If your hairbrush starts to look a little too full, hairstylists suggest a simple solution: finding the best biotin shampoos.
Biotin (a.k.a. vitamin B7) shows up everywhere—from supplements to scalp serums—because it plays a role in supporting healthy hair, skin, and nails. In shampoo form, it’s often paired with strengthening, scalp-friendly ingredients that help reduce breakage and make hair look fuller over time. Unlike supplements that work internally (and can take months to show results), biotin shampoos work topically: cleansing the scalp, reinforcing the hair shaft, and setting the stage for fuller-looking growth. Anyone dealing with thinning hair, hair shedding, or general lack of volume can benefit—especially if breakage is part of the picture.
After researching dozens of formulas, weighing everything from lather to slip to how hair felt after repeated washes, Viviscal Thickening Shampoo came out on top as our best overall. It’s a tester-approved pick that cleanses without stripping and helps fragile hair feel stronger with consistent use. Ahead, more standout options for damaged hair, natural curls, frizz, and more.
The best biotin shampoos, at a glance
How we tested biotin shampoos
We evaluated biotin shampoos based on: ingredients, how well they lathered and rinsed, how hair felt during and after cleansing, and whether strands looked/ felt stronger and more robust with repeated use. The best ones had a blend of biotin with other expert-approved ingredients—think rosemary, keratin, conditioning oils, and scalp-soothing botanicals—so hair felt cleaner, softer, and less prone to snapping over time.
We also tested performance after a single wash and after frequent use to gauge long-term results. And because shampoo can only do so much, we factored in real-life habits that impact breakage and shedding (like heat styling, tight hairstyles, and nighttime friction). The winners left us with stronger, healthier strands after just a few weeks of consistent use.
Best Overall: Viviscal Gorgeous Growth Densifying Shampoo
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- What we love: Supports hair growth and stronger strands, adds noticeable volume without heaviness, sulfate-free and safe for color-treated hair, floral scent
- What could improve: Results need patience and consistency
Chances are that your hair goals include fuller, thicker strands. Consider this shampoo a daily workout for your scalp. Packed with biotin, keratin, and marine collagen, it cleanses without stripping and gives hair a boost of body and bounce. Lightweight and free of sulfates, it’s a solid pick for anyone hoping to support growth while keeping things fresh and manageable.
“I’ve struggled with thinning hair around the crown of my head, so I was excited to try this densifying shampoo that’s meant to thicken hair on the scalp area. I was pleasantly surprised after trying this biotin shampoo because it really seemed to make the hair in these areas a little more dense and full, and it’s done a great job at strengthening my hairs that are prone to breakage too,” says Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary.
Best for Everyday: Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
- What we love: Contains patented bond-repairing technology, gentle enough for daily use, lightweight, nongreasy formula
- What could improve: Scent is subtle (a pro or con, depending on your vibe)
Olaplex’s No. 4 shampoo isn’t just a wash-and-go shampoo—it’s built to support compromised hair that’s been through heat, color, or general wear-and-tear. With consistent use, it helps strands feel softer and more resilient without leaving them coated or weighed down. If you want one biotin shampoo that plays well with most hair types and routines, this is the one we keep coming back to.
Best for Split Ends: Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo
- What we love: Deeply repairs and nourishes damaged strands, luxurious texture and scent, suitable for curly hair, sulfate-free and safe for color-treated hair
- What could improve: Pricey; not ideal if you prefer fragrance-free hair
Maryam Safaee, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC, calls this a standout for repair: It’s formulated to support the cuticle with a blend of strengthening and conditioning ingredients. Plus, this shampoo feels like a spa day in a bottle. Rich and restorative, it blends biotin with rare botanicals and strengthening keratin to repair damage while leaving hair silky, smooth, and visibly healthier. It’s luxe without being fussy—exactly what you want when you’re committed to bringing your strands back to life. “With my dry, fine, curly hair, I noticed my strands felt stronger and more resilient after just a few washes,” says Glamour contributor Neha Tandon. “Plus, I’m absolutely in love with the luxurious fragrance—that signature Oribe scent makes my routine feel truly special.” Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle is also a fan. “I notice fewer split ends when I use this shampoo and even though it’s pricey it lasts for a long time.”
Best for Breakage: Maple Holistics Biotin Shampoo for Hair Growth & Repair
- What we love: Sulfate-free formula is safe for color-treated hair; affordable; suitable for all hair types; paraben- and silicone-free
- What could improve: May not be hydrating enough for very dry hair
Maple Holistics’ Biotin Shampoo is a budget-friendly option that doesn’t skimp on quality. Its sulfate-free formula, enriched with biotin, rosemary, and tea tree oil, aims to strengthen hair and reduce breakage. Users have reported noticeable improvements in hair thickness and reduced shedding with regular use. Nava Greenfield, MD, a NYC-based dermatologist, is a big fan of using a shampoo with tea tree oil, specifically. “I like its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties to promote scalp health in addition to the biotin.”
