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From how to smooth out wrinkles to finding any and all ways to cover those dark circles, when it comes to anything anti-aging–related, our main focus is usually our skin. But something that’s growing more in popularity has us turning our attention to our scalps and the strands on our heads. We’re talking about anti-aging shampoos.
While it may sound like another marketing term, there’s actually some validity in looking into shampoo specifically formulated for us as we grow older. But what is an anti-aging shampoo? And—more importantly—do you really need it? That’s when we turn to the experts. See what they had to say about incorporating this shampoo into your hair-care routine below. Trust us when we say it’s definitely worth looking into.
Featured Experts
- Neera Nathan, MD is a board-certified dermatologist based in Burlington, MA
- Marisa Garshick, MD is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York
What Happens to Hair as We Age?
“As we age, our hair ages too,” says Burlington, MA dermatologist Neera Nathan, MD. “But unlike wrinkles in our skin, which can be more obvious, the signs of aging in the hair can be more subtle or gradual.”
New York dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD lists the following things that could happen gradually as we get older:
- Thinning
- Dryness
- Loss of volume
- Texture changes
- Drier scalps
- Graying
- Breakage and split ends
- Hair loss
While many of these signs of hair aging could be symptoms you experience from other factors, it’s still important to note and keep your eye on these changes to better figure out what products you should be using.
What Is Anti-Aging Shampoo?
Yes, there is such a thing as anti-aging shampoo. But both Dr. Garshick and Dr. Nathan caution against blindly using anything that labels itself as “anti-aging.” Do your due diligence and look up the ingredients. “Be careful when choosing an anti-aging hair product,” says Dr. Nathan. “There are some ingredients that are evidence-based and others that are not.”
“Yes, anti-aging hair products and shampoos exist and are designed to address issues like thinning, dryness, brittleness and loss of volume in aging hair,” adds Dr. Garshick.
How to Pick the Right Shampoo
Picking the right shampoo is dependent on what hair concern is most pressing to you, but you’ll find that all these nourishing ingredients will help tackle more than one sign of aging hair. With graying hair, for example, you’ll want to look for ingredients that will moisturize and protect hair from environmental aggressors.
Dr. Garshick recommends looking for shampoos that have argan and coconut oil or shea butter that will not only prevent dryness but brittleness as well. Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E or green tea extract will combat oxidative stress that can damage strands. She adds that you’ll want to look for color enhancers that will neutralize yellow tones and keep gray hair vibrant and UV protectants to shield hair from the sun’s harmful rays.
When it comes to hair thinning, Dr. Nathan says you can turn to multiple shampoos. She says dandruff shampoos are a great option even if you don’t have dandruff, as it will soothe the scalp. She also recommends looking for shampoos that contain ingredients like zinc pyrithione or ketoconazole, which studies have shown to slow hair shedding.
Other ingredients to look out for include biotin and keratin, which Dr. Garshick says will help reduce breakage. When focusing on scalp care (because scalp care is hair care), she says niacinamide and caffeine will help promote healthy hair growth. “While they can’t reverse genetic factors or stop aging, regular use can noticeably improve hair quality,” she adds.
With that in mind, below are 15 of the best anti-aging shampoos to try. Scroll to find the right one for you.
Expert-Recommended Anti-Aging Shampoos
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A pick from Dr. Garshick, this shampoo has all the key ingredients you need to help strengthen aging hair. “Zinc protects and soothes the hair follicles while normalizing sebum production, copper peptides support healthy hair life, biotin nourishes the hair, and the energy complex (caffeine, CoQ10, green coffee oil) stimulates and delivers antioxidants to the scalp,” she says.
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Dr. Nathan’s pick is specifically formulated for thinning hair. It’s made with powerful phytoactives, a vegan keratin alternative, peptides and caffeine to nourish the scalp and help stimulate hair growth.
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Rich and creamy, this anti-aging shampoo from Dr. Barbara Sturm provides a luxe yet gentle cleansing experience for your strands. It contains antioxidant-rich plant extracts, pro-vitamin B5 and hyaluronic acid to boost hydration and strengthen strands.
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Brooke Shield’s first foray into beauty is a hair-care line dedicated to women over 40 looking to give their strands some much needed T.L.C. This 2-in-1 Instant Shampoo is a dry shampoo that refreshes hair and nourishes the scalp by moisturizing it and removing excess buildup and oil.
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Purple shampoos do wonders for silver strands. Dr. Gashick likes this one from L’Oreal Paris to correct any brassy tones and boost your hair’s radiance. “It uses hibiscus and purple dye to moisturize and brighten the color,” she says. “It is [also] sulfate-free and paraben-free.”
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To combat thinning and boost volume, Dr. Garshick recommends this shampoo. It contains keratin, rice-based humectants and plant extracts to not only strengthen and support your hair but also create a healthy environment for hair to grow by nourishing it and soothing any scalp irritation.
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For dry and damaged hair, try this shampoo from Christophe Robin. It uses prickly pear oil to cleanse impurities and work within strands to provide ultimate nourishment and shine.
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As mentioned previously, dandruff shampoos can help soothe the scalp and help with thinning. Dr. Garshick likes this one because it addresses flaking and itching while also nourishing the scalp and encouraging healthy hair growth. The only downside is that it may fade color-treated hair, so that’s something to be mindful of.
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Another pick from Dr. Garshick, this is specifically designed for aging hair. “It contains abyssine, which helps to invigorate the scalp and offers bounce, as well as hyaluronic acid, which helps to hydrate and vitamin E to protect against free radical damage,” she says. Use this to remove impurities from the scalp and to moisturize your strands.
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Made with shea butter, sunflower seed oil and amino acids, this shampoo works to restore lost moisture. It also helps protect hair from environmental stressors and keeps your hair looking bright.
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For a clean option, opt for this shampoo from Andalou Naturals for the ultimate nourishment for aging hair. “[It] is a great choice, particularly for older hair, as it stimulates cell renewal to sustain a healthy growth cycle and helps protect against chronological aging,” says Dr. Garshick. “It combines argan oil to nourish, aloe vera to support the moisture barrier, and grape stem cells to protect the hairs.”
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Hydration is key to keeping aging hair super healthy. Dr. Garshick likes this shampoo from Pureology because it uses a blend of jojoba oil, green tea and sage to nourish strands and lock in moisture.
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The first step in a three-part regimen from Nioxin, this shampoo will help boost volume in your hair. Dr. Garshick likes this because it uses a mix of proteins and antioxidants to thicken and strengthen hair.
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For the most sensitive scalps, Dr. Garshick recommends this shampoo from Dove. It’s gentle on the scalp and uses ingredients like vitamin B3, vitamin E, zinc and peptides to hydrate and strengthen strands.
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To give your hair that needed boost in volume and radiance, turn to this shampoo. It has an antioxidant-rich mix of orchid extract, lotus flower and baobab oils to treat damaged ends and leave you with super soft strands.
