Hair

Top-rated shampoos, conditioners, and treatments for hair growth and scalp health

Say goodbye to bad hair days

Do you want your hair to grow faster and longer? If you’re after healthy hair or to soothe an irritated scalp, the secret lies in the ingredients of your hair care products so you can say farewell to bad hair days and hello to healthy, resilient tresses. Seek out products enriched with beneficial elements like argan oil, peppermint, tea tree oil and loquat leaf — all known to promote scalp health and encourage hair growth.

Explore our below guide to uncover the shampoos, conditioners, and hair and scalp treatments teeming with nutrients and potent formulations. If you’re dealing with hair loss or thinning, it’s essential to consult a medical professional who can effectively address your concerns.

The best ingredients for hair growth

1. Argan Oil

Argan oil is rich in essential fatty acids and vitamin E, deeply moisturising and hydrating the hair. It helps to repair dry and damaged hair and reduces frizz and flyaways for a sleek and shiny look.

Regular use of argan oil can also enhance hair elasticity, reducing breakage and split ends for strong and healthy hair. If your scalp is dry and flaky, massaging argan oil into the scalp can help nourish and moisturise the skin, promoting a nourishing environment for hair growth.

Clockwise: Moroccanoil Smoothing Mask, $74, from Sephora, Wella Professionals SP Luxe Oil Keratin Protect Shampoo, $46.41, from Adore Beauty, Saya Argan Shampoo, $72, from The Iconic, Alfaparf Milano Semi di Lino Diamond Illuminating Shine Shampoo, $41.27, from Adore Beauty, Sachajuan Intensive Hair Oil, $88, from Sephora

Moroccanoil’s Smoothing Mask is a highly concentrated, argan-butter-infused mask specifically formulated for frizzy, unruly hair. This formula provides long-lasting conditioning and manageability and the argan oil, argan butter richly nourishes the hair.

For luxurious, lathering haircare, try the Wella Professionals SP Luxe Oil Keratin Protect Shampoo. This shampoo provides long-lasting smoothness and deep hydration while protecting the hair’s keratin.

If you’re also looking to tame frizz and split ends, try Saya’s Argan Shampoo for soft and super hydrated hair. The formula conditions, strengthens and hydrates your hair while adding volume for a bouncy finish.

For low maintenance, uncomplicated haircare that needs only a lift in sheen and gloss, try the Alfaparf Milano Semi di Lino Diamond Shampoo. Formulated with argan oil for enhanced gloss and sheen, this shampoo illuminates a dull looking mane into something spectacular.

To finish your hair routine off, try the Sachajuan Intensive Hair Oil. This leave-in treatment is infused with a cocktail of nourishing antioxidants promoting hair strength and healthy moisture levels.

2. Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil is a popular haircare ingredient, promoting a healthier scalp, stimulating hair growth, and improving the overall condition of the hair.

It’s been shown to promote hair growth by increasing blood circulation to the scalp. Improved blood flow nourishes the hair follicles which aids faster hair growth. For those experiencing oily hair or a dry scalp, peppermint oil can help to regulate the production of sebum (natural oil) on the scalp, and its cooling and soothing effects can relieve itchiness and irritation.

From left to right: Alterna Renewing Scalp Care Peppermint Leave-On Treatment, $56, from Sephora, Davroe Scalp Remedy Shampoo, $39.95, from Adore Beauty, Nioxin Cleanser Shampoo System 2, $48, from Sephora, Briogeo Scalp Revival Shampoo, $76, from Mecca Beauty

For a lightweight leave-on scalp treatment, try Alterna’s Renewing Scalp Care Treatment. This treatment will help your scalp maintain its moisture balance without leaving any oily residue behind. The peppermint aroma gives you a moment to reset as you massage it in to nourish, cool and energise the scalp.

For a soothing, calming shampoo formula, Davroe Scalp Remedy Shampoo is designed to care for dry, itchy scalps, and to bring a bit more harmony to your scalp. This shampoo also contains aloe vera for the last word in anti-itching.

Nioxin’s Cleanser Shampoo System 2 is a treatment shampoo that helps remove follicle-clogging sebum, fatty acids and environmental residues for denser-looking hair. It’s fantastic for all hair types — coloured, curly/permed, dry, normal or oily.

For gentle exfoliation of the scalp, try Briogeo’s Scalp Revival Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo to lift away build-up, impurities, dead skin and excess oil that clog the scalp and hair follicles.

Lastly, if you’re after an affordable and easy way to add peppermint to your hair care routine, consider adding a few drops of essential oil to your shampoo when washing your hair.

3. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is a versatile essential oil that offers numerous benefits for hair care. It is derived from the leaves of the tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) and has natural antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. It can promote a healthier scalp, combat common scalp issues, and improve the overall condition of the hair.

Clockwise: Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Shampoo, $7.64, from Chemist Warehouse, IGK First Class Detoxifying Charcoal Shampoo, $50.27, from Adore Beauty, Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo, $69, from Adore Beauty, Alterna Renewing Scalp Care Scrub-To-Foam, $70, from Sephora

Thursday Plantation’s Tea Tree Shampoo contains essential oils for natural, gentle and effective cleansing of a flaky, itchy scalp caused by dandruff.

For a deep cleansing shampoo, try the IGK First Class Charcoal Detox Clarifying Shampoo. It removes product build-up and unwanted oil on your hair and scalp without stripping or drying it out.

Try the Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo for extra clean and full of life hair. Its formula is enriched with natural tea tree oil, peppermint and lavender for shiny, lustrous locks.

You also can’t go wrong with a luxurious scalp scrub from time to time, and Alterna’s Renewing Scalp Care Scrub-To-Foam helps to remove impurities while moisturising and soothing the scalp.

4. Loquat Leaf

Loquat leaf is an age-old ingredient with anti-inflammatory properties. It’s used to soothe an irritated scalp and reduce redness and itching. Antioxidants found in the loquat leaves protect the hair and scalp from oxidative stress, promoting healthier hair.

From left to right: Revitalash Cosmetics Thickening Shampoo, $52.50, from Life Pharmacy, Revitalash Cosmetics Thickening Conditioner, $55, from Life Pharmacy, Mild By Nature Thickening Conditioner, $44.17, from Kogan

For a powerful loquat leaf-infused duo, try Revitalash’s Thickening and Scalp Therapy Shampoo and Thickening and Scalp Therapy Conditioner to cleanse and fortify the hair.

For fuller, thicker hair, reach for Mild by Nature’s Thickening Conditioner, which, in addition to loquat leaf extract, contains B-complex and Biotin for healthy tresses.

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