The best hair mask for growth steps in where Mother Nature left off. “Hair growth is largely determined by genetics, but there are practical steps you can take to improve scalp health and support the hair growth cycle,” says Asmi Berry, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles. “When patients ask me about hair growth, I always suggest focusing on three key areas: stimulating blood flow to the scalp, supporting follicle health, and protecting the hair shaft.”
As part of this three-step ritual, Berry—and other scalp experts—recommend using a hair mask that can nourish the scalp and the strands. Not only are the best masks for hair growth infused with ingredients that can do both, but they also lend themselves to scalp massages that boost circulation to facilitate growth (and add a welcome moment of self-care to the growth cycle.)
Vogue’s Favorite Hair Growth Masks:
Ahead, find the best masks to promote hair growth, according to board-certified dermatologists, a hair-transplant surgeon, and a celebrity hairstylist—along with Vogue editors who have seen miraculously thickening results.
In This Story:
Mielle Rosemary Mint Strengthening Hair Mask
- Why We Love It: Mielle’s rosemary-mint hair oil is a classic by now. The viral treatment—designed to stimulate hair growth—has legions of lushly coiffed fans, including Vogue editors. The mask version of the botanical salve is also racking up buzz. Viktoryia Kazlouskaya, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist in New York, recommends the strengthening treatment to anyone with a scalp in need of some TLC. “This has rosemary oil [and biotin] to promote hair growth, but it also has mint to soothe the scalp if it’s inflamed and itchy,” she says.
- Key Ingredients: Biotin, honey, coconut oil, rosemary, mint
- Sulfate-Free: No
- Best For: Suited for all hair types—particularly types 3A to 4C—the mask reduces frizz, mends split ends, and hydrates dry and brittle hair.
- Usage: After shampooing, smooth the mask evenly through damp hair from roots to ends. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse it out thoroughly.
- Size: 12 oz.
Dr. Sturm Repair Hair Mask
- Why We Love It: Successful hair growth is a long game, and part of the strategy should involve nurturing the scalp’s overall health. For a deeply hydrating treatment, Kazlouskaya recommends Dr. Barbara Sturm’s reparative mask. While she notes that the formulation doesn’t contain ingredients that directly impact hair growth, it does contain shea butter. The latter ingredient can hydrate and soothe the scalp, which is a boon for lusher, thicker hair. “A healthier scalp environment may indirectly support better hair growth,” Kazlouskaya notes. The formulation also includes hemi-squalane, which tames frizz and makes the hair silkier and more manageable. Botanical extracts balance the scalp’s microbiome and treat dandruff.
- Key Ingredients: Organic shea butter, lavender extract, hemi-squalane, panthenol, sunflower sprouts, tara extract
- Sulfate-Free: Yes
- Best For: The mask was formulated to restore dry or damaged hair with softness and shine; it has sunflower sprouts and tara extract to provide UV protection and prevent color fade.
- Usage: After shampooing, massage the treatment into wet hair. Let it sit for one to three minutes before rinsing it out.
- Size: 6.8 oz.
Vegamour GRO Scalp Detoxifying Serum
- Why We Love It: Though this is technically a serum, Berry notes that it can double as a mask. “It’s packed with some of the most research-backed ingredients for hair growth,” she notes. “Caffeine energizes follicles and stimulates blood flow, while peptides strengthen the hair shaft to minimize breakage. Add in tea tree oil, which soothes the scalp and reduces inflammation, and you’ve got a product that’s ideal for creating a healthy foundation for hair growth. It’s a great option for those looking for a targeted scalp treatment.”
- Key Ingredients: Caffeine, tea tree oil, peptides
- Sulfate-Free: Yes
- Best For: Geared toward creating a healthy microbiome, the product is designed to remove buildup, promote healthy sebum production, and reduce flakiness on the scalp.
- Usage: After parting dry hair into sections, massage the serum into the scalp for one to two minutes. Let it sit for five to ten minutes before rinsing it out.
- Size: 2 fl oz.
Kérastase Genesis Masque Reconstituant
- Why We Love It: Kristina Collins, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Texas, cites Kérastase’s strengthening mask as a helpful addition to any hair growth regime. “Formulated with edelweiss native cells and ginger root, this mask fortifies weakened strands and supports a balanced scalp, which are both crucial for healthy hair growth,” she notes. The mask can strengthen hair of all types and textures, but it’s particularly beneficial for hair that’s prone to breakage and falling from brushing. Because the edelweiss and ginger root extracts detangle the hair, it makes hair easier to style (read: no yanking and pulling required). As a fragrant plus, the French mask is imbued with an energizing scent that contains notes of lime, basil, bergamot, and rose.
- Key Ingredients: Ginger root extract, edelweiss native cells, arginine
- Sulfate-Free: Yes
- Best For: Suited for all hair types and textures, the mask hydrates the hair, repairs damage caused by heat styling and brushing, and smooths and detangles the strands.
