Now that I've entered my mid-20s, I, more, than ever, (and more than I'd like to admit) compare my adult and younger self. My skin was a bit clearer. I didn't have this scar. And a more recent conundrum: My hair is not as full as it used to be.
As we get older, though, it is normal for our hair to start to thin, according to previous experts. Fine hair can be caused by genetics, age-related hair loss and many other factors. But no matter how it's caused, fine hair, regardless, can be difficult to manage.
While we might lean on styling products to boost fine hair, maintaining a healthy scalp and strands starts with the way we wash. "Just like your face, your scalp is skin care," says Mandy Buechner, a certified trichologist. Shampoos for fine hair can enhance volume, remove product build-up (grease, residue) and add overall body without weighing your strands down. This makes them essential in a routine for fine hair.
Thus, choosing a fine hair shampoo is just as important as the step itself. We leaned on the advice of experts to find the best shampoo for fine hair, depending on your hair type and needs. Plus, editor picks you can also shop.
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What are the best ingredients in a shampoo for fine hair?
Because fine hair "is susceptible to being weighed down by heavy moisturizers," notes double board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp, you'll want to look for hydrating and protective ingredients that won't make your hair appear greasy. Some that our experts recommended are peptides, rice protein, panthenol, niacinamide, caffeine and hyaluronic acid. You can also look for "volumizing polymers and gentle surfactants" to "help lift roots without buildup," suggests board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick.
All in all, avoiding "products with silicones and sulfates, which can leave residue and dry hair" is the best practice Camp advises.
Benefits of some of the ingredients mentioned above include:
- Keratin: Buechner says that using keratin can add "structure and over time can build density around the cuticle layer of the hair," which could potentially boost the body of limp strands.
- Niacinamide (vitamin B3): We might be used to niacinamide for our skin, but it also beneficial for the skin on our scalp when it comes to boosting hydration and moisture.
- Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5): We previously covered the benefits of using panthenol for nail health. However, the ingredient also "adds moisture and shine without heaviness," explains Buechner.
How often should you shampoo fine hair?
As a best practice, Garshick recommends “every other day or daily if it gets oily fast," which is common in fine hair. “Fine hair tends to get greasy more quickly because oil has less surface area to spread over,” she adds.
While this is a general rule of thumb for fine hair, you can also base the frequency you wash “on how oily your scalp skin is, product residue and hair type,” Camp notes.
Best shampoos for fine hair, according to experts
A drugstore pick:
"Their new formula is a volumizing favorite for fine hair," raves Buechner. "This formula uses biotin, collagen and wheat protein to give strands a fuller, thicker appearance. It’s affordable, easily accessible and won’t weigh hair down — ideal for daily use."
Best for fine curly hair:
Yes, curls and coils can form from fine hair. This Maui Moisture was made just for that, as the formula "nourishes and defines curls without weighing them down," mentions Garshick, with the help of 100% aloe vera, flaxseed oil and more.
A clarifying shampoo for fine curly hair:
The Bounce Curl Clarifying Shampoo shouldn’t affect the bounce of your curls as it removes build-up, grime and excess oil. It’s “great for fine curls that need a fresh start without losing definition or moisture,” says Buechner.
Great for all fine hair:
"Formulated with clean ingredients and balanced hydration, JOOY is safe for fine, color-treated or textured hair," details Buechner. "It gently cleanses without stripping the scalp, making it a great staple for households with diverse hair needs."
Ideal for color-treated fine hair:
Both Camp and Garshick recommend this pick from Ouai, specifically for those with colored-fine hair. "In addition to being color-safe, this fortifying shampoo protects fine, flat hair with the inclusion of hydrolyzed keratin, biotin and chia seed oil," says Camp.
Loved by dermatologists:
Another pick suggested by both dermatologists, Living Proof's Full Shampoo contains their Sili-CLONE HairTech, which claims to mimic the five benefits of silicone, such as adding softness and shine, without weighing down fine hair.
"While silicone-free, the ingredients in this color-safe shampoo support detangling, slip, sleekness, conditioning, and shine for cleaner, healthier [and] volumized hair," suggests Camp.
