We Tested Over 80 Shampoos for Thinning Hair: Here Are the 9 Made Our Hair Look Full Again

This shampoo in this set focuses on cleansing the scalp, while the conditioner aims to boost the elasticity of each strand to reduce breakage. The set left our tester’s hair softer and hydrated. “I feel that this shampoo truly does improve volume and strength, and helps clean your scalp,” writer Raki Swanson noted. “I also feel that it does something awesome to reduce the amount of hair loss and help with hair growth.”

The Nutrafol shampoo and conditioner set is designed to be used as a duo. Company language notes that 100 percent of users in its clinical study agreed that they saw immediate improvement in the dryness and flakiness of their scalp, and they saw results within as few as two weeks.

Those with color-treated hair need not be afraid of using this shampoo and conditioner, and the formula is safe for extensions, too. Both are made without parabens, phthalates, silicones, or sulfates, making them a good choice for those who prefer to avoid preservatives or chemical stabilizers.

This clay wash gave Swanson a hair-washing experience that felt like being “in a spa, getting your head massaged.” It does not have a matching conditioner and can be used as a standalone product. The Balancing Clay Hair Cleanser aims to address excessive shedding by boosting overall scalp health through scalp detoxification and exfoliation, and by unclogging pores. According to Shaz & Kiks, this leads to a stronger scalp skin barrier and a reduction in excess oil and product buildup, which, in turn, increases root strength and reduces shedding over time.

Shaz & Kiks attributes the powerful, clean, long-lasting scalp health the Clay Wash offers to its naturally derived, organically certified ingredients. Standout ingredients include kaolin and bentonite clay, which help remove oil and buildup while depositing strength-boosting minerals (like silica, magnesium, iron, calcium, copper, and potassium) and Shaz & Kiks’ proprietary blend of ayurvedic herbs and oils, which remove toxins and combat residue from hard water. And, with natural fragrances that leave behind notes of clary sage, vetiver, and sandalwood, this clay wash offers both a powerful clean and an alluring scent.

Swanson called the shampoo’s scent “pleasant,” “amazing,” and “a dream.” And her review of how well it worked was just as glowing. “Once you use this shampoo, you don’t need anything else,” said Swanson, “Your hair is soft and smooth and ever so shiny — beyond soft. And it remained this way for two days!”

The product's clay base might surprise some users. It’s not a liquid or gel, like many shampoos, and the container doesn’t include a pump mechanism. After unscrewing the cap, users are directed to take a scoop of the product in their hands and then rub it between their palms to lather before applying the lather to their head, starting at the scalp. Swanson said that it felt “like melted butter; smooth, sudsy, and amazing.” The highly concentrated formula has 0 percent water (compared with the 70 percent in traditional shampoos), and the brand says one jar offers 3 times the number of washes offered by traditional shampoos. 

Writer Nicole LaMarco found this product to be particularly helpful for reducing breakage in her hair, noting that it felt “amazing, soft, fluffy, and voluminous” and “thicker-looking, even after the first wash.” Even more important, the shampoo seems to be working long-term: “My thinning has gone down, and baby hairs are growing,” she said.

The brand claims that users will notice instant improvement in the appearance of thick hair, which is what LaMarco experienced. And with consistent use, Pura D’Or says that users can expect to see stronger strands and less breakage within three months. Note: This shampoo comes in a few different packaging and label options, which may confuse some purchasers who are wary of receiving a copycat product. You can view varying labels on the company website if you’re unsure. 

Harklinikken offers both personalized, customized products and plans and noncustomized products. Harklinikken Stabilizing Scalp Shampoo, which falls into the latter category, can help with hair thinning by addressing specific scalp issues, such as oiliness or flakiness. It can also revive dry, dull, or color-treatment-damaged hair by removing excess oil and restoring the scalp’s microbiome.

