Finding the best shampoo for fine hair can be a game-changer for adding volume and strength.
In this guide, we'll explore top shampoos specifically formulated to enhance fine hair, leaving it looking fuller and healthier.
Discover your perfect match and transform your hair care routine.
Table of content
How do our beauty editors rate?
To us, the best shampoos for fine strands:
- Strengthen strands and boost volume
- Gently cleanse and remove excess build-up
- Don't weigh hair down
And then, it must be:
- Highly-reviewed
- Clinically tested to thicken hair
- Approved by hair stylists
If it passed these criteria, they are a part of our list.
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What are the best shampoos for fine hair?
- Best shampoo for fine hair overall: Scandinavian Biolabs Hair Strength Shampoo
- Best for colour-treated hair: Pureology Clean Volume Shampoo
- Best to create volume: R+Co DALLAS Biotin Thickening Shampoo
- Best for fine & dry hair: Sisley Revitalizing Volumising Shampoo with Camellia Oil
- Best for fine & curly hair: Biolage Volume Bloom Shampoo
- Best lightweight formula: OUAI Fine Hair Shampoo
- Best two-in-one: Hairstory New Wash
- Best in your grocery store: L’Oréal Paris Botanicals Lavender Fine Hair Shampoo
- Best for hair cleansing: Act+Acre Cold Processed Hair Cleanse
1. Best shampoo for fine hair overall: Scandinavian Biolabs Hair Strength Shampoo
The formula is designed to support hair retention, encourage the look of new growth, and contribute to the overall condition of fine hair. This uses Capilia Longa that were extracted from turmeric with stem cell technology to feed hair follicles and encourage new growth.
The product is formulated to helps stop hair from getting thinner, supports the appearance of hair vitality, and contributes to the look of fuller, denser hair.
This shampoo is formulated for fine and damaged hair and aims to help improve the appearance of hair strands by cleansing excess oils and supporting scalp moisture.
Pros
- 100% drug-free, naturally-derived
- Clinically tested results
- No harmful side effects
- Healthier, stronger, and denser hair
- Exceptional price-to-quality ratio
Cons
- Tingling sensation from eucalyptus
2. Best for colour-treated hair: Pureology Clean Volume Shampoo
If you have fine hair and worry that using products on it would fade the colour, this might be the solution you've been looking for. Or if you're just looking to provide some hair thickening and keep your blonde hair healthy, this is one of the best options out there.
This Pureology Clean Volume Shampoo volumising shampoo is gentle enough for daily use and effective enough to remove buildup from the hair. This thickening shampoo is cruelty-free and made with natural cellulose to grow hair follicles to the tips.
Using this product, you can expect your coloured hair to retain its vibrancy and shine for longer, thanks to the shampoo's combination of aloe formula, soy protein, and an anti-fade complex.
Pros
- Multi-weight protein
- Includes natural extract
- Sulfate-free
- Silicon-free
- Vegan
Cons
- Can dry your hair out
3. Best to create volume: R+Co DALLAS Biotin Thickening Shampoo
Use R+Co DALLAS Biotin Thickening Shampoo if you have thin, limp hair and want to add volume. It's free of harsh chemicals like sulfates and parabens that can slow hair development while giving your hair a healthy shine, vibrant colour, and added thickness. This shampoo is best for thin and fragile hair.
It strengthens the keratin infrastructure of hair when applied to your hair and spreads through the middle, the roots, and the ends. This shampoo cleanses your scalp and provides a highly effective result for your hair development.
Compared to other shampoos, R+Co DALLAS Biotin Thickening Shampoo is in a league of its own. It's recognized as one of the most reliable hair-thickening shampoos on the market.
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Includes biotin
- Natural ingredients
Cons
- Contains silicone
- Smells revolting to some
4. Best for fine & dry hair: Sisley Revitalizing Volumising Shampoo with Camellia Oil
Even though fine hair is more likely to get greasy at the roots, it is still possible for the ends to remain dry. You can try Sisley Revitalizing Volumising Shampoo with Camellia Oil, loaded with vitamins and minerals like magnesium, zinc, and vitamins B5 and B6, to nurture and protect your hair and scalp if you need to add moisture. Camellia oil, used in this product, gives your hair a silky texture without adding excess weight.
Pros
- Includes camellia oil
- Smells great
- It contains vitamins and minerals
Cons
- Expensive
5. Best for fine & curly hair: Biolage Volume Bloom Shampoo
Curly hair are also susceptible to thinning, so investing in a high-quality shampoo from Biolage strengthens curls, revitalizes the scalp, and adds volume to fine hair is essential. Because it gives your hair a light shine, it makes your curls look better without making them flat. The result is curls that are bouncy, full, and delicate.
If you have thinning hair or flat hair and you want hair body-building shampoo for volume, try VolumeBloom. This shampoo was made with the expanding cotton blossom in mind. It gently cleans hair without stripping it, and it gives fine hair shine and volume while keeping it lightweight.
Pros
- Paraben free
- Silicon-free
- Vegan
- Weightless formula
Cons
- Contains sulfate
6. Best lightweight formula: OUAI fine hair shampoo
If you need help with your fine hair, OUAI haircare is the company to call. The OUAI Fine Hair Shampoo will revitalize your fine hair. Hydrolyzed keratin is one of the many vital elements in this formula, and it's responsible for silky smoothness. It restores the keratin in the hair follicle and helps control frizz.
Biotin's fortifying effects contribute to its ability to boost resistance to stress. Chia seed oil adds volume, and chia seed extract hydrates hair from the inside out.
The OUAI Fine Hair Shampoo adds body and thickness to your hair without weighing it down. It's effective on any hair type and rinses clean without leaving any residue.
Pros
- Phthalate-free
- Sulfate and paraben free
- Includes biotin
- Lightweight
Cons
- Smells strong
7. Best two-in-one: Hairstory New Wash
Wait wait wait. Before you call us heretics for recommending a two-in-one, hear us out.
Many of us are busy with our lives, or just couldn't care less about a meticulous regime to produce visibly plump strands.
It does not remove the natural oils in the hair or leave it dry and brittle, and it doesn't include any synthetic chemicals or detergents. Being a two-in-one solution (cleanser and conditioner), it requires no effort and is perfect for those who prefer less-intensive methods.
We know that washing your hair too frequently can damage the hair, but many people with fine hair can't wait. If you have very oily hair and find that cleaning it once a week isn't enough to eliminate the dirt and grime buildup, we recommend New Wash.
Pros
- No synthetic chemicals
- Shampoo+conditioner combo
- For all hair types
Cons
- It can make hair oily and greasier
- Low Trustpilot rating
8. Best in your grocery store: L’Oréal Paris Botanicals Lavender Fine Hair Shampoo
This L’Oréal Paris Botanicals Lavender Fine Hair Shampoo is formulated to specifically target the scalp, which calms and soothes from the roots up to create a solid foundation for thicker, stronger hair.
The essential oils of lavender, soy, and coconut oil give off moisturizing characteristics that protect the hair from drying out and looking dull.
The revitalizing and nourishing shampoo removes all the dirt and oil from the scalp and hair. This leaves hair shiny, smooth, and free of tangles.
Pros
- Most affordable
- Paraben free
- Sulfate-free
- Silicon free
- Vegan
Cons
- Some reviewers complained about the smell
9. Best for hair cleansing: Act+Acre Cold Processed Hair Cleanse
Use Act+Acre Cold Processed Hair Cleanse if you want your fine hair to develop to its full potential. It's very beneficial for fine hair because it helps nourish the developing process. The mixture has a lot of vitamins and antioxidants, like rosemary, which improves circulation in the scalp and helps repair damaged hair follicles.
This results in soft hair that can regrow naturally to be longer and stronger from the roots up. In addition, it has vetiver, lavender, and amaranth oil, which work together to stop hair breakage and protect the hair shaft from drying out.
Pros
- Gentle treatment
- Sulfate-free
- Includes baobab oil
- Petrolatum-free
- Vegan
Cons
- Contains phenoxyethanol
What ingredients to use?
If you want to add some volume to your fine hair but need help knowing where to start, there are a lot of different ingredients you may seek. Choose formulas containing vitamin B5, vitamin B12, zinc, collagen, niacin, essential amino acids, polymers, biotin, or hyaluronic acid. Botanicals such as:
- ginseng
- stinging nettle
- pumpkin seed oil
- turmeric
- ginger
What ingredients to avoid?
What should not be included in a hair thickening product is as crucial as what to have. Avoiding silicones is better if you have fine hair. You should also avoid mineral oil, triclosan, parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, and other similar compounds. Although they aren't necessarily bad for everyone, they can make thin hair even thinner, so if the volume is what you want, you should avoid them.
What is fine hair?
The width of the hair strands, also known as their diameter, is the unit of measurement for the fine strand. When individual strands have narrower diameters, we refer to the hair as "fine hair." Finer hair is much thinner than other hair types. However, this has nothing to do with your hair's density.
Technically, fine hair lacks the medulla, the core component of the hair strand. Because of this, the diameter of each hair strand is significantly reduced. It's interesting to note that lighter hair colours, especially blondes, tend to have finer hair than darker hair. Here are some more traits of fine hair:
- It's smooth and silky
- Easy to straighten
- Lightweight
- Fragile and breakable
- It is challenging to retain hairstyles
These are also what the best hair loss shampoos for men and women can fix.
Conclusion
Fine hair, while delicate and unique, requires specialized care to maintain its health and volume. The market in 2023 offers a plethora of shampoos tailored to address the specific needs of fine hair, from enhancing volume to strengthening strands.
Whether you're looking for a product to protect color-treated hair, boost hydration, or simply cleanse without stripping natural oils, there's a shampoo on this list for you.
Remember to consider the ingredients that work best for fine hair and those to avoid to ensure you're making the best choice for your hair type.
With the right shampoo, you can transform your fine hair into a lustrous, voluminous mane that turns heads.
FAQs
What kind of shampoo is good for fine thin hair?
Shampoos that are specifically formulated for volumizing and strengthening are ideal for fine, thin hair. Look for products that contain ingredients like biotin, vitamin B5, and amino acids. It's also beneficial to choose shampoos that are free from heavy silicones and sulfates, as these can weigh down fine hair.
Can fine hair grow thicker?
Fine hair refers to the diameter of individual hair strands, and it's largely determined by genetics. While you can't change the natural thickness of individual strands, you can improve the overall density and health of your hair, making it appear fuller.
What causes fine hair?
Fine hair is primarily determined by genetics. However, other factors can contribute to hair thinning, such as lifestyle choices, recent life events like extreme weight loss or childbirth, and certain medical conditions.
How to increase hair volume?
To naturally boost hair volume:
- Use volumizing shampoos and conditioners.
- Blow-dry your hair upside down for added lift at the roots.
- Incorporate regular scalp massages to stimulate blood flow.
- Avoid heavy styling products that can weigh hair down.
- Maintain a healthy diet rich in vitamins and nutrients, especially those known to promote hair health.
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