Investing in hair loss shampoos is a proactive step towards maintaining healthy hair and addressing any concerns about hair loss or thinning. Most modern shampoos contain ingredients such as caffeine, biotin, and keratin, formulated to target the root causes of hair loss.
While shampoos alone might not fully reverse hair loss, they are a vital part of a holistic treatment plan, effectively complementing supplements and medical treatments.
At Lady and the Hair Salon, we’ve rigorously tested over 26 top-rated shampoos for hair loss and thinning, conducting an 8-week trial with more than 1,000 customers. Our findings highlight the best options for various hair types and conditions whether oily, dry, or colour-treated. Explore our expert-backed guide to find the perfect shampoo to support your hair growth journey and restore confidence.
“Choosing the right shampoo is crucial for maintaining a healthy scalp environment, especially when facing hair thinning or loss,” says Dr. Emily Harris, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in hair restoration. “A quality shampoo can support your hair growth efforts by nourishing the scalp and strengthening strands, serving as a foundational element in your hair care routine.”
Key Takeaways
- Top products for hair loss/thinning: Our expertly reviewed list includes options like Nioxin System 2 for overall hair density, Briogeo Destined For Density for a caffeine-boosted approach, and Olaplex No. 4 for repairing damaged strands.
- Real Testing, Real Results: Over 300 hours of testing with 1,000+ clients ensures the recommendations are based on proven performance.
- Tailored choices: Find the best formulas for oily, dry, and color-treated hair, addressing various hair thinning needs.
Best 12 Shampoo Products for Hair Loss/Thinning with over 300 hours tested by Expert
If you are looking for the best shampoo for hair loss in Australia, we have you covered. Below are the top products in the market that have shown the best results with oily hair tested at our salon. These shampoos are formulated with high-quality ingredients designed to nourish the scalp, wash away excess oil, strengthen hair follicles, and promote regrowth.
Best Overall: Nioxin System 2 Cleanser Shampoo
This popular hair loss shampoo is designed for natural hair with noticeable thinning. Some featured ingredients include biotin, niacinamide, and caffeine, which help stimulate hair follicles and nourish the hair roots.
Nioxin System 2 Cleanser Shampoo
Amazon rating: 4.6-star rating from over 5,600 customers.
Amazon price: 300ml/10.1 Fl Oz costs around 40 AUD.
Result:
After using the Nioxin System 2 Cleanser Shampoo for six months, our testers reported visibly thicker and fuller hair, with reduced shedding around the hairline. It effectively cleansed the scalp without stripping moisture, creating a refreshed feeling after each wash. Although the price is slightly higher than average, the improvements in scalp health and hair density make it worth the investment. Testers particularly appreciated the noticeable volume and healthier appearance of their hair after continued use.
Best for Hydration: Vegamour HYDR-8 Hydrate and Repair Shampoo
Formulated to cleanse, hydrate, and repair damaged strands, Vegamour HYDR-8 promises 72-plus hours of hydration and frizz reduction. Key ingredients include Biotin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, and Citrus Junos Peel Oil.
Vegamour HYDR-8 Hydrate and Repair Shampoo
Amazon rating: 3.9-star rating from 125 buyers.
Amazon price: 50 AUD per 236ml/8fl Oz.
Best Performance/Price: Briogeo Destined For Density Caffeine + Biotin Density Shampoo
Designed for all hair types, this shampoo uses a potent blend of caffeine and biotin to stimulate the scalp and support hair density. The caffeine boosts circulation, promoting healthier follicles, while biotin strengthens each strand, reducing breakage. Ideal for those experiencing thinning hair, it’s sulphate-free and gentle, making it safe for colour-treated hair.
- Amazon Rating: 4.5 stars from 1,200+ reviews
- Price: AUD 42 for 236ml/8 fl Oz
Result:
After testing Briogeo’s shampoo for six months, users experienced thicker and healthier-looking hair, with new growth visible along thinning areas. The gentle, sulfate-free formula maintained scalp health without irritation, making it suitable for color-treated hair. Despite the higher price, many testers were impressed by the long-term results and smoother hair texture. One tester even mentioned the appearance of baby hairs in areas that previously had sparse growth, highlighting the formula’s effectiveness over time.
Best for Refreshing Scalp: Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Scalp Care Anti-Thinning Shampoo
This anti-hair loss shampoo is formulated with a Regeniplex botanical blend to nourish the scalp and stimulate hair volume and strength.
Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Scalp Care Anti-Thinning Shampoo
Amazon rating: 4.4-star rating from over 3,700 customers.
Amazon price: AUD 45 PER 300ml/10.14fl Oz.
Best Budget-Friendly: ArtNaturals Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo
As noted earlier, hair-loss shampoos are formulated to tackle hair thinning by nourishing the scalp and strengthening the hair follicles. If you have been diagnosed with alopecia, specialised alopecia shampoos offer targeted solutions that combat hair loss and stimulate new growth. Below are some of the best hair-growth shampoos for thinning dry hair.
Marketed as a moisturising, volumising, and softening shampoo, ArtNaturals Moroccan Argan oil works well for both men and women with curly or straight hair, blondes or brunettes.
ArtNaturals Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo
Amazon rating: 4.4-star rating from over 4,900 customers.
Amazon price: AUD 20 in a 473 ml/16 fl Oz bottle.
Best for Damaged Hair: Fable & Mane HoliRoots™ Shampoo
If you struggle with dry, damaged and thinning hair, the Fable and Mane HoliRoots Shampoo offers a moisturising, rejuvenating, silicone-free, and cruelty-free formulation.
Fable & Mane HoliRoots™ Shampoo
Amazon rating: 4.2-star rating from 103 customers.
Amazon price: 250 ml/8.5 fl Oz bottle costs AUD 45.
Result:
After 12 weeks of testing, Fable & Mane HoliRoots™ proved to be a game-changer for damaged hair. Testers reported significant improvements in hair strength and a reduction in split ends. The silicone-free and cruelty-free formulation was particularly popular with users seeking natural hair care solutions. While the formula is rich, it rinses out easily without leaving residue, leaving hair soft and manageable. Though some found the floral scent strong, most agreed that the results were worth the feel.
Best for Split Ends: Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
This reparative and highly moisturising shampoo leaves hair healthier and easier to manage. It’s commonly used to treat split ends and control damage in dry and thinning hair.
Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
Amazon rating: 4.6-star rating from over 71,500 customers.
Amazon price: AUD 45 for a 250 ml/8.5 fl Oz bottle.
Best for Intense Moisture: Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo
Formulated for thinning and damaged hair, the Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo is infused with reconstructive keratin and antioxidant-rich argan oil to help restore moisture, elasticity and shine.
Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo
Amazon rating: 4.6-star rating from over 12,906 customers.
Amazon price: AUD 38 for a 250ml/8.5 fl Oz bottle.
Best for Curly Hair: Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Hydrating Shampoo
Curly hair often requires sufficient moisture to maintain its elasticity and texture. The right shampoos for thinning curly hair must be specifically formulated to add moisture, volume and strength to the fragile hair strands. Using hair-thickening shampoos can help create a fuller appearance by plumping up individual strands and reducing breakage. In the sections below, we have rounded up some of the best shampoos for thinning curly hair.
This shampoo has been formulated with naturally derived cleansers that remove dirt and excess oil without stripping moisture from the hair. Avocado oil in this formulation softens the hair and enhances the shine. The shampoo is safe for colour-treated, chemically-treated, and keratin-treated hair.
Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Hydrating Shampoo
Amazon rating: 4.2-star rating from 396 customers.
Amazon price: AUD 42 for a 236ml/8 fl Oz bottle.
Best for Natural Shine: Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo
As the name suggests, this shampoo features coconut oil, which protects and hydrates hair while replenishing lost oil. It also has silk protein and neem oil, which hydrate and detangle hair for healthy and bouncy curls. If you want to transform your dry and brittle hair strands, this hair-thinning shampoo offers many benefits.
Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo
Amazon rating: 4.5-star rating from 20,508 customers.
Amazon price: AUD 13 for a 384ml/13 fl Oz bottle.
Best for Sensitive Scalps: DevaCurl Low-Poo Original Mild Lather Cleanser
The DevaCurl Low-Poo is a mild-lathering, moisturising shampoo formulated for dry, medium to coarse curls. One key ingredient in this shampoo is the organic raw Shea Butter that helps restore natural lipids to damaged hair.
DevaCurl Low-Poo Original Mild Lather Cleanser
Amazon rating: 4.4-star rating from 694 buyers.
Amazon price: AUD 48 for a 355ml/12 fl Oz bottle.
