The 10 Best Shampoos for Thinning Hair of 2024, Tested by Real People
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Our top pick is the Briogeo Destined for Density Peptide Shampoo
People / Jaclyn Mastropasqua
Thinning hair has to be one of the most frustrating haircare woes of all time. From the shedding to the breakage, watching your hair fall can lead you down a rabbit hole of potential hair loss causes. While it’s always best to seek advice from a medical professional, adding a nourishing shampoo formula to your haircare routine can support your efforts to healthier strands while also providing a squeaky good cleanse.
“Your hair and scalp care regimen and the products that you use are the foundation of having healthy hair and, even more so, if you are experiencing hair thinning and hair loss,” says Craig Ziering, a board-certified dermatologist and hair transplant surgeon.
Ziering says that high-quality shampoo formulas with ingredients that strengthen, moisturize, and balance (such as biotin and caffeine) can help revitalize thinning hair by supporting scalp health. “The scalp is skin and deserves the same attention that your face and body skin needs — that’s why optimal scalp health is always part of the hair growth conversation.”
With this in mind, our PEOPLE Tested team researched 21 popular shampoos for thinning hair and conducted real-world testing over an eight-week period to find out which ones were actually worth the hype. Throughout this time, we considered everything from the ingredients and how they support both scalp and hair health, made note of our hair texture, volume, and density, and also considered the overall shampooing experience to find formulas that meet our high-standards. As it turns out, some thickening shampoos aren’t at all gimmicky — they really work.
Keep reading to discover the best shampoos for thinning hair for every hair type and concern.
Best Overall: Briogeo Destined For Density Peptide Shampoo
Star Qualities
With regular use, we saw improved density and some regrowth in areas of concern
Provides hair with a boost of nourishment
We saw some results almost immediately
Red Flags
There's not much we didn't love about this shampoo!
After testing several formulas, none quite compared to the Briogeo shampoo. We tested this formula on dry, thinning hair and saw almost immediate results (which only got better with time). Formulated with an energy complex consisting of caffeine, CoQ10, and green coffee oil to invigorate the scalp, zinc for protecting the hair follicles, biotin for hair strengthening, and copper peptides for a healthy hair life cycle, this potent shampoo for thinning hair targets hair loss by boosting nutrients, improving density, and supporting regrowth.
When testing this Briogeo shampoo, we noticed a change in our tester's hair volume almost immediately, and with regular use, her looked and felt thicker, too. We also saw regrowth on some of the areas of concern after just a few weeks, and her hair overall looked much healthier thanks to a softer texture and added shine.
While it is a little on the pricey side (especially for only 8 oz.), the results are well worth the investment. Plus, a little bit of formula goes a long way, so you may not run out of this as fast as you might think.
Size: 8 oz. | Key Ingredients: Energy complex, zinc, copper peptides, biotin | Hair Type: All
What We Think Now
After testing the Briogeo shampoo for six months, our tester's hair felt shinier, thicker, and healthier than ever before. She even noticed new baby hairs growing in places that previously had none. Although this bottle is slightly smaller and more expensive per ounce than others, she says she'll continue to repurchase this one for its obvious instant and long-term results. That’s how good it is.
People / Jaclyn Mastropasqua
Best Overall, Less Expensive: Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Scalp Care Regeniplex Shampoo
Star Qualities
With regular use, our strands appeared thicker and fuller
We saw less hair fall in the shower with just one wash
Has a nice lather
Red Flags
It has a slight tingling sensation when washing, but it’s not super uncomfortable
We also loved the Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Scalp Care Anti-Thinning Shampoo for a less expensive option. Formulated with clover flower, Kakadu plum, pea peptides, turmeric, ginseng, and tea tree, this invigorating shampoo provides a refreshing wash to all hair types, especially those with thinning hair.
The shampoo is designed to boost volume and texture while also protecting against further thinning — and we totally reaped its benefits. After just one wash, our tester saw less hair fall in the shower, and this trend continued with regular use. Once dried, she experienced thicker and fuller-looking hair and less shedding. The shampoo also has a nice lather, which made the application process so much easier and ensured a thorough cleanse every time.
Since the shampoo features tea tree, it has a little bit of a tingling sensation while washing, so keep that in mind if you have a sensitive scalp.
Size: 3.4, 10.14, and 33.8 oz. | Key Ingredients: Clover flower, Kakadu plum, pea peptides, turmeric, ginseng, tea tree | Hair Type: All, especially thinning hair
What We Think Now
Six months later, we continue to be impressed with the Paul Mitchell Tea Tree shampoo. Our tester began to notice that their hair felt shinier and healthier after only two months of use, and the results stayed consistent over the entire testing period. In fact, our tester liked this shampoo so much that she also purchased the corresponding conditioner.
Best Budget: Mielle Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo
Star Qualities
With consistent use, we saw regrowth on thinning areas
Formulated with biotin, which supports stronger, healthier strands
Doubles as a de-frizzing formula, left our hair looking smooth
Red Flags
Has a minty scent that some might not prefer
You don’t need to spend a lot of money on shampoo formulas to get impressive results — and this couldn’t be more true for the Mielle Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo, which only costs around $10 for a 12-oz. bottle. Price aside, this formula actually comes with some impressive results.
Formulated with biotin, the shampoo formula supports thinning strands by promoting stronger and healthier hair all around. With regular use, our tester saw some regrowth on some of the thinning areas, especially around her part and hairline which had some patchiness, and she experienced much less hair fall, too. The formula also has impressive de-frizzing properties that left hair looking and feeling silkier, smoother, and shinier.
Size: 12 oz. | Key Ingredients: Biotin | Hair Type: All
What We Think Now
Our tester noticed pretty dramatic results after continuing to use the Mielle Rosemary shampoo for six months. After two months, her hair felt healthier and looked fuller, and four months after that, her hair was shedding less during wash days and felt clean and hydrated. The shampoo lasted three months when using twice a week, and for just under $11 a bottle, that makes it an incredible value for the quality.
People / Masego Manamela
Best Conditioning: Kérastase Densifique Bain Densité Shampoo
Star Qualities
Enriched with hyaluronic acid, gluco peptide, and ceramides to support hydration
With regular use, our hair felt thicker
Easy to lather
Red Flags
It’s a little pricey for how much formula you get
If you're looking for a dry hair shampoo because your ultra-dry strands need some extra love, we recommend the Kerastase Densifique Thickening Shampoo, which is formulated with a blend of hyaluronic acid, gluco peptide, and ceramides to support hair nourishment and leave strands feelings silkier, softer, and shinier.
While testing this formula for a few weeks, we saw significant improvement in the overall thickness of hair — our tester's hairstylist even commented on the texture! — and her hair looked and felt a lot healthier thanks to the added nutrients.
Since the thick and creamy shampoo formula spreads so easily, you only need a little bit of product, which may make the higher price worth the investment for some.
Size: 8.4, 16.9 oz. | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, gluco peptide, ceramides | Hair Type: Thinning hair
What We Think Now
Our tester loved this shampoo so much that over the next six months, she recommended it to multiple friends. It instantly volumized her hair without drying it out and continued to work just as well from the first use to the last. It didn't strip the hair like some other thickening shampoos and left her strands feeling soft and silky. Although this is more expensive than some other shampoos on our list, we also noticed that it lasted a little longer than others we’ve tried.
People / Paden Reich
Best for Oily Hair: BondiBoost HG Shampoo for Thinning Hair
Star Qualities
Formulated with ingredients that hydrate hair without weighing it down with excess oil
Has a light rosemary scent
Much less hair fell after regular use of this shampoo
Red Flags
Doesn’t lather as well as other shampoos
For oily hair types, reach for the BondiBoost HG Shampoo for Thinning Hair. Formulated with lightweight yet hydrating ingredients such as aloe vera, peppermint, saw palmetto, and rosemary, the formula is designed to support hair hydration without promoting excess sebum production or weighing down strands.
These ingredients are also known for improving hair growth over time, making them a powerhouse blend for thinning hair. After a few weeks of testing this formula out, our tester experienced much less hair fall than usual and her hair looked a lot shinier (but not in a greasy way) with less frizz. Our only complaint is it doesn't lather as well as some other shampoos we tested, which can make application a bit more cumbersome.
Size: 10.14, 16.9 oz. | Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, peppermint, saw palmetto, rosemary | Hair Type: Normal to oily
What We Think Now
Six months after we began testing this shampoo, our tester's hair looked fuller and she experienced less hair loss than ever before. She also noticed much less thinning in her hair and lost fewer strands when brushing than before using the shampoo. One bottle lasted around three months when using the shampoo two to three times a week.
People / Erin Johnson
Best Strengthening: Shu Uemerua Izumi Tonic Strenghtening & Thickening Rice Water Shampoo
Star Qualities
Helped strengthen our strands after postpartum hair loss
Formulated with rice water
Lathers well
Red Flags
We wish it targeted frizz a little more
Our top pick for the best strengthening shampoo for thinning hair is the Shu Uemerua rice water shampoo. As its name suggests, this shampoo is enhanced with rice water, which is known for its ability to revive hair cuticles after damage and improve hair volume over time.
We tested this shampoo formula against postpartum hair loss and found it did an excellent job of strengthening strands for less breakage (though we wish it helped with frizz control a bit more). In addition to its strengthening formula, the shampoo has a nice lather so you can easily spread it across your strands. It also rinses out very easily, leaving hair feeling ultra-soft and deeply cleansed.
Size: 2.5, 10.14 oz. | Key Ingredients: Rice water | Hair Type: All, especially thinning
What We Think Now
The quality of this shampoo did not wane over the six months of testing and made our tester's hair look full, thick, and healthy. The shampoo noticeably reduced hair breakage and helped hair grow faster than before. While it didn’t do much to extend the style between washes (that’s where the R+Co shampoo really shined), we’d still recommend this shampoo to anyone who wants a strengthening shampoo that smells great and delivers on its promises.
People / Ciara O Grady
Best for Volume: Nioxin System 1 Shampoo
Star Qualities
Our tester's hair looked so much fuller after using this shampoo
Our hair stayed cleaner for longer
After the testing period, we noticed much less breakage
Red Flags
It has a minty scent that some might not prefer
The Nioxin Cleanser Shampoo is one of the best shampoos for thinning hair because it actually creates a ton of volume and helps create the illusion of thicker, fuller hair. While testing this shampoo formula, we were immediately impressed by the results, and after just a few weeks saw even more improvement. Our tester's hair looked fuller after washing and styling and that volume even lasted until the next day. After eight weeks, there was much less breakage and it would stay cleaner for longer, too.
Size: 10.14 oz. | Key Ingredients: Caffeine, peppermint oil, mentha arvensis leaf oil, niacinamide | Hair Type: Fine
What We Think Now
After using the Nioxin shampoo for six months, our tester found that she can get away with washing her hair less often and maintaining her hair styles longer than before. This shampoo made her hair feel healthier and look thicker than before. She used this shampoo on hair that had been previously damaged by lightener, and found that it revived her strands to feel stronger and look less flat in between washes.
People / Amanda Klein
Best for Frizz: Arkive Headcare All Day Everyday Shampoo
Star Qualities
We experienced less breakage and shedding after the testing period
Left our hair with a silky, shiny finish
Its light scent isn’t too overpowering
Red Flags
Doesn’t lather as well as others on our list
If you want to tackle frizz while also targeting thinning hair, consider the Arkive Headcare All Day Everyday Shampoo. After eight weeks, our tester experienced less breakage and shedding, which helped decrease the frizz she experienced when styling. Additionally, the shampoo leaves hair with a silky, shiny finish that looks like you used a frizz control without actually using one.
While it wasn’t a deal-breaker for us, we wish the formula lathered a little more. Our tester who tried this shampoo has longer hair and noted that because it doesn’t have a great lather, it takes a little extra product to spread on the hair and get full coverage while cleansing.
Size: 8.5 oz. | Key Ingredients: Baobab protein | Hair Type: All
People / Kennedy Vogel
Best for Damaged Hair: Superzero Strengthening & Scalp Stimulating Shampoo for Thinning Hair
Star Qualities
Rejuvenates and improves density of heat-damaged hair
Very gentle on the scalp, yet still deep-cleans
Lathers and spreads very easily
Red Flags
Since it’s a shampoo bar, there's a bit of a learning curve for application
The Superzero Strengthening & Scalp Stimulated Shampoo for Thinning Hair is a shampoo bar designed to minimize waste while also targeting thinning hair. After eight weeks, one of our testers — who experienced damage from heat styling and bleach — noticed a significant improvement in their overall hair health, noting that their strands looked much fuller and healthier compared to the beginning of the testing period.
This is likely due to the ingredient lineup, which includes a bond builder, triolein, vegan keratin, caffeine, rosemary oil, menthol, and alma extract to provide deep, healing nourishment to damaged hair while also creating a cleaner and healthier scalp environment to promote hair growth.
Speaking of the scalp, this shampoo is also a fantastic alternative for those looking for a deep yet gentle cleanse, as it’s one step down from a deeply clarifying shampoo formula, providing that same debris lift without the potential stripping of natural oils.
Size: 2.15 oz. | Key Ingredients: Bond builder, triolein, vegan keratin, caffeine, rosemary oil, menthol, alma extract | Hair Type: All
What We Think Now
After using this strengthening shampoo for six months, our tester's hair looked and felt so much better — so much so that her hairdresser even commented on how healthy it seemed. It does a great job of cleaning thick hair, regardless of the type or texture. Even after six months of consistent use every other week, our tester still hasn’t run out of product, making this the longest-lasting shampoo we’ve tested.
People / Chantia Murphy
Best for Shine: R+Co Dallas Biotin Thickening Shampoo
Star Qualities
Our hair texture improved and our strands appeared much shinier
We noticed an improvement in thickness
A little goes a long way
Red Flags
It’s a bit expensive for a smaller amount of product
When testing out the R+Co Dallas Biotin Thickening Shampoo, we were impressed by how much shinier our tester's hair looked after washing and styling. The R+Co shampoo is formulated with a blend of hair ingredients that support healthy strands and promote growth, including biotin, pro-vitamin B5, saw palmetto berry extract, coconut oil, and loquat fruit, which nourish and moisturize strands while actively getting rid of dirt and debris.
Throughout the testing period, our tester also noticed how much fuller her hair looked and that her style would hold for longer, which we believe was likely due to all of the hydrating and health-enhancing ingredients — our tester's hair seemed overall much happier and had some nice bounce to it. While it is a little on the expensive side (especially for 8.5 oz. of product), it lathers nicely, and you only need to use about a quarter-sized amount, so a little goes a long way.
Size: 8.5 oz. | Key Ingredients: Biotin, pro-vitamin B5, saw palmetto berry extract, coconut oil, loquat fruit extract | Hair Type: Thin, fine hair
What We Think Now
We continued to be impressed by how soft, shiny, and healthy the R+Co shampoo made our hair feel. After two months of use, our tester noticed that she could go longer between washes, and her hairstyles lasted longer than usual. Her hair felt clean but not stripped after washing, and she continued to reach for this shampoo and its matching conditioner six months later. However, the bottle is pretty small so she had to restock after about two months.
People / Ciara O Grady
Our Verdict
We originally recommended Fable & Mane HoliRoots Hydrating Shampoo in this list, but after six months of testing, we didn't see a noticeable difference in the growth or thickness of our hair compared to others we tested (to be fair, it's not branded as a hair growth shampoo). That said, our tester still loved this option for its hydrating and cleansing abilities and was impressed that her light hair color treatment seemingly lasted longer than usual.
What to Know When Buying Shampoos for Thinning Hair
Ingredients
The ingredients in a shampoo formula matter and this couldn’t be more true for those designed specifically with thinning hair in mind. “Disinfectant molecules such as carnosic acid from rosemary or terpinene-4-ol from tea tree oil help to control microbial overgrowth and promote good bacteria so that the balding scalp is free from issues of bad microbes,” says Dr. Sanjay Batra, a PRP, exosomes, hair loss, and regenerative expert and co-founder of WeThrivv. “If your shampoo contains these disinfectant ingredients, it will become a medicine for your scalp.” In addition to these ingredients, Ziering says to also look for biotin and caffeine in your shampoo formula as these can support scalp health while also strengthening and revitalizing the strands.
If you want to try a formula with rosemary, consider our top pick for the best budget-friendly shampoo, the Mielle Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo. For tea tree oil, we were also impressed by the Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Scalp Care Anti-Thinning Shampoo, which also has a refreshing and tingling sensation thanks to the added ingredient. Our top pick for the best shampoo for thinning hair, the Briogeo Destined for Density Peptide Shampoo, features caffeine in its ingredient lineup, as does the superzero Strengthening & Scalp Stimulated Shampoo for Thinning Hair.
Hair Type
While many hair-thinning shampoos are formulated for those with thin or fine hair, it’s worth considering additional hair type factors and looking for formulas designed for normal, dry, or oily scalps. This can ensure that your scalp and strands receive the nutrients they need, whether it be an added boost of moisture or some lightweight hydration that won’t weigh strands down.
People / Meehan Brown
Behind The Scenes
To find the best shampoos for thinning hair, we researched dozens of formulas before selecting 21 products for real-world testing. From there, our PEOPLE Tested team conducted at-home testing over the course of six months, carefully documenting their experiences with every wash. We looked at the following qualities:
Lather and feel: We evaluated how well each formula lathered and how much product was required for even coverage, what the shampoo felt like on the scalp while washing, and how easily they rinsed out.
Growth: As the weeks progressed, we began to take note of the effects of the shampoos, considering any improvements, such as increased density or less hair fall, to get an idea of their progress. We took note of any new growth we experienced and whether our hair appeared to be thicker than before we began testing.
Effectiveness: We also assessed how it made our hair look and feel both immediately after use and over time. We thought about whether the shampoos made our hair feel softer, look shinier, or hold styles for longer than usual. Also of note was how often we needed to use the shampoos to keep our hair feeling clean and whether we were able to go longer in between washes before our hair felt oily. We also considered how voluminous our hair looked while styling, if the shampoo formulas helped with frizz control, and how shiny it appeared after each wash.
After several weeks, we compared each formula and evaluated its efficacy, narrowing down the list to 12 formulas. At the end of the six-month period, we revisited the list and updated accordingly based on long-term testing insights. We stand by these 10 shampoos that promote thicker, more voluminous, and healthier-looking hair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do hair thinning shampoos really work?
“The right hair-thinning shampoo can support hair health, thickness, luster, and shine,” says Ziering. Although hair-thinning shampoos might not target the cause of hair loss altogether, Ziering notes that they are an importing starting point for addressing hair loss and can even maximize the appearance of your hair. “Depending on the ingredients, they play a key role in cleansing your scalp, removing built-up sebum, excessive oil, and dirt, and some might stimulate hair growth,” Ziering adds.
Can hair grow back after thinning?
Depending on the cause of hair thinning, strands can definitely grow back after thinning. “With proper care, a healthy routine, and professional treatments, thinning hair can improve in density and volume,” says Dr Howard Sobel, a clinical dermatologic surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital.
However, in order for hair to grow back, Sobel says identifying the cause is most important as this can inform the best treatment. And, while shampoos for thinning hair can certainly support healthier hair, they might not target thinning hair on their own as some causes of thinning hair require medical attention in order to truly reverse.
What shampoos do dermatologists recommend for thinning hair?
When shopping for the best shampoos for thinning hair, Sobel says to “look for shampoos that contain naturally active and antioxidant-rich ingredients like caffeine, green tea, saw palmetto, peptides, and amino acids.” The Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Scalp Care Anti-Thinning Shampoo, which features nourishing ingredients (including tea tree for invigorating the scalp), is one of his personal favorites.
Our top pick for the best shampoo for oily hair, the BondiBoost HG Shampoo for Thinning Hair, also includes some of these hair health-supporting ingredients including saw palmetto and rosemary. And, our top pick for the best overall shampoo for thinning hair, the Briogeo Destined for Density Peptide Shampoo, features caffeine in its ingredient lineup.
Take Our Word For It
Jessie Quinn is a contributing commerce writer for PEOPLE and has written for publications such as Byrdie, InStyle, The Spruce, NYLON, and more. When covering the best shampoos for thinning hair, Jessie researched each formula on the PEOPLE Tested team’s list and carefully reviewed their notes to learn more about their experiences. She looked for formulas that not only gave impressive results for hair density and volume but also looked at additional perks like shine and improved texture, too. Additionally, Jessie reached out to top haircare experts Dr. Craig Ziering, Dr. Sanjay Batra, and Dr. Howard Sobel to learn more about shampoos for thinning hair, including what to look for and what to know about the potential benefits.
Meet Our Experts
Dr. Craig Ziering is an expert hair transplant specialist at his private practice, Ziering Medical, which specializes in hair transplants.
Dr. Sanjay Batra is the co-founder of Wethrivv, a company that creates beauty products, including the Revivv Topical Hair Serum.
Dr. Howard Sobel is a board-certified dermatologic at Sobel Skin, a private practice for dermatology and cosmetic surgery in New York City.
What Is PEOPLE Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.
In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.
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