The 13 best hair products for thinning hair of 2024, according to experts

Cost: $59 | Product type: Foam | Key ingredients: Minoxidil, botanical extracts, alpha-hydroxy acid | Best for: Men with thinning hair and loss

Rogaine has been an industry leader for more than three decades. And for good reason: it works. The Minoxidil Foam for men features a 5% minoxidil topical solution that has been approved by the FDA to treat pattern hair loss, and has numerous clinical trial results to prove its worth. The product works by boosting hair follicle activity and hair protein production. This doctor-recommended product also contains botanical extracts and emollients to help maintain a healthy, conditioned scalp, while the alpha-hydroxy acid promotes natural skin exfoliation to help keep follicles open. 

One happy customer said, "Be patient, it works! After just four months, I'm seeing noticeable improvement. The results are worth the 2x daily applications and I've noticed I feel better about myself and restored confidence."

Cost: $57 | Product type: Foam | Key ingredients: Minoxidil | Best for: Women with thinning hair and loss

When it comes to medical-grade hair growth products for women, it's going to be hard to top Minoxidil, which is one of three FDA-approved hair growth treatments, and the only one safe enough for women. If you want to break out the big guns, the experts say that minoxidil is the way to go. Dr. Taub told us, "The oldest established remedy and still one that is used quite a bit is topical minoxidil." Obviously, though, it is a major medication and has potential side effects that need to be evaluated with each person, she added. This topical solution and medication is the key active ingredient in Women's Rogaine. (So, if natural methods are more your thing, be sure to select something else from our list.) 

When used daily, Rogaine is clinically proven to boost hair follicle activity and hair growth for improved hair density. One user claimed that it's life changing: "I have been using this product for three months and I’m genuinely thrilled with my results! My scalp has so much new hair growing in, for the first time in years I can part my hair however I want without fear. All my thin spots are filling in. Even my husband keeps commenting on how much thicker my hair is. This product is 100% worth the money!!"

Cost: $38 | Product type: shampoo, conditioner, serum | Key ingredients: Proprietary blend of proven hair growth helpers, as well as peppermint and tea tree oils, saw palmetto | Best for: Thinning hair

Nioxin offers a three-hit combo approach to thinning hair and loss with its haircare "system kits." The company offers six different system kits, each tailored for specialized needs, including products to help with natural hair, bleached hair and color-treated hair, as well as thinning or severe hair loss. This bundle of products is formulated for fine to normal hair with progressed thinning, and is a great choice for someone wanting to take an aggressive approach to hair restoration. The first step in the kit is the shampoo, which is especially great for removing environmental and product build-up, as well as sebum, which is linked to increased dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a naturally occurring hormone that also stifles hair growth and follicle health. The second step is the conditioner, which moisturizes the scalp and strands, strengthing hair and preventing breakage. The final step is the all-important serum that stimulates the scalp, promoting blood flow and new growth.

One fan shared that the kit greatly improved their hair's texture and manageability. "After 35 days of use, I see obvious improvement. The short, fine hairs at my hairline (particularly at the temples) never seemed to grow until I started using Nioxin. Now it’s nearly filled in."

Cost: $10 | Product type: Oil | Key ingredients: Rosemary and mint essential oils, biotin | Best for: Thinning hair

Don't let the inexpensive price tag fool you, Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Hair Strengthening Oil really works! Thanks to the mint and rosemary, which is clinically proven to promote hair growth. The endless before and after photos are truly inspiring. Not only is it a cult favorite, including 44,000 5-star reviews, but it's loved by many Yahoo staffers, including our Senior Health Editor, April McCormick who insists, "This oil really works! The shining star is the rosemary oil that is clinically proven to help promote hair growth. The consistency of the oil is also divine - not too thick or thin." This oil promotes blood flow, nourishes the scalp and follicles, fixes splint ends and even tames flyaways after styling. One reviewer said, "5 stars because this has REVOLUTIONIZED my life!"

Pro tip: If you find this is too oily for your fine hair, add a few drops to conditioner, leave it in for a few extra minutes then rinse.

Cost: $12 | Product type: Shampoo | Key ingredients: Saw palmetto, Hims' proprietary blend of DHT blockers | Best for: Male pattern baldness and thinning

According to Dr. Vallencillos, men are more likely to experience hair loss due to hormonal-driven differences between men and women. A leader in the men's health and wellness industry, Hims designed its Thick Fix Thickening Shampoo to cleanse away excess sebum to allow new follicles to grow strong and healthy; that, in combination with DHT-blocking saw palmetto, immediately increases hair volume.

Thick Fix features a refreshing eucalyptus scent and easily lathers to permeate the scalp for a seriously deep clean. One reviewer said, "For years, I have fought hair loss and thinning hair. Within a week of using this product, I felt like I was finally winning that fight." 

There's also a Power Pack ($60) if you want to go extra hard at your thinning/loss issues.

Looking for more information on men's hair health? Read our full review on hair growth products for men.

Cost: $88 | Product type: Serum | Key ingredients: Proprietary blend for individual needs | Best for: All hair types experiencing thinning and loss

Harklinikken's award-winning Hair Gain Extract is a targeted scalp treatment developed by Lars Skj?th, a globally recognized expert in hair growth who has spent more than three decades researching and developing products that care for the scalp’s unique ecosystem (with a focus on enhancing overall scalp and follicle health to restore an individual’s hair growth cycle). The Hair Gain Extract works by restoring the condition of the scalp, strengthening the hair at the roots, re-engaging the hairs’ follicles and stimulating regrowth. In short, it creates the ideal environment for high-quality, sustainable hair growth. Every Extract is individually formulated for each client’s unique scalp profile.

