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Hair

9 Best Products for Thinning Hair to Create Fullness and Lift

 

Regrowth can take time, but these products use keratin, biotin, and other ingredients to lend the appearance of thicker hair.

Ever feel like your hair seemingly thinned overnight? One day, it’s full and bouncy; the next, it looks a little sparse around your hairline. The best products for thinning hair can help create immediate volume, even if genetics, hormones, or stress aren’t doing you any favors. “Stress and diet play a big role, and deficiencies in iron or copper can contribute to hair thinning,” says Sanda Petrut, stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. “Chemical treatments, excessive heat, and even scalp conditions like contact dermatitis can also lead to hair loss.”

Actual hair regrowth takes time, a lot of patience, and a handful of science-proven ingredients, but volumizing hair products can work right away—giving you the illusion of fuller, thicker hair. “There’s no magic bullet for instantly thicker hair in a permanent sense, but styling products with ingredients like keratin and panthenol can create the illusion of temporary volume,” says Jerome Lordet, founder and owner of Jerome Lordet Salon in NYC. And these days, new products “not only target thinning hair but also support overall hair health, helping hair grow stronger and healthier,” he says.

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Best Product for Thinning Hair Overall: Curology Hair Formula Rx

Why we love it: If you want to tackle permanent regrowth and slow hair fall, Curology Hair Formula Rx is a personalized, prescription-strength treatment that helps with hair loss with three proven active ingredients (which could include minoxidil, finasteride, or ketoconazole—an antifungal medication) tailored to your scalp’s needs. It often consists of a higher dose of minoxidil than you’ll find over the counter. Hair serums work “only if they have an active ingredient like minoxidil, which helps prevent the hair from going into sleep mode,” Morgan Rabach, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, previously told Allure. To get your custom hair growth formula, snap some selfies, answer a few questions about your hair and scalp, and send it all in. A dermatologist will review everything and prescribe a customized topical solution of up to three active ingredients.

Key ingredients: ingredients vary but may include minoxidil, ketoconazole, or finasteride | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Shampoo for Thinning Hair: Ouai Fine Shampoo

Why we love it: Ouai Fine Shampoo is more than just a favorite among Allure editors—it’s also a go-to shampoo for thinning hair among pros. “This shampoo strengthens hair, reduces frizz, and adds body,” says Jae Manuel Cardenas, a senior stylist at Sally Hershberger NoMad in NYC. Chia seed oil, hydrolyzed keratin, and biotin—found in this shampoo and its perfect match, OUAI Fine Hair Conditioner—strengthen the hair cuticle and bring dull strands back to life. “Plus, it has the most beautiful citrusy scent—think Italian lemon, orange, and jasmine,” says Cardenas. “But what I love most is that it’s sulfate-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free, and safe for color-treated hair—so really any hair type can enjoy it.”

Key ingredients: biotin, hydrolyzed keratin, chia seed oil | Fragrance-free: no

Best Conditioner for Thinning Hair: Bumble and Bumble Thickening Volume Conditioner

Why we love it: The Bumble and Bumble Thickening Volume Conditioner is a go-to for Petrut, and it’s easy to see why. Packed with panthenol (aka pro-vitamin B5) and lightweight hydrators like coconut and safflower seed oils, it delivers just the right amount of moisture for thinning hair without adding unnecessary. “This conditioner plumps each strand without leaving any residue,” says Petrut. This conditioner’s ingredients do precisely what it promises, coating each strand for a thicker, fuller look.

Key ingredients: panthenol, coconut oil, sunflower seed oil | Fragrance-free: no

Best for Lift: Davines Volu Hair Mist

Why we love it: For weightless, touchable volume that lasts, Davines Volu Hair Mist delivers in an instant, and you don’t have to worry about the crunch or stickiness that often comes with other volumizing products. “The mist is lightweight and breathable, so it never feels heavy, even on fine hair,” says Lordet. “I love that it enhances body while maintaining movement and softness—it’s about volume that looks real, not overdone.” Plus, thanks to antioxidant-rich caprauna turnip extract, it does more than just volumize—it actually nourishes and strengthens hair as it lifts, leaving it healthy, shiny, and full all day.

Key ingredients: caprauna turnip extract, provitamin B5 | Fragrance-free: no

Best for Volume: Oribe Maximista Thickening Spray

Why we love it: We’ve long relied on Oribe to repeatedly deliver good hair days. If you're after maximum volume and thickness, look no further than Oribe Maximista Thickening Spray. It’s packed with thickening copolymers to pump up the volume and lock it in, plus amino acids to keep hair strong and moisturized. And because Oribe always goes the extra mile, its signature complex protects against environmental stressors, while built-in heat protection keeps your hair safe from hot tools. If your thinning hair is also prone to frizz, the cetrimonium chloride in this spray provides conditioning and anti-static powers—making it especially helpful for curly hair.

Key ingredients: amino acids, thickening copolymers, cetrimonium chloride | Fragrance-free: no

Best for Scalp Health: RevitaLash Cosmetics Thickening Shampoo

Why we love it: The RevitaLash Thickening Shampoo gives fine, flat hair an instant boost as you cleanse. “Volumizing shampoos use lightweight cleansers and ingredients like polymers, proteins, and panthenol to coat hair strands, making them look thicker,” says Mona Mislankar, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of the Cincinnati Skin Center. “It’s all about temporary fullness rather than actually thickening the hair.” She loves RevitaLash’s formula because it follows this approach and keeps hair healthy—plus, she says, “it smells great.” It also contains loquat leaf extract, which is thought to inhibit a hormone linked to hair thinning and loss.