I personally tested this shampoo, and my hair immediately appeared fuller. I was particularly impressed with how well the shampoo seemed to control oil production, allowing me to stretch longer between washes without my roots feeling or looking oily. I typically wash my hair every other day, but was able to maintain the “just washed” look and feel for an extra day when using this.

I paired the Scalp Stabilizing Shampoo with another favorite conditioner during testing, but I saw impressive enough results that I’ll be buying Harklinikken’s conditioner soon. 

Nioxin offers shoppers four kits to choose from based on their specific needs and the progression of their hair thinning. While “system kit” might sound like you’ll be embarking on a complicated hair journey each time you step into the shower, the Nioxin systems are relatively simple and contain just three steps: cleanse, condition, and treat.

The shampoo, conditioner, and leave-on treatment all contain ingredients that protect the hair and scalp from UV rays and deliver nutrients and antioxidants that are clinically and dermatologically tested to result in thicker, fuller hair in 30 days.

Writer Katharine Chan enjoyed using the system, which the instructions say should be used three times per week. “Immediately after washing, my hair felt clean, refreshed, and light. I noticed a pleasant tingling on my scalp — not irritating, just stimulating,” she said. She also liked the feel of her hair after it dried. “There was no residue at all; my hair felt airy, smooth, and soft to the touch.”

This shampoo can be used as a standalone product, but its recommended use is within the Briogeo Destined for Density hair regimen, which includes shampoo, conditioner, vegan gummy hair supplements, and hair serum. The brand claims that 100 percent of users see 3.5 times more visible volume in 16 weeks, but that’s as part of the four-part regimen.

I personally tested this shampoo as a standalone product, and though I don’t specifically shop for vegan products, it felt good having a vegan, cruelty-free shampoo in my shower. It left my hair appearing fuller and bouncier after each wash. I also liked the fragrance, which seemed to be a soft, vanilla-and-fruit blend that was pleasant but not overpowering and lasted into the second day after washing. One downside of the distinct fragrance was that it did not pair well with the non-Briogeo conditioner I used. 

Maple Holistics Rosemary Biotin Shampoo offers an instant volumizing effect on hair, while also boosting scalp and hair health over the long term. You can use it as a standalone product, though the company recommends also using its Biotin Conditioner, Rosemary Essential Oil, and Boost Biotin Supplement.

Writer Sarah Glinski, RD, found that the Rosemary Biotin Shampoo achieved what she hoped. “It makes my hair appear fuller ... from the roots to the ends,” she said, adding that she felt her hair also appeared “bouncy.” The results during the testing period were not particularly drastic in terms of solving her thinning hair problem, however.

While the Rosemary Biotin Shampoo is designed for men and women with fine or thinning hair, its ingredients are nourishing and natural enough that it can be used by anyone. Its fragrance, which is pleasant but not particularly flowery, is also well suited to a wide variety of users, since it’s not strong or floral in nature. This selling point may be particularly noteworthy to people who share shampoo with a partner or others in their home. 

As expected, this shampoo and conditioner set has a rosemary-based fragrance that’s infused with hints of mandarin, jasmine, and cedar. Editor Olivia Campbell described the fragrance as “more masculine” than she typically prefers but noted that it was appropriate for all.

Campbell was also happy with the results she saw. “My hair dried and styled great; it was more manageable using this shampoo,” she said, adding that she didn’t see any major regrowth while using the shampoo but, trusting the ingredients and their effectiveness, she feels it’s likely it would support thinning hair.

Swanson’s husband, Dan Swanson, who tested this, observed a mild, minty scent with use that left his scalp feeling tingly in a way he appreciated. “The mixture of the smell with the tingling on your scalp makes it just right,” he noted, while also admiring the shampoo’s packaging.

When it comes to effectiveness, our tester used the shampoo without the conditioner and felt like it offered a good nonmedicated solution for someone starting to experience hair loss. “Going by the tingling on my scalp, I believe that with extended use this will tighten follicles and help reduce hair loss,” he said.