The 13 Best Shampoos for Thinning Hair, Tested & Reviewed

Best Overall

Briogeo Peptide Shampoo

View On Amazon $32 View On Nordstrom $32 View On Sephora $32

This lightweight peptide-infused Briogeo shampoo earned our Best Overall honors because it managed to address our concerns about our hair density and fullness both immediately and over time. We were amazed at how quickly it started to visibly revive our dry, thinning hair. 

We lathered up with this shampoo three times a week for eight weeks, and almost immediately, we noticed our hair boasted improved volume, smoothness, and shine. Although we were nervous about the way a strong formula could potentially impact our dry, sensitive scalp, it was gentle enough to cleanse away dry flakes without triggering even a hint of irritation. 

Plus, our usually greasy hair started to look less slick over time, allowing us to go longer between washes if we wanted — a true first (although we rarely wanted to because of the formula’s deliciously sweet scent). Towards the end of the testing period, we also noticed that some of our patchy problem areas were starting to fill in.

We should note that it’s a sulfate-free shampoo, so it won’t lather as much as an ordinary shampoo, but it’s still very much getting the job done.

Hair Type: Suitable for all hair types, including color and chemically treated | Key Ingredients: Copper peptides, biotin | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Fragrance: Yes | Size: 8 oz

Best Budget

Mielle Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo

View On Amazon $9 View On Ulta $11 View On Mielleorganics.com

We just as easily could have called this best budget shampoo from Mielle the best option for thinning curly and/or coily hair. Formulated with types 3A to 4C natural hair in mind, the strengthening shampoo fortifies fragile and damaged strands while stimulating the scalp to encourage healthy growth. 

We found that a little goes a long way with this gentle cleanser that cleans the scalp and strands without stripping them of vital natural oils. In fact, coconut and babassu seed oils condition the hair, while biotin and horsetail extract help to prevent shedding and promote growth. Rosemary and peppermint add a refreshing scent and clarify the scalp.

We shampooed our tightly coiled type 4B/4C hair two to three times a week and immediately noticed how refreshing it was for the scalp and how well it removed product residue. Each week, we experienced less and less shedding in the shower. And over the course of about a month, we noticed new growth along our middle part, where we had started losing some hair, and on the bald patches along our edges. 

Hair Type: Types 3A to 4C | Key Ingredients: Rosemary leaf oil, biotin, horsetail extract | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Fragrance: Yes | Size: 12 oz

Best Drugstore

Paul Mitchell Scalp Care Regeniplex Shampoo

View On Amazon $25 View On Ulta $23

When it comes to the best drugstore shampoos, this tea tree oil-infused Paul Mitchell option stands out for its healthy hair and scalp benefits. Tea tree oil is touted in skincare and hair care for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. When used on the scalp, it can help dandruff and other inflammatory conditions that may play a role in hair thinning or loss. 

This formula pairs those cleansing and clarifying benefits with a botanical blend of Kakadu plum, pea peptides, clover flower, turmeric, and ginseng to revitalize the hair follicle and scalp. The result? Fuller, thicker-looking hair.

We used this shampoo two to three times a week on our long curly hair and immediately noticed a difference. Within the first couple of washes, our mane looked and felt healthier and more voluminous. We noticed it was easier to detangle our hair in the shower, which meant less strands falling out. This was confirmed by the fact that we had much smaller hairballs in the drain after washing. The tea tree oil, turmeric, and ginseng give this formula a zesty scent and a tingly quality that never irritated our scalp, but it could be a bit sensitizing for some.

Hair Type: Suitable for all hair types, including color-treated hair | Key Ingredients: Tea tree oil, kakadu plum, pea peptides | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Fragrance: Yes | Size: 10.14 oz

Best for Growth and Thickness

Kérastase Densifique Bain Densité Shampoo

View On Amazon $42 View On Sephora $42 View On Kerastase-usa.com

You know you're onto something when your hairdresser tells you that your normally ultra-fine, thin hair feels fuller, which is why this Kérastase shampoo is our pick if you are looking to address hair growth as well as thickness. Starting as a rich and creamy texture, the shampoo developed into a luscious lather that felt amazing on our scalp and washed out easily, leaving our hair soft, shiny, and supple — sans conditioner. Our hair looked healthier and bouncier after the first wash, but the real thickening results kicked in after a couple of weeks. 

Safe for all hair types — including color-treated — this hydrating and conditioning formula deeply cleansed our strands and scalp without causing any dryness or irritation. Hydrating hyaluronic acid immediately plumped each hair follicle, giving us an instantly thick, lush appearance overall, while also working long-term to strengthen strands and stave off breakage down the line. 

Hair Type: Suitable for all hair types, including color-treated | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, gluco peptide, ceramides | Sulfate-Free: No | Fragrance: Yes | Size: 8.5 oz

Best for Over 60

BondiBoost HG Shampoo

View On Sephora $24 View On Ulta $30 View On Ulta $30

Hair thins and weakens as we age, which means a thickening and densifying shampoo can go a long way towards revitalizing locks — and that's exactly what this BondiBoost formula does. 

