The 15 Best Thickening Products to Strengthen Thin, Weak Hair

You may have seen people rave about this serum on social media, and for good reason. The formula contains a blend of nourishing ingredients like Procapil and Baicapil to promote hair growth, density, and scalp blood flow, which in turn boosts growth.

Size: 2 oz.

Sephora rating: 4/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “I don’t know how many times I’ve raved about The Ordinary’s Multi-Peptide Serum, but it’s up there on my list of hair care faves. My love for this product has even encouraged several friends and family members to turn to it as well just a few weeks of the first time I tried it, I had dozens of baby hairs sprouting all over my scalp. Also, I have a little trick: if I shower in the evening and apply the serum right after, I wake up with more volume at my roots than I know what to do with.”—Carol Lee, ELLE.com associate beauty e-commerce writer

Sometimes, we need to nourish from within. Nutrafol’s supplements “contain a mixture of antioxidants and collagen from sources such as algae and shark cartilage,” says Dr. Allyson Brockman-Bitterman, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Millburn, NJ. These nutrients help encourage hair growth and reduce shedding.

Size: 120 capsules

Amazon rating: 4.2/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “I’ve always had fast-growing and thick hair, but I got a really damaging round of highlights a few years ago. My hair had stopped growing and had tons of breakage, so I decided to try Nutrafol. My hair finally started growing again, but it also helped reduce the amount of hair fall I had and made my hair feel stronger and thicker.”—Katie Berohn, ELLE beauty editor

Apparently, if you increase the amount of time a hair spends in a follicle, the thicker it will be, leading to that fuller look we all crave. This treatment takes a few weeks to see results, so be sure to stay consistent, and you’ll be shocked by how much your hair has transformed.

Size: 2.11 oz.

Amazon rating: 3.9/5 stars

Our expert says: “The Revive+ Densifying Foam is a great way to thicken hair on a cellular level. It improves mitochondrial function in the hair follicles to extend the hair growth cycle.”—Gretchen Friese

If you dread brushing your hair or showering because of all of the strands that seem to fall during either activity, it might be time to incorporate Vegamour’s serum into your daily routine. One dropper-full of the antioxidant-rich product is all you need to soothe your scalp, reduce breakage, and slow down that awful shedding.

Size: 1 fl. oz.

Amazon rating: 4/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I am in my early 40s. My temple area on both sides has started to thin, becoming almost embarrassing if I wear a ponytail up or my hair pulled back in a bun. I have tried so many different products—topical and oral. This [is] the only product that actually works. I actually have had my hair start to grow back in the desired areas, which have been my two main areas of focus. I love this product because it is not oily like the other topical products out there. I can actually use this in the AM before work, brush it through my hair, like I normally would brush my hair, and it does not make my [hair] look greasy or oily. Nor does it make me break out.”

You’ve likely heard all of TikTok praise Mielle Organic’s viral Rosemary Mint oil. Stimulating the scalp with a minty-fresh sensation, this oil softens and strengthens weak, brittle hair.

Size: 2 fl. oz.

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I recently lost my edges due to low iron and braiding. After bringing my blood level up, I wanted to try something to grow my hair back. Within two months, I noticed a change in my edges. My hairline is fuller. This is a must buy. My edges were very thin, and braiding them made it worse. But using this changed my hairline life. It leaves a soothing feeling.”

Instead of massaging a sticky serum into your hair, Oribe’s Serene Scalp Thickening Hair Treatment is a spray formula that addresses hair thinning and loss from the root. With just a few sprays, the treatment conditions, nourishes, and restores.

Size: 4.2 fl. oz.

Sephora rating: 3.9/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer says: “I expected this to either make my hair greasy or frizzy. When it worked great the first time, I expected it to just last one day max. But my hair was fuller even when [I had] just washed and dried without using the spray. And my thin, fine, color-treated hair loves it! If you’re thinking of trying it, definitely do! ”

This treatment is all about helping your hair flourish. The lightweight formula restores balance and strengthens the hair from the scalp to promote regrowth.

Size: 4 fl. oz.

Sephora rating: 4.3/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer says: “I love this product for my thin hair! It gives some volume and it makes my hair look healthy. I use it every night, dry or wet, and it doesn’t leave any grease unlike other thickening products. I also love the smell—it is light and fresh. It doesn’t irritate my scalp or make it drier.”

