp.
- Moroccan Argan Oil: A powerful antioxidant containing Vitamins A, C, and E, plus linoleic acid and omega -6 fatty acids. Great for increasing hair elasticity, strength, and shine. Fights split ends.
- Jojoba Oil: A gentle oil containing Vitamins A and E, palmitic fatty acids, linoleic acid, and oleic acid.
- Peppermint Oil: This oil contains a substance that works similar to minoxidil – like a vasodilator. Studies show this oil produces profound results like increase in follicle depth and number and dermal thickness – all favorable traits for hair growth.
Shampoo Usage and Results
Tina was never particular about shampoos until she started losing hair. As she bought home Dr’s Formula, she was careful in applying the shampoo where it is meant to be – on the scalp – and conditioner on hair, not the scalp.
Day 1:
Tina reports her hair feeling and looking better. The conditioner “tamed” her “wild” hair.
As days pass, she still loses hair in huge amounts, but hair texture and appearance continue to improve.
Day 42:
Her hair loss has stopped! She had never imagined a shampoo could do this feat!
Tina’s Review and Rating
“I never thought a shampoo could solve my hair loss problem. Dr’s Formula is an amazing hair formula. This should certainly be in your cabinet in 2021.”
Rating: 5.0
#5: Lipogaine
Lipogaine offers a shampoo designed specially to combat hair loss, balding, and scalp irritation. Our fifth team member, Shaina, was fascinated by the company’s claims and decided to try the shampoo.
Shaina has fine hair, which tend to go limp often. Although her hair are silky, she desires thickness and a little extra shine.
Being 40+, she is concerned about hair loss due to aging. So, she picked Lipogaine that claims to treat hair loss due to aging.
The company offers three labels
- Red for men
- Blue for men with sensitive scalps
- Purple for women
Who Can Use Lipogaine?
Anybody, male or female, seeking fullness and thickness on hair, along with a boost in hair growth can use this shampoo.
What’s Inside the Shampoo?
Shaina was delighted to learn that the shampoo contains natural ingredients, which are particularly beneficial to hair growth.
Here are the main ingredients:
- Biotin: Promotes hair growth.
- Argan oil: A beautiful ingredient that works on hair loss due to aging. A powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals.
- Black Castor oil: Its anti-inflammatory property makes it valuable. It soothes scalp and combats scalp irritation and inflammation, which is a major cause of hair loss.
- Saw Palmetto: A much talked about and powerful DHT-blocker.
- Caffeine: A powerful follicle stimulator that encourages hair growth.
- Rosemary oil: This essential oil moisturizes and nourishes scalp. According to a research, it prevents graying of hair by promoting pigmentation. Its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties check scalp skin infections.
- Cedarwood oil: This essential oil has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties and is great for sensitive scalp. Sesquiterpenes present in the oil can treat several hair issues, says a study. It treats dandruff, helps dry hair, and promotes hair growth.
- Green tea: A powerful antioxidant.
- Nettle extract: An effective DHT blocker, a powerful antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. Prevents hyperplasia (abnormal enlargement of cells).
- Vitamin E: An important vitamin for healthy scalp skin.
Shampoo Usage and Results
Shaina used the shampoo just like any other shampoo:
- Wet hair
- Form a lather
- Apply the lather on scalp
- Massage
- Rinse
As per the company, you must use the shampoo atleast twice or thrice a week for better results. Also, avoid using heat styling products during your hair loss treatment.
Day 1:
Shaina felt a nice freshness on the scalp after using the shampoo. Her hair felt well-moisturized and manageable.
Day 42:
Our whole team was awed by the amazing fullness and luster of Shaina’s hair after 6 weeks of usage.
She told us that her hair loss has stopped and her hair never felt so healthier and bouncier before.
The shampoo works wonders!
Shaina’s Review and Rating
“I love this shampoo. My scalp felt so clean without that dry feel that I used to get with my regular shampoo. The formula works, but you need to use it consistently for weeks to get results. No magic here. The natural ingredients work at the root level deeply and gradually, but surely.
A must-have in your bathroom cabinet in 2021.”
Rating: 5.0
Conclusion
The top 5 shampoos of 2020, ready to rule the roost in 2021, are available online. Each shampoo gets a 5/5 rating from our team members.
How to choose one from the top 5?
Use two main criteria to choose:
- Know what you want from the shampoo
- Know why you are losing hair
Must-have ingredients in hair loss shampoo
- Biotin
- Atleast one essential oil
- Atleast one DHT blocker
- Vitamins
- Botanical extracts
All the 5 top shampoos discussed here promise effective hair loss treatment. Choose one depending on your lifestyle, expectations, hair problems, and budget.
Know more about each shampoo and make a smart choice for 2021.
Team Hairlossly
Our in-house team of hair care experts will ensure a steady stream of high-quality and valuable information from the industry’s leading thought leaders. We are also committed to providing updated information about the latest developments as the happen in the industry.
