The 9 Best Shampoos for Thicker Hair You Can Buy Online

Best Overall

Nioxin’s System 2 Shampoo is specially crafted for thinning, natural, untreated hair. Infused with nourishing ingredients like niacinamide, biotin, and caffeine, it works to nourish the roots, boost follicle stimulation, and fortify the hair from root to tip. 

“It’s ideal for thinning hair and enhances both scalp health and hair thickness,” says hair transplant specialist Dr. Ross Kopelman, MD, which is why it’s his top pick for the best overall hair-thickening shampoo.

This shampoo targets follicle-clogging sebum and impurities, fostering a healthy scalp environment that leads to thicker, fuller hair. Beyond improving the appearance of thinning strands, this formula helps reduce hair breakage, preventing further loss. It also includes UV-protecting ingredients, making it perfect for those with color-treated hair.  

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, biotin, caffeine | Size: 33.8 ounces

Best Drugstore

At under $10, OGX Thick & Full + Biotin & Collagen Shampoo takes the crown as our top choice for an affordable hair-thickening shampoo. Dr. Kopelman appreciates its value and its inclusion of biotin and hydrolyzed collagen, which give the hair a thicker appearance.

Along with biotin and collagen, this formula is designed to protect against the loss of vital lipids and proteins, helping reduce breakage and keeping hair smooth. Its sulfate- and paraben-free formula makes it ideal for those with color-treated or damaged hair. The refreshing scent of bergamot, jasmine, and vanilla turns every wash into a luxurious, spa-like experience. 

Key Ingredients: Biotin, hydrolyzed collagen | Size: 13 ounces

Best for Hair Growth

The Zenagen Revolve Thickening and Hair Loss Shampoo is specifically designed to encourage hair growth in women dealing with early stages of hair loss, earning it our top spot for the best hair-thickening shampoo focused on hair growth.

Holistic trichologist Tabitha Osman recommends this shampoo because it can visibly promote hair growth in thinning areas of the scalp after about three months of consistent use. This formula also features a unique blend of natural ingredients aimed at boosting hair density and making hair appear thicker and fuller.

Along with an amino acid complex and panthenol that make hair look denser, the formula includes glycerin to soften and smooth the hair cuticle, and aloe vera to stimulate hair growth, strengthen hair, and shield it from UV damage. 

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, panthenol, aloe vera | Size: 6.75 ounces

Best for Dry Hair

For dry or damaged hair, consider the Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Super Moisture Shampoo. This thickening shampoo is incredibly hydrating and perfect for repairing damaged hair while boosting volume, according to Dr. Kopelman. 

Formulated with B vitamins, this treatment nourishes dry strands caused by heat damage or chemical treatments. It also contains rosehip and sweet almond oils, which are packed with essential fatty acids that help prevent frizz and lock in moisture. 

Plant proteins work to fortify and repair fragile strands by replenishing lost keratin in the hair shaft. If you need a sulfate- and silicone-free option that won't further damage your delicate hair, this shampoo will leave your strands looking and feeling salon-fresh with every wash. 

Key Ingredients: Rosehip oil, algae extract, plant proteins, B vitamins | Size: 16 ounces

Best for Damaged Hair

Keranique Deep Hydration Follicle Strengthening Shampoo is designed specifically for dry, thinning hair, earning its place as the best hair-thickening shampoo for damaged hair. Certified trichologist Gretchen Friese recommends it for its ability to target dry strands in need of volume, repair damage, and support hair growth. 

This thickening shampoo is enriched with a keratin amino complex, biotin, and niacinamide to clear scalp impurities, strengthen and thicken strands, and improve circulation to stimulate hair growth. 

Besides protecting hair from further loss, this color-safe formula replenishes moisture and repairs damage caused by heat and chemical treatments. The hydrolyzed keratin creates a shield around hair fibers, leaving your locks ultra-smooth and bouncy. 

Key Ingredients: Keratin, biotin, niacinamide | Size: 8 ounces

Best for Oily Hair

Paul Mitchell’s Tea Tree Lemon Sage Thickening Shampoo is perfect for oily hair that needs a clarifying wash along with added volume and lift. This lightweight shampoo creates fullness, according to Dr. Kopelman. 

Tea tree oil, known for its antimicrobial properties, helps fight dandruff, prevents hair loss, and promotes a healthier scalp. Along with the invigorating tea tree oil, this shampoo includes panthenol, a thickening ingredient that increases volume and strengthens strands. 

The refreshing lemon and wild sage fragrance creates a relaxing, spa-like experience in the shower. This hair-thickening shampoo is ideal for all hair types but works particularly well for those with fine hair. 