Key ingredients: panthenol, biotin, willow bark extract | Fragrance-free: no

Best Mousse: R+Co Rodeo Star Thickening Mousse

Why we love it: Creating voluminous hair starts in the shower, but to keep that full, bouncy look going, the right styling products are key, like R+Co Rodeo Star Thickening Foam. “This styling foam delivers quick, non-sticky fullness with a soft, touchable feel,” says Petrut. It incorporates skin care-inspired ingredients, like vitamin E to deeply condition hair, kiwi fruit extract to help maintain moisture balance, and aloe vera leaf extract to minimize breakage and add shine, to give hair a fuller, bouncier look. If bold volume is what you’re after, this is your go-to.

Key ingredients: vitamin E, kiwi fruit extract, aloe leaf extract | Fragrance-free: no

Best Powder: RPZL Hair Volume Powder

Why we love it: For weightless body and surfer-girl texture, the RPZL Hair Volume Powder “is a texturizing powder that helps give the illusion of more hair," says Petrut. “The feeling is a little gritty to help give the hair grip, and that’s what creates extreme, long-lasting volume with minimal effort.” The tech is pretty noteworthy: This formula encapsulates a volumizing lotion inside a powder sphere made of silylated silica, mica, and pumice. It activates the moment it hits your hair, delivering an all-over lift and serious root boost in seconds. (FYI: A little goes a long way.)

Key ingredients: silylated silica, mica, pumice | Fragrance-free: no

Best Spray: Living Proof Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray

Why we love it: Don't just take our word for it—Living Proof Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray is an Allure Readers’ Choice Award winner for a reason. This weightless finishing spray does it all: “It’s so lightweight, yet it gives hair that instant life and fullness and a soft, touchable texture,” says Petrut. It also offers heat protection up to 410°F, making it a great multitasker for styling. Since it works on dry hair, you can use it any time—whether reviving third-day hair or giving a fresh blowout a more lived-in vibe. If your thin, fine hair deflates at the first hint of humidity, this spray’s hydrophobic resins repel moisture, keeping your volume intact.

Key ingredients: minerals, starches, hydrophobic resins | Fragrance-free: no

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best proven product for thinning hair?

If you’re experiencing hair thinning, the right products can make a big difference. The best approach focuses on hair growth, scalp health, and follicle strength. “Minoxidil is the most tried-and-true ingredient for hair loss and thinning,” says Dr. Mislankar. (That’s why you can find it in Rogaine, as well as in other over-the-counter hair growth treatments.

Other ingredients like biotin, caffeine, and rosemary oil might get top billing, but their long-term benefits have yet to be proven. More helpful is to remember that scalp care is hair care.  “Keeping your scalp healthy is key—eliminating excess oil and buildup helps create the best environment for growth,” says Cardenas, who recommends washing your hair regularly. If you’re dealing with product buildup, an exfoliating scalp serum or scrub can help you maintain a healthy scalp.

Can hair grow back after thinning?

Hair can grow back after thinning, but whether that happens depends on the cause of hair loss. “In some cases, like telogen effluvium—temporary hair shedding caused by stress, illness, or hormonal changes—hair often grows back on its own with time and patience,” says Dr. Mislankar.

However, if thinning is due to androgenetic alopecia (hereditary hair loss), long-term treatments like medications or procedures are usually needed to maintain new growth. “While waiting for hair to regrow, avoiding excessive heat styling or harsh chemicals helps prevent further damage,” she says. In the meantime, she recommends using volumizing shampoos, leave-in treatments, and strategic hairstyles to help your hair appear fuller while you wait.

What are the best ingredients for thinning hair?

The three primary hair-loss treatments are minoxidil, finasteride, and ketoconazole. While there are a lot of hair supplements and topicals out there that promise to boost hair density, only a handful of ingredients out there actually work—and these three make the cut.

Each plays a special part in encouraging hair growth. “Minoxidil works by widening blood vessels in your scalp, boosting circulation so more nutrients reach your hair follicles—helping to spark new growth and keep shedding in check,” says Dr. Mislanker. Finasteride blocks an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, which turns testosterone into DHT. DHT is the hormone that makes hair follicles shrink and leads to thinning—so when there’s less of it, your follicles stay active longer, helping to keep your hair where it belongs.

Finally, ketoconazole, which can be found over the counter in some dandruff shampoos, “isn’t just for fighting fungus—it also helps mitigate scalp inflammation, one of the culprits behind hair loss,” Dr. Mislankar says. “Research suggests it has mild anti-androgenic properties, meaning it may help minimize DHT’s impact on hair follicles.” Together—and if your doctor gives you the green light—they can create the ideal foundation for new hair growth.

Meet the experts

• Jerome Lordet, founder and owner of Jerome Lordet Salon in New York City
• Morgan Rabach, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Jae Manuel Cardenas, a senior stylist at Sally Hershberger NoMad in New York City
• Mona Mislankar, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of the Cincinnati SkKin Center
• Sanda Petrut, stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago

How we test and review products

We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created in order to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn’t want to pick up a purple shampoo that’s only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that’s never been tested by anyone with curls—right?

For our review of the best products for thinning hair, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and hair experts—many of whom want shinier, healthier-looking hair. Testers considered performance across four primary categories: efficacy, texture and experience, fragrance, and packaging. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.