Because the formula has a lengthy ‘free of’ list (including parabens, sulfates, silicone, mineral oils, DEA, MEA, and TEA to name a few), it took us a little while to get used to the gentle, non-sudsing shampoo. We double cleansed some days to get the 'clean' feeling we're used to, but the results from this shampoo were visible from the very first wash. Our fine, curly hair had more bounce and shine and less frizz, and we noticed less oiliness in between.

We were delighted to see our hair look more voluminous, feel softer, and topped with a glossy finish, but the best part is that we noticed that the amount of hair we were shedding slowed way down. 

Hair Type: Normal to oily, including color and chemically treated | Key Ingredients: Saw palmetto, horsetail extract | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Fragrance: None added | Size: 10.14 oz

Best for Thinning Hair and Dandruff

Vegamour GRO Revitalizing Shampoo

View On Amazon $48 View On Sephora $48 View On Vegamour.com $14

You can't talk about hair health without talking about scalp health, and this Vegamour shampoo worked wonders on our thinning hair and dandruff. 

Rather than tapping super strong ingredients that can trigger harsh reactions on both the hair follicle and scalp, Vegamour filled this formula with nourishing plant-based ingredients, like the hydrating baobao, and fatty acid-rich marula oil to soothe angry scalps, while the keratin-like protein bonds smooth and strengthen vulnerable hair strands. 

This botanical shampoo didn’t cause our dry, sensitive scalp to flare up. Instead, we noticed far less flaking after just two weeks of regular use. Overall, we found that our hair looked healthier and stronger, and the buildup on our scalp was a thing of the past.

While we felt like we needed a complementary conditioner to fully hydrate our dry, thin hair, we stopped finding thousands of little fallen hair strands in our shower drain. But the best part? Our ponytail looks thicker and fuller.

Hair Type: Suitable for all hair types, including color-treated hair | Key Ingredients: Red clover, mung bean | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Fragrance: Yes | Size: 8 oz

Best Strengthening

shu uemerua Izumi Tonic Shampoo

View On Sephora $55 View On Shuuemuraartofhair-usa.com View On Walmart $39

If you are dealing with any kind of hair damage or fragility, we haven’t found a strengthening shampoo better than this one from Shu Uemura.

One of our postpartum woes has been our quick-to-break hair strands, and despite our best efforts and a bathroom vanity filled with hair growth products, nothing was working. We lathered up with this shampoo four times a week, and by the end of week three, our fine, brittle hair was noticeably stronger and less prone to breakage — split ends don’t lie. Not only that, but we started to sprout new hair growth, and the new strands felt thicker straight out of the follicle. 

Unlike many other options on this list, we found this shampoo to be satisfyingly sudsy, yet not overly stripping of our natural oils, and we couldn’t get enough of the sensual woody citrus scent. Our hair overall looked healthier than it had in years, with megawatt shine to boot. 

Hair Type: Best fine to medium fragile, damaged hair | Key Ingredients: Rice water | Sulfate-Free: No | Fragrance: Yes | Size: 10 oz

Best Shampoo for Thinning Hair and Itchy Scalp

Nutrafol Root Purifier Scalp Shampoo for Thinning Hair

View On Amazon $44 View On Sephora $44 View On Nutrafol.com

Figuring out the right frequency to wash your hair can be like Goldilocks, especially when it’s as reactive and itchy as ours, but this Nutrafol shampoo removed the guesswork. We know that over-washing with harsh ingredients can strip the hair scalp, while under-washing can lead to product buildup that clogs hair follicles and causes inflammation. Featuring a gentle biosurfactant, the shampoo cleansed our hair and scalp without disrupting our natural pH balance, even when we washed our hair daily, and it even helped regulate our out of control sebum production, helping our hair to stay grease-free for longer. 

Our fine hair needs to be washed regularly to not look greasy, but our scalp is prone to dryness and itching. We usually deal with the itchy scalp for the sake of a good hair day, but we quickly realized we didn’t need to sacrifice one for the other with this shampoo. We washed our hair five to seven times a week during the testing period and our scalp never felt dry or irritated. In fact, by week five, all the itchiness was gone. 

Hair Type: Suitable for all hair types, including color-treated hair | Key Ingredients: Vegan protein, prebiotics | Sulfate-Free: No | Fragrance: Yes | Size: 8.1 oz

Best Shampoo for Fine, Thinning Hair

Fable & Mane HoliRoots Shampoo

View On Sephora $30 View On Fableandmane.com

It may be counterintuitive, but the best shampoos for fine thinning hair are hydrating and strengthening ones. Because fine hair can be brittle, it can be more susceptible to breakage and other damage that can make it appear thinner. Keeping it nourished without weighing it down is a must, and this Fable & Mane formula does just that. Centella asiatica (a.k.a. tiger herb) is an Ayurvedic herb known for its natural purifying and healing properties. It joins forces with aloe to gently cleanse and soothe the scalp. Coconut oil deeply hydrates the hair and scalp to promote healthy growth.

We weren’t sure what to expect when using this ultra-creamy formula in our ultra-thin, dry, and color-damaged hair, but using it three to four times a week revitalized our tired tresses. The shampoo lathers well despite its creaminess. The directions say to take a deep breath as you massage the product from root to tip, and we found the tropical scent to be deeply relaxing. While the formula doesn’t weigh strands down, it does feel like it leaves a bit of a nourishing barrier behind after rinsing. 

The hydration benefits were instant, and our hair started feeling thicker (though it doesn’t necessarily look it) about a month into testing. Our sensitive scalp was soothed by the gentle formula, our nourished locks had more body and shine, and it felt like our hair stayed cleaner longer (i.e. three days between washes instead of two).

Hair Type: Suitable for all hair types, including color-treated hair | Key Ingredients: Tiger grass, coconut oil, aloe | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Fragrance: Yes | Size: 8.5 oz

Best Dermatologist-Recommended Shampoo for Thinning Hair

Nioxin Cleanser Shampoo

View On Amazon $23 View On Ulta View On Walmart $28

There is a reason dermatologists recommend this strengthening shampoo from Nioxin. For starters, it comes in six different ‘systems’ that are formulated for specific hair types (natural, color-treated, chemically treated) and degree of thinning (“light” to “progressed”). We used System 1, which is for fine, natural (read: not color- or chemically treated) hair experiencing mild thinning. 

The peppermint oil-infused detoxifying formula gently cleanses and refreshes the scalp to remove product buildup and other pollutants from the very first use while also fortifying the hair follicle to build strength and prevent breakage. Using it four to six times a week (it’s safe for daily use), we noticed our dry, thin locks were noticeably fuller and healthier looking in less than a month. The areas where we were experiencing sparse patches and stringy, broken strands appear more filled in, and we have noticed some additional length thanks to less breakage.

The gel-like formula has a peppermint scent from the oil that is subtle enough to be tolerated even by those who don’t usually like minty shampoos (ourselves included). It lathers well, rinses clean, and instantly makes the hair feel softer and thicker. 

Hair Type: Nioxin has a set for all hair types | Key Ingredients: Peppermint oil, green tea extract, copper ferment | Sulfate-Free: No | Fragrance: None added | Size: 10.1 oz

Best Shampoo for Thinning Hair and Hair Loss

Arkive Headcare All Day Everyday Shampoo

View On Arkiveheadcare.com View On Bloomingdales $18 View On Walmart $19

All hair types – including color- and chemically treated – can benefit from this ultra-gentle Arkive shampoo for thinning hair and hair loss. Rich in nourishing omega-3 fatty acids, baobab oil and baobab protein join forces to improve the resilience, strength, and elasticity of strands and scalp. Betaine acts as a natural humectant that locks in moisture and improves shine. 

Summer is usually a rough time for wavy color-treated hair that frizzes up in humidity, but the tropical climate was nothing this lightweight shampoo couldn’t counter. We immediately noticed an improved body, more shine, and less frizz (a true rarity in warm-weather months). Our hair stylist commented – unsolicitedly – about how much better our color stayed in between appointments. 

We really enjoyed the light floral scent that the brand says is meant to involve a sun-soaked summer walk. Using the formula three times a week, our manes felt healthy, hydrated, and naturally volumized. Our styling lasted longer in between washes, and, after about six weeks we noticed some baby hairs coming in around our hairline.

Hair Type: Suitable for all hair types, including color-treated hair | Key Ingredients: Baobab oil, baobab protein, betaine | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Fragrance: Yes | Size: 8.5 oz

Best Shampoo for Thinning, Color-Treated Hair

superzero Strengthening & Scalp Stimulating Shampoo

View On Amazon $28 View On Sephora $28 View On Superzero.com $28

This strengthening and stimulating shampoo bar from superzero is best for revitalizing color-treated hair. The multitasking vegan bar is the equivalent of about 16 fl oz of liquid shampoo and serves three distinct purposes – cleansing, repairing, and smoothing. Triolein, menthol, and caffeine gently cleanse the hair and stimulate the scalp to promote healthy blood flow and circulation; the brand's bond builder and vegan keratin repair and strengthen fragile hair fibers (yes, this bar is great for damaged hair of any kind); all the while, amala extract and rosemary oil boost shine and smoothness. 

Our type 4C hair has tight coils and a kinky, curly texture and has experienced some damage and hair loss as a result of hot tools, dying it blonde, and tension-causing styling. We used the shampoo bar once a week and were amazed at how well it transformed into a milky lather after just a bit of rubbing. After the first wash, our hair looked fuller and had less frizz.

Over the course of the first month, our hair was noticeably stronger, our thinning edges had fresh growth, and our curls had more definition and bounce. As a surprise bonus, our fresh honey blonde dye job looked just as vibrant as it did the day we walked out of the salon. Instead, our hair looked thicker and felt healthier from root to tip.

Hair Type: Suitable for all hair types, including color-treated hair | Key Ingredients: Vegan keratin, caffeine, amla extract | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Fragrance: None added | Size: 2.15 oz