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Byrdie / Sabrina Jiang
If you have thin locks, you might have a love/hate relationship with haircare products. Many formulas just weigh down your hair or make it so sleek it looks limp. And yet, on the other hand, you may rely on them to give you the body you crave. Beyond styling products, though, there's one thing you have to make nice with...shampoo.
Washing your hair is all about cleaning your scalp and getting rid of the gunk, but the right shampoo can also work to nourish, strengthen, and thicken your hair. Some even promote new hair growth and contain ingredients like biotin and collagen. So, what are the best cleansers for fine strands? Believe it or not, we know of several effective formulas that won't break the bank (or your hair), many of which are under $15.
We conducted hours of research on the best drugstore shampoos for fine hair, evaluating them on their active ingredients like vitamin infusions, biotin, and collagen. We also had a look at what these formulas are free-from, notably sulfates and parabens, additives that can weigh down hair, something you'll want to avoid if you have fine hair. In evaluating products, we took into consideration all hair types and scalp conditions. After consulting with a stylist and evaluating dozens of different formulas, we landed on the following best in show.
Best Overall
OGX Extra Strength Biotin & Collagen Shampoo
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Amazon
Adds volume
Lightweight
Affordable
Could use more lather
"For a drugstore-brand shampoo for fine hair, I definitely love OGX Biotin & Collagen Shampoo. It's budget-friendly and gives you a lift," says New York-based hairstylist Sky Kim of Serge Normant at John Frieda.
Formulated with biotin (vitamin B7), it provides your hair with the nourishment it needs to grow strong. And thanks to the collagen, wheat protein, and bamboo fiber extract, it delivers plumping proteins to your strands to make your mop look fuller and more voluminous right out of the shower.
Price at time of publish: $10
Hair Type: Color-treated, fine, and thick | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Jasmine, coconut, and lemon | Size: 13 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Budget
Hask Biotin Boost Thickening Shampoo
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Walmart
Doesn't weigh down hair
Strengthens the strands
Cleans thoroughly
Could lather better
Looking to limit your shampoo budget to a few bucks? Check out Hask Biotin Boost. This thickening shampoo uses vitamin B7, collagen, and coffee to give life to fine, limp strands without stripping the cuticles or adding unnecessary weight.
Price at time of publish: $7
Hair Type: Fine, flat, thin | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 12 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Volumizing
ApotheCare Essentials The Booster Shampoo
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Amazon
Intensely moisturizes
Lightweight
Adds volume
Full of natural ingredients
Smell can be strong for some
If it's volume you crave, reach for ApotheCare Essentials The Booster. Formulated specifically for thin locks, this unfailing shampoo removes impurities, then plumps each strand with weightless nourishment.
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Geranium | Size: 12 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Plumping
Garnier Fructis Plumping Treat Shampoo + Watermelon Extract
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Walgreens
Adds volume
Full of naturally derived ingredients
Creates shine
Might be drying for some
Since its 2003 launch, Garnier Fructis has been a go-to in the drugstore haircare market. The brand continues to impress with new (mostly natural) formulas like its watermelon-infused Plumping Treat line. This smoothie-inspired showstopper cleanses, moisturizes, and boosts thin strands from the inside out—what more could you ask from a shampoo?
Price at time of publish: $6
Hair Type: Fine | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Watermelon | Size: 11.8 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Strengthening
Mielle Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo
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Amazon
Gently detangles
Encourages new hair growth with infused biotin
Gives intense shine
Can be drying for some
Are you working with weak, brittle strands or split ends? Mielle's Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo will deliver the TLC your hair needs. The strengthening formula combines biotin with natural ingredients like babassu seed and coconut oil to bring your locks back from the brink while gently detangling and encouraging new hair growth.
Price at time of publish: $10
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Rosemary mint | Size: 12 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Hair Growth
Organi Grow Hair Co. Growpoo Clarifying Shampoo
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THEORGANIBRANDS
Full of natural ingredients
Balances the pH in hair
Strengthens the hair
Tad pricey per ounce
Growpoo is serious about hair growth. Combining hydrating vegemoist, strengthening babassu, fortifying oleic acid, and pH-balancing apple cider vinegar, plus a range of other carefully selected ingredients, this shampoo pulls out all the stops. A deep-cleansing clarifying shampoo, it kills dandruff-causing bacteria and nourishes your hair while stimulating the scalp.
