I Have Male Pattern Baldness—This $16 Shampoo Gave My Hair Life (2025)

What our tester says: “After a couple months of daily use, my hair feels fuller and has a thicker, curlier texture,” says Glamour tester Roberto Caria. “A quarter-size amount is enough to get a good lather, and I use less of it than other shampoos. The scent is very ‘classic male shampoo’—minty, floral, but not overpowering. The only downside is it can sting a little if it gets in your eyes.”

Best for Shedding: Vegamour Gro Revitalizing Shampoo

• What we love: Strengthens damaged hair; vegan; visibly reduces shedding
• Worth noting: Scent is polarizing; higher price point

Designed for anyone dealing with thinning, breakage, or dullness, Vegamour’s Gro Shampoo uses plant-based active ingredients to support healthier-looking hair without sulfates or harsh chemicals. “The formula contains phytoactives like red clover and mung bean, plus a vegan keratin called karmatin that can strengthen damaged, fine hair,” says Kseniya Kobets, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care. According to Rahi Sarbaziha, MD, a double board-certified integrative aesthetics doctor in Beverly Hills, the ingredient works by bonding to the hair shaft to help smooth and fortify strands, and it’s safe for people avoiding minoxidil.

What our tester says: “I’ve been using the Vegamour shampoo and conditioner for about three months now. My hair feels noticeably stronger and fuller—especially my curls,” says Glamour tester Canyon Silliman, who’s dealt with thinning and a dry scalp for years. “If I shower before bed, I wake up with volume for days, and shedding has definitely dropped. The scent’s not my favorite, but I’d still recommend it, especially for men’s hair. My girlfriend has never complimented my hair more.”

Best for Blocking DHT: Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

• What we love: Contains proven ingredient that fights hair loss; affordable
• Worth noting: Drying

This affordable, medicated shampoo is the only one in our lineup with ketoconazole, an antifungal ingredient studies show can help block DHT. “Certain shampoos with the antifungal drug ketoconazole may lessen scalp irritation and encourage hair growth,” says Dr. Doshi. This anti-dandruff shampoo contains 1% ketoconazole and is a popular over-the-counter alternative to the 2% strength, which requires a prescription. Our tester says it’s the only product that’s soothed their flaky scalp and left their hair feeling truly clean.

Our tester says: “It lathers really well, smells fresh and medicinal, and leaves my hair feeling truly clean.”

Best 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner: Nutrafol 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner for Men

• What we love: Two-in-one convenience; helps calm sensitive scalps; doesn’t weigh hair down
• Worth considering: Doesn’t contain growth actives like minoxidil; pricier than many two-in-ones

Nutrafol’s two-in-one product is designed to cleanse and condition without weighing hair down—an easy, low-effort option for anyone dealing with thinning, dryness, or scalp sensitivity. The sulfate-free formula helps regulate oil production (something men tend to deal with more than women), while also supporting the scalp microbiome and maintaining a healthy skin barrier. Experts we’ve interviewed in the past consistently recommend Nutrafol’s hair-growth vitamins, and while this duo doesn’t claim to regrow hair, it complements the brand’s internal regimen by keeping the scalp in optimal condition. Our tester says his hair felt softer, fuller, and more hydrated, with less flaking and dryness over time.