The 9 Best Shampoos For Thinning Hair, Recommended By Experts (2024)

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Whether you’ve always had fine strands or recently noticed yours growing more sparse by the month, the right shampoo—combined with a long-term treatment plan from your dermatologist—can help replenish and restore your hair. Some of the best shampoos for thinning hair (like our top pick from Ouai) help densify strands on a daily basis, while others target the follicle with cell-fortifying ingredients to fuel better growth. The result? Thicker hair, both on the daily as well as in the long run.

The multi-pronged solution that your dermatologist recommends will be tailored to you, but one thing is constant across all cases. “The sooner you begin treatment, the greater the chance to restore your hair,” says California-based dermatologist Dr. Zenovia Gabriel. And depending on the severity of your situation, certain shampoos for hair growth can start helping right away. After consulting with our experts, we rounded up the best shampoos for thinning hair that encourage growth, add density and fortify follicles and scalp alike. We’ve also rounded up the top hair loss shampoos for men if you’d like to browse more options.

Best Shampoo Overall For Thinning Hair

Our Top Pick That Volumizes And Strengthens

MOST POPULAR

Ouai Fine Hair Shampoo

Key ingredients: Biotin, keratin, chia seed oil | Additional benefits: Boosts shine, reduces frizz | Price per ounce: $3.20

This cleanser is one of Gabriel’s go-tos, and packs biotin to fortify hair growth and structure as well as keratin for the same structural benefits (alongside softening, boosting shine and smoothing frizz). It also has chia seed oil to visibly plumpen and volumize strands, making it one of the best short- and long-term picks on the market today.

Best Hair Growth Shampoo For Fine Hair

A Scalp-Clearing Wonder Worker

Paul Mitchell Anti-Thinning Shampoo

Key ingredients: Tea tree oil, pea peptides, turmeric | Additional benefits: Stimulates scalp, boosts volume | Price per ounce: $2.48

From Paul Mitchell’s Tea Tree collection, this shampoo prevents bacterial and fungal buildup on the scalp, the latter of which is the culprit behind dandruff and itching. Secondly, the tea tree oil helps temper sebum production in the scalp to prevent excess buildup (and by extension, more microbial proliferation). Because of its ability to maintain scalp harmony, this shampoo allows hairs to grow uninhibited, and to reach their thickest, longest potential. “It’s a great color-safe option that gently cleanses without over-stripping and adds volume to each strand,” says Gabriel.

Best Strengthening Shampoo For Thinning Hair

A Follicle-Fortifying Option

Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Clinical Densifying Shampoo

Key ingredients: Amla Indian gooseberry, caviar, red clover | Additional benefits: Softens hair, boosts moisture | Price per ounce: $2.94

Nutrient-dense caviar is the not-so-secret ingredient in this follicle-boosting wash, and it also restores shine and structure to the strand itself. “Alterna’s Caviar Anti-Aging Clinical Densifying Shampoo promotes scalp health, thickness and fullness,” says Gabriel. Caviar itself contains vitamins A, B2, B6, B12, D and K, as well as proteins, calcium, iron, magnesium and more—in simple terms, it packs a whole lot of good for hair growth. “This shampoo’s formulation is free of DEA/TEA, synthetic color and dyes, all of which can be especially damaging on fragile, thin hair,” she says.

Best Thickening Shampoo For Thinning Hair

A Plant-Based Pick For Revitalizing Hair

Vegamour Gro Revitalizing Shampoo

Key ingredients: Marula oil, B-silk protein, baobab oil | Additional benefits: Reduces frizz, protects hair | Price per ounce: $6.00

When it comes to the best shampoos to help with thickening hair, this plant-based cleanser is at the top of our list. It features nourishing marula, baobab and ximenia oils and vegan B-Silk protein that bonds to hair even after rinsing to keep it protected. For thick, long hair, retention is key, and this one makes sure hair stays thick over time.

