These are the formulas designed to make a real difference for thinning locks

As the language of longevity shifts from anti-ageing to optimisation, the way men think about hair is evolving alongside it. And nothing demonstrates this change quite as well as the preponderance of supplements on the market designed to help your hair look thicker, shinier, and in some cases, less grey.

But the best hair growth supplements for men aren’t just well-marketed snake oil. As part of an overall hair retention strategy, these formulas can do everything from reducing the amount of dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, the hormone that leads to male pattern baldness and prostate enlargement, to helping your body handle the challenges of modern life.

“Hair ages just like skin,” says Greg Ruggieri, a trichologist and hair stylist who owns New York City’s Salon Ruggieri. He notes that oxidative stress (basically, everyday exposure to the elements) can do real damage to your hair over time. “Antioxidants help slow that process at the follicles,” he adds. And yes, they’re great for skin too, of course.

That’s part of the reason the newest entrant in this category, Nutrafol’s Men 50+, includes the potent antioxidant curcumin, alongside a battery of ingredients designed to address the biological effects of aging, not just hormonal causes of hair loss. As guys get older and testosterone levels decline, collagen production slows, cellular aging accelerates, and nutrient absorption becomes less efficient. These changes collectively weaken hair structure, slow growth, and reduce density. (Set up a subscription to these capsules, and you’ll even get a subscription to the mental health app Headspace.)

Meditation time aside, Nutrafol is far from the only player in this game. But before you get to our recommendations for the hair growth supplements that actually work, here’s Ruggieri’s advice on the ingredients you should be looking for—and why they’ll make a difference in how your hair looks and grows.

Saw Palmetto: “This is all about reducing DHT at the hair follicle,” says Ruggeri. DHT is one of the main drivers of male-pattern thinning. That’s why it shows up so often in men’s supplements.

Pumpkin Seed Extract: Pumpkin seed extract is linked to DHT reduction as well as better blood flow to the scalp. “This one is underrated!” Ruggeri says that, in comparison to saw palmetto, which gets far more attention.

Ashwagandha and Adaptogens: “Stress always shows up in the hair,” says Ruggeri, noting it often manifests as shedding. Adaptogens help regulate that stress response, which can reduce stress-related hair loss. Ashwagandha tends to be the banner adaptogen.

Silica and Keratin Amino Acids: “These are more about improving hair structure,” says Ruggeri. “They don’t drive growth, but they hold it together better.” Think of them as helping hair bend instead of breaking.

Biotin and B-complex Vitamins: These vitamins support keratin production and cellular energy, which hair needs to grow. “They are important, but only when there’s a deficiency,” Ruggeri explains. “Otherwise they’re supportive, not miraculous.”

Prebiotics and Probiotics: This family of gut-supporting ingredients helps improve absorption of all the other ingredients in your supplement, and also helps reduce inflammation there. “If your absorption is off or you are inflamed, then it’s likely that your hair will be the messenger,” Ruggeri says.

Antioxidants and Pigment Support: “We’re finally starting to see how oxidative stress impacts pigment,” Ruggeri says. Hair turns gray when pigment-producing cells slow down. Ingredients like copper peptide, tyrosine, and certain antioxidants are being studied for their potential benefits in preserving natural pigment.

Nutrafol For Men 50+

Key Ingredients: Saw palmetto, ashwagandha, turmeric, copper, selenium

While the original Nutrafol Men formula targets foundational drivers like DHT and stress, Men 50+ builds on that base with ingredients designed to support collagen production, cellular renewal, and nutrient uptake. The focus targets preservation of thickness, strength, and scalp coverage as hair biology shifts with age.

Arey Not Today, Grey

Key Ingredients: Vitamin D, copper, biotin, vitamin B, selenium, iron

This supplement falls in line with Arey’s “gray-fighting” ethos. So this supplement is more for men who are noticing silver creep more than classic recession or thinning, though it certainly has those important hair-raising benefits.

Augustinus Bader The Hair Revitalising Complex

Key Ingredients: Saw palmetto, CoQ10, ashwagandha, nettle root

Bader’s luxury complex offers proactive support against thinning strands, scalp disharmony, breakage, stress, and oxidative damage, as well as DHT buildup.

The Nue Co. Growth Phase

Key Ingredients: Ovoderm (an eggshell membrane collagen complex designed to increase hair strength), kelp, vitamin B, vitamin E, biotin

The Nue Co’s gender neutral formula boosts density, accelerates growth, and prevents breakage.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Growth Cycle Hair Supplement

Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, pine bark extract, amino acids, biotin, vitamin D, iron

This growth-optimising and anti-shedding supplement boosts shine and strength for eye-catching, highly defined strands.

MDhair Growth Supplements

Key Ingredients: Saw palmetto, pygeum, nettle leaf, ashwagandha, biotin, vitamin B6, zinc, selenium, copper

One of two customised supplements from MDHair, this one targets genetic and age-related thinning with a straightforward “DHT plus anti-stress plus nutrient-dense” formula.

Vegamour Gro Ageless Gray Delay Hair Supplement

Key Ingredients: Copper, vitamin B, iron, zinc, selenium

A grey-first formula that also tries to protect density by tackling stress shedding. It also promotes enhanced sleep, and we all know what beauty rest does for one’s appearance.

Viviscal Man Hair Growth Supplement

Key Ingredients: AminoMar marine complex, vitamin C, zinc, flaxseed extract

One of the go-to hair support supplements for men. This one zeroes in on density and shedding reduction without leaning hard on DHT defense.

Act + Acre Thick + Full Capsules

Key Ingredients: Bamboo extract, vitamin C, amino acids, biotin

A+A’s pill is more “hair wellness and shaft strength” than it is hormonal. The ethos is for a clean, minimalist set of building blocks aimed at fullness and resilience.

Wellbel Men For Hair

Key Ingredients: Saw palmetto; lycopene; bamboo extract; vitamins A, D, and B12; selenium; copper

As the name suggests, this one is explicitly targeting male customers with a “DHT + circulation/strength + antioxidant” roster of benefits (all imperative for a core men’s offering). It’s also got digestion + absorption support… yeah, we could all use a bit more of that as we age upwards.

This story was first published on Robb Report USA. Featured photo by Chandler Bondurant