Key Ingredients: Tea tree oil, panthenol, lemon | Size: 33.8 ounces

Best for Natural Hair

Natural hair tends to be drier, requiring a hair-thickening shampoo that provides ample hydration while also cleansing the scalp of impurities. Sienna Naturals Hydrating H.A.P.I. Shampoo does this perfectly, removing buildup without stripping essential moisture from curls, leaving them thick and bouncy. 

This plant-based shampoo is packed with nourishing ingredients like aloe vera juice, coconut derivatives, and baobab oil to leave hair soft and fuller-looking. Aloe vera, rich in fatty and amino acids, deeply hydrates and soothes the scalp while also strengthening hair and helping prevent hair loss. 

Coconut derivatives help strengthen the scalp’s moisture barrier, reducing irritation, while baobab oil penetrates the hair shaft to target dryness at the roots. 

Key Ingredients: Aloe vera juice, coconut derivatives, baobab oil | Size: 10 ounces

Best Volumizing

For those seeking a shampoo that not only thickens hair but also adds root volume for a blowout-like effect, the Living Proof Full Shampoo is the perfect choice. Dr. Kopelman appreciates it for delivering body and volume without weighing hair down.

This hair-thickening shampoo clears out excess sebum, sweat, and product buildup from the scalp, creating space for hair follicles to thrive. The outcome: soft, shiny, bouncy, and fuller strands.

Amaranth peptides help plump hair fibers, resulting in thicker locks, while marine algae polysaccharides shield hair from environmental damage and support hair growth. Additionally, phytantriol helps maintain color vibrancy and shields hair from the damaging effects of heat for those with color-treated hair.

Key Ingredients: Amaranth peptides, marine algae polysaccharide, phytantriol | Size: 8 ounces

Best for Scalp Detoxification

A potent blend of champagne, black pepper, and bentonite clay, the Goldie Locks Clarifying Detox Shampoo is Osman’s choice for the top clarifying hair-thickening shampoo.

Bentonite clay works to deeply purify the scalp by absorbing excess oil and impurities, while black pepper enhances hair shine and calms the scalp with its anti-inflammatory properties. Champagne not only boosts shine but also balances the scalp’s natural pH.

In essence, this shampoo clears away excess oil and impurities that can weigh down the hair and hinder growth at the follicles, leading to a well-balanced scalp, softer hair, and a fuller appearance.

Key Ingredients: Champagne, black pepper, bentonite clay | Size: 8.45 ounces

Final Thoughts

Our top recommendation for hair-thickening shampoos is the Nioxin System 2 Shampoo due to its rich formula filled with beneficial ingredients such as niacinamide, which boosts hair thickness and retains moisture, biotin, which supports hair growth and strengthens strands, and caffeine, which stimulates the hair follicles at the roots.

For those seeking an affordable drugstore option, we suggest the OGX Thick & Full + Biotin & Collagen Shampoo, which helps prevent breakage and encourages thickness with nutrient-packed biotin and hydrolyzed collagen—all for less than $10.

Tips for Shopping for Hair-Thickening Shampoos Like a Pro

Key Ingredients

When looking for a hair-thickening shampoo, focus on ingredients that strengthen the hair shaft and promote scalp health. Dr. Kopelman suggests, “Biotin, for example, is fantastic for enhancing the structural strength of hair strands and minimizing breakage.”

Biotin can also alleviate scalp dryness and maintain the hair's natural shine, according to Carrie Prowant, a certified trichologist at Keranique. Keratin, the protein naturally present in hair, helps to reduce breakage by replenishing lost proteins in the hair shaft, enhancing the hair’s strength and elasticity, Prowant explains. Additional proteins further contribute to repairing damage and improving overall hair strength, Osman adds.

In addition to biotin and proteins, ingredients such as niacinamide, caffeine, panthenol, saw palmetto, and green tea help foster healthy hair growth and combat thinning. Dr. Kopelman notes, “Niacinamide boosts blood flow to the scalp, while caffeine may stimulate hair follicles.”

Saw palmetto can block DHT, a hormone linked to hair loss, preventing thinning, says Osman. Green tea helps nourish hair follicles by reducing oxidative stress. Panthenol, a provitamin of B5, provides deep hydration and gives the hair a fuller appearance, according to Dr. Kopelman.

When shopping for hair-thickening shampoos, avoid ingredients like sulfates, harsh detergents, alcohols, parabens, silicones, and synthetic fragrances, according to experts.

Sulfates can cause scalp dryness, irritation, and long-term hair damage, Osman explains. “They may even create carcinogens and disrupt hormones.” Moreover, sulfates strip hair of its natural oils and cause color to fade, further damaging dry or color-treated hair, Dr. Kopelman warns.

Although silicones may give the hair a temporarily thicker feel, they tend to accumulate on the surface of the hair over time, preventing moisturizers from penetrating the hair shaft during conditioning. This buildup weakens the strands, according to Prowant.