Best Shampoo To Prevent Breakage

A Strengthening, Hydrating Hair Cleanser

Kérastase Genesis Strengthening Shampoo

Key ingredients: Edelweiss flower, ginger root extract | Additional benefits: Strengthens and moisturizes hair | Price per ounce: $4.94

Kérastase’s fortifying shampoo is specifically formulated for dry hair that’s prone to breakage. Edelweiss native cells and ginger root extract work to strengthen and moisturize strands that have been weakened by brushing, leading to thicker, more resilient hair over time. This formula also has a particularly pleasant fragrance, featuring notes of bergamot zest, rose and basil.

Best Volumizing Shampoo For Thinning Hair

A Lightweight Option For Root-To-Tip Fullness

Living Proof Full Shampoo

Key ingredients: Amaranth peptides, marine algae, phyantriol | Additional benefits: Protects hair, preserves color | Price per ounce: $4.25

This gentle shampoo from Living Proof cleanses hair without stripping it of its natural oils, courtesy of the brand’s proprietary amino cleansing complex. Amaranth peptides plump hair fibers for added volume, while marine algae and phyantriol protect strands from environmental damage. Plus, the ultra-lightweight formula won’t weigh down your hair.

Best Exfoliating Shampoo For Thinning Hair

A Scalp-Clearing Wash That Controls Excess Oil

Aveda Invati Advanced Exfoliating Shampoo

Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, ginseng, turmeric | Additional benefits: Controls excess oil, prevents itching and flaking | Price per ounce: $5.67

This exfoliating shampoo has salicylic acid to help remove scalp debris, creating the optimal environment for hair growth. This key ingredient also tempers oil levels in the scalp to prevent excess sebum and side effects of such (like fungal proliferation, flaking and itching). When used with the rest of the brand’s Invati Advanced 3-Step System, four out of five users report reduced hair loss by 50%. The key ingredients include a blend of certified organic Ayurvedic herbs that invigorate and renew the scalp.

Best Luxury Shampoo For Thinning Hair

A Volumizing Paste With Long-Lasting Results

Christophe Robin Cleansing Volumizing Paste

Key ingredients: Rassoul clay, baobab leaf extract | Additional benefits: Balances scalp, repairs damage | Price per ounce: $5.94

A little goes a long way with this volumizing paste shampoo from Christophe Robin. It starts out as a clay, then transforms into a luxurious foam that restores balance to the scalp. Baobab leaf extract further repairs and strengthens strands, resulting in hair that feels thicker and fuller. A delicate, fresh rose scent makes this formula even more splurge-worthy.

Best Men’s Shampoo For Thinning Hair

A Thickening, Nourishing Shampoo That Improves Hair Health

Dr. Yates MD Daily Thickening Shampoo

Key ingredients: Pumpkin seed oil, biotin, yucca root | Additional benefits: Removes DHT buildup | Price per ounce: $3.75

This product was developed by hair transplant surgeonDr. William Yates, one of Chicago’s leading hair densifying experts. Topping our list of the best shampoos for men with thinning hair, the potent formula packs pumpkin seed oil to thwart DHT as well as biotin to reinforce hair growth, and all-natural, anti-inflammatory yucca root give it a frothy lather. Together, these create scalp harmony and improve hair growth from the root.

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Why Trust Forbes Vetted

  • The Forbes Vetted team has researched and written dozens of haircare stories, connecting readers with the best shampoos, conditioners and styling products on the market.
  • This story is authored by regular Forbes Vetted contributor Adam Hurly, who has over 10 years of experience reporting on grooming topics. It’s overseen by deputy editor Jane Sung, who reviews product selections and successive updates to this story. Sung has more than a decade of beauty industry experience conducting testing and extensive research.
  • We tapped two experts to gain further insight into which ingredients are most effective for treating thinning hair: California-based dermatologist Dr. Zenovia Gabriel and Chicago-based hair transplant surgeon Dr. William Yates.
  • This article is regularly updated to ensure that our picks still meet our high standards for inclusion in their respective categories. In its latest February 2024 update, beauty writer Claire Epting added three new picks from Kérastase, Living Proof and Christophe Robin.