Good for fine to medium hair:
Containing panthenol, Bumble and Bumble's thickening shampoo treats your hair with hydration as it adds volume. Garshick also notes that the product "helps plump up strands and gives a light lift" making it "perfect for daily use as it is lightweight and good for those with fine to medium hair."
Best shampoos for fine hair, according to editors
If you have thin and fine hair:
I have both fine and thin hair. My hair used to have much more hair, but as I've gotten older, I've dealt with genetic hair loss. I've enjoyed using this Viviscal in my shampoo rotation as it offers thickness and fullness to my limp strands. While it doesn't combat my hair loss, over time, I've slowly seen an improvement in the body of my hair, which makes all of the difference.
For improving overall hair health:
Associate editor Kamari Stewart, who has fine, curly hair, has been using this new line from Kristin Ess, and has been "impressed with how soft and moisturized it leaves not just my hair but my scalp as well." Since she often colors her hair, she adds that the line is great for bond repair.
A solution for fine hair dealing with hair loss:
Suffering from hair loss? Commerce editor and producer Julie Ricevuto, who has fine hair, incorporated Nioxin's Hair Fall Defense Shampoo to help boost growth hair growth.
"I began by using this Nioxin shampoo every day, which utilizes niacinamide, caffeine and lauric acid to help stimulate the hair follicles and support stronger hair growth from the root," she said in her review. "It also deeply cleanses the scalp to remove buildup and create the optimal environment for hair to grow."
An award-winning shampoo:
This Oribe volumizing shampoo earned a spot in last year's Beauty Awards as the 'best overall volumizing shampoo' for many reasons: “It lathered up easily and honestly felt very luxurious on my hair," said lifestyle writer Sarah Lemire. "I didn’t need to rinse and repeat, which is always a bonus. The scent was delightful without being too perfumey. It definitely gave my hair a lift and made styling a breeze."
Editor's note: The brand has updated the shampoo's packaging since last year's beauty awards.
Frequently Asked Questions
While the two can be confused with each other, fine hair and thin hair are very different. You can have one or the other, and sometimes, you could have both hair types.
"Fine hair refers to the diameter of each individual strand — it’s naturally smaller and more delicate," explains Buechner. "You can have a lot of fine strands, and still have thick-looking hair."
Thin hair, on the other hand, is based on "the density or number of hair strands on your scalp within a square inch," the trichologist continues. "There are fewer follicles per square inch. You can have thick/coarse strands, but not very many of them within a square inch on the scalp."
"In addition to ingredients that protect hair, consider looking for products that contain thickening polymers for increased fullness and caffeine, which may encourage improved hair growth," recommends Camp. Garshick also recommends those with fine hair to avoid ingredients, such as heavy moisturizers or silicones, that can weigh the hair down. "Look for lightweight, volumizing formulas that cleanse well without stripping or flattening strands."
While there are many possible causes of thinning hair, Camp says the most common is “androgenetic alopecia, in which hormones, genetics and age all influence hair growth.”
Other potential causes, according to Buechner, include nutrient deficiencies (iron, zinc, vitamin D, biotin), stress, medications, over-styling or harsh treatments (tight hairstyles, bleach, heat) and poor scalp health (buildup, inflammation).
Buechner adds that you can identify early signs of thinning hair through a noticeable widening of the part, increased shedding, lighter hair, an itchy scalp and hair appearing limp, among others. “If you experience any of these symptoms, be sure to reach out to a board-certified dermatologist or certified trichologist for a more in-depth analysis of the problem,” she advises.
How we chose
To choose the best shampoos for fine hair, we leaned on the recommendations and expertise of dermatologists and trichologists. We also tapped into the knowledge of Shop TODAY editors, asking them to share their favorite shampoos for fine hair they own and love.
Meet the experts
- Dr. Brendan Camp is a double board-certified dermatologist in dermatology and dermatopathology at MDCS Dermatology.
- Dr. Marisa Garshick is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology.
- Mandy (Mandy B. Beauty) Buechner is a certified trichologist at Thairapy Wellness Center.
