Don’t Let Thinning Hair Hold You Back—Try These Expert-Recommended Shampoos (2024)

WHEN I OFFICIALLY entered my 30s, it was a major bummer on multiple fronts. For one, it occurred in the midst of a global pandemic so I said goodbye to my 20s with more of a masked shrug than a bang. But what was far more upsetting than a forced night in was discovering for the first time early signs of hair thinning. This is, of course, nothing to be ashamed of as two-thirds of men experience significant hair loss by age 35, according to the American Hair Loss Association. However, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do to fight off thinning, and a quality shampoo for thinning hair can go a long way in this battle.

Best Shampoos for Thinning Hair

If you mention experiencing any form of hair thinning, people tend to have a lot of thoughts on the so-called causes, many of which are entirely false (like wearing a hat too often or shaving your head). The truth is, the reasons behind why certain men are predisposed to hair thinning are much simpler—and more holistic.

Dr. Corey L. Hartman, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama, explains that several underlying factors impact hair thinning in men including genetics, hormones, lifestyle, nutrition and metabolism, all of which can be tempered with a stellar shampoo formulated to help. “When addressing hair thinning, men need to take a whole-body approach to their hair health by targeting the multiple root causes and using products that support a healthy scalp microbiome,” Hartman adds.

According to Dr. Hartman, some of these shampoos coat hair strands with proteins or polymers to increase volume and make hair appear fuller, while others contain ingredients to strengthen and thicken hair by improving scalp health overall. For someone who has already lost a good chunk of their hair and wants to get it back, I'd recommend instead looking for a shampoo aimed at hair growth. Shampoos for thinning hair, like the ones on this list, are primarily focused on preventing future loss and helping hair regain volume and thickness—though there is a good deal of crossover between the two products.

Naturally, Dr. Hartman notes that to get the most out of shampoos designed for either regrowth or thickness, especially in more severe cases, they should be used alongside hair products that address underlying root causes of thinning and balding, like hair growth supplements or serums.

That being said, with so many shampoos aimed at attacking specifically thinning hair on the market right now, choosing one that'll get the job done can feel overwhelming. To make this decision easier, our grooming editors have been testing countless of the best shampoos for thinning hair to find the ones that really work for every hair type. Below are our seven favorites.

What to Consider

Key Ingredients

To strengthen and thicken hair, Dr. Hartman recommends looking for a shampoo containing biotin, a B vitamin that helps the body produce keratin (the protein that makes up hair). You’ll also want to prioritize a shampoo that specifically targets the scalp microbiome to create an environment that supports hair growth with natural enzymes and amino acids to help exfoliate and control oil. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd recommends shampoos containing minoxidil, as this will prolong the growth cycle of hair, as well as increase its thickness.

She also points to wheat protein as an important resource because, “This protein can help to plump up the hair shaft, making it appear thicker and fuller.” Of course, there are a few ingredients you’ll want to avoid, as well, that can complicate these treatments. Dr. Hartman advises steering clear of shampoos with sulfates or parabens, as they can strip hair of its natural oils and cause dryness. “These ingredients can also weaken the hair shaft, leading to increased breakage and further thinning,” he says. Dr. Woolery-Lloyd adds that it’s a good idea to avoid harsh chemical treatments, bleaching hair, or excessive heat while blow drying to avoid any adverse effects.

Hair Type

Taking your hair type into account is critical when choosing a shampoo for thinning hair. This will ensure that you can find a product that not only tackles the issue of thinning but also promotes the overall health and appearance of your hair. For example, Dr. Woolery-Lloyd explains that people with fine hair often find ultra-texturizing shampoos can weigh their hair down. That’s why Dr. Hartman advises those with finer hair to look for a lightweight, volumizing shampoo.

“Coarse or curly hair, as well as dry or color-treated hair, benefit from moisture-rich, sulfate-free formulas to combat dryness and promote hydration. On the other hand, oily hair requires a clarifying shampoo to manage excess sebum without stripping the scalp,” he adds.

Size

While the bottle size shouldn’t be your primary consideration when choosing a shampoo for thinning hair, it’s worth factoring in, especially for the budget-conscious. Some of these shampoos can come with a hefty price tag, and like any other shampoo, you’ll need to buy it regularly. If you're watching your spending, the cost per use could play a significant role in your decision-making process, so look for larger bottles to save some coin over time.

How We Selected

For the past two years, Men's Health's grooming editors have been testing dozens of shampoos and evaluating them not only for their effectiveness against thinning but also for how well they cleaned hair and in what shape they left it. We also consulted hair loss experts like Dr. Hartman and Dr. Woolery-Lloyd to get their assessments on the best shampoos on the markets for every hair type. They also provided us with nuanced specifics of what readers should look for (and what to avoid) in shampoos for thinning hair.

We then conducted further testing based upon their recommendations and whittled our list down to the following seven best shampoos for thinning hair.

We found this shampoo from Huron to be the best option for adding extra volume on a daily basis. It's larger and less expensive than other options on this list, and helped give our hair a fuller appearance when used regularly. Not to mention, Dr. Hartman rides for it as well: "I like Huron Shampoo because it is invigorating with cooling menthol, hydrating with argan oil, and also helps to strengthen hair with Vitamin E and Vitamin B5. It’s packed with good ingredients for a healthy scalp and hair."

While fine hair is not necessarily more susceptible to thinning—again, it mostly comes down to genetics—it may suffer visual drawbacks sooner than other hair types. This makes finding a shampoo that helps it appear fuller with more volume especially important. When I used this option from R+Co, my hair looked stronger with more bounce after just one wash. This is largely due to the shampoo's biotin which stimulates hair follicles, increases keratin production, and strengthens hair strands overall. Not to mention, it comes with a wonderfully floral scent.

Spending over 50 bucks on shampoo can seem somewhere between daunting and unnecessary, but I promise if you're willing to dish it out for this one, it'll be well worth it. It's by far the largest bottle on this list at nearly 34 ounces, which helps offset the cost quite a bit. But its true selling point is how effective it is at thickening hair. With our dermatologist-favorite biotin, along with niacinamide (a vitamin B3 that helps enhance blood circulation and improve scalp health), this shampoo left our hair looking noticeably thicker and feeling substantially stronger.