How We Chose The Best Shampoos For Thinning Hair

  • Experts Yates and Gabriel provided us with their top product recommendations, all of which pass both doctors’ tough filters on ingredients and efficacy.
  • When comparing formulas, we kept a variety of hair concerns in mind. Beyond thickening the hair, our range of options offer additional benefits such as breakage prevention and exfoliation.
  • We only featured products with stellar customer reviews: Each one of our picks has an average online rating of at least 4 out of 5 stars.
  • We consulted with Forbes Vetted’s deputy beauty editor Jane Sung when making our product selections, which she also reviewed for final approval.

Best Ingredients In Shampoos For Thinning Hair

Between Yates and Gabriel, here are the best ingredients to look for in a shampoo for thinning hair, based on a variety of possible needs. Some deliver same-day hair density, while others play a long game or target hair loss itself, namely in the event of dandruff or male-pattern hair loss.

  • Niacin/vitamin B3: “This ingredient helps increase blood circulation to the scalp and the flow of nutrients to the hair follicles,” says Gabriel.
  • Biotin/vitamin H: “Biotin promotes growth, body and volume at the root,” says Gabriel.
  • Panthenol/vitamin B5: This boosts hydration in hair and scalp, to improve structure, heal damage and retain moisture for the long term.
  • Keratin: Gabriel notes that this ingredient helps reinforce hair structure (for fullness on existing strands) and boosts fuller growth.
  • Collagen: This boosts hydration and reinforces hair structure and growth, similarly to keratin, says Gabriel.
  • Apple cider vinegar: “This reduces bacteria and fungal count which will relieve dandruff and return the scalp and hair to normal pH levels,” says Yates, referring to the skin’s natural acidic chemistry, which must stay balanced in order to avoid dryness, irritation and microbial buildups.
  • Yucca root extract: “This is a natural saponin (meaning it creates suds without sulfate) and was used by Native Americans,” Yates explains. “It is also a natural anti-inflammatory, which is great since inflammation is usually present with hair loss.”

Ingredients To Avoid In A Shampoo For Thinning Hair

There’s a list of ingredients you’ll want to avoid, like sodium laurel sulfate (SLS), sodium chloride and polyethylene glycol (PEG), which can strip hair of moisture and encourage hair loss. And according to Gabriel, preservatives like formaldehyde and parabens such as methylparaben and propylparaben, may not only encourage hair loss, but also affect hormonal balance. Alcohol, too, is another problematic ingredient in shampoos, says Yates. “It will further damage hair, and shampoos that include this ingredient will increase the chances of hair breakage.”

Which Shampoo Is Best For Thinning Hair?

The brand of shampoo that is best for you all comes down to the type of results you want, and the pattern of hair loss you experience. Some people want their hair to look fuller and more volumized instantly, while others want to target the follicle and boost long-term growth. Our list of shampoos above feature great options for various needs, with the best overall pick being the fortifying, volumizing, softening Ouai Fine Hair Shampoo.

Do Hair Growth Shampoos Actually Work?

It all comes down to the ingredients contained in the shampoo, says Yates. Secondly, it depends on your idea of a “hair growth shampoo.” If it’s one that creates an optimal environment on your scalp, for which hairs can better grow, then yes, these work wonderfully by keeping the scalp clean, fortified, hydrated and balanced. But if it’s a shampoo that itself promises to grow your hair, then it’s probably a lie. “Hair growth shampoos that do not contain medical ingredients such as minoxidil have not been scientifically studied to substantiate their claims,” Yates says. “For true genetic hair loss for both men and women, medical treatment will need to be added to a healthy lifestyle, supplements and shampoos.”

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