The 9 Best Hair Thickening Shampoos For Men in 2026, According to Experts

ProsAlso helps increase shineGentle cleansingLarge sizeConsOver $40The scent might be too floral for some (though it's certainly not overpowering)When it comes to shampoos that make hair appear and feel thicker (not boost growth), no option scored as high with our testers as this bottle from Kérastase. Not only does this luxe shampoo clean like a dream, but Dr. Kash notes that it's also formulated with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and peptides that help add volume to hair strands, creating a thickening effect.We can confirm this certainly made our hair look and feel thicker, not to mention the cleansing chops. It’s simply a quality shampoo that we’d recommend even for those with naturally thick locks, especially for men who use a lot of product in their hair. Kérastase packs a powerful lather, strong enough to wipe away the most stubborn grime and sweat, as well as the densest waxes, pomades, or clays.To be clear, this shampoo is unisex; however, it markets heavily toward women and is designed to withstand the most intense of hair sprays, mousses, or gels. That being said, a byproduct of this is that it has more of a floral scent than you’ll find in most other options on this list.For us, this scent was subtle enough that it didn’t hinder our ability to use the shampoo regularly as long as you’re using an appropriate amount of it and not overindulging. Still, if you’re 100 percent against floral scents or sensitive to fragrances in general, you might want to look at one of the other options on this list. Dr. Kash isn't the only pro who backs this stellar thickening shampoo either. Dr. Rachel Westbay, MD,, a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical, explains that it not only helps with hair density but also thoroughly cleanses your hair. She adds that this shampoo is enriched with ceramides to promote elasticity and strengthen the hair, along with a dose of salicylic acid, which offers a thorough cleanse.Plus, you barely have to use more than a couple of dabs of this stuff to enjoy the results. We found a nickel-sized amount was more than enough for any man’s hair that sits above the shoulders. So while over $40 is a bit steep for a shampoo, this one lasts long enough to neutralize the cost. Add to the boost in shine we saw after one wash with this shampoo, and it’s easy to justify the price tag.Read More: Best Shampoos for Thinning HairHair TypeAllKey IngredientsHyaluronic acid, ceramides, peptidesSize8.5 ozProsContains saw palmetto which can help block DHTSulfate-freeFresh scentConsMay be drying on textured hairHims continues to be one of our go-to brands for men's self-care and wellness. This well-reviewed volumizing shampoo offers a deep clean, as well as volumizing benefits, backed by its ability to fortify hair strands, which we saw as soon as the first wash.The included niacinamide is known to improve blood circulation on the scalp, which in turn helps hair look healthier and also encourages growth. Another hero ingredient in its formula is saw palmetto, which is known to help block DHT (which contributes to male pattern hair loss), so it’s no wonder that our flow was given a boost.The formula is also free of any parabens, sulfates, silicones, and phthalates, so most of our testers found it to be compatible with their hair without causing any reactions. An extension of this versatility is its subtle but eucalyptus scent, perfect for those who enjoy a scented shampoo, as well as those hoping to rely more on their cologne and other scents for fragrance. Not to mention, at under $12 a bottle, it's a pretty great value.Read More: Best Shampoos for MenHair TypeAllKey IngredientsSaw palmetto, lactic acidSize6.4 ozAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsContains botanicals that can help block DHTCan also help strengthen hairContains botanical ingredientsOne of the larger bottles on this listConsNeeds to be left on for a few minutes to get full effectThe essential oil-type scent might be off-putting for some This Pura D’Or shampoo is highly recommended by William Gaunitz, FWTS, a certified trichologist and founder of Advanced Trichology. He adds that he has seen many clients bring this shampoo to his clinics and say they genuinely noticed improvements in their scalp health while using it.Like most Pura D’Or products, this shampoo is loaded with botanical and organic ingredients, with none as crucial as its hefty dose of biotin (aka vitamin B7). This nifty vitamin helps support the production of keratin, which is the primary protein that makes up hair strands.This protein is essential for