Best for Frizz Control: Living Proof No Frizz Shampoo
This sulphate-free, anti-frizz shampoo gently cleanses and smoothes the hair, eliminating dirt and residue buildup. Thanks to its lightweight formulation, equipped with high-quality ingredients, this shampoo rejuvenates dry and frizzy hair.
Living Proof No Frizz Shampoo
Amazon rating: 4.4-star rating from 462 customers.
Amazon price: AUD 100 for a 710ml/24 fl Oz bottle.
How to Choose the Right Shampoo for Your Hair Type
Everyone’s hair condition is different, and it’s crucial to choose a shampoo that’s designed specifically for a particular hair type. Some factors to pay keen attention to when choosing a hair shampoo include the hair texture and the scalp condition. Here’s how the different hair types determine your ideal shampoo:
Oily Hair
People with oily hair often need to wash their hair frequently to remove excess oil. Shampoos containing ingredients such as salicylic acid or tea tree oil can help control excess oil production without irritating the scalp or stripping off the natural oils.
Curly or Coily Hair
Curly hair is prone to frizz and dryness. Opt for curl-enhancing shampoos with moisturizing ingredients like jojoba oil, glycerin, or silk proteins. These ingredients help retain moisture, keeping curls soft and defined without adding weight.
Dry Hair
Dry hair often appears dull and brittle due to moisture loss. Shampoos containing rich ingredients like shea butter, argan oil, or coconut oil can restore hydration. A study on hair health suggests that these oils penetrate the hair shaft, improving elasticity and reducing breakage.
Colour-Treated Hair
For dyed hair, choose colour-safe shampoos free from sulphates and enriched with UV filters. This helps preserve colour vibrancy while protecting hair from sun damage. Look for products specifically labelled for colour-treated hair to maintain shine and prevent fading.
Read more: Best purple shampoo for colour hair.
Thin or Fine Hair
For thin hair that lacks volume, you should opt for volumising shampoos with lightweight formulas. Ingredients to look out for include rice protein, biotin and tea tree oil, which are known to strengthen and thicken individual strands without weighing them down.
Application Tips
To maximize results, use hair loss shampoos 2-3 times per week, ensuring not to over-wash. Overwashing can strip natural oils, leading to further dryness and potential hair loss. Adjust the frequency based on your hair’s response and seasonality.
Prioritize formulas that include herbal extracts and vitamins commonly found in hair tonics. Ingredients like rosemary and saw palmetto have been known to stimulate scalp circulation, supporting healthy hair growth.
Why Trust Lady and the Hair Salon?
Lady and the Hair Salon is guided by the expertise of our founder, Prue, a senior hair expert with over 20 years of experience in the industry. Prue’s deep understanding of hair care, combined with her passion for helping clients find the best solutions for hair loss, drives our rigorous testing process.
We tested over 26 shampoos for hair loss and thinning, conducting an 8-week trial with more than 1,000 clients and gathering over 300 hours of hands-on feedback. This extensive research ensures our reviews reflect real-world results and offer genuine recommendations tailored to various hair needs.
Additionally, we collaborate with dermatologists and hair care specialists like Dr Emily Harris, ensuring our content is backed by science and practical salon insights. Whether you have oily, dry, or colour-treated hair, you can trust that our reviews are informed by both expert analysis and real experiences.
Conclusion
Hair loss shampoos are specialised products formulated to address various forms of hair loss by nourishing the scalp and promoting hair regrowth. Some products in the list above can be categorised as hair-fall control shampoos since they help reduce hair shedding, while others are better classified as hair-regrowth shampoos since they stimulate new hair growth. Most shampoos are also designed for specific hair types, so you want to pick a product that works for you carefully.
FAQs
Do hair-thinning shampoos work?
Hair-thinning shampoos can help improve the appearance and health of thinning hair but aren’t typically a cure-all for hair loss. They work by creating a healthier scalp environment, which can encourage growth and reduce breakage. Key ingredients like biotin, caffeine, and peptides can strengthen strands and support volume. However, they are most effective when combined with a holistic hair care regimen, including proper diet and other hair growth treatments.
Can hair grow back after thinning?
Yes, hair can grow back after thinning, especially if the cause is identified and treated early. Thinning due to temporary factors like stress, nutrient deficiencies, or hormonal changes often improves with the right care and lifestyle adjustments. Hair-growth products, including shampoos, supplements, and scalp treatments, can also support regrowth. For persistent or severe cases, consulting a dermatologist is recommended to explore treatments like medications, laser therapy, or topical solutions like minoxidil.
