The Best Products for Thinning Hair for a Fuller-Looking Coif
I have fine hair—not thinning per se, but hair that benefits from volumizing stylers, thickening shampoos, and more of the best products for thinning hair. I remember the first time I used Hanz de Fuko’s Quicksand—it gave my hair fullness and reworkability and that gritty, matte texture that prior waxes or pomades up until then did not. The great news is that there is a world of stellar styling products that provide texture and density, but formulas and applications vary. Some guys swear by reworkable matte pastes, while others prefer a texturing powder’s oil absorption. It’s key to avoid anything that adds shine or weight, which can make fine or thinning hair fall flat. As David Connor, master barber and owner of Anti-Gravity Salon in New Orleans, says, “A matte finish styling product will achieve more volume, texture, and better coverage for thinning hair.”
Thickening shampoos and conditioners can also aid the thinness cause. “Thickening shampoos incorporate ingredients that plump or coat the hair follicle to expand its diameter and decrease the space between strands, creating the look of fuller, denser hair,” Dr. Sonia Batra, M.D., A.B., M.P.H, says. We’ve rounded up some of the best clays, sprays, mousses, shampoos, and even a supplement and tried-and-true treatment to help you pump up the volume. Maybe there’s one hero clay that does the trick, or perhaps it’ll take the right combo—but either way, the goal is the same: to help you zero in on the best thickening products for thinning hair.
The Best Products for Thinning Hair, According to GQ
In This Guide
Styling Paste
A great matte paste (or clay) is a holy grail for guys with thinning hair—it boosts volume while providing that piece-y definition that makes hair look textured and cooler. I always keep one in my rotation, especially a hybrid like R+Co’s, which is part paste and part dry shampoo—a game changer for a reworkable hold while also soaking up oil. “Pastes and clays both do the job, but they’re not the same and not really interchangeable,” says Connor. “Paste is creamier, softer, and spreads more easily through your hands, while clay is drier, thicker, and grippier.” Paste also provides a natural, sometimes slightly shiny finish for a softer, touchable style you can reshape throughout the day.
To apply paste or clay, start with a dime- to nickel-sized amount in your palm and rub it between your hands until it forms a thin, even layer. “Apply from mid-shaft to ends—not the roots—to avoid clogging pores,” advises. “And remember, you can always add more, but it’s hard to dial it back once you’ve overdone it. Think of it like layering—less is more.” It’s the same deal for clay, but “Stretch it from your fingertips across your palms to warm it up, which helps it spread easier and perform better.”
Styling Clay
Clay is generally thicker and denser than paste, with a grippy, dry texture that gives you more control and hold. Clay’s oil-absorbing properties can help if your hair gets oily, leaving a matte, natural-looking finish that creates the illusion of fuller, thicker hair. “Clay has a stronger hold than paste, and you’ll feel more friction when working it through,” says Connor. “That gives it structure and definition in the hair and adds texture and fullness with a dry, matte finish.”
Texture Powder
Texture powder is a (hopefully, not so after reading this) secret weapon for fighting thinning hair—it’s lightweight, easy to use, and boosts volume while soaking up excess oil. Some form is always in my medicine cabinet. “Texture powder is the ultimate styler for thinning hair,” says Connor. “It’s super refined and easy to apply. Don’t pour it on—shake it in and use your fingers to create friction.” That friction activates the product, coating strands, absorbing oil, and texturizing. “It builds space between strands, giving you volume that lasts,” Connor explains. Start with less, here. It’s super concentrated, and it’s easier to add more than to dial it back.
Volumizing Mousse
A volumizing mousse is another stellar option for boosting volume, but it’s more of a softening primer that adds slight texture and can set the stage for other styling products. “Think of a lightweight mousse as a supporting tool,” says Connor. “A blow dryer and mousse build an excellent foundation for clay, powder, or paste.” It absorbs excess oil and creates lift through subtle separation between strands, helping hair rise and appear fuller. While you can use mousse on its own without a blow dryer, it’s not ideal for thinning hair, as it might cause strands to clump together and reduce the appearance of volume.
Thickening/Texturing Spray
Thickening sprays have long been the OGs in the volumizing game as they provide that lived-in texture—usually by using minerals or fibers to coat the hair. Bumble and Bumble’s Surf Spray is a tried-and-true classic for guys who want a just-back-from-the-beach vibe that’s easy to rework throughout the day. On the other end of the dial is R+Co’s Thickening Spray, which is more of a root-lifting styler or finisher you mist into damp hair, giving you volume with a softer vibe. While you can use these on dry hair, they shine on slightly damp strands when you can work them in, let them dry, and get that lived-in texture.
Thickening Shampoos and Conditioners
Shampoo cleans your hair and scalp, but some sudsers specifically (say that 3x) thicken and volumize by coating the hair to create the illusion of fullness or by helping lift strands. There are many options, but I always keep Sachajuan in the mix—its Ocean Silk Technology, made from two cold-water algae extracts, gives my hair a noticeable boost. And because I have fine hair, I’m also a fan of Living Proof’s volumizing conditioner; it uses a bio-derived fatty acid polymer to deliver shine, smoothness, and fuller-looking hair.
Some shampoos focus less on thickening hair and more on supporting hair health to combat thinning over time. These treatment shampoos improve circulation and strengthen hair at the source. According to Dr. Batra, some key ingredients to look for include caffeine (to boost blood flow), biotin (to fortify and thicken strands), keratin (to reinforce the hair shaft), and extracts like saw palmetto, which may help block DHT—a hormone linked to hair loss. Brands like Keeps use saw palmetto and biotin, while Feel Confident, founded by a board-certified MD and hair restoration surgeon, combines pumpkin seed oil for strength, caffeine, and saw palmetto and turmeric root to address DHT at the root.
Dry Shampoo
Batra explains that “dry shampoos absorb scalp oils and add texture, making hair look fuller and feel cleaner without water—a temporary volumizer, not a substitute for actual cleansing.” Many of these quick-fix thickeners use starches or silica to coat the strands and give the illusion of thickness. I’m a big fan of the Gold Lust spray from Luxe Haircare OGs Oribe—it smells salon-like and provides an instant lift.
Supplements and Treatments
Healthier, thicker hair starts from within, and if you’re seeking a natural, non-prescription supplement, Nutrafol has done its homework with these potent capsules. The hype is legit. I’ve been taking it for over a year, and my hair feels fuller, denser, and stronger. They pack in a targeted blend of ingredients like saw palmetto, ashwagandha, biotin, zinc, vitamin E, and various extracts—all formulated to tackle root causes of hair thinning, such as hormone imbalances, stress, and inflammation. If you’re curious, give it a go—but be patient. It takes a few months to see real results, but in my experience, it’s worth the wait.
Rogaine is another over-the-counter classic that’s been part of my routine for years—and with enough time and consistency, it can thicken and regrow hair. Scientists still aren’t exactly sure how, but the general thinking is that it boosts blood flow to the scalp, which helps enlarge hair follicles and reverse the miniaturization that leads to hair loss. The trick is staying consistent: you’ve got to apply it twice a day, no skipping. I prefer the foam version, but the liquid might work better with whatever styling products you use. Regardless, if you’ve got thinning hair, get started and stick with it; there’s a good chance you’ll see growth in a few months.
About the Experts
David Connor is an accomplished hairstylist, master barber, and owner of the acclaimed Anti-Gravity Salon in New Orleans. With over 20 years of experience, he serves as an international educator for BabylissPRO and Hattori Hanzo and has taught his work in 12 countries, including all over the US. With a strong focus for gentlemen’s grooming, his work has also graced New York Fashion Week and Miami Swim Fashion Week. Passionate about education, David elevates beauty professionals and empowers clients with expert tips on trends and at-home care.
Dr. Sonia Batra is a dual board-certified dermatologist and micrographic dermatologic surgeon and the founder of Batra Dermatology. She is also a Keranique brand ambassador, highly respected media expert, and co-host of CBS’ former long-running talk show, The Doctors.