supporting the structural foundation of hair strands, therefore plumping up locks and potentially helping other growth (though, again, this is not a solution to balding and merely a means of helping hair live up to its fullest potential).The biggest issue we’ve found with biotin-led shampoos, or even more naturally leaning formulas in general like this one, is that they have a tendency to dry our hair out. However, Pura D’Or avoids this common pitfall, and we found it to give that refreshing feeling without drying out strands. This is likely due to the hefty amount of moisturizing aloe vera (also natural!) in its formula.Now the downside. Pura D’Or notes that you must keep the shampoo in your hair for two minutes to see the best results; however, we found it’s closer to four or five minutes. Not the end of the world, but certainly a nuisance for those who like to shower quickly (or conserve water).Beyond that, like many natural ingredient-led beauty products, this has a pretty strong essential oil smell. It’s not overpowering in any way, and we generally dig essential oils anyway, but it could be annoying if you’re especially anti those scents.Hair TypeAllKey IngredientsMeadowfoam oil, saw palmettol, apple stem cells, caffeineSize16 ozProsSulfate-free, veganSafe for color treated hairNew bottle design that improved previous common issue with dispenser ConsCan leave curly hair greasyDr. Kash also recommends this volumizing and thickening shampoo because it strikes the perfect balance between effectively cleansing without overly drying out hair or weighing it down. This is a common complaint our fine hair testers have with not just thickening formulas, but shampoos in general, because finer hair generally produces less oil (again, critical for hair health and keeping the scalp moisturized) and is more prone to breakage than thicker or curly hair.Living Proof combats this with a blend of amino acids, led by amaranth peptides, which help reduce friction between strands and plump finer hair. Plus, it’s also safe for color-treated or chemically treated hair thanks to the inclusion of phytantriol in the formula. This was especially appreciated by our fine-haired testers who dye their gray hair.Hair TypeFine or thinKey IngredientsAmino cleansing complex, amaranth peptides, phytantriolSize8 ozAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsContains DH blockers to reduce hair thinning Effective on all hair types, including color-treated Developed by dermatologistsSulfate-free, paraben-freeConsSome testers reported minor issues with the dispenserMost of the shampoos on this list are intended to merely help hair appear thicker, not battle the process of balding. However, this stellar option from DS Labs is an exception. For board-certified dermatologist Dr. Chris Tomassian, MD, it all comes down to its ingredients.He explains that shampoo is effective because it contains caffeine, which boosts blood flow to the hair and reduces DHT, a hormone linked to thinning. It also includes procyanidin B2, a compound that research suggests may help promote hair growth, according to Dr. Tomassian. DS Labs' Revita Shampoo is formulated with a collection of DHT blockers, including caffeine, biotin, antioxidants, and amino acids to help battle any incoming hair thinning.Out of all the shampoos we tested, DS Labs' Revita Shampoo produced the most noticeable boost in both the appearance of volume and genuine hair thickness. That’s because it’s formulated with a collection of DHT blockers, including caffeine, biotin, antioxidants, and amino acids to help battle any incoming hair thinning. It also left our hair feeling soft, without being overly harsh or irritating, reminiscent of some of the more premium daily shampoos we've tried.Hair TypeAllKey IngredientsBiotin, caffeine, procyanidin B2Size7 ozProsSafe for color treated hairCruelty-free productionParaben- and sulfate-freeConsBottle is prone to leakageDr. Westbay is a big fan of this shampoo, thanks to the collagen in its formula, which makes hair look and feel thicker and stronger by boosting volume and adding dimension. We also loved the vitamin B7, aka biotin, that helped soothe our dry-scalped testers and left hair feeling silky smooth. Add in a dose of argan oil, and it’s no wonder our scalps were feeling ultra-hydrated after washing with this stuff. Of course, it’s free of any sulfates, parabens, or other common chemicals tossed in shampoos that our dry-scalped testers are sensitive to.Judging by the bright purple bottle and female-focused marketing, you might expect a strong floral scent, but we found the smell to be minimal and quite nice (more fresh than floral, to be