The 8 Best Shampoos for Thinning Hair, According to Dermatologists

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

• Best Overall Shampoo: DS Laboratories Revita Shampoo For Thinning Hair​
• Best Combo Shampoo: Nutrafol Active Cleanse 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner​
• Best Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair: Hims Thick Fix Shampoo​
• Best Everyday Shampoo: Huron Wash and Strengthen Shampoo​
• Best for Fine Thinning Hair: R+Co Dallas Biotin Thickening Shampoo​

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, MD, 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. To tackle hair thinning, men should take a whole-body approach that addresses multiple underlying causes while using products that help maintain a healthy scalp environment, he says.

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 eight 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, MD, 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 that 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, along with dry or color-treated strands, benefits from hydrating, sulfate-free formulas that help lock in moisture. Meanwhile, oily hair needs a clarifying shampoo to control excess oil without over-drying 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 three 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 market for every hair type. They gave us the 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 eight best shampoos for thinning hair.