<p>Thickening shampoos work in a few different ways. Most contain ingredients like proteins, amino acids, biotin, keratin, and more that help plump the strands and make them look thicker and fuller (at least in the short term). Many of these ingredients do double duty by also helping to strengthen your hair and make it more resilient. Some shampoos also contain ingredients like saw palmetto that have been shown to help block DHT in the scalp. (That’s the hormone that contributes to male-pattern hair loss.) That’s great news if one of the reasons you want to make your hair look thicker is because you’re losing it. Keep in mind that shampoos with hair-growth (or at least loss-prevention) potential are not a substitute for other topical medications, but they can work well as part of a larger hair-loss treatment regimen.</p><p>No matter your reason for reaching for a thickening shampoo, there are a variety of options. We tried and tested as many as we could get our hands on, and called up a few experts for good measure, to find the very best available. So before you turn up the volume, consult this list. <br></p>”/>
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Best Thickening Shampoo for Thinning Hair
Kerastase Densifique Densité Shampoo
Pros
- Increases shine
- Gentle enough for fine hair
- Large size
Cons
- Expensive
A dermatologist and cofounder of Root Hair Institute, Natalie Kash, M.D., recommends this shampoo to her patients because it contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, and ceramides that can “create a thickening effect,” while also cleansing the hair effectively yet gently. Plus, it gives hair a shiny, healthy appearance.
| Hair Type | All |
|---|---|
| Key Ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, peptides |
| Size | 8.5 oz |
Best Budget Hair-Thickening Shampoo
OGX Thick & Full + Biotin & Collagen Volumizing Shampoo
Pros
- Sulfate-free
- Large size
- Can help strengthen hair
Cons
- Fragrance is strong
Hardik Doshi, M.D., lead surgeon at Ample Hair Restoration Clinic in New York City, loves this inexpensive option for hair thickening because it has biotin and collagen in the formula, two ingredients that are “well-known for promoting hair volume and overall health.” There’s also wheat protein, which he says can help strengthen strands and reduce breakage, making thinner hair more resilient.
| Hair Type | Fine, thin |
|---|---|
| Key Ingredients | Vitamin B7, biotin, collagen, hydrolyzed wheat protein |
| Size | 13 oz |
Best Repairing Thickening Shampoo
Mr. Smith Volumising Shampoo
Pros
- Contains natural and plant-derived ingredients
- Sulfate-free
- Large size
Cons
- Expensive
The Australian botanicals and essential oils in this formula, like cuaçu butter and neem seed oil, fortify and strengthen your hair, while mango butter, hemp seed, and marula oil help to smooth and repair damage, especially from dying or bleaching. On top of all that, “it really does help volumize hair,” says John Arsenault, a hairstylist and cofounder of Mott NYC. And on top of all that, the formula has UV protection.
| Hair Type | All |
|---|---|
| Key Ingredients | Cupuaçu butter, neem seed oil, myrrh oil, marula oil, hempseed oil, mango butter |
| Size | 9.3 oz |
Best Thickening Shampoo with Keratin
Virtue Flourish Shampoo for Thinning Hair
Pros
- Strengthens hair
- Nourishes and balances the scalp
- Sulfate-free
Cons
- Expensive
Keratin is an essential protein for hair production, and this shampoo has loads of it. It helps repair damage and nourish both your scalp and your hair, and it can strengthen hair and make it more resilient against future damage. That would make this shampoo great on its own, but it also contains peptides, hyaluronic acid, red algae extract, and more, all of which help to create the appearance of thicker hair.
| Hair Type | Thinning |
|---|---|
| Key Ingredients | Keratin, red algae extract, peptides, larchwood extract, probiotic ferment |
| Size | 8 oz |
How Do Hair-Thickening Shampoos Work?
Generally, thickening shampoos work in two different ways. Often there is a thickening agent like protein or something else that sticks to the hair and superficially makes it look thicker after you wash with the shampoo. Some will also (or instead) contain ingredients like vitamins or plant extracts that can nourish and balance the scalp and hair to improve their health and sometimes remove excess oil that can weigh down hair. (Astringent ingredients like tea tree oil are good for this.) Others can contain ingredients that block DHT and stimulate hair growth. Keep in mind that any hair-growth claims made on shampoo bottles are tricky because, while it’s a topical product, people tend to wash it off quickly. In order to achieve any hair growth or hair-loss prevention, you generally need to let it sit on your scalp for a few minutes before washing it off.
What Ingredients to Look For in a Hair-Thickening Shampoo
Not all ingredients will work for everyone, and how well something works for you depends on your scalp, hair type, and other factors, warns Dr. Kash. But there are plenty of ingredients out there that have been shown in studies to improve the quality of hair and make it appear thicker and fuller. Look for biotin, which can strengthen hair; caffeine, which can stimulate hair follicles and increase blood flow to the scalp; keratin, a protein essential to hair production; niacin, which can improve blood flow to the scalp; and saw palmetto, which can help block DHT production, which contributes to hair loss.
What Ingredients to Avoid in a Hair-Thickening Shampoo
Generally, ingredients like sulfates (surfactants that can strip the hair of natural oils), silicones (which can build up on hair and weigh it down), and artificial fragrances (which can cause scalp irritation) should be avoided, not just in thickening shampoos but in all shampoos.
How to Pick a Hair-Thickening Shampoo
The first thing you should consider is your scalp and hair type, recommends Dr. Kash. Harsh ingredients like alcohols and sulfates can dry out your hair and scalp, so if you already struggle with dryness, you should avoid them. Oily scalps, on the other hand, can tolerate deeper cleansing, and you should use them to help reduce oil that can weigh down hair and make it look thinner. The best thing to do is to choose a shampoo that’s been formulated for your hair type to take out some of the guesswork. Also consider how frequently you wash your hair. (If you wash often, choose a gentler shampoo that won’t strip your hair of its natural oils, for instance.) Finally, hair texture should be taken into account. Curly and textured hair requires more moisturizing than fine or thin hair, so pick a richer, more hydrating shampoo.
Why Trust Us
We’re not going to say something is great unless it’s actually great. Every product in Esquire’s roundups is carefully chosen by our grooming and e-commerce teams.
When it comes to skin care, you can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting products that we’ve personally tried, tested, and loved. Our grooming editor, Garrett Munce, along with the rest of the style team, has spent years lathering, massaging, rinsing, and test-driving hundreds (thousands!) of hair products, and we are confident that these are the best.
Every pick on this list (and our other lists) comes from these years of testing. We know that everyone’s skin is different, no two men are the same, and what works for you may not work for everyone. But if you’re looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.
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