Kérastase makes some of our editors’ favorite hair-growth masks and other products, including this thickening shampoo. It’s rich in hyaluronic acid, which deeply moisturizes and helps your scalp rebuild its natural ecosystem, says Melanie Palm, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. Meanwhile, gluco-peptides repair hair and improve overall density.
What our tester says: “This was one of my holy grails during a period where my hair was thinning around the crown,” says Glamour shopping writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary, who used it regularly for a year. “After a few weeks, I saw fullness in spots that once looked sparse, and my hair felt smoother, bouncier, and softer. It didn’t weigh my super-straight hair down—just made it look more full of life.” Her only caveat? The scent is strong.
Best for Dry Scalp: Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
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Courtesy of brand
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Original photo from Jenifer Calle testing Nizoral Anti Dandruff Shampoo with 1% Ketoconazole
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Original photo from Jenifer Calle testing Nizoral Anti Dandruff Shampoo with 1% Ketoconazole
Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo (7 fl. oz.)
- What we like: Contains proven ingredient that fights hair loss; lathers easily; affordable
- Worth noting: Not suitable for extreme cases of dandruff
Dandruff is a form of scalp inflammation caused by yeast overgrowth, which can lead not only to flaking but also to irritation that contributes to hair loss. This shampoo contains 1% ketoconazole, an antifungal that may help reduce that yeast and block dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone linked to pattern hair loss. For milder cases of dry, flaking scalp, this over-the-counter version is an effective alternative to the 2% prescription formula, says board-certified dermatologist Connie Yang, MD.
What our tester says: Glamour senior shopping editor Jenifer Calle, who’s used the dandruff shampoo weekly for over a year along with a scalp serum, says it’s the only product that’s soothed her flaky scalp. “It lathers really well, smells fresh and medicinal, and leaves my hair feeling truly clean,” she says.
Best Budget: V&Co. Thickening Shampoo
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Courtesy of brand
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Original photo from Gianna Cesa testing V&Co. Thickening Shampoo
V&Co. Thickening Shampoo (12 fl. oz.)
- What we like: Adds volume; cuts down on oiliness; thickens hair; affordable
- What could improve: Scent is quite strong
This under-$10 shampoo uses biotin to support keratin production and boost volume, while peptides and coconut oil “coat the hair shaft to increase its strength, decrease brittleness, and reduce hair breakage during styling,” says Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology.
What our tester says: Glamour reviewer Gianna Cesa loved how lightweight and hydrating it felt on her fine hair—and how much fullness and regrowth she saw over time. “I nerd out over ingredients like peptides, and this product added noticeable thickness and volume without breaking the bank,” she says.
Best for Shedding: Nécessaire Rosemary Shampoo
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Courtesy of brand
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Original photo from Maura Benton testing Nécessaire Rosemary Shampoo (8.4 oz.)
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Original photo from Maura Benton testing Nécessaire Rosemary Shampoo (8.4 oz.)
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Original photo from Jade Brito testing Necessaire Rosemary Shampoo
Nécessaire Rosemary Shampoo (8.4 oz.)
- What we love: Rosemary oil can support hair growth; fresh scent; defines and de-frizzes curls
Worth noting: Can be drying for curls—try using it every other wash
Nécessaire’s rosemary shampoo impressed testers with its ability to reduce shedding. The sulfate-free formula includes strengthening plant proteins, ceramides, and rosemary oil, which Candace Spann, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and hair-loss specialist, says can support fuller-looking hair and help reduce shedding over time.
What our tester says: “It enhanced the volume and texture of my curls—they feel clean, hydrated, and bouncier,” says Glamour reviewer Jade Brito, who called it one of the best shampoos for curly hair she’s tried. Another tester, Maura Benton, who has medium-textured waves, noticed fewer hairs coming out in the shower: “It left my scalp feeling really clean without drying it out, and it performed as well as my usual salon shampoos.”
Best for Strengthening: Viviscal Thickening Shampoo
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Courtesy of brand
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Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Viviscal Thickening Shampoo
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Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Viviscal Thickening Shampoo
Viviscal Thickening Shampoo (8.45 fl. oz.)
- What we like: Reinforces fragile strands; biotin-based formula; boosts density around the crown
- Worth noting: May not provide much root lift for all hair types
