These are 13 of the best shampoos for thinning hair (2024)

Briogeo Destined For Density™ Caffeine + Biotin Peptide Density Shampoo

I've been lathering up my fine, thin hair with this shampoo since it launched earlier this year, and dare I say, I've had just about the best hair year of my life. I constantly get compliments on how thick and full my hair looks, which is pretty much the opposite of how I perceived it a year ago (and I've even cut and bleached my hair since!).

The reason? The combo of caffeine-rich coffee seed oil in this formula, which is filled with antioxidants that help stimulate blood flow to the scalp to help optimise scalp health and hair growth, says dermatologist Ife Rodney, MD.

Key ingredients: Coffee seed oil, biotin
Sulphate free? Yes* (*but still contains some strong surfactants)
Hair type: Dry, normal

Dr Rodney is a huge fan of this hair-loss shampoo because it's loaded with anti-inflammatory ingredients (hi, niacinamide and zinc) that "help improve skin barrier function, which can potentially reduce inflammation that can lead to hair fall," she previously told Cosmo.

Personally, my thinning hair and oily scalp love this formula because it makes my roots look lifted and voluminous. FYI: It does contain sulfates, which I love for deeply cleaning and de-gunking my scalp, but they can be drying for some hair types. If your hair is on the drier side, try using this once a month as a "reset" wash, and then make sure to follow it up with a deep conditioner.

Key ingredients: Niacinamide, zinc, hydrolysed soy protein
Sulphate free? No
Hair type: All* (*but could be a bit drying for very-dry hair if used too often)

This gentle shampoo is one of Cosmo US associate editor, Siena Gagliano's, favourite products after she experienced post-Covid-19 related hair loss. It contains sulphates, so it has the ability to fully remove stubborn build-up that tends to clog hair follicles and create a less-than-ideal environment for your hair to grow.

"After using this shampoo, my hair felt thicker, but it also looked healthy and shiny," says Siena. Not to mention, it's safe for colour-treated hair, so rest assured, your £££ dye job won't fade in the process.

Key ingredients: Sulphates, zinc PCA, menthol
Sulphate free? No
Hair type: Oily, normal

Other than the fact that this shampoo bottle would look cute AF in your shower, it'll also give you volumised hair, which will essentially "mask" your hair loss and/or thinning.

Not only that but it's packed with antioxidants to help protect and repair, as well as coconut oil and shea butter to ensure that the hair stays moisturised.

Key ingredients: Coconut oil, shea butter, aloe vera
Sulphate free? Yes
Hair type: All* (*but may be too moisturising for very-oily scalps)

Volumising products can be tricky for super-fine hair textures. Use the wrong formula, and you'll be left with a crunchy, greasy finish. Cue this lightweight cleanser from Ouai, which calls on a blend of moisturising chia seed oil and strengthening keratin proteins to leave fine hair stronger and smoother, without any heavy residue.

So, while your derm is working on your hair growth from the inside out, this formula can help give you immediate results on the outside.

Key ingredients: Hydrolysed keratin, chia seed oil
Sulphate free? Yes
Hair type: Oily, normal

This hair-growth shampoo packs a seriously powerful punch, thanks to ingredients like Jamaican black castor oil (which is loaded with vitamin E, fatty acids, and minerals), moisturising shea butter, and clarifying peppermint.

Not only is it great for heat-damaged hair, but it's also a godsend for textures that require extra moisture.

Key ingredients: Peppermint, shea butter, castor oil
Sulphate free? Yes
Hair type: Normal, dry, very dry

This system focuses specifically on improving the health of your scalp, which is the key to healthy hair.

The set includes a shampoo that works to remove any follicle-clogging gunk or sebum, a conditioner that locks in moisture for healthy hair, and a treatment that'll amp up the volume.

Key ingredients: Niacinamide, caffeine, green tea extract
Sulphate free? No
Hair type: Oily, normal

If you have damaged, thinning hair, chances are you've heard of the Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo. This cult-favourite shampoo is a staple in the beauty world for healing damaged and over-processed hair by actually rebuilding the broken bonds in your hair strands.