Price at time of publish: $21
Hair Type: Dry, damaged, and brittle | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: None | Size: 8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Fullness
Real Raw Shampoothie Biotin Boost 611 Thick + Full Shampoo
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Target
Full of natural ingredients
Enhances elasticity to create volume
Improves moisture
Can be drying for some
Real Raw Shampoothie's take on thickening shampoo is a scrumptious cold-pressed blend of coconut water and aloe juice, plus yogurt and biotin. The result? Moisturized hair with enhanced elasticity that looks healthy and visibly fuller.
Price at time of publish: $8
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: None | Size: 12 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Sulfate-Free
L'Oreal Paris EverStrong Thickening Shampoo
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Amazon
Affordable
Fortifying and builds 15x more strength
Cleanses without stripping
Faint scent
Might be drying for some
Sulfates are useful for cleansing, but they can also strip the hair, which isn't helpful when your strands are already notably thin. Infused with rosemary extract, L'Oreal Paris Ever Strong helps prevent breakage by fortifying fine, fragile hair.
Price at time of publish: $9
Hair Type: Thin and fine | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Rosemary | Size: 8.5 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Natural Hair
Maui Moisture Thicken & Restore + Bamboo Fiber Shampoo
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Amazon
Gently nourishing
Adds density and strength
Creates shine
Might cause breakage for some
Formulated with natural textures and curls in mind, Maui Moisture Thicken & Restore blends aloe vera, coconut water, castor oil, and bamboo fibers to densify and strengthen. When you wash with this shampoo, you can expect revitalized, strong-looking hair with volume, bounce, and a healthy shine.
Price at time of publish: $9
Hair Type: Color-treated, natural, and transitioning | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Coconut | Size: 13 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Color-Treated Hair
John Frieda Volume Lift Weightless Shampoo
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Amazon
Lightweight
Adds volume in one use
Creates softness and bounce
Sprayer easily clogs
For color-treated hair, John Frieda has you covered. The brand's Volume Lift Weightless Shampoo uses "Air-Silk" technology to deliver weightless body and noticeable fullness without stripping the hair follicles.
Price at time of publish: $8
Hair Type: Color-treated, fine, and flat | Sulfate-Free: No | Size: 8.45 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Dandruff
Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Dandruff Shampoo
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Amazon
Gives multi-symptom relief
Nice scent
Rids of dandruff-causing bacteria
Could cause more itching for some
Head & Shoulders might not be the sexiest 'poo on the drugstore shelf, but the thing is, it works. If you're dealing with a chronically flaky mop, washing with this pyrithione zinc formula helps to rid your scalp of dandruff-causing bacteria. And when your scalp is healthy, your hair has a better chance of growing strong.
Price at time of publish: $7
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Classic Clean | Size: 13.5 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Pump Bottle
Love Beauty And Planet Sulfate-Free Coconut Water & Mimosa Flower Shampoo
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Amazon
Lightweight
Adds thickness and volume
Gentle enough for daily use
Strong smell
Pump bottles often offer the best value, plus they're more convenient to use in the shower. This option from Love Beauty And Planet contains over 32 ounces of lightly moisturizing shampoo that strengthens and leaves your hair with undeniable body.
Price at time of publish: $15
Hair Type: Fine and flat | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Coconut and floral notes | Size: 32.3 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Unknown
Best Organic
Avalon Organics Volumizing Rosemary Shampoo
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Amazon
Adds volume and thickness
Gently cleanses
Certified organic, plant-based formula
Strong smell
Avalon Organics Volumizing Rosemary Shampoo is made with essential oils, vitamins, and naturally derived botanicals like aloe and plant proteins. You can count on it to gently cleanse while leaving fuller, thicker, more voluminous hair in its wake.
Price at time of publish: $10
Hair Type: Thin and limp | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Rosemary | Size: 11 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Scent
Hempz Sweet Pineapple & Honey Melon Volumizing Shampoo
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Amazon
Stimulates new hair growth
Nice scent
Adds volume and thickness
Not for sensitive skin
Hempz has been creating delicious-smelling skincare since the late 90s. With a dedicated fanbase and a growing demand for hemp-infused cosmetics, the brand's recent haircare venture was a long time coming. This all-natural shampoo is meant to thicken while stimulating new hair growth, but it really stands out for its mouth-watering pineapple and honeydew scent.
