The 5 hair growth products that aren't actually worth your money

Key Points:

• Many over-the-counter hair-growth products like shampoos, biotin supplements, natural oils, rice water, and "natural DHT blockers" lack convincing scientific evidence to effectively stimulate hair follicle growth or prevent hair loss.
• Hair-growth shampoos often contain peptides or caffeine but have limited contact time on the scalp, reducing their effectiveness; similarly, high-dose biotin supplements are generally unnecessary and may be harmful unless a deficiency is diagnosed.
• Natural oils such as castor and batana can condition hair and reduce breakage but do not promote new hair growth; rice water also lacks proven benefits for hair growth and may cause scalp dryness or irritation.
• The only well-supported over-the-counter treatment for pattern hair loss is 5% topical minoxidil, which has regulatory approval and demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials, while anti-dandruff shampoos help scalp health but do not regrow hair.
• Some leave-on serums, rosemary oil, and multi-ingredient supplements like Viviscal and Nutrafol show promise, but evidence is limited or industry-funded; consulting a board-certified dermatologist is recommended for proper diagnosis and treatment guidance.