honest). There is some fragrance in the formula; however, we didn’t find it to be enough to aggravate our dry scalps. We have found the dispenser pump to leave a bit to be desired, as it was prone to leakage both in the shipping process and over time from use.Hair TypeFine, dryKey IngredientsVitamin B7, argan oil, collagenSize16.9 ozAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsIncludes natural DHT-blockers saw palmetto and pumpkin seedStrong lather, so a little goes a long wayHypoallergenic formula According to Dr. Tomassian, this natural-ingredient-backed thickening shampoo is uniquely formulated to battle the effects of male pattern baldness. He points out that its ingredients are tailored to boost thinning hair and possibly even address androgenic hormonal hair loss (aka male pattern baldness).In addition to caffeine (beneficial for stimulating blood flow and reducing DHT), it also includes saw palmetto and pumpkin seed. Both of these ingredients are known for their DHT-blocking effects, helping to prevent the hormone from contributing to further hair thinning. Together, these ingredients create a powerful formula designed to support healthier, thicker hair growth, according to the dermatologist.When using, this shampoo’s no-nonsense, natural ingredient-fronted formula was certainly felt, producing one of the smoothest-feeling lathers on this list. We also dug that it was hypoallergenic for sensitive scalps, despite still being mildly fragranced. Plus, even for our testers who have yet to face any signs of baldness, this shampoo simply made their hair look and feel denser.Hair TypeAllKey IngredientsPumpkin seed oil, turmeric root extract, saw palmetto, caffeineSize8 ozProsContains prebiotics to boost scalp healthStrong latherMild but pleasant scent ConsContains fragrance, which can be irritating for those sensitiveOne of the more expensive options on this list, over $30 for 8 ozNot ideal for curly hair, some testers reported dryingSometimes, if you're just looking to give your hair a bit more volume, all it needs is some TLC. IGK's Extra Love does exactly that with its powerful combination of moisturizing coconut oil and prebiotics, like glycerin and date fruit ferment extract, that help support the scalp's natural microbiome by balancing its oil production.Plus, there's some biotin thrown in for good measure. It's no wonder Dr. Westbay backs the stuff. Dr. Westbay explains that this shampoo is ideal for those with thinning hair, helping hair look fuller and bouncier overall thanks to its mineral-rich ingredients. One key ingredient, Jeju water, is actually volcanic water that promotes healthy hair, according to the dermatologist. So it came as no surprise that our flow was looking fire after using this stuff.Hair TypeFine to normalKey IngredientsCoconut oil, glycerin, date fruit ferment extract, biotinSize8 ozAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsCan help address first signs of hair lossSulfate-free, paraben-free Luxurious cologne-like scentIngredients are largely plant-basedConsExpensive compared to others on this listThis ultra-luxe shampoo feels and smells like the top-tier, rich-lathering product it is, but it’s also packed with a proprietary compound of plant-based and scientifically developed ingredients to not only make hair appear thicker and fuller, but also help combat the first signs of hair loss. Sure, it's pricey, but the results we saw were well worth it. To say nothing of the incredible rich, woodsy cologne-quality scent it rocks. This shampoo is no joke when it comes to claims of thickening, either. We found that after a couple of weeks of use, our hair looked noticeably thicker (and genuinely might have been thicker thanks to the DHT-blocking formula). Plus, you really only need to use a small amount of this shampoo, as the lather is so expansive (which also helps offset the hefty price tag a bit). Hair TypeThin to NormalKey IngredientsProprietary “recovery compound”, Kigelia Africana fruit extract, Ginkgo Biloba leaf extract, rosemary leaf extractSize6.8 ozSean Zucker is the Grooming and Reviews Editor at Men's Health. He brings over half a decade of experience covering health, wellness, and lifestyle. When Sean's not writing about hair products, you can find him running for exercise, or toward the nearest food truck. Christian is the Style and Reviews Director at Men's Health and Women’s Health, where he oversees shopping and style content for both brands. He started his magazine career as an accessories assistant at Vogue, and has since held editorial roles at Tatler Asia and The Manual. When he’s not online shopping, you can find him on long walks with his two corgis.