Price at time of publish: $16
Hair Type: Color-treated, fine, and thin | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Sweet pineapple and honey melon | Size: 6 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Dry Shampoo
Dove Volume and Fullness Dry Shampoo
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Walmart
Instantly absorbs oil
Adds volume
Nice smell
Takes time to work in
Since fine hair can start looking greasy sooner than later, you're wise to keep dry shampoo on hand—especially if your hair is fine yet oily or you like to skip washes. This trusty aerosol can by Dove instantly absorbs oil to make your locks look cleaner while pumping your roots with volume.
Price at time of publish: $7
Hair Type: Fine, flat, oily, and limp | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: None | Size: 5 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Mature Hair
Biota Botanicals Advanced Herbal Care for Thinning-Damaged Hair Daily Care Shampoo
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Amazon
Hair looks thicker
Smells nice
Helps brighten tone
Contains sulfates and methylchloroisothiazolinone
Hair tends to thin as we age, and this shampoo is intended to give your scalp a boost to promote fuller-looking hair. A nourishing blend of herbal extracts, including nettle root and chamomile, it lathers well and makes hair feel fuller and softer. Reviewers love that it boosted shine and even helped refresh faded highlights.
Price at time of publish: $24
Hair Type: Fine, flat, oily, and limp | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Herbal | Size: 10.1 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best with UV Protection
Pure Nature Argan Oil Deep Hydra Nourishing Shampoo
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Amazon
Moisturizes and smooths
Sulfate-free
Strengthens hair
Not for oily hair
If you spend a lot of time in the sun, especially if you have fine hair, you're prone to color fade. Enter this argan oil-infused shampoo that is formulated to hydrate dry hair and protect it from heat and UV damage. The short ingredient list also contains collagen and bolsters weak strands while it helps add shine. It's also free of common preservatives that can lead to irritation on sensitive scalps.
Price at time of publish: $16
Hair Type: Fine, flat, dry | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Original | Size: 16.9 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Final Verdict
When it comes to the best drugstore shampoos for thin hair, OGX Extra Strength Biotin & Collagen Shampoo is tough to beat. The stylist-recommended formula nourishes with vitamins, proteins, and plant fibers to plump each strand from the inside out. That said, you'll get the most bang for your buck with a pump bottle of Love Beauty And Planet Sulfate-Free Coconut Water & Mimosa Flower Shampoo, which combines natural ingredients to provide strength and fullness.
Meet the Expert
Haley Balayage is a Las Vegas-based hairstylist with editorial and commercial work featured. She specializes in creating high-volume hairdos for clients at all price points, and finds many drugstore brands to be effective.
What to Look for When Buying Shampoo for Fine Hair
Intended Use
When browsing shampoos for fine hair, you'll want to pay attention to the intended use of each product. Cleansers will often have words like "volumizing," "plumping," or "thickening" in the name or product description, which tells you they're formulated to either expand your strands or at least make your hair look fuller.
Some shampoos use keywords like "strengthening," "fortifying," or "nourishing," in which case they're designed to help repair damaged or brittle hair. Some options help promote hair growth, which will usually be specified on the label or in the product description. You'll also want to look for products designed to be lightweight so they don't weigh down fine hair, and avoid products that are designed for smoothing the hair, as they're usually geared toward coarser hair types.
Biotin
Shampoos and other hair products for fine locks often contain biotin, a nutrient that nourishes and fortifies thin strands while encouraging new growth. Additionally, the B vitamin can make your hair look instantly thicker and healthier without weighing it down. Real Raw Shampoothie Biotin Boost Shampoo contains a biotin complex.
Other Ingredients
Besides biotin, there are a handful of other ingredients to look out for when shopping for shampoo. "I would look for anything that adds fibers so that the hair itself will actually expand in size," says Haley Balayage, a Las Vegas-based hairstylist. You'll often see formulas with bamboo fibers, which add density while strengthening the hair shafts.
Then there's collagen, wheat, and other natural proteins which help plump and lift fine strands. Stimulating ingredients such as rosemary and coffee extract invigorate the scalp to promote new growth.
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Theresa Holland is well-versed in haircare solutions for fine strands. As an experienced beauty writer with inherently thin locks, she's not only researched but personally tried many of the items on this list. Her drugstore go-to's include OGX Extra Strength Biotin & Collagen, Head & Shoulders, and Avalon Organics. You can check out more of Theresa's work on Verywell Mind and MyDomaine.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough drugstore shampoo for fine hair from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
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