But it also helps moisturise and smooth your tresses, which can make fine, thin hair look a bit plumped up and thicker. The best part is that literally anyone – with any hair type – can use this product.

Key ingredients: Grapeseed oil, glycerin, panthenol
Sulphate free? Yes
Hair type: All

If you want a product that will work for both straight and curly hair, this is your bb. Not only is this shampoo good for dry, flaky scalps, but it is also great for hydrating damaged hair that has split ends and breakage – over-processed hair types, I'm talkin' to you.

Key ingredients: Keratin, peptides, hyaluronic acid
Sulphate free? Yes
Hair type: All* (*but might be a bit too moisturising for some oily scalps)

I have RevitaLash's eyebrow growth serum to thank for my thick brows as of late, so I was intrigued to see if the brand's thickening shampoo would also be able to help encourage some hair growth on my scalp. It's chock full of good-for-scalp ingredients that might not magically make my hair grow longer but will support a healthy scalp environment, which is the first step to growing thicker hair.

A few standouts? Soothing niacinamide, strengthening proteins and amino acids, and skin-barrier supporting peptides.

Key ingredients: Niacinamide, peptides, arginine, hydrolised soy protein, wheat amino acids
Sulphate free? Yes *(but contains some other strong cleansers)
Hair type: All

So, we've determined that a healthy scalp = healthy hair. Enter: Sachajuan Scalp Shampoo that's specifically formulated to help treat dandruff and flaky scalps, thanks to a mix of calming ingredients and – most importantly – salicylic acid, an MVP at gently exfoliating flakes and grease.

The result? Softer, more airy hair and a healthier scalp.

Key ingredients: Piroctone olamine, climbazole (controls dandruff); salicylic acid (exfoliates); caffeine (stimulates)
Sulphate free? No
Hair type: All* (*but could be slightly drying for dry hair)

Here's the thing: Losing hair is perfectly normal – it's the amount you're losing that you should pay attention to. It's common to lose about 50 to 100 hairs every day, but if you notice that the amount increases significantly, it's time to look for a hair-thinning shampoo or treatment.

Perfect for hair that's excessively shedding, this oil-eliminating shampoo from hers works to cleanse your scalp by washing away excess oil and buildup, which in turn, makes it appear healthier and fuller.

Key ingredients: Caffeine, salicylic acid
Sulphate free? Yes
Hair type: All

I may sound like a broken record here, but if you want your hair to be healthy, you gotta make sure that your scalp is healthy first. If you begin to notice that your hair is particularly dry, brittle, weak, and prone to breakage, you (1) need to lay off the heat and colouring, and (2) get yourself a moisturising, strengthening shampoo.

This one by Mielle will gently cleanse the hair while adding moisture to dry and over-processed hair. Massage it through your wet locks, rinse it all out, then follow with a hydrating conditioner.

Key ingredients: Rosemary oil, peppermint oil, babassu oil
Sulphate free? Yes* (*but contains some strong surfactants)
Hair type: Normal, dry, very dry

If you're hoping a shampoo will electrify your hair follicle and speed up your hair growth, then no, shampoos for thinning hair don't work. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but because shampoos are not clinically proven to cause hair growth, we have to get a little more technical with what we mean by "works."

In reality, nothing that sits on your scalp for 30 seconds will do anything to make your hair grow faster. But – but! – if your hair loss is due to scalp conditions such as dryness, dandruff, or psoriasis, then yes, a shampoo may help create a healthier, more hospitable environment for your hair to grow.

Trust me, if shampoos could magically regrow hair that has been lost, expensive procedures, like hair transplants, wouldn't be in the picture. The best they can do is temporarily add volume to your thin hair or potentially treat or calm down scalp conditions that may be contributing to your thinning hair.

