If your ponytail’s looking a little slimmer than it used to, or you’re suddenly noticing more hair in the shower drain, you’re not alone. Shedding can ramp up for all sorts of reasons — hormones, age, stress, the usual joys of being a woman over 40. But the good news is, there are now some genuinely decent serums that can help — and no, they don’t all cost a small fortune.

Hair growth serums are everywhere right now, and trust me, I’ve tried a few. One thing I’ve learned? You don’t need to spend £60+ on a glossy bottle to get results. Some of the best ones look incredibly unsexy but quietly get on with the job. Case in point: Minimalist Hair Density Serum, which is £13.99 at Superdrug and Amazon, and is currently available with 20% off at Beauty Bay. 

Minimalist is an Indian brand known for its no-frills skincare and haircare with science-backed ingredients. This serum is formulated to be super light — more like a watery tonic than an oil — and it’s designed to help reduce hair fall and encourage thicker growth.

It’s made with ingredients you may not have heard of but that are well respected in hair circles — Redensyl (thought to encourage follicles back into growth mode), Capixyl (to help reduce hormone-related shedding), and Procapil (to strengthen roots). 

Application is easy — a few drops directly onto your scalp once a day (most people do it at night), massage it in, and you’re done. The brand claims it dries quickly, doesn’t make your roots greasy, and won’t mess with your blow-dry. Like most of these things, it’s not an instant fix — Minimalist says you might notice less shedding after a month, with fuller hair showing from around 12 weeks.

The serum has garnered many positive reviews, with one commenting: "What kind of magic is this!" and "My drastic hairfall got better with each day. And the number of baby hairs I got after using this serum is amazing." Another said: "I have a healthy head of hair but my hairline has declined quite quickly so I decided to start using this product. My hair has felt fuller when I run my fingers through it...and there’s a clear difference with re-growth."

One negative point did pop up a few times was the size of the bottle. At 30ml some users felt it didn't last as long as they hoped, "The only issue I have with this product is the quantity. It requires daily use to be effective, but doesn't not even last a month."

Of course, there are other hair-growth serums available, most coming in at a slightly higher price point than the Minimalist. The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density, £20.80, includes the same ingredients as the Hair Density Serum, plus peptides to promote thickness. Kérastase Genesis Serum Anti-Chute Fortifiant, £42.37, on the other hand, is designed to help reduce the risk of hair fall due to breakage and protect against external aggressors, like heated appliances.

If you are concerned about hair thinning, book an appointment to see your GP in the first instance. Then, if you are still curious about trying a growth serum, make sure you do a patch test first.