12 Anti-Aging Shampoos and Conditioners That Help Address Thinning, Damage, and Scalp-Related Issues
"Much like your skin, your hair loses its elasticity, fullness, and, in [the case of your mom], pigment," says Cory Aaron Scott, a celebrity hairstylist based in Los Angeles. As a result, you'll see changes in your hair's texture, density, and color over time.
"As we age the diameter of our hair strands decreases, our texture changes and the melanin that gives our hair its color also decreases," says Gretchen Friese, certified trichologist for BosleyMD. "So the thick, coarse hair of a young adult eventually becomes thin, fine, light-colored hair." In other words, as we age, the shape and size of our hair follicles—which determine our wave patterns and the size of each strand—start to change, which in turn changes the texture and volume of our hair.
- Gretchen Friese, hairstylist and certified trichologist based in Colorado
- Michelle Cleveland, hairstylist and extension artist
And as far as color goes, "The pigment cells in our hair follicles gradually die as we get older and the strands of hair will no longer contain as much melanin, so will become a more transparent color, like gray, silver, or white, as they grow," she says.
There are a few different elements that impact these shifts in the health appearance of our hair. The biggies? Hormones and environmental factors. "Our hormones, for one, play a big part in the shape and size of the follicle," says Friese. DHT (Dihydrotestosterone), for example, attacks the hair follicle and shrinks it, which she says can lead to pattern baldness. "We also need to be aware of environmental factors when it comes to our hair follicles," she adds. "Things in the air like dust and smoke can clog the follicles, which makes the growth environment —aka the scalp— less healthy."
While there isn't anything you can do to stop it altogether (it's a normal and natural process, after all), integrating certain products into your routine will help keep your hair healthy for the long haul. "Just like you would change up your skin-care routine as you age, it’s just as important to change up your hair care to see the best results," says Michelle Cleveland, a hairstylist based in New Jersey. According to Julien Farel, creative director and owner of the Julien Farel Restore Salon and Spa at New York City’s Regency hotel, "to minimize some of these changes, the most important way to help the aging process is to use the right shampoo."
Below, we rounded up stylists' top picks for the best anti-aging shampoo to keep your hair looking and feeling shiny. Keep reading to shop 'em for yourself.
Best anti-aging shampoos
Best for scalp care
“Caring for your scalp with products that have zinc actives in them can reduce the oxidative stress on the scalp,” Rolanda Johnson Wilkerson, PhD, a beauty scientist, previously told Well+Good. Oxidative stress happens as a result of your body interacting with environmental stressors—like pollution or water with heavy metals in it—and create damage like collagen depletion, hyperpigmentation, and a disruption of your skin barrier. All of this can lead to itching and flaking, which is why Dr. Wilkerson is a fan of this drugstore shampoo and conditioner bundle. It uses zinc to prevent aging-related damage in your scalp and jojoba and argan oils for added nourishment, leading to the growth of healthier strands.
Best multi-step treatment
For a more intensive anti-aging regimen, Scott recommends this three-step treatment routine, which he calls “the best daily product on the market.” It comes with a shampoo, conditioner, and density booster, which work together to thicken hair and reduce signs of thinning.
Best for grays
Instead of hiding your grays, this luxurious formula will help you embrace them. It’s made with a blend of antioxidant-rich extracts that protect hair from oxidative stress, pigments that brighten silver and gray tones and prevent discoloration, and hydrolyzed keratin protein to restore your strands’ strength and elasticity.
Best for dryness
This shampoo is meant to keep your scalp nourished and moisturized—think of it as a hydrating cleanser for your hair. “Anti-aging for the hair needs to start with taking care of the scalp—the scalp is an extension of your face, and just like the skin on our faces we need to take care of the skin on our scalp to keep it healthy,” says Friese, who recommends this product for anyone dealing with age-induced dryness. In addition, it helps to wash away dirt, grime, and product build-up without stripping your scalp, creating a healthy environment for new hair to grow.
Best for thinning hair
Cleveland is a fan of Nioxin’s products, particularly this one made for fine and processed hair that’s thinning. It creates a healthier environment on the scalp, and fortifies the hair strands, thanks to its detoxifying blend of sulfate surfactants. These cleansers remove all the grime and build-up from strands to leave them in the best state to grow.
Best for strength
While this isn’t technically a shampoo, it’s worth mentioning because no anti-aging hair care list would be complete without the K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask. Meant to be used after you wash your hair (in lieu of conditioner), “the way it works is that the product goes into the cortex of your hair and seals it, and since it’s a peptide bond, it holds onto the protein that your hair structure is made of,” Madison Rae Garrett, a master colorist at Spoke and Weal, previously told Well+Good. In four minutes, this mask rebuilds your hair from the inside out, reducing damage and improving your strands’ strength and elasticity.
Best caviar shampoo
Did someone say caviar? This shampoo contains caviar extra, which is a source of Omega-3 fatty acid and helps restore hair’s moisture, elasticity, and shine. It’s suitable for all hair types, and helps protect hair from aging factors.
Keranique Scalp Stimulating
Healthy hair depends on a healthy scalp, and this shampoo deep cleans and stimulates hair follicles. It’s infused with a keratin amino complex to hydrate and protect against damage to keep hair looking shiny and full.
Best volume
It’s inevitable that hair thins as we age, so give your hair a little volume boost with this Kerastase shampoo. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid, ceramide, and gluco-peptide to nourish, protect, and plump the hair. It’s gentle on thin or thinning hair, and creates most fullness.
Best anti-aging conditioners
If you’re going to treat your hair to caviar anti-aging shampoo, you might as well finish the routine with caviar anti-aging conditioner. It hydrates and restores, sealing in moisture, and helps prevent breakage. Your hair will feel and look soft and shiny after.
This R+Co conditioner is aptly named Dallas, because everything is bigger in Texas, including hair. It’s formulated with biotin and vitamin B5 to help improve hair structure and add back some shine.
For some deep hydrations, try this conditioning hair mask, which strengthens hair and prevents future damage. Formulated with natural ingredients such as algae extracy, B-vitamins, and rosehip, the hair mask will give your hair the fortification and hydration it needs.
Want to hack the rest of your haircare HYPHENATED routine? Check out the video below for how the best way to style your hair texture in a way that'll keep it healthy for the long haul.
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