10 Best Shampoos For Hair Loss, Recommended By A Mum Who’s Been There

Hair loss was never something I worried about ever, until a few months after my first child was born. Suddenly, I could roll a golf ball-sized mass with the hair I was losing in the shower. It was pretty scary at the time and frankly my hair has never been the same. Since then, two kids later, I have been on the lookout for shampoos for hair loss that work and feel good on my scalp and hair.

There are a number of steps one can take to minimising hair loss. Of course there are hair treatments that range from micro-needling procedures to more holistic treatments like bojin. But even a simple change such as, avoiding tight hairstyles like ponytails, that reduce hair pull, can help. A shorter hairstyle (“the mum cut”) can also help as it lessens the pull of weight on the hair.

What can you do about hair loss?

Keeping your scalp clean, fresh and healthy through the use of the right shampoo and conditioner can help too. A gentle exfoliant can help rid the scalp of impurities that clog follicles and prevent the growth of hair. Generally, products that contain salicylic acid, biotin, panthenol, ginseng and caffeine are also good as they can stimulate hair growth. Lately Korean anti-hair loss shampoos have also become popular because they tend to focus on herbal ingredients (like ginseng, but also centella and green tea) to balance the scalp and gently cleanse. For some, this more holistic approach might be preferable and can help keep the scalp healthy in the long term.

 What ingredients to look out for in specific hair loss shampoo

You would think that, depending on your scalp type, the ingredients that would help in an anti-hair loss shampoo would change. But, actually, some ingredients can work both ways. For example, niacinamide balances the scalp barrier while calming inflammation, whether you have an oily or dry scalp, while biotin helps the body produce keratin, which is the main protein component in hair. Here’s what you can use, depending on whether you have an oily scalp or a dry scalp.

For oily scalps

One of the main issues if you have an oily scalp is controlling excess sebum while ensuring you do not dry out your scalp while doing so. Ingredients in anti-hair loss shampoos that can help include:

• Salicylic acid: This gentle exfoliant helps clear dead skin and buildup around hair follicles.
• Caffeine: Good for hair growth, helps to stimulate hair follicles without adding any greasiness
• Tea tree oil: Antibacterial and oil-balancing, great for itchy scalp but should be used in low concentration
• Rosemary extract: Supports circulation – but look for it as an extract, not oil as that is less greasy.

 For dry and itchy scalps

For dry and itchy scalps, hydration is a priority as well as repairing the scalp barrier. At the same time, it’s important to keep follicles healthy. The right shampoo should be soothing and moisturising without clogging pores.

• Hyaluronic acid: Helps to reduce flaking while holding moisture in the scalp
• Glycerin: Lightweight and non-greasy while moisturising the scalp
• Aloe vera: Soothes irritation and dryness
• Panthenol: Hydrates the scalp and improves hair strength

Postpartum hair loss

Because postpartum hair loss is usually caused by hormonal shifts related to having a baby, it is usually temporary and tends to get better after a few months. There is not much that can be done until your body has recovered so at most it is good to maintain good scalp health and use products that keep it balanced. Since having a baby doesn’t change the nature of your hair follicles or scalp health, it’s best to go with a shampoo based on whether your scalp has been traditionally oily or dry.

Hair loss isn’t just a postpartum issue, many mums in their 30s and 40s who might be experiencing perimenopause symptoms or other hormonal changes can experience hair loss. Hair loss can be a big factor in hormonal changes, and diet and stress are also major factors.

Since it’s difficult to control some of those factors, choosing a good shampoo can give you a little peace of mind that you’re doing everything you can. Here are some tried-and-tested formulas we have most enjoyed.

Affordable/Drugstore Shampoos That Actually Help

Clear Scalpceuticals Hair Fall Resist Shampoo 300ml

This powerful drugstore brand’s latest hair loss shampoo has a rich, creamy formula that contains Dynoxidil, a potent anti hair-fall active ingredient that also helps to fortify and strengthen the hair. Clinically it’s been proven to reduce hair loss in one month and can also help to stimulate the scalp’s natural hair growing processes. Results include stronger, thicker-looking hair that feels healthy and nourished.

Buy it on Amazon for $9 or Lazada for $15.05.

Ryo Hair Loss Expert Care Shampoo 400ml

Ryo is one of South Korea’s most popular hair loss range of shampoos and conditioners. Their formulations are herbal based with a focus on using ginseng to revitalise the scalp and strengthen the hair from root to tip. Ryo Hair Loss Expert Care Shampoo come in a range that suits different hair and scalp needs from oily, dry and sensitive. The range is designed to get rid of excess sebum and impurities and ultimately invigorate the scalp. Key ingredients in the formulations include pine needle, mint extract, green tea and mugwort.

Buy it Lazada for $18.50 or Amazon for $15.40

Best Professional/Salon-Grade Shampoos That Work

Miriqa Professional Scalp Cleansing Shampoo 

Developed in Singapore by leading supplement brand Miriqa, their new hair-loss shampoo is a refreshing, sulphate-free cleanser that soothes the scalp while also strengthening every strand of hair. The formula is mild to help soothe any irritation and provide optimal hydration, while ingredients like menthol cool the scalp, niacinamide improves the scalp barrier, Arnica Montana Flower extract soothes scalp sensitivity and Rosemary Leaf extract encourages the growth of stronger, thicker hair while improving circulation. The formula is also sulphate-free that helps to cleanse scalp and hair without stripping it of its natural oils. 

Buy it on Shopee for $41.65 or from its website for $49.

Kerastase Specifique Bain Prevention Anti-Hair Loss Shampoo 250ml

This shampoo effectively optimises scalp health and supports stronger hair growth thanks to its proprietary Système Pro-Actif, a combination of antibacterial, soothing, and regulating agents that help calm scalp irritation, reduce inflammation, and stimulate micro-circulation around the hair follicles, improving the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the roots. Key ingredients include salycyclic acid, as well as citric acid that helps maintain a balanced scalp pH. It also contains soothing ingredients like glycyrrhetinic acid and sebum-regulating agents such as citronellol further reduce scalp stress that can contribute to excessive shedding. 

Buy it from Lazada for $50 or Sephora for $51.

Best Pregnancy-Safe Shampoo for Hair Fall

Phytopecia Hair Boosting Shampoo

This popular shampoo is popular amongst postpartum mums who love its minty freshness, gentle foam and comforting feel. The ingredients are functional and protective for your scalp and include dexpanthenol, which moisturises, heals inflammation and promotes cell growth, Salicyclic acid and niacinamide. Salicyclic acid is a new ingredient to the formulation and breaks down dead skin which helps unclogs follicles to improve hair growth. With a content of 0.2% salicyclic acid, the shampoo is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding mums (though it is still advisable to check with your medical professionals before using it). The shampoo also works to maintain the right pH balance in your hair and scalp, which, like your skin, can become dry or irritable when the pH balance is not right. 

Buy it from Ksisters for $94.50 or Shopee (in bulk) for $221. (Prices listed are for the 1 litre-sized bottle)

Atopalm Maternity Care Scalp Therapy Shampoo 460ml

A popular Korean brand for babies and children products, Atopalm’s maternity shampoo is specially-formulated to pregnancy and postpartum sensitivity. It uses coconut-derived cleansers and seven plant extracts to help gently cleanse and maintain a healthy scalp moisture barrier. It also contains a patented ceramide that helps improve scalp and damaged hair and a proprietary skin barrier technology that forms a protective film on the skin to help improve moisturising especially on dry or sensitive skin. 

Buy it on Olive Young for $31.32

Best Natural or Organic Shampoos for Hair Loss

The Body Shop Ginger Anti-Dandruff Shampoo 400ml

While this shampoo is targeted as anti-dandruff, it is also loved by mums for its anti-hair loss abilities and the soothing scent and calming nature of the shampoo. Formulated for dry, flaky scalps, it’s also great for sensitive scalp. This is a more gentle shampoo for anti-hair loss in that it creates an optimal environment for hair to grow back healthier and stronger. Ginger root is the main ingredient and is known for its soothing and purifying effects. It also contains birch bark and white willow bark extract which calms irritation and flakiness. A clean, balanced scalp can help improve hair growth and strengthen hair at the roots. 

Buy it on Lazada for $27

Labo-H Hair Loss Care Shampoo Scalp Strengthening 750ml 

This Korean shampoo focuses on improving scalp health and fortifying hair at the roots which are key foundations for reducing hair loss. The vegan formulation is pH balanced that helps with overall scalp health. It also contains caffeine and biotin, both known to energize and nourish hair follicles, as well as rosemary, peppermint, eucalyptus, and basil that help stimulate and refresh the scalp while promoting circulation to the root area. It is also sulfate and silicone free which prevents it from stripping essential moisture or irritating sensitive skin. 

Buy it on Olive Young for $33.26

Best Shampoo for Postpartum Hair Loss

Aveda Invati Ultra Advanced Exfoliating Shampoo (Light or Rich) 200ml

Widely regarded for its ability to support hair loss concerns, this shampoo can actively renew and invigorate the scalp and comes in two formulations – rich and light, depending on the thickness of your hair. In addition to salicyclic acid, it features babassu-derived cleansing agents and a micellar cleansing system for thorough purification without harsh sulfates. An Ayurvedic herb blend including ginseng and certified organic turmeric helps stimulate the scalp when massaged in, promoting circulation and scalp health. The combination of gentle exfoliation, botanical stimulation, and scalp cleansing helps reduce hair loss due to breakage and supports the look of thicker, fuller hair over time, especially when used as part of Aveda’s four-step Invati Ultra Advanced system.

Buy the shampoo and conditioner on Lazada for $57.90 or on Amazon for $49.50

PHS Hairscience FEM Fortify Shampoo

The shampoo focuses on rehabilitating the scalp in order to reduce hair loss and improve the health of hair follicles to fight hair thinning. Citrus Junos (commonly known as yuzu) stem cells are used to stimulate follicle activity and support healthy hair growth while Moringa Oleifera seed oil strengthens hair follicles and reduces scalp inflammation. Ocimum Sanctum Leaf and Angelica Giga Root extracts protect the hair follicles and scalp from oxidative stress and also enhances nutrient delivery and nourishes the hair and scalp respectively. It also features no parabens, benzophenone, mineral oils or artificial colourants.

Buy it direct from PHS Hairscience for $54 or on iShopChangi for $49.54

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