You can "treat" your thinning hair with shampoo in multiple ways, but before self-diagnosing the cause of your hair loss, talk to a dermatologist or trichologist first pls, K? Dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD says that when she treats patients for hair loss, she views her approach as a "treatment ladder." The first step is to determine the root cause and then "make sure your scalp is in the best, and healthiest, condition as possible," noting that this is where shampoo comes in. "Shampoos for thinning hair can hydrate dry scalps, ensure good cuticle health, and clear any clogged hair follicles."

Dr Gohara compares shampoo to a coach on an athletic team: "The coach can't play for the team, however, they can offer advice and support. It's the same for shampoo—shampoo can't grow the hair back, but it can create the best and most optimal environment for healthy hair.

And if over-the-counter treatments don't work, you move up the ladder and work with your dermatologist to determine if oral medication, procedures, or even a hair transplant can be an option. Science has come a long way, and there are many solutions for hair loss today, so as frustrating as it can be, don't think all hope is lost.

Dr Gohara explains that everyone's hair thins naturally with age: "If you consider everyone's hair densities in their thirties, forties, fifties, and so on, you'll see that it doesn't look the same as it did in their teens and twenties." She says you must consider genetics, explaining that when and how quickly your hair will thin is genetically predetermined, just like your eye and hair colour.

And then, Dr Gohara explains that there are many other issues that can organically cause hair thinning: Stress, eating habits, hormonal changes, post-pregnancy, and even over-processing the hair. This type of hair loss is called telogen effluvium – a ~fancy~ way of saying temporary hair loss—and if you correct the issue at its core (i.e., proper nutrition, less stress, seeing a doctor), the hair loss will gradually stop after a period of time.

If you're worried about thinning hair, see a dermatologist immediately – they can cocktail prescription topicals, prescribe oral medications, and even inject your scalp with cortisone to slow down shedding and inflammation. But in general, as a loose guideline, remember that "you lose about 50 to 100 hairs every day, which is about 0.001 per cent of your hair,” trichologist, Dominic Burg has told Cosmo US.

It's not until you notice that amount "double or tripling," Dr Burg has explained, that you'll need to take action and see a dermatologist – and that's especially true if you're dealing with bald spots, a sudden receding hairline, or a vast difference in hair density.

Determine if you have a scalp condition.

Reason #780 to go see a dermatologist: There are a tonne of inflammatory scalp conditions that can contribute to hair thinning and hair loss, such as dandruff, dryness, psoriasis, and more.

If you have dandruff, an over-the-counter dandruff shampoo containing the active ingredient ketoconazole will help kill the dandruff-causing yeast on your scalp. If you have an irritated, dry scalp, a scalp oil treatment, a moisturising and gentle shampoo, and a soothing scalp serum should be your go-to. As for a shampoo specifically for thinning hair, look for a gentle, moisturising, and anti-inflammatory formula that can potentially aid in healing your scalp.

Consider your goals.

If you just want to mask your thinning or hair loss, look for volumising shampoos with strong surfactants that remove oil and buildup on your scalp and weigh down your hair. But if you actually want to strengthen your damaged ends to make them look a bit fuller, try a bond-building shampoo (I love Olaplex No. 4 Shampoo).

And ofc, if you want to boost your scalp health, look for all those skincare ingredients we love for our faces: peptides, niacinamide, salicylic acid, and hyaluronic acid.

• Mona Gohara, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Hamden, Connecticut, President of the Women's Dermatologic Society, and Associate Clinical Professor at Yale. Her areas of expertise include medical and surgical dermatology and skin of color.
• Dominic Burg is a trichologist and chief scientist at Evolis Professional. His expertise includes hair cycles and how they are impacted by inflammation and age-related diseases. Dr. Burg has talked to Cosmo in the past about hair loss in young women.
• Ife Rodney, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Fulton, MD, where she runs her own practice, Eternal Dermatology and Aesthetic Center. She specializes in hair loss and hair growth treatments. She previously spoke to Cosmopolitan US about hair-growth shampoos.