Best for Curly Hair: HASK Biotin Boost Thickening Shampoo
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- What we love: Helps give hair volume with each wash; luxe scent of eucalyptus and white blossom; particularly great for 2A to 2C natural hair
- What could improve: May need a double rinse to eliminate buildup
For 2A to 2C hair that walks the line between straight and curly, HASK’s Biotin Boost Thickening Shampoo is the secret to lightweight volume and soft, natural texture. Reviewers can’t stop talking about how it gives their hair that fresh, lifted feel—one person even said their “fine, wavy hair finally has body without feeling coated or heavy.” With a blend of biotin, collagen, and coffee, it helps boost volume from the roots while keeping strands soft and touchable. “It smelled very herbal and lemony, lathered up really well, and didn’t leave my hair feeling stripped or squeaky like other shampoos. I also found that it made my hair look thicker, more resilient, and shiny,” says Condé Nast content licensing associate Paton Hardy.
Best for 3A to 3C Natural Hair: Hairitage Biotin Shampoo for Hair Growth
- What we love: Subtle scent, hair feels softer after use
- What could improve: Might require a double wash on thicker hair types
Types 3A to 3C hair need a shampoo that can lift buildup without nuking moisture. Glamour contributor Alexis Gaskin has 3B hair and reaches for this one when she wants a dependable cleanse at a drugstore price point. “Shampoo is vital for my hair-loss goals, and this option is my go-to between my clarifying shampoo and co-wash.” The infused biotin and nourishing ingredients help your hair feel thicker and healthier over time—without weighing it down, says Dallas-based hairstylist Juan Flores,. “It cleanses the scalp gently and the conditioner leaves the hair soft, shiny, and ready to glow and grow.”
Best for Frizz: Redken Extreme Length Biotin Shampoo
- What we love: Helps hair look smoother; stylist-approved formula; good for breakage-prone lengths
- What could improve: Can feel drying if overused
This is a solid pick when frizz and breakage are linked (hello, stressed ends). This shampoo for longer hair is infused with biotin, which helps prevent breakage by strengthening individual strands, minimizing surface frizz, and repairing hair internally. “When I notice my hair looking extra dry, I reach for this shampoo—it helps with damage, and the appearance of split ends,” says Gaskin. With consistent use, the result is smoother, stronger-feeling hair.
Best for Damaged Hair: Luseta Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo
- What we love: Great value for the size, and stimulating ingredients
- What could improve: A little goes a long way with thin hair
Hair goes through a lot. Between heat styling, color treatments, over-washing, and even the drying winter air, your strands need strength to withstand it all. This biotin shampoo is a strong contender to hit “reset” on damaged hair, making repair the first step in your routine. Infused with biotin, rosemary leaf, and peppermint oil—plus nourishing argan oil—the Luseta Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo does more than just cleanse. Biotin helps support keratin production for stronger strands, while rosemary and peppermint invigorate the scalp and boost circulation. Argan oil smooths, hydrates, and protects hair that’s been left brittle or dull.
Best Keratin Formula: Keranique Scalp Stimulating Shampoo
- What we love: Strengthens hair with keratin; sulfate-free and safe for color-treated hair; gentle enough for daily use; adds volume without weighing hair down
- What could improve: Requires regular use for visible improvement
Keratin is the structural protein that gives hair its strength, elasticity, and shine—but it can become depleted through heat styling, coloring, and environmental stress. Keranique’s Scalp Stimulating Shampoo stands out by delivering a proprietary Keratin Amino Complex designed to rebuild and reinforce damaged strands from root to tip. Combined with biotin and panthenol to nourish the scalp and promote follicle health, it helps restore resilience and fullness to fine or thinning hair. The sulfate-free formula cleanses without stripping, making it a smart daily choice for anyone seeking to repair keratin loss while building stronger, more vibrant hair.
Best Rosemary Shampoo: Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo
- What we love: Sulfate-free and safe for color-treated hair; subtle and invigorating scent; leaves hair noticeably stronger and shinier
- What could improve: Can feel drying if overused
Rosemary and mint bring that clean-scalp feeling, while coconut and babassu oils help keep strands from feeling stripped, though 4A to 4C hair types might need more moisture for detailing without heavy texture. This hair type can lean on the thin or fine side and will appreciate the gentle cleanse with soft results, and that’s even before you use conditioner. Coconut and babassu oils add moisture that’s noticeable but never greasy, making this a solid pick for natural hair that needs strength and softness in equal measure.