Even one of our experts loves it and recommends it by name to his patients. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Glenn Vallecillos told us, "In our practice, we have seen great success with the Harklinikken line, which addresses specific types of hair loss by offering customized, targeted, and responsive treatments, based on the patient's unique history, scalp profile and hair loss circumstances." 

Cost: $88 | Product type: Supplement | Key ingredients: Vitamins A, C, D, E, biotin, iodine, zinc, selenium, marine collagen, hyaluronic acid, botanicals, amino acids | Best for: thinning and hair loss

A favorite of A-list celebrity Alyssa Milano, Nutrafol Women's Balance is a little pill that delivers mighty results thanks to a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, plus botanicals like horsetail, marine collagen, and solubilized keratin. Nutrafol's extensive line of hair growth products are formulated to address seven root causes of hair thinning and loss: hormones, stress, lifestyle, metabolism, nutrition and aging. As a bonus, many of its nutrients will support your overall health, including lowering stress and helping you sleep better. (Nutrafol for Men is available through Amazon or directly through the Nutrafol website, where you can save money by subscribing for monthly deliveries.)

Besides beneficial vitamins and minerals, It contains two patented formulas: Synergen Complex and Nutrafol Blend, both of which contain bioavailable nutrients like hydrolyzed marine collagen (a known hair health booster), Ashwagandha root extract (a supreme stress buster), and L-cysteine (a locks building block). “Nutrafol restored my faith in restoring my hair loss,” says one positive review of many.

Cost: $88 | Product type: Supplement | Key ingredients: Saw Palmetto, biotin, vitamins A, C, D; ashwagandha exomes, Irish moss peptides, pea sprout extract | Best for: Pattern loss and thinning

While minoxidil is considered a gold standard in hair growth products, it's not for everyone. A safer yet still effective option is Nutrafol's all-natural approach to hair regrowth: supplements and a topical serum. The supplements work from the inside out to promote cell turnover and healthy cell production, while the serum nourishes the scalp and hair follicles to create an optimal environment for hair regrowth. The ingredients in both products are all-natural yet proven effective for improving hair density and growth, including some ingredients like the hard-to-pronounce ashwagandha exosomes, Irish moss peptides, pea sprout extract, biotin, and the real star here for men: saw-palmetto, which in addition to being effective for hair growth, it has also been found in clinical studies to be beneficial for men's prostate and urinary tract health. 

Cost: $28 | Product type: Tablet | Key ingredients: Biotin, iron, vitamin C, zinc, AminoMarTM | Best for: Those with thinning and loss who also have sensitive skin or are not responding well to topical treatments

Viviscal Hair Growth Supplements offer a clinically proven formula that helps nourish hair from within to promote healthy and strong hair growth. Its unique blend of ingredient — including biotin, iron, vitamin C, zinc and AminoMarTM — promote hair growth and nourish the scalp from within. With more than 11,000 verified five-star ratings on Amazon, many users praise their results. One reviewer shared, "I am in [my] 10th week of using [the] product and everyone I know comments on how [much] longer my hair is and how healthy it looks."

People truly swear by its growth cycle to help new hair appear full and strong. "When I started to notice major hair loss, I went to my derm and asked her to tell me what works vs. junk that just takes your $$$. She gave me a list of proven products to grow hair. Viviscal was on the list," one happy shopper said. "I am happy to report I have baby hairs everywhere!!!! I’m so happy!!! It can be so devastating for a person to lose their hair, but I’m here to report we have options and hope. We don’t have to lie down and take it! We can proactively fight and do everything in our power to look the way we want to look."

Cost: $9 | Product type: Leave-in conditioner spray | Key ingredients: Caffeine, ginseng, biotin and vitamin E | Best for: Those with long hair who will also benefit from a detangling conditioner

Marc Anthony's Grow Long Super Fast Strength Leave-in Conditioner helps strengthen hair, and reduce split ends and breakage so you can grow your hair longer than ever, thanks to clinically proven ingredients that help strengthen and grow hair, such as caffeine, ginseng and vitamin E. The extra help with detangling long hair is a serious bonus for those who deal with breakage when combing after washing. The Benefits: This daily leave-in conditioner helps to restore moisture, strengthen and repair split ends and breakage, control frizz and detangle even the toughest lengths of hair. It's also cruelty-free and formulated without parabens, sulfates and phthalates.

More than 26,000 five-star reviewers depend on this magic in a bottle to keep their hair looking stronger and longer. One loyal user said this stuff works: "This detangler is a miracle. I’ve noticed around the crown of my head, new growth. I haven’t been using it that long and I see results! I will continue using this product."

Cost: $30 | Product type: Conditioner | Key ingredients: Patented OLAPLEX Bond Building technology | Best for: Curly, coarse hair

If you deal with hair loss from chemical damage then Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3 is for you! Easily repair damaged hair and broken bonds with Olaplex's patented Bond Building technology. Professional stylists and nearly 95,000 five-star Amazon reviewers are smitten with this treatment. Similar to its in-salon counterparts, the Olaplex Hair Perfector treatment goes beyond a traditional conditioning treatment and works to repair the broken bonds in your natural hair. "It really is a miracle," shared one reviewer. "It's worth every penny."