- Usage: After shampooing, distribute a quarter-size amount of the product through wet hair, from mid-lengths to ends. Let the mask sit for five minutes, then rinse it out thoroughly.
- Size: 6.8 fl oz.
Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask
- Why We Love It: Famous for its bond-building technology—which has resulted in more lustrous locks for celebrities like Charlize Theron—Olaplex infuses its moisture mask with a patented ingredient that Collins approves of. “This mask strengthens the hair structure with [Olaplex’s] bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, which is beneficial for maintaining the integrity of hair,” she says. “Healthy, strong hair is less likely to break, aiding in the appearance of longer, fuller hair.” Ideal for adding bounce and body to any hair type, the mask also boosts shine.
- Key Ingredients: Bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate
- Sulfate-Free: Yes
- Best For: Designed for use on all hair types, the product moisturizes and smooths the hair while adding body and shine.
- Usage: Apply the mask to clean, damp hair from mid-lengths to ends. After letting it sit for 10 minutes, rinse it out and style the hair as usual. The brand recommends using the treatment once a week.
- Size: 3.3 fl oz.
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Mask
- Why We Love It: “Packed with biotin, rose hip oil, and algae extract, this mask supports hair health by nourishing the scalp and reducing brittleness,” Collins says. “It’s excellent for dry or chemically treated hair.” The mask is also favorite of celebrity hairstylists and Vogue editors. It even earned the coveted “Best Overall” designation in our guide to hair masks for dry or damaged hair.
- Key Ingredients: B vitamins, algae extract, rose hip oil
- Sulfate-Free: Yes
- Best For: The mask nourishes dry, chemically treated, and damaged hair with a deep dose of hydration.
- Usage: After shampooing, apply the product evenly throughout the hair and let it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing it out. The brand recommends using the mask weekly to start, then using it biweekly once ideal results are achieved.
- Size: 8 oz.
SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Moisture Masque
- Why We Love It: Designed for wavy, curly, and coily hair textures, SheaMoisture’s mask is infused with conditioning oils and butters to repair damage from straightening, heat-styling, and coloring. Collins gives the formulation her stamp of approval, noting: “Jamaican black castor oil is known for its nourishing properties and is rich in omega-6 fatty acids that promote a healthy scalp environment, which is essential for hair growth.”
- Key Ingredients: Shea butter, castor oil, peppermint, apple cider vinaigrette
- Sulfate-Free: Yes
- Best For: According to the brand, this is its best mask for curly hair. The treatment conditions and hydrates the hair; it also helps repair damage from coloring, straightening, or heat-styling.
- Usage: Shampoo, then comb the product through the hair from roots to ends. Next, cover the hair with a plastic cap and give it a quick blast with a hairdryer on a low setting before letting the product sit for 15 to 30 minutes. Finish by rinsing it out.
- Size: 11.5 oz.
K-18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
- Why We Love It: Berry is a fan of this TikTok-famous formulation. “This is my go-to product for repairing damage in chemically treated or severely weakened hair,” she says. “Its proprietary peptide technology works at the molecular level to rebuild broken keratin bonds, restoring elasticity and strength to hair. She adds that while it’s not a growth stimulator per se, it’s great for preserving the integrity of existing strands. “This ensures that your hair feels smoother and looks healthier,” she says.
- Key Ingredients: K18 Peptide
- Sulfate-Free: Yes
- Best For: The treatment was designed to repair damage in all hair types.
- Usage: After towel-drying the hair, massage in one to three pumps of the product. Let it sit without rinsing it out.
- Sizes: 0.5 fl oz., 1.7 oz., 3.38 oz.
Virtue Restorative Treatment Mask
- Why We Love It: Virtue’s signature ingredient, Alpha Keratin 60ku, is a human-hair-derived keratin protein that repairs the hair by binding directly to any cracks and fissures. (As the brand puts it, it fills in any “potholes” in the strands.) In this rich treatment mask—designed to moisturize the hair and boost its shine—the patented ingredient is enriched with artichoke leaf extract, which further strengthens the hair by preserving its cuticle (or outer layer) and protecting it from environmental aggressors. Collins approves of the mask, noting that it “allows the hair to grow healthier and stronger.” Pro tip: The mask can double as a leave-in conditioner for frizzy, coarse, or dense and curly hair. Just give it a partial rinse after shampooing.
- Key Ingredients: Alpha Keratin 60ku, brown algae extract, baobab seed oil, plant-based protein, artichoke leaf extract
- Sulfate-Free: Yes
- Best For: The mask is particularly beneficial for colored or chemically treated hair, as it infuses it with moisture to allay any damage from treatments. It also strengthens hair and gives it a more manageable, silkier texture.
- Usage: After shampooing, distribute the product evenly throughout the hair; let it sit for two to three minutes before rinsing it out. The brand recommends using the product once a week.
- Sizes: 1.7 oz., 3.4 oz.
Fable & Mane HoliRoots Hair Mask
- Why We Love It: Like a delicious smoothie for the hair, Fable & Mane’s mask—which smells like a tropical getaway—is whipped with coconut cream, banana, and mango butter. Marianna Blyumin-Karasik, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Florida, stands by the deliciously scented salve. “This is a rich and moisturizing hair mask with coconut and mango butter,” she says, explaining that coconut is a moisturizing ingredient that can tame inflammation in the scalp, protect the lipid barrier, and balance pH levels to enhance the hair growth cycle. She most frequently recommends the product to her curly-haired patients, since curly hair tends toward dryness.
- Key Ingredients: Coconut cream, banana, mango butter
- Sulfate-Free: Yes
- Best For: Designed to treat damaged hair of all types and textures, the creamy formulation hydrates the hair while reducing frizz, split ends, and breakage.
- Usage: Apply the mask to damp hair from roots to tips, section by section. Gently rub the product into the hair for maximum absorption, then allow it to sit for five minutes before rinsing it out with warm water.
- Size: 8 oz.
Aveda Invati Advanced Intensive Hair & Scalp Masque
- Why We Love It: Ross Kopelman, a hair transplant surgeon at Kopelman Hair Restoration in New York, has recommended Aveda’s 98% naturally derived treatment to many a patient. “I love recommending this mask because it focuses on scalp health, which I always say is the foundation of hair growth,” he explains. “Its ginseng and turmeric formulation helps improve circulation and reduce inflammation, creating an optimal environment for hair follicles to thrive.” For a spa-like bonus, the treatment is infused with Aveda’s signature scent, which melds calming notes of lavender, rosemary, geranium, and vanilla.
- Key Ingredients: Kukui seed oil, ginseng root extract, turmeric root extract, coconut oil, pomegranate seed oil
- Sulfate-Free: Yes
- Best For: Ideal for dry, medium-to-thick hair, the hydrating mask reduces hair breakage while soothing and balancing the scalp to create a healthier environment for hair growth.
- Usage: After shampooing, apply the product directly to the scalp and then work it through the hair, from roots to ends. Let it sit for two to five minutes before rinsing it out.
- Size: 5 fl oz.
Crown Affair The Renewal Mask
- Why We Love It: This weekly treatment encourages a moment of luxurious self-care. Its texture is creamy and lightweight- Its formulation is steeped in nourishing natural ingredients, and the smell—a mixture of bergamot, yuzu, and lemongrass—has such a loyal following that it’s been made into a candle and a hair perfume. Yuzu extract, which is rich in potassium to promote hair growth, leads the formula. The mask is also steeped in tsubaki seed oil, which moisturizes the hair while adding shine. Celebrity hairstylist Castillo Bataille previously praised the formulation to Vogue, noting that it hydrates the hair without weighing it down.
- Key Ingredients: Tsubaki seed oil, yuzu extract
- Sulfate-Free: Yes
- Best For: Suited for all hair types and textures, the mask straightens and smooths the hair while infusing it with hydration and repairing damage and split ends.
- Usage: After shampooing, use a wide-tooth comb to distribute the product evenly throughout the hair, from mid-lengths to ends. After leaving it on for 5 to 10 minutes, rinse it out. The brand recommends rinsing it out with cold water, which will give the hair a boost in shine.
- Size: 6.8 fl oz.
Shu Uemura Ultimate Reset
- Why We Love It: Robyn Gmyrek, a board-certified dermatologist in New York, recommends Shu Uemura’s mask to enhance hair growth for anyone experiencing damage from chemical treatments, bleaching, or coloring, “It includes rice extract, which has been shown in clinical studies to enhance hair growth,” Gmyrek notes. “The mask also contains silicones to smooth the hair, add shine, and detangle the hair, and it has glycerin to hydrate.” She adds that the product is sulfate-free and paraben-free, making it safe for color-treated hair.
- Key Ingredients: Rice extract
- Sulfate-Free: Yes
- Best For: The mask was designed to restore very damaged hair by conditioning, detangling, and preventing hair breakage.
- Usage:
- Size: 6 oz.
What makes hair grow faster?
According to James Kilgour, MD—a dermatologist at Stanford Health Care and the founder of KilgourMD, a skin-care brand focused on scalp health—“hair growth is dependent on both intrinsic factors, such as our general health, genetics, hormones, nutrition, and stress levels,” as well as “extrinsic factors including environmental stress from pollution and smoking.” His first recommendation for anyone concerned about hair growth is to see their primary care physician to have routine labs conducted, including thyroid tests, iron, and vitamin D levels. “Addressing a deficiency or underactive thyroid will make a significant improvement if they are to blame,” he says.
“After this, I would also make sure to address dandruff, even if mild. Dandruff is caused by a fungus that lives on our scalps naturally, called Malassezia. In many people, the fungus promotes an inflammatory reaction within the scalp, leading to flakiness, redness, and itching. But it also leads to chronic low-grade inflammation, which over time damages our hair follicles and the ability of the scalp in general to support hair growth.” To keep dandruff at bay, he recommends using a ketoconazole or piroctone-containing shampoo at least once a week—“you can even mix it in with your regular shampoo,” he says.
