The best men’s shampoos for thinning hair, tested by our team

Thinning hair isn’t just a cosmetic concern — it’s a confidence killer. If you’ve noticed more hair circling the shower drain or your once-mighty mane looking a bit…sparse, you’re not alone.

Millions of men experience hair thinning as early as their 20s, whether from genetics, stress or environmental factors. But here’s the kicker: the right shampoo can actually make a difference. Yes, really.

This guide dives deep into the best shampoos for thinning hair in men: formulas backed by science, trusted by experts and raved about by guys who’ve seen real results.

“The most common cause of hair loss in men and women is often genetic, known as androgenetic alopecia,” Michele Green, MD, board-certified NYC cosmetic dermatologist who specializes in hair loss, shared with Post Wanted. “In men, this usually involves a receding hairline or thinning on the crown. In women, it appears as thinning across the entire scalp. Stress or fluctuating cortisol levels can also contribute to hair loss.”

We’re not talking about miracle potions or snake oil here. Today’s best shampoos for hair loss in men are packed with powerhouse ingredients like biotin, caffeine, ketoconazole and saw palmetto — each clinically linked to healthier, fuller-looking hair. But with hundreds of options out there, how do you know which product will actually work for your hair type, lifestyle and scalp needs? That’s where the Post Wanted team comes in.

Consider this your tailored roadmap to help you reclaim your hairline, one lather at a time. What makes this guide different? We blend science with real-world reviews, dermatologist insights with daily usability. Whether you’re experiencing early-stage thinning, dealing with male pattern baldness or just trying to strengthen what you’ve got, we’ve curated the best men’s shampoos for thinning hair across every budget and concern.

Here, you’ll find sulfate-free options for sensitive scalps, thickening shampoos with DHT blockers and even multitaskers that promote scalp health and reduce breakage.

But this isn’t just about shampoo; it’s about strategy. Thinning hair is often the result of multiple factors, and your approach should be holistic. Alongside our top shampoo picks, we’ll break down tips on scalp care, lifestyle habits and complementary treatments that supercharge your hair growth efforts. Think of this as your ultimate hair survival guide: smart, actionable and rooted in results.

Best Overall: ulo Thickening Shampoo

ulo

If your hair is thinning and you want a shampoo that truly brings it back to life, the ulo Thickening Shampoo deserves serious attention. It cleans your hair while actively treating it, thanks to the formula featuring panthenol and glycerin, which deeply hydrate and soften your strands so they look healthy, full and energized.

“For years, my styling regimen required a combination of blow drying and pomade, with some precision shots of hairspray for extra hold,” Al Murillo, senior director of commerce partnerships, shared. “I followed the same process for as long as I can remember, never giving much thought to the shampoo I used. But since switching to Ulo’s thickening shampoo a couple of months ago, my hair has developed a volume that is immediately noticeable after every wash.”

Murillo has even started to enjoy product-free weekends, with his hair keeping its bounce for hours.

“The improvement in firmness has been clear,” Murillo noted. “My hair now stands naturally at the front, which is something it had never done before, as it would always flop forward no matter how much I brushed it back.”

And the formula’s blend of rosemary, green tea and peppermint extracts is like a mini spa in a bottle. It leaves his scalp feeling refreshed and healthy, with no hints of dryness or irritation.

With the inclusion of hydrolyzed keratin and wheat protein, two powerhouse ingredients that strengthen fragile hair, helping it appear naturally thicker, the brand tackles thinning at the root level — literally. The shampoo blends caffeine and saw palmetto, ingredients known to stimulate scalp circulation and support a healthier hair growth cycle. Rosemary and peppermint oil nurture the scalp environment, giving hair the ideal conditions to grow stronger and denser.

For anyone looking to revive thinning hair and boost confidence, this shampoo delivers a complete, hair-supporting system.

Size: 8 ounces | Key ingredients: Glycerin, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Caffeine, Rosemary, Saw Palmetto

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Best for Hydration: OUAI Fine Hair Shampoo

Sephora

“The OUAI Fine Hair Shampoo won me over,” shared Adam Schubak, commerce senior manager of growth, faster than he expected. “After years of Staten Island–grade gels, a 2022 hair transplant and a recurring nightmare in which all my new hair evaporates overnight, I’m hyper-vigilant about anything that touches my scalp,” he said. “But from the first wash, OUAI felt different. The scent hit me with this oddly nostalgic, ultra-clean fragrance my doctor-prescribed shampoo never had, and the texture was thick enough that I needed less than usual to get a full, satisfying lather.”

Even before Schubak knew what was in it — hydrating panthenol, strengthening keratin and chia seed oil that plumps fine strands — he could feel it giving his hair a thorough cleanse without that stripped, squeaky feeling that always makes him nervous.

