Yikes! It's scary when your hair falls out. But hair-growth shampoos, anti-thinning oils and thickening sprays can help. (Getty Images)
One reason hair loss (along with the equally demoralizing thinning and shedding) is so upsetting is because thick, bouncy hair has become such a symbol of health, youth and virility that losing it can feel shameful, especially when it seems like you're the only one going through it. Truth is, hair thinning is actually much more common than you'd think: 40 million men and 20 million women (thanks, menopause!) in the U.S. experience it. If you're one of them, now's the time to check out some trusted, tried-and-true solutions to help build your strands — especially with the Amazon deals on hair-loss products I've found this week.
I'm 51, and I've had thinning hair since my mid-40s. To keep my mane healthy and full, I treat the root cause (no pun!) with serums and oils. I also take supplements (Nutrafol, every day — it works) and manage the appearance of what hair I have left with high-quality styling products (like the best dry shampoos).
Following are a few of my favorite items for fine and thinning hair, currently on sale at Amazon. I've had success with all of them — here's hoping you will too.
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards swears by this hair elixir which she says gives her mane "the look and feel of 3,000 more strands." Right now, it's at the lowest price I've seen.
The lightweight, nonsticky spray is made with keratin, collagen and biotin and — according to both Richards and numerous five-star reviewers — it effectively boosts volume along with strengthening fine, thin hair. "I have tried three other spray-in hair thickeners and this is the only one that has truly made my hair feel fuller," raved one five-star fan. "The price is also reasonable. I can't afford super pricey hair products that I use daily."
File this silicone brush under "things you don't think you need until you try them." Regular scalp massages are one of the best and first steps you can take if you want to stimulate hair growth.
This brush makes it easy — just apply your shampoo or hair oil and go to town in circular motions for a minute or two. Not only will you be helping unclog pores on your scalp and improve circulation, but the whole process feels amazing.
Grab the doodad while it's nearly 50% off.
It might seem like hooey, but it's actually true: Topically applied rosemary oil has been clinically proven to initiate new hair growth and help prevent further loss. In fact, a 2015 study suggests that rosemary essential oil is as effective as minoxidil at growing new hair in mice.
This is an excellent, highly-rated rosemary oil should you want to try it out — it's also an Amazon No. 1 best seller too with more than 70,000 5-star reviews.
With more than 26,000 five-star reviews, this plant-based formula — which includes olive, coconut and jojoba oils — works to promote hair growth and improve hair strength safely and naturally. The mix of oils is the magic formula here: Coconut oil helps to moisturize hair and repair split ends (same with jojoba oil), so that new hair growth remains hydrated and healthy; some evidence also suggests that using olive oil on the hair helps to stimulate growth by, among other things, strengthening hair follicles.
Along with encouraging hair to grow longer and stronger, the oil also works to soften and detangle hair and reduce blow-drying time, which can reduce the amount of heat damage while styling.
One big problem with fine, thin hair is that it's hard to find moisturizing, defrizzing products that won't make your strands look limp. Enter OGX's weightless dry oil spray, which helps smooth fly-aways, mend split ends and eliminate that fuzzy, frizzy summer-hair look without looking greasy or heavy.
"This oil is extremely lightweight, does not weigh down hair and the spray bottle projects the perfect amount in each spray," said one reviewer. "I have fine hair and it is perfect. Leaves my hair soft, not greasy, and there's no lack of volume. Hair is soft, has volume and protects against humidity and has a very light minimal scent."
At first glance you might think: Why in the world would I need a silk pillowcase? AM I AN EMPRESS? Are we in Hollywood in 1934? Should I start sleeping in a face of cold cream and calling people dah-ling? Do I need a silk robe and high-heeled slippers too?
But then you learn the facts: Silk pillowcases support the health of both skin AND your hair. Research shows they can help prevent shedding and breakage and can keep your hair from frizzing overnight, leading to less styling and an overall healthier mane.
Pura D'or's best-selling anti-thinning shampoo and conditioner rarely go on sale! Now's the time to scoop up this award-winning set, which is made with a mix of biotin and organic ingredients like nettle extract, pumpkin seed and black cumin seed oil. It's also clinically proven to reduce hair thinning while promoting hair strength and reducing breakage.
More than 30,000 happy Amazon customers give Pura D'd'or's set a perfect score, including one ecstatic fan who said: "10 stars!!!! I’ve been dealing with hair thinning and some breakage since 2020 and I’ve done everything and nothing worked. I’ve only used this shampoo and conditioner 4 times in 2 weeks and I have a lot of baby hair growing on top of my head... Whoever made this product, thank you very very much!!!!"
Some forms of hair loss can be caused by product buildup on the scalp and, if your hair is both shedding and looking dull, Neutrogena's Healthy Scalp shampoo may offer relief. It's non-medicated, color safe and sulfate free and, while the formula is strong enough to dissolve built-up gunk on your scalp and strands, it's not too harsh to be used occasionally on fine or thinning hair.
Best of all is the grapefruit scent, which is citrus-y and fresh but not at all sweet.
Boldify's Hairline Powder is not only one of our best gray roots touch-up products of the year, it's also quite good for filling in a sparse hairline. If you have silver roots and you're suffering from thinning hair, this might just be your ticket. It's not as harsh as some of the spray formulations and it's easy to wash out — all of which is crucial for maintaining fine, thinning hair and helping stave off additional shedding.
The shade range here is impressive — there are 14 to choose from, including three blonde. There's even a silver option, if you're interested in maintaining your grays while filling in patchiness and making your coif look more robust. Last surprise bonus: The powder works a bit as a dry shampoo to absorb excess oil so you can shampoo less.
Thinning hair? After publicly sharing her post-COVID hair-loss story via video on Twitter, actress Alyssa Milano found the help she needed within a few bottles. She praises Nioxin products (and Nutrafol supplements too!) for helping "tremendously" with hair loss. And she's not alone: These products have found fans in shoppers who say the treatments have helped curb their own hair loss and revitalized their manes.
"Great for thinning hair," gushed a satisfied shopper. "I love this brand, and for thin hair, it's wonderful; smells amazing and helps [with] my hair growth and thickness. If you have never used Nioxin, you should!"
If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.