Best for Hair Shedding: R+Co Dallas Thickening Shampoo
- What we love: Protein-packed formula that benefits all hair types; luxe scent that R+Co is known for
- What could improve: Texture is a little thin for oily hair types
This shampoo gives that instant “more volume” payoff, which is especially satisfying when you’re noticing extra fallout. R+Co’s Thickening Shampoo gives strands that instant “oomph” factor. Infused with biotin, this shampoo helps nourish and strengthen from scalp to ends, helping to minimize the appearance of shedding over time. The formula’s light, gentle lather cleanses without stripping moisture, so your hair stays soft and touchable. Think of it as a reset button for tired, thinning hair in need of a little extra TLC. “This has become my go-to during cold, dry months when every gust of wind leaves my hair feeling brittle, leading to breakage,” says Glamour contributor Gaskin.
Best for Color-Treated Hair: Nutri-Ox Gentle Shampoo
- What we love: Unclogs hair; lightweight formula; sulfate-free and safe for color-treated hair; vegan and cruelty-free
- What could improve: Subtle herbal scent may not be for everyone
The gentle formula cleanses hair quickly, so only a little is needed to reduce buildup while adding invigorating ingredients like peppermint oil to the scalp to influence hair growth. In addition to biotin, the vitamin B6, ginkgo biloba, and sunflower seed extract help thicken fine hair with a clinically tested formula that’s safe on color-treated hair.
Best for Men: California Naturals Re:Gro Shampoo
- What we love: Subtle scent that will yield a lot of compliments
- What could improve: It may take consistent use to see results
If the guy in your life is dealing with hair thinning or hair loss, this shampoo is a smart pick. “Most of my male friends complain about hair loss but don’t want to start Minoxidil. This shampoo was a good alternative—it helped thicken strands with the biotin ingredient and invigorates the scalp with rosemary leaf to stimulate growth,” says Gaskin. Of course, all of the shampoos on this list are gender-neutral, but this one’s branding and “grab-and-go” simplicity makes it a fuss-free pick for men.
Frequently asked questions
Does biotin shampoo really work?
New York City-based dermatologist Nava Greenfield, MD, says biotin-rich shampoo formulas work, but you have to use them correctly. “Apply it directly on the hair and scalp and leave it on for a few moments before rinsing to make sure there’s time for the scalp to soak in the ingredient,” she says, adding that it can physically bind to the hair shaft and create the appearance of a thicker hair strand too. “By forming a coat on the hair shaft, biotin can also decrease breakage and add hydration, both of which can add to the impression of thicker, fuller, and more hydrated hair.”
How often should you wash your hair with a biotin shampoo?
It depends on your hair type, lifestyle, and how dry your lengths get. Flores recommend washing hair two or three times a week.
“You want the benefits without overwashing. If you’re a frequent styler or hit the gym daily, just make sure to balance it with hydration,” If you have curly or coily hair, oil buildup may not occur as often, so using a biotin shampoo might only be necessary once a week. Our experts suggest adding a biotin shampoo to your hair care routine and swapping it in at least once a week for your regular shampoo—whether that’s a clarifying, dandruff, or other specialty shampoo.
Are there any side effects to using biotin shampoo?
Generally, biotin shampoos are considered safe for most hair types, especially since they’re applied topically rather than ingested. That said, they can occasionally cause scalp irritation—especially if the formula includes strong fragrances or sulfates, which are more likely to be the culprit than the biotin itself. If you have a sensitive scalp or are prone to buildup, it’s worth checking the ingredient list and patch testing first.
What should you look for in the best biotin shampoos?
Dr. Safaee says to look for a shampoo that doesn’t only rely on biotin for scalp and hair health. “Other excellent ingredients for scalp and hair health are caffeine, keratin, and botanical extracts,” she says. “These products can give the appearance of smoother, shinier, and thicker hair, which is what we all want!”
What should you avoid doing if your hair is thinning?
Biotin shouldn’t be the only star of the show; Dr. Safaee recommends formulas with additional scalp- and strand-supporting ingredients. When hair loss, thinning, dryness, or even dandruff start taking over, it’s time to look at your entire hair care routine—including both products and practices. Consider avoiding supertight hairstyles, excessive heat styling, and harsh ingredients like sulfates or strong alcohols, which can dry out hair. These habits can contribute to thinning that shampoo alone can’t fix.
Meet the experts
- Maryam Safaee, MD, a NYC-based board-certified dermatologist
- Nava Greenfield, MD, a NYC-based dermatologist
- Juan Flores, a Dallas-based hairstylist
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