Hair Concern

Hair-thickening shampoos address various hair concerns, primarily strengthening and adding volume to fine or thinning hair. They can also help reduce breakage and enhance volume for individuals experiencing early stages of hair loss, explains Dr. Kopelman.

Factors like oily, damaged, or color-treated hair affect the type of ingredients that will benefit you most in a hair-thickening shampoo. For oily hair, Dr. Kopelman recommends a lightweight formula containing clarifying ingredients like tea tree oil and salicylic acid to cleanse the scalp without weighing hair down.

For dry or damaged hair, Osman suggests opting for moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin, argan oil, and avocado oil to hydrate and repair while boosting fullness. For color-treated hair, Prowant recommends sulfate-free formulas with UV protectants like panthenol, sunflower seed extract, and fruit and vegetable extracts to maintain color vibrancy.

Hair Type

When selecting a hair-thickening shampoo, it's important to consider your hair type. The best ingredients for you will depend on your unique hair concerns and whether your hair is curly, straight, or fine.

As Prowant points out, someone with strong, coily hair will likely opt for a different shampoo compared to someone with fine, compromised hair. A good thickening shampoo should serve multiple purposes, tackling both volume issues and nourishing your hair type to maintain healthy strands.

Curly hair, being naturally drier than straight hair, benefits from richer, hydrating formulas. Dr. Kopelman suggests opting for shampoos containing shea butter or coconut oil to prevent frizz and keep hair moisturized.

Additionally, products infused with fatty acid derivatives, like flax or aloe gel, help infuse moisture and target the hair's cuticle layer. Tiffany Young, a certified trichologist and CEO of Thin Hair Thick, recommends tucuma butter for addressing dull, frizzy, dry hair that struggles to retain moisture.

For straight hair, Dr. Kopelman recommends opting for lighter formulas that include volumizing agents like panthenol and rice protein. Other useful ingredients for straight hair include peppermint oil, rosemary, saw palmetto, keratin, and various proteins that help strengthen the hair while promoting growth without reducing volume, says Prowant.

For those with fine or thinning hair, Osman advises looking for shampoos with volumizing proteins, biotin, niacinamide, and caffeine to stimulate the scalp and encourage hair follicle activity.

Questions You Might Ask

What is the difference between hair-thickening and volumizing shampoo?

Dr. Kopelman explains that the key distinction between hair-thickening and volumizing shampoos lies in their focus: thickening shampoos work to reinforce the hair shaft, making each strand appear fuller and healthier, whereas volumizing shampoos lift hair at the roots, creating more body. Thickening shampoos address the texture of individual strands, while volumizing shampoos focus on the overall volume of the hair.

Does hair-thickening shampoo actually work?

Hair-thickening shampoo can indeed make hair appear thicker, but it provides only a temporary solution to larger issues like hair loss. While these shampoos help strengthen hair and add volume, they won't alter the hair's density unless specifically formulated for hair loss or densifying, says Osman.

Dr. Kopelman highlights that while hair-thickening shampoos can show results, it's important to manage expectations. “They won’t regrow hair, but they can enhance the appearance and texture of thinning or fine hair by coating the strands and making them look fuller.”

For individuals facing hair loss, thickening shampoos work best as part of a broader strategy to address thinning hair, which might include maintaining a balanced diet, proper scalp care, and, if needed, medical treatments, says Dr. Kopelman.

Is hair-thickening shampoo good for hair loss?

As previously mentioned, hair-thickening shampoos can temporarily boost the look of volume and thickness for individuals dealing with early-stage hair loss. However, they don't tackle the underlying causes of hair loss, such as hormonal shifts or genetics, according to Dr. Kopelman.

For those experiencing hormonal hair loss, thickening shampoos can help foster the growth of fuller, healthier hair, especially if they're enriched with ingredients known to promote hair growth, says Friese. “With regular use, these shampoos can enhance hair health by slowing down hair loss and improving overall hair density over time,” adds Osman.

Take Our Word for It

This article was authored by Naydeline Mejia, a contributing writer for Mytour, with over five years of experience in product reviews and lifestyle writing, particularly in the beauty sector. For this piece, we researched various hair-thickening shampoos, evaluating factors like formulation, size, and value.

We also consulted experts such as Dr. Ross Kopelman, MD, a hair transplant surgeon at Kopelman Hair Restoration; Tiffany Young, a certified trichologist and CEO of Thin Hair Thick; BosleyMD certified trichologist Gretchen Friese; Keranique certified trichologist and hair extension specialist Carrie Prowant; and Tabitha Osman, a master stylist and holistic trichologist, for expert product recommendations and advice on what to look for in a hair-thickening shampoo.