One common question that men have about their hair care regimen is in regards to the best hair loss shampoo—and whether they actually help hair growth. (Same for conditioners, too.) And the answer isn’t 100% in any direction. In short, shampoos can improve hair growth conditions, but no cleansing product is going to be your sole remedy for thinning hair. However, it’s still important to look for pro-scalp ingredients in your hair care products—because doing so supports all other efforts against hair loss.

However, these things are better consumed orally and absorbed into the bloodstream—or applied via scalp serums and leave-on treatments. Shampoos are too quickly rinsed away for these types of long-term benefits to generate results. So don’t buy into any products that make these false promises about their hair loss shampoo. Thinning hair needs other solutions in order to grow back into its fuller self, so be sure to add more proven hair retention efforts into the mix. Don’t pin it all on a shampoo; ditto for conditioner, which itself targets the strands and not the follicles. 

So, in tandem with seeing a board-certified dermatologist to talk about the best multifaceted approach to hair loss for you specifically, you can also shop for the best hair loss shampoo and conditioner independent of the doctor’s orders, since it all boils down to the right ingredients. And that’s where we summoned our Korean R&D and whipped up a tried-and-true formula for both hair care steps.

Here are four of the key ingredients in both of our men’s shampoo and conditioner, informed and inspired by some of the most popular ingredients in Korean hair care. Together, these ingredients help your hair stay strong and scalp stay balanced—and both of these things are a key recipe in the effort for hair retention.

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) in Hair Loss Shampoo and Conditioner

Niacinamide, aka Vitamin B3, is a terrific ingredient in hair loss shampoos and conditioners, in that it targets the scalp and boosts circulation to the hair follicles. This increase in nutrient delivery and oxygen to the follicles helps ensure stronger, thicker hair growth. Not to mention, niacinamide is also known in skincare for its barrier-boosting functions. It reinforces the synthesization of protein building blocks in cells, and helps skin (including the scalp) retain moisture and thwart toxins and pollutants in the air.

Dexpanthenol (Vitamin B5) in Hair Growth Shampoo and Conditioner

Dexpanthenol, or Vitamin B5, is an ultra moisturizer for hair and scalp alike. (Panthenol is a common ingredient in many nourishing cosmetic creams, for example.) At the surface of skin, Vitamin B5 prevents moisture loss and promotes a firm, soothed environment—one prime for hair growth. And as for the hair strands themselves, dexpanthenol is a humectant, meaning it traps moisture inside the cuticle and also prevents hair from pollution, toxins, and even from breakage.

Salicylic Acid (Beta Hydroxy Acid) in Hair Loss Shampoo and Conditioner

This ingredient is notorious for its skin-clearing abilities, which play out just as well on the dome as they do across your mug. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid, and it dissolves dead skin cells and excess oil that is trapped inside the pores, while also balancing the current production of oil in the skin—to prevent further buildups. As it pertains to the scalp, salicylic acid gently exfoliates as it balances pH and oil levels—this makes it a terrific defense or treatment for dandruff flakes and scalp itching, in addition to inflammation and greasy hair. And above all, you get a healthy scalp, which is optimal for strong, healthy hair growth.

Yeast Extract in Conditioner and Shampoo for Hair Growth

This antioxidant-rich ingredient neutralizes the toxins and pollutants that wear down follicles and compromise scalp resilience. It also nourishes scalp, follicle, and strands like a superfood, which only furthers the fortification to help fight off environmental aggressors (and it slows biological cellular aging, as well).

Which shampoo is best for hair loss?

Cardon’s Strengthening Shampoo is a top choice for thinning hair, since it uses key scalp-soothing ingredients like dexpanthenol, yeast extract, and niacinamide—in addition to oil- and dandruff-fighting salicylic acid. All together, this creates an optimal environment for maximum hair growth.

Which conditioner is best for thinning hair?

Cardon’s Strengthening Conditioner is an essential choice for fine hair and thinning strands. Like Cardon’s shampoo, this conditioner pumps dexpanthenol, yeast extract, and niacinamide into the scalp and strands for a soothing and fortifying finish. Strands are coated with a lightweight layer that smooths the cuticle and defends against environmental wear and dehydration. The accompanying shampoo creates an optimal hair growth environment for follicles, too.

What is the best shampoo to stop hair fall?

Don’t pin your hopes on a shampoo to fully stop hair fall. Instead, use a shampoo that promises to improve scalp conditions (like dandruff, inflammation, and dehydration), as one part of a big-picture regimen. Other steps to fight hair loss will likely include prescriptions or high-return products from your dermatologist, like minoxidil, finasteride, or at-home laser caps. (Visit your dermatologist to make this plan, and the sooner you do, the better your results.)

Do hair loss shampoos actually work?

Hair loss shampoos work to improve scalp conditions, like boosting circulation, fighting dandruff, and preventing inflammation and itching. In this way, they create a more hospitable and growth-friendly environment for follicles. However, on their own, these hair growth shampoos are incorrectly named, since they cannot serve as a defense against genetic hair loss—no matter the ingredients. They are rinsed out too quickly to provide any such follicle-boosting and hormonal-countering benefits.