Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The Best Hair Tonic for Folks with Fragile Follicles

man thinning hair
Image used with permission by copyright holder

When it comes to aging, men have a habit of letting a lot of things slide – wrinkles are “distinguished,” rough hands are “manly,” and beer bellies are … well, beer bellies. However, if you ask just about any guy what he wants to hold onto more than anything, chances are he’ll say his hair.

To most men, aging is just earning the stripes of life. It comes with the territory. But what most of these guys don’t speak so openly about is how much they would prefer to keep that aging from the forehead down, ensuring that the hair of their youth remains. Guys will take pills, use prescriptions treatments, even go under the knife — all to keep a mess-a-somethin’ up top.

It’s time to get with the program. Your hair is an extension of you, your lifestyle, and, of course, your skin. Taking care of one’s scalp plays a major role in keeping the hair you have stronger and for longer. Yes, sometimes you need something you can’t get over the counter like Finasteride (often Propecia) or Minoxidil (often Rogaine). For a lot of other guys, early, routine maintenance with a scalp stimulating hair tonic can work wonders, and potentially cost you a lot less in the long run. The five tonics we’ve highlighted below go by many names — treatments, concentrates, serums, lotions — but at the end of the day, they all help you have better hair.

Kevin Murphy Thick.Again – $38

Kevin Murphy Thick Again
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The fragrance that accompanies this Thick Again treatment from Kevin Murphy is worth the investment alone. It’s seriously one of the best. If that isn’t enough, don’t worry — it actually works too. You’ll see immediate thickening effects from spraying this directly on the scalp following a towel drying, and you’ll reap long-term benefits. Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1 lessens the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and repairs and strengthens the hair to help fix damage. Nettle extract cleans and stimulates the scalp to provide optimum condition for healthy hair growth, and oleanolic acid fights follicle aging by fortifying the roots. Regardless of the status of your hair, adding this to your daily routine will make hair look good, smell great, and age well.

See It

Ducray Neoptide Hair Lotion for Men – $97

Ducray Neoptide Hair Lotion for Men
Image used with permission by copyright holder

An absolute favorite of ours, this  weightless hair lotion with neopeptide from the great hair masters at Ducray is clinically shown to strengthen hair so effectively that 90 percent of men saw visible improvement with reduced thinning. Maybe one of the strongest tonics you can get without actually going into prescription territory, this product is shown to work on men with male pattern baldness (in case you didn’t know, that’s a big deal for something you can get without a doctor’s note). Spray directly onto the scalp after you shower and then go on about your day. If you’re an over-achiever, you can splurge on a three-month kit that includes shampoo and supplements. Why not do all you can to help those follicles, inside and out?

See It

Davines Energizing Thickening Tonic – $41

Davines Energizing Thickening Tonic
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The moment this lightweight product touches your scalp, you’ll feel it. Davines Energizing Thickening Tonic stimulates and thickens hair instantly and over time with soothing, strengthening ingredients such as caffeine, eucalyptus, and peppermint oils. Don’t let the word “oil” scare you — this will make your hair feel soft and full. Use after shampooing or overnight and you’ll see noticeable results in just a few days.

See It

Sisley Revitalizing Fortifying Serum for the Scalp – $195

Sisley Revitalizing Fortifying Serum for the Scalp
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Brand new from Sisley’s Hair Rituel collection, this serum ranks high on the list of luxurious ways to treat your hair. Although it is intended for use with other products in the same line, it will still give you the benefits you’re looking for alone. Zinc, copper, magnesium, vitamin B6, vitamin E acetate, pro-vitamin B5, and arginine improve hair vitality while rice protein aids with hair bulb regeneration. Look forward to instant soothing of any scalp discomfort and more hair retention over time after using every couple days for a month.

See It

Bosley Professional Healthy Hair Follicle Nourisher – $25

Bosley Professional Healthy Hair Follicle Nourisher
Image used with permission by copyright holder

When it comes to hair loss (and more importantly, hair retention), the guys at Bosley Professional Strength know what’s up, and they have for a while. As part of a selection of products that covers just about any need, want, or concern, the Follicle Nourisher protects and repairs the hair follicle while helping to support healthy hair in areas of low density. Use it twice a day, especially if you want to increase efficacy of a supplemental topical product like Minoxidil.

See It

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Barret Wertz
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Geoff is a former contributor to The Manual. He is a fashion, grooming, and lifestyle writer based in Manhattan. He has spent…
The Best Fair Trade Grooming Products for Ethical Self-Care
Environment-friendly grooming and bath products beside a plant on a surface.

When shopping for the perfect men’s grooming products for your self-care regimen, there is a range of desirable product attributes you might look for — vegan, organic, non-comedogenic, and hypoallergenic to name a few. Many guys are also interested in the ethical and sustainable production of grooming products, so they want to find Fair Trade-Certified grooming products.
A Fair Trade certification indicates that at least one ingredient in the product was produced and traded in accordance with standards set forth by Fair Trade USA. Fair Trade Certification helps ensure workers and producers are paid fair wages and fair prices, work in safe environments and under safe conditions, protect the environment during production, and receive funds to develop their communities. Therefore, buying Fair Trade grooming products is one way you can promote ethical and fair trading practices, safe working conditions, community support, and environmental sustainability.
Unfortunately, there are few men’s grooming products that are fully Fair Trade Certified. However, there are some great grooming products that use fair trade ingredients with their brands committed to ethical business practices. Consider taking steps toward a kinder, fairer, safer way of conducting business while simultaneously looking your best with our recommendations for the best fair trade grooming products for men.
 Related Guides

Best Reef-Safe Sunscreens
Best Natural Deodorants

Read more
The Best Anti-Aging Eye Cream: A Difference You Can See
anti-aging eye cream

Your grooming routine covers a lot of different bases, does it not? From the right face wash to a moisturizer, it's all about getting the proper products and the proper skincare routine down pat, which is why you also need to add an anti-aging eye cream to the mix. The best eye creams boost and fortify the sensitive skin beneath your eyes, help fight back against dark circles and crow's feet, and just give you a generally more refreshed, boosted appearance.

They're another move in your grooming routine that pays dividends day to day and down the line, so don't waste another moment without an anti-aging eye cream in the mix. Most are made with ingredients and additions like protein to boost those bags under your eyes, and all of them are a much-needed part of any modern man's daily, step-by-step grooming system. Start with our favorites below.

Read more
The Best Dandruff Shampoo for Men to Eliminate White Flakes
Man with dandruff

It's getting to be that time of year when we might not mind seeing some white flakes drifting around ... as long as they aren't the kind that drifts down onto our black sport coat, navy sweater, or any other dark clothing that serves as a flashing sign that says "Look world! I have dandruff!"
So, What Is Dandruff Anyway? 
The simple answer: Dead skin that flakes off your scalp. The more complicated version of the answer is that Seborrheic dermatitis, as dandruff is known scientifically, can happen any time of year and for any number of reasons. If we take a deeper, more scientific dive, we learn that there is a microbe present on everyone's scalp called Malassezia globosa. It turns out that fully half of us humans are sensitive to it. As the microbe breaks down the sebum hidden on your noggin, it produces oleic acid, which irritates your scalp and starts a chain reaction of bad things that results in your friends brushing off your clothes. (For a more in-depth -- and partly animated -- explanation, check out this video from Head & Shoulders featuring science vlogger Derek Muller, of the Veritasium vlog. It gets into genetics, treatment...and how we share dandruff with the dinosaurs!)

If you're a man experiencing the horror of dandruff, don't fret. There are shampoos designed to treat dandruff for just about every type of itchy head, utilizing chemicals that help fight back the conditions leading to an itchy scalp and a personal blizzard. Here we've gathered some of the best dandruff shampoos that are easily available over the counter, for you to look calm, cool, and flake-free.
Read more: Best Shampoos
Best Dandruff Shampoos
American Crew Anti-Dandruff Plus Sebum Control Shampoo

Read more