Living Proof makes it easy to fluff and volumize your hair instantly. This texture spray doesn’t leave behind a crunchy mess and keeps the hair full of body and bounce.

Size: 7.5 fl. oz.

Sephora rating: 4.3/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer says: “My all-time favorite. I’m on my fourth bottle, and the bottle itself lasts forever. I have bleached processed hair (balayage) and curl it practically everyday. I’ve noticed such a difference when I stopped using it because I ran out. People notice the volume. It doesn’t weigh my hair down or make it feel like it has residue.”

This powerhouse product detangles, softens, and hydrates the hair, among other things. The formula’s MVP is Emblica Technology, which plumps lifeless, dull strands and brings them back to life.

Size: 6.7 fl. oz.

Ults rating: 4.2/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer says: “I have long hair down past my butt, and it still gave my hair a good amount of lift and body. It is pretty darn pricey, but it works. It smells good and is easy to use. I’m going to try it again and curl my hair and see how it works with that.”

With just a few pumps of R+Co’s Thickening Foam, you can define curls, tame frizz, and add volume. This formula is made with a cocktail of vitamin E, fruit extracts, and aloe leaf for extra nourishment.

Size: 5 oz.

Amazon rating: 4.2/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “Gives so much volume to my thin curly hair. Smells delicious. I just reordered so I wouldn’t run out. I will be a lifelong customer as long as the product doesn’t change a thing.”

Restore your hair’s density with this top-rated shampoo powered by biotin, rosemary, and aloe to stimulate the scalp and soften the hair.

Size: 14 fl. oz.

Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says, “I have an extremely sensitive scalp! Almost everything breaks me out. This has been a godsend. It has a pleasant scent, an easy-to-use pump, and creates a decent amount of leather. The price is great, too. I highly recommend this product for anyone who suffers from skin irritation.”

Here’s a shampoo that breaks down the gunk, oil, and dirt that threaten your hair daily to reveal refreshed, bouncy hair. Even better, it’s safe for those with color, whether a bad DIY job or professionally treated.

Size: 8.5 fl. oz.

Ulta rating: 4/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer says: “I have thin, flat hair, tends toward greasy. This is a great shampoo for fullness and volume. Yes, you still need to style with volumizing products if you want major lift, but this is a great everyday (or every three days in my case) shampoo. It is not moisturizing—it is thickening. If you want moisture, use a moisturizing shampoo.”

This product from Aveda’s new Invati line promises to instantly make it seem like you have more strands than you actually do. Beyond thickening your hair, it also protects against heat styling and reduces frizz as well—a true multi-use product if we’ve ever seen one.

Size: 5 fl. oz.

Aveda rating: 4.4/5 stars

An Aveda reviewer says: “This has made a noticeable difference in my hair’s volume and texture. This lightweight foam is easy to apply and absorbs quickly, leaving my hair feeling soft and full without any stickiness. I love that it lifts my roots and adds thickness without weighing my hair down. The fresh, subtle scent is a bonus. Since using it, I’ve noticed less breakage and overall healthier hair.”

Powered by growth factor peptides, keratin ferment, and a roster of other hair-strengthening ingredients, this luxurious serum thickens and densifies hair over time. The formula feels lightweight and absorbs quickly, and some users have noticed visible results within weeks.

Size: 1.7 fl. oz.

Cécred rating: 4.7/5 stars

A Cécred reviewer says: “I love consistency, and I’m already starting to see results! I have locs, and I was starting to notice that the ones on my edges were starting to thin. I can honestly say that I am already noticing baby hairs coming in! I absolutely recommend buying the drops.”

Inspired by the South Asian practice of hair oiling, this scalp treatment is meant to be massaged onto your scalp and stay there for anywhere between five minutes to the entire duration of your beauty sleep. Then, you can shampoo it off, revealing a nourished scalp and strengthened strands. The ritual can both stimulate new hair growth and prevent breakage so that you can retain the lengths you already have.

Size: 3.4 fl. oz.

Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I will say my hair has never felt and looked so healthy. I’ve been using this stuff religiously with the same routine two times a week. My hair has not only grown faster, but it’s also grown thicker from new growth. Before I started using this product, I had dealt with a lot of fallout as well as stress-induced hair loss. This has helped restore my hair back to what it felt and looked like when I was a teenager.”