By Week 2, he genuinely thought I was imagining things because the shift was that quick. “My hair didn’t magically stop shedding, but it did feel more lush, hydrated, and style-friendly,” he said. “The formula’s lightweight conditioning ingredients gave my fine, transplant-scarred strands enough slip and moisture to actually cooperate, which meant I could finally flirt with that Pauly D–adjacent volume I’ve secretly wanted without going full Jersey Shore.”

Before and after using OUAI for four weeks. Adam Schubak

Photos didn’t lie either; his hair looked shinier and fuller at an event, and that boost of hydration kept everything from collapsing the second he stepped outside.

Week three sealed the deal when he confidently wore a black sweater (a dangerous choice for someone whose dry scalp has historically produced a light dusting of “winter,” he told us). Not a single flake. “My scalp felt nourished rather than tight, my hair looked less scraggly, and even my husband commented on how good it smelled (a first). By Week four, I had fully converted. The shedding had eased, the texture softened and when I blow-dried, I got this natural waviness that never happened before,” he noted.

Sure, it’s pricier than Schubak’s old shampoo, but because the formula is richer, he uses less and honestly, “the confidence of a hydrated scalp, fuller-looking hair and fewer nightmare-fueled anxieties is worth far more than the extra seven bucks,” he added.

Size: 10 ounces | Key ingredients: Biotin, Chia Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Keratin

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Best for Taming Shedding: Hims Thick Fix Shampoo

Amazon

The Hims Thick Fix Shampoo won commerce partnerships manager Frank Massaro long before he stepped out of the shower.

“As someone who’s always had a full head of thick, curly hair, I never pictured myself reaching for a ‘thickening’ formula – until our senior commerce editorial director Barret Wertz dropped the kind of wisdom that sticks: “By the time you notice hair loss, you’re already behind.”

That was enough to nudge Massaro into testing, and from the first wash, the tingly sensation on his scalp — something he’d never felt from a shampoo — made it clear this wasn’t just marketing fluff. It felt like the product was actually doing something, and he couldn’t help but be intrigued.

“Over more than a month of use, I didn’t experience any increase in shedding, dryness or flaking — an unexpected relief given that thickening formulas can sometimes be harsh. Instead, my hair genuinely looked and felt fuller, and even my wife noticed the difference when she ran her hands through it each week.”

The added tangles when combing were, oddly enough, a good sign — proof that the strands were getting a bit more substantial at the root. For someone who’s never worried about thinning before, seeing visible thickening was both surprising and oddly gratifying for Massaro.

The actual shower experience sealed the deal. The scent is a clean blend of earthy and floral, and the bottle isn’t kidding when it says a little goes a long way — a small dollop explodes into a plush lather. “And that signature tingle? I started looking forward to it,” he shared. “It’s become the tiny daily ritual that makes me feel like I’m doing something proactive for my hair’s future. With no adverse effects and only positive changes so far, Hims Thick Fix has turned me from a thick-hair skeptic into a preventative-care convert — and I’ll happily keep it in my routine.

This price is reflective of a two-pack on Amazon.

Size: 6.4 ounces | Key ingredient: Saw Palmetto

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How We Tested

Ahead, find the testing criteria the Post Wanted team took into account when assessing the efficacy of the best thinning shampoos for men:

• Reduction in Shedding: Our team tracked whether hair fall decreased during washing and brushing over several weeks to gauge the shampoo’s actual impact on thinning.
• Scalp Health: We monitored dryness, itchiness, irritation and flaking to see if the formula supported a healthy scalp without causing new issues.
• Thickening & Volume Results: We evaluated whether hair looked or felt fuller immediately after use and if those effects came with long-term application.
• Hair Texture & Strength: We assessed changes in softness, shine and strand resilience to determine whether the shampoo improves overall hair quality.
• User Experience: We considered scent, lather, ease of rinsing and how seamlessly the shampoo fit into a daily routine without leaving buildup.

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Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post

This article was written by Victoria McDonnell, New York Post Commerce Journalist & Content Strategist, who has spent countless hours researching, testing hundreds of products and comparing the latest makeup, skincare, hair and beauty items and trends to determine what’s truly worth your hard-earned cash. She evaluates formulas, textures, ingredients and more, in addition to consulting medical and industry experts. Some of Victoria’s latest conquests include testing the best vitamin C serums on the market, and a rinse-and-repeat review of the best shampoos of 2025. Victoria, who received a beauty industry essentials certification from the Fashion Institute of Technology, has been creating shopping guides for the New York Post since 2021 and previously held positions at Insider Reviews and CNN Underscored.

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