14 best shampoos for thinning hair, according to dermatologists and stylists (2024)

Best overall: BIOLAGE Advanced Full Density Thickening Shampoo

Pros: Works to cleanse hair, fight frizz, and eliminate impurities; vegan and cruelty-free

Cons: Not fragrance-free; may irritate super-sensitive scalps

Fight frizz — and thinning hair — with the BIOLAGE Advanced Full Density Thickening Shampoo. Its innovative formula features biotin and zinc PCA to help rebalance the scalp and eliminate impurities: all while gently cleansing the hair (without stripping it of essential oils) so that it looks and feels healthier.

Best budget: L'Oreal Paris Ever Strong Sulfate-Free Thickening Shampoo

Pros: Unbeatable price; hero ingredient, rosemary oil, has been found to protect against hair loss

Cons: According to some reviewers, may leave hair feeling dry or greasy

L'Oreal Paris' Ever Strong Sulfate-Free Thickening Shampoo clocks in at under $9 per bottle. This drugstore haircare staple features rosemary leaf oil, which is famous for its anti-inflammatory properties. (It's also worth noting that several studies, including this one from 2015, have also found that rosemary oil can help protect against hair loss.)

Best for scalp: Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Scalp Care Anti-Thinning Shampoo

Pros: Tea tree oil-infused formula soothes scalp, promotes fuller, stronger strands

Cons: Scent may irritate some folks

Tea tree oil is the obvious hero ingredient in Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Scalp Care Anti-Thinning Shampoo. According to Dr. Green, tea tree oil is "antimicrobial and antifungal, which allows it to soothe the scalp and address any itchiness, redness, swelling, or pain." The shampoo is also infused with glycerin and ginseng, the latter of which can help with hair growth.

Best for men: Hims thick fix hair shampoo

Pros: Specifically formulated for men, vegan, cruelty-free, and sulfate-free

Cons: Fragrance may irritate those with allergies or sensitive scalps

The Hims Thick Fix Hair Shampoo — which just so happens to be vegan, cruelty-free, and sulfate-free — was specially formulated for men with thinning hair. The budget-friendly shampoo is also loaded with glycerin and saw palmetto to help boost moisture and volume. Meanwhile, the refreshing eucalyptus scent adds a nice touch.

Best for color-treated hair: Revitalash Cosmetics Thickening Shampoo

Pros: Suitable for color-treated hair; smooth, shiny finish

Cons: At over $30 per bottle, it's not the most budget-friendly pick

Revitalash's Thickening Shampoo is a favorite of stylist, colorist, and salon owner Paul Labrecque of Paul Labrecque Salon and Skincare Spa in New York City. This volumizing, color-safe shampoo is even spiked with panthenol, which can help hair appear smooth and shiny. (PS: One study also found that panthenol may help mitigate the effects of thinning hair.)

Best for dry hair: Artnaturals Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo

Pros: Under-$15 price tag, fatty acid-rich formula to moisturize and repair hair

Cons: Thin formula; need to use a lot of it in order to form a lather, per some reviewers

Aartnaturals' Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo is formulated with — you guessed it — argan oil, which, per Dr. Green, helps condition and protect hair thanks to an abundance of fatty acids. The dermatologist also credits the shampoo with "help[ing] repair any damage while protecting against additional damage that can [result from] free radicals, heating tools, and/or harsh chemicals."

Best for curly hair: Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo

Pros: Nourish and strengthen curly, coarse, and weak hair, wallet-friendly price point

Cons: Some reviewers reported greasy residue

According to Kenji Ishimoto, a stylist at Salon YOSHIKO at Bergdorf Goodman in New York City, Mielle Organics' Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo is especially ideal for curly and coarse trends. Per the pro, the shampoo — which contains biotin "to provide intense moisture" — is formulated to nourish, cleanse, and strengthen weak and brittle hair.

Best sulfate-free formula: PURA D'OR Original Gold Label Anti-Thinning Biotin Shampoo

Pros: Spiked with ingredients to promote hair growth and thickness; lots of reviewers love the pleasant smell

Cons: Some reviewers reported that their hair felt greasy

The PURA D'OR Original Gold Label Anti-Thinning Biotin Shampoo comes highly recommended by Shelly Aguirre, a stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. Per the stylist, the shampoo — which she says is "great for thinning hair" — helps promote thickness and combat breakage with its impressive formula, which is enriched with ingredients (including rosemary oil, argan oil, and tea tree oil) "that assist with promoting hair growth."

Best volumizing: Bumble and Bumble Thickening Volume Shampoo

Pros: Simultaneously cleanses and boosts volume, nice scent

Cons: Not the most affordable pick

Pump up the volume with Bumble and Bumble's Thickening Volume Shampoo, which helps lift even the limpest, thinnest, and most delicate strands. It's also spiked with panthenol and vitamin- and fatty acid-rich aloe, which is known for its cleansing and anti-inflammatory properties.

Best for sensitive scalp: Dr. Barbara Sturm Anti-Hair Fall Shampoo

Pros: Gentle hypoallergenic formula, mix of fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants to strengthen and repair hair

Cons: At $60, it's the most expensive option on this list

For stronger, healthier hair, look no further than the Dr. Barbara Sturm Anti-Hair Fall Shampoo. Its uber-gentle formula (which is fragrance-, phthalate-, paraben-, and sulfate-free!) helps strengthen and nourish strands while also preventing shedding and breakage. Ingredient highlights include moisture-boosting hyaluronic acid, camellia extract ( which is spiked with fatty acids and antioxidants), and panthenol.

Best strengthening: R+CO Dallas Thickening Shampoo

Pros: Nourishing, thickening formula, adds shine and softness

Cons: Expect to splurge on this: It's $30 or more per bottle

Devin Toth, a hairstylist at Salon SCK in New York City, tells Insider that the R+CO Dallas Biotin Thickening Shampoo is "packed with incredible ingredients," including hydrating glycerin, moisturizing coconut oil, panthenol, and saw palmetto berry extract (which may prevent hair loss). All in all, Toth deems the shampoo "amazing for anyone with fine hair looking for thickening benefits from roots to tips."

Best exfoliating: Aveda Invati Advanced Exfoliating Shampoo Rich

Pros: Exfoliating ingredients to support a healthy and clean scalp, 94 percent naturally derived formula

Cons: High price point (over $30 per bottle)

Aveda Invati Advanced Exfoliating Shampoo Rich features a 94 percent naturally derived formula to nourish thinning hair. It's also chock-full of exfoliating ingredients like lactic and salicylic acids to keep your scalp looking (and feeling!) healthy and clean. Other staples include ginseng root extract (which has been shown to promote hair growth) and antioxidant-laden caffeine.

Best for damaged hair: Kerastase Resistance Bain Force Architecte

Pros: Works well on all hair types, fresh scent

Cons: High price tag

"For damaged finer hair, I recommend the Kerastase Bain Force Architecte Shampoo," explains Aguirre. She continues, telling Insider: "This protein-balanced shampoo will give finer hair the strength it needs to go on and grow." Plus, this uber-hydrating shampoo is even enriched with conditioning ceramides.

Best for chemically-treated hair: Miriam Quevedo Black Baccara Hair Multiplying Shampoo

Per its product description, Miriam Quevedo's Black Baccara Hair Multiplying Shampoo helps reverse damage caused by chemical, thermal, and environmental damage. Not only will the shampoo make your hair look stronger and thicker, but it'll also improve scalp help. We especially love its versatile formula, which features a slew of beneficial ingredients like glycerin, panthenol, and niacinamide (known for its anti-inflammatory properties).

Pros: Promotes thicker, stronger hair, as well as a healthier scalp, noteworthy formula features a handful of renowned ingredients

Cons: One of the most expensive options on this list

FAQs

Which ingredients should I look for when choosing a hair thinning shampoo?

Hairstylist Devin Toth recommends looking for shampoos formulated with "ceramides, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and protein [to] help fortify and strengthen your hair." Toth continues, "Natural plant extracts and oils can decrease scalp inflammation and increase scalp circulation, which will stimulate hair growth."

Which ingredients should I avoid while I shop for a hair thinning shampoo?

When shopping for the best shampoos for thinning hair, Dr. Green advises steering clear of ingredients like parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, and diethanolamine, "since they can damage hair follicles and irritate your scalp."

What causes thinning hair?

"The most prevalent cause of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia, also known as male- and/or female-pattern baldness," says Dr. Greene. Androgenetic alopecia, as its name suggests, derives from your genetic makeup. Then there's alopecia areata, a similar autoimmune response which can be related to genes or stress. Other variables that affect hair loss include: "hormones, nutrient deficiencies, and medical conditions [like menopause, hypothyroidism, and PCOS, to name a few]," says Dr. Greene.

Can hair grow back from thinning?

"If the hair loss or thinning is from a cause other than genetics, such as stress, illness, pregnancy, and nutrient deficiencies, the likelihood of regrowth is high," says Dr. Green. However, if you have always had thin hair, "you can't grow thicker hair because the size of the hair follicle cannot be changed."

How often should you shampoo your hair if it's thinning?

Dr. Green advises on wash routines, stating "the frequency of shampooing does not affect how much hair is shed because the amount of hair shedding for each day is already determined by the body." However, she does note how important it is to "keep the hair and scalp clean," as "shampooing too infrequently can lead to irritation, redness, inflammation, scaling, and flaking." She tells INSIDER that her rule of thumb is to limit yourself to about 3 washes per week.