My hairbrush was starting to look a little too full this past year, so my hairstylist told me to consider investing in one of the best biotin shampoos. Biotin – also known as B7 – is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a key role in supporting healthy hair, skin, and nails. New York City dermatologist Maryam Safaee, MD, says that if you have brittle nails and hair thinning, that could be a sign that you are deficient in the nutrient in biotin. “Biotin (AKA vitamin B7) plays a key role in keratin production, an essential protein in skin and nail health.”
Personally, I only knew about biotin in supplement form, but it’s now showing up in shampoos and scalp treatments designed to strengthen strands and reduce breakage at the root. 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. “When applied topically, biotin does offer hydration benefits to the hair and scalp,” says New York City-based dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon Howard Sobel, MD. It’s a great ingredient to incorporate into your routine if you have dry hair, too.
So, who’ll benefit most? If you’re dealing with thinning hair, shedding, or an overall lack of volume, a biotin shampoo could be a game changer.
After researching dozens of formulas and factoring in everything from texture to scent to real-user results, Ouai's Fine Hair Shampoo came out on top as our best overall pick. It combines biotin with hydrolysed keratin and chia seed extract to plump up limp strands without weighing them down, and leaves hair smelling like you just walked out of a salon. Other options stood out for their ability to repair damaged strands or treat frizz.
The best biotin shampoos, at a glance
- Best Overall: Ouai Fine Hair Shampoo, £28
- Best for Damaged Hair: Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo, £28
- Best Hydrating Option: Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo, £54
- Best for Curly Hair: Briogeo Bloom & Blossom Ginseng + Biotin Volumising Shampoo, £24
- Best for Natural Hair: Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo, £7.33
How we tested biotin shampoos
We evaluated biotin shampoos based on their ingredients, how well they lathered and made our hair feel during and post-application, and if they managed to make our hair look and feel denser and stronger. The best ones had a blend of biotin and other hair-nourishing and hydrating ingredients, gave us a pleasant wash experience, and made our hair feel soft post-wash. The ones that made this list also helped improve hair breakage and weakness over time, and left us with stronger, more robust strands.
Best Overall: Ouai Fine Hair Shampoo
- What we love: Delivers noticeable volume, sulphate-free formula is safe for colour-treated hair, salon fragrance
- What could improve: Scent may be overpowering for some, some users without fine hair say it isn’t hydrating enough
Fine hair is notoriously high-maintenance (I’ve dealt with it myself for over three decades). It wants volume, but not too much; moisture, but never grease. Enter Ouai’s Biotin Shampoo, a salon-level formula that strikes just the right balance. “Biotin, hydrolysed keratin, and chia seed oil help coat and smooth the hair shaft, which will provide strength, shine, and a reduction in frizz,” says Dr. Safaee. It lifts at the roots, strengthens mid-lengths, and smells like a chic SoHo blowout you somehow gave yourself.
“This gentle shampoo is one of my favourites because it always does the job of making my fine hair look a lot more voluminous and bouncy. It has a lightweight gel formula that lathers nicely without weighing hair down and it never makes my roots or strands look greasy and flat. Instead they have bouncy body,” says GLAMOUR commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary.
Best for Damaged Hair: Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
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- What we love: Contains patented bond-repairing technology, gentle enough for daily use even on fragile hair, lightweight and non-greasy formula
- What could improve: Scent may be too subtle for those craving more fragrance
Repair and resilience aren’t the sexiest words in the English language, but they look very chic in this bottle. Olaplex’s No. 4 shampoo isn’t your average clean-and-rinse. It’s a precision formula designed to rebuild the broken bonds that heat, colour, and time leave behind. Whether your hair’s been through one too many blowouts or a serious colour refresh, this shampoo restores strength without stripping moisture, leaving strands smoother, healthier, and ready to face the world (or at least another Zoom call). Bonus: the subtle, clean scent keeps your shower feeling spa-worthy, not chemical factory.
Best Hydrating Option: Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo
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- What we love: Deeply repairs and nourishes damaged strands, luxurious texture and scent, suitable for curly hair, sulphate-free and safe for colour-treated hair
- What could improve: Pricey, not ideal if you prefer fragrance-free hair
Dr. Safaee says this is the best shampoo for treating and repairing the hair because it strengthens the hair cuticle at its core thanks to a blend of biotin, caffeine, plant collagen, and niacinamide. When your hair needs a serious rescue, 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.”
Best for Frizz: Briogeo Bloom & Blossom Ginseng + Biotin Volumising Shampoo
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- What we love: Builds volume, lightweight formula, sulphate-free and safe for colour-treated hair, vegan and cruelty-free
- What could improve: Subtle herbal scent may not be for everyone
Forget the frizz fight. This shampoo is more about working with your hair’s natural texture, thanks to a biotin-rich formula that builds strength and volume without weighing strands down. Infused with ginseng and other botanicals, it gently cleanses while boosting hair’s resilience and bounce, so you can enjoy a look that’s effortlessly polished and full of life. “I love this shampoo,” says Columbus, Ohio-based hair stylist Mia Santiago. “It smells awesome and I love the way my hair feels after using it.” Lightweight but nourishing, it’s a go-to for anyone craving shine and manageability without the heaviness.
Best for Thinning Hair: Pura D’or Original Gold Label Anti-Thinning Shampoo
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- What we love: Clinically tested to reduce hair thinning and increase volume, sulