Superior Mane Root Activator Shampoo Review: Does It Really Work?

Many men experiencing male pattern baldness dream of a quick fix. How easy would it be to replace your existing shampoo with one that fights hair loss and helps prevent future shedding? If you’re trying to find the best hair loss treatment or the best shampoo for thinning hair (and not spend a ton of money trying products that don’t work), you’ve probably read through at least a few product reviews and may feel more confused than ever.

Here, we’ll provide a detailed review of Superior Mane Root Activator shampoo, including insight from one of our medical reviewers, board-certified dermatologist Knox Beasley, MD.

Superior Mane's Mane Root Activator Shampoo is marketed as a unique way to promote hair growth and thickness. The brand has several hair loss treatment products, including a root activator spray and conditioner, and products that claim to reverse graying, but here we’re focusing our review on the Mane Root Activator Shampoo.

The brand says this formula “clears scalp buildup and reactivates dormant follicles for thicker, fuller hair” in as little as 12 weeks.

Its key ingredients include licorice root extract, sesame seed extract, and ginger root powder, which detox the scalp and strengthen hair follicles. However, there isn’t a ton of evidence supporting this. We’ll dive deeper into the ingredients in a bit.

Below, you’ll find a review of Mane Root Activator shampoo from Dr. Knox Beasley.

• Efficacy: ★

• Side Effects: ★★★

• Ease Of Use: ★★★★

“There is limited data on whether the ingredients in this would be effective in a shampoo formulation. Since it’s a shampoo, it’s easy to use, but if they have a disclaimer to do a patch test first, then it’s possible that some people could have an allergy or irritant contact dermatitis from the shampoo,” says Dr. Beasley.

What are the ingredients in Mane Root Activator Shampoo?

The standout ingredients in Mane Root Activator Shampoo are as follows:

• Polygonum Multiflorum Extract: Some research indicates that this herbal ingredient promotes hair growth and could potentially reverse or stabilize graying (but more research is needed on both of these factors).

• Licorice Root Extract: The brand says this ingredient balances scalp conditions and “calms irritated scalp to prevent hair loss.” Some research suggests that a compound found in licorice could stimulate hair follicle cells, but again, more research is needed.

• Sesame Seed Oil: This oil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that may help nourish the scalp.

• Ginger Root Extract: This ingredient may improve circulation, which could help bring blood flow to the hair follicles and support hair growth.

If you’re curious to learn more, here is the full ingredient list: Aqua, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide Dea, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Chloride, Propylene Glycol, Methylparaben, Citric Acid, Disodium Edta, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Powder, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Artemisia Argyi Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis (Licorice) Extract, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Oil, DMDM Hydantoin.

It’s always a good idea to try a patch test before applying the shampoo to your entire scalp because as Dr. Beasley said, some people could experience an allergy or irritant contact dermatitis from the shampoo. It contains DMDM Hydantoin, which may be irritating to some.

Who is Mane Root Activator Shampoo For?

This shampoo is marketed to men, but there’s no reason women can’t use it too.

If you're considering trying it, you might want to check out customer reviews of Mane Root Activator Shampoo to see how it worked for someone whose hair loss is similar to yours. At the time of writing, the review page was down on the brand’s official website, though you can check third-party sellers, like Amazon or TrustPilot.

Finasteride

Oral finasteride is one of two medications approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) specifically for treating male pattern baldness. It’s typically taken as a once-daily pill. It helps to slow the conversion of testosterone to another hormone called dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, which plays a starring role in hair loss.

When less DHT is floating around the body, it means more hair for men with a genetic sensitivity to the ingredient.

Finasteride can also be used topically, like in our topical finasteride and minoxidil spray.

Minoxidil

Minoxidil is the active ingredient in Rogaine^®. Researchers aren’t entirely sure how it works to prevent hair loss, but it’s a vasodilator, so it improves blood flow to the scalp, and it’s also thought to lengthen the growth phase (anagen phase) of the hair growth cycle.

In its topical form, it’s also FDA-approved for treating male pattern baldness. We offer the ingredient in minoxidil foam or minoxidil solution with a dropper  — it’s also available in a minoxidil chew, which requires a prescription.

Thickening Shampoo

Like the idea of a hair loss shampoo? Our Thickening Shampoo uses saw palmetto, a natural DHT blocker, to help reduce hair thinning.

It cleanses the scalp, strengthens hair strands, and creates a fuller appearance. Research shows that regular use of saw palmetto may support healthier hair growth.

Volumizing Shampoo

Caffeine, biotin, and linden bud extract are the star ingredients in Hims Volumizing Shampoo. It won’t stop hair loss, but it can create body and fullness to create the appearance of thicker, healthier hair.

Here’s a quick recap of our review of Mane Root Activator Shampoo.

• While the shampoo contains ingredients marketed to promote hair growth, and there is some limited scientific evidence to support its claims, its efficacy received a low rating from Dr. Beasley. Many customer reviewers echoed this.

• If you have realistic expectations and are not expecting Mane Root Activator Shampoo to totally regrow hair, it does contain some nourishing and moisturizing ingredients and will likely work well to cleanse your hair. However, certain ingredients may cause irritation.

• Alternative hair loss treatments are available, including FDA-approved options like finasteride and minoxidil, as well as other thickening and volumizing shampoos and conditioners, which may be more effective for hair loss management and creating the appearance of thicker hair.

Curious to learn more about your options? Begin a Hims online hair loss consultation any time to figure out a treatment plan that works for you.

For more information on how to prevent or treat hair loss, check out our guides to saw palmetto vs finasteride and science-backed tips for hair growth.