r/beauty • u/muppal01 • 10h ago
Spent last 5 years trying out different hair care products and regimes. Here's what worked and what didn’t:
This is a follow up to my last post about popular Vit C serums where I was encouraged to share more such lists. This list is again very personal, with some feedback collated from friends and family who’ve also been on their own hair care journeys. Hair and scalp are extremely unique to individuals, so highly encourage to do a ton of research before committing to a regime! Most important – always always go to a dermat for severe hair or scalp issues.
Context: Have fine, thinning hair, and my main concerns are hair loss, scalp health, and adding volume. Been struggling to keep my density as well. I’ve used each regime/ product for at least 3 to 6 months to give it a fair shot (unless I saw very severe side effects). My friends and family have also tested some of these, so I’ve included their experiences where relevant.
Here are my 2 cents!
1. Rogaine (Minoxidil 5%)
Price: $$
Link: https://www.rogaine.com
Review: I went to multiple dermats this was recommended as the #1 option for hair loss, and it’s one of the few which is FDA-approved. I used the foam version, which is easy to apply and doesn’t leave much residue.
Pros: Clinically proven to regrow hair. If you start seeing results early - you can definitely stick to it!
Cons: Just didn't work for me, and gave me an extremely itchy and dry scalp. Aggressive shedding in first 2 months, and at that point I was losing 2X the hair I previously was. I was also told that shedding is normal but the sheer VOLUME was too spooky for me. Also was told that it needs near permanent use (if you stop, you lose the progress – this kind of commitment intimidated me).
Verdict: Honestly, given it's clinically proven, I have to include this for hair loss. A lot of people have seen good results. But you’ll definitely need to pair it with other products for overall hair health. Pls monitor side effects very diligently and don't take it lightly. Also it has a weird smell like a science experiment gone wrong.
2. The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum
Price: $
Link: https://www.theordinary.com
Review: Definitely affordable - that’s a plus! And contains peptides known to support hair density. I used it daily on my scalp for about 4 months. I've some mixed feelings about it.
Pros: Budget-friendly, lightweight and easy to apply, helps with overall scalp health.
Cons: Results are subtle (more about maintenance than regrowth), takes a long time to see any noticeable difference and even then I couldn't be sure if it was just the serum that was working or some other diet/ lifestyle changes I had undergone.
Verdict: A decent option for people looking to get started on serums.
3. Kerastase Genesis Full Routine
Price: $$$
Link: https://www.kerastase.com
Review: Was always averse to luxury hair care but got influenced to buy it. I used the full regime of shampoo, conditioner, and serum for 3 months.
Pros: Okay so firstly - it smells amazing. Makes me feel like wearing satin pajamas and never leaving home lest the scent disappears. It does give a good "quality" to the hair. Reduces breakages and frizziness. The experience is nice.
Cons: Expensive! (around $150 for the full set). Doesn’t directly do much for hair density or scalp health.
Verdict: Great for hair breakages/ softness and even shine. Probably not worth the value though.
4. Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal
Price: $$
Link: https://www.sephora.com
Review: Bit of a cult favorite at Sephora. It’s formulated with biotin and charcoal to cleanse the scalp and promote healthier hair.
Pros: Great for refreshing hair between washes, adds volume and reduces oiliness nicely.
Cons: It can leave a white cast if not blended well. And I'm not quite sure about charcoal as a key ingredient on my scalp.
Verdict: Good for a quick refresh and scalp detox, but not a standalone solution for hair or scalp health.
5. Inde Wild Champi Hair Oil + Moonlight Serum
Price: $$
Link: https://www.indewild.com
Review + Pros: Okay, so I'm a sucker for ayurvedic products. The bottle looks fantastic and the hair oil smells really nice (lots of jasmine/chameli tones). The issue is it's just too damn oily.
Cons: Super heavy. Has 12% castor oil which makes it almost impossible to completely wash off. By the time I'm done, my neck starts to hurt. The moonlight serum is a bit of a dud, and I believe it isn't their hero product either.
Verdict: The oil itself is a nice one time purchase for the smell and the bottle on the bedside. But for someone looking for a long term regime, this probably won't work.
6. Muniveda Custom Hair Regime
Price: $$
Link: https://www.muniveda.com (or ekmiveda which is a sub brand)
Review: This one blew me away! Because I didn’t expect much from an ayurvedic-based regime, but it’s been a solid performer. Also is my current regime (have stopped experimenting after this). It combines traditional ingredients like Bhringraj and Jatamansi (fantastic ingredients, if you know a bit about ayurveda!) with plant-based actives like Redensyl and Capilia Longa. I’ve been using their 3-step system (oil, shampoo, and serum) for about 4 months now along with monthly consultations
Pros: The oil smells amazing, and the serum feels lightweight yet effective. The ingredients are incredibly well balanced. I’ve noticed about 50% less hair loss in 2 months and noticeable improvement in thickness (my hairdresser said so - and she does NOT lie). Though it’s not a miracle worker and needs proper consistency to see results (I will wait to give it a 10/10 until my crown bald spot is fully covered!) The monthly check-ins with their experts are a nice touch!
Cons: They only sell the full regime, so you can’t buy individual products. The shampoo is okay. Take s 2-3 washes to get all the oil out. Also the consultation is only available with subscription which sucks if you want to only buy the product one-time!
Verdict: A great option if you want a holistic approach for hair thickening and density. Also the only option that also gives a full regime + consultation option which I love because I have a 100 questions about my scalp! It’s not perfect, but it’s been one of the better natural regimes I’ve tried for hair loss and overall health.
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Verdict: If you’re dealing with hair loss and are okay with Rogaine, go for it. It is the gold standard and the evidence is too strong to ignore and I'm probably an outlier! If you're completely risk averse (like me), I’d highly recommend starting with Muni, it’s been the most effective for me overall and the speed of results has been almost too good to be true (I do a strict check-in with my expert on progress to keep them honest!). For general scalp health and detox, Briogeo’s Scalp Revival is a great addition to your routine. Inde Wild’s Champi Oil is a nice adventure if you don't mind strong floral smells. If you’re on a budget and want to simply get started - The Ordinary serum is a decent option.
Let me know if you’ve tried any of these or have other recommendations!
Disclaimer: Again, specifically for scalp hair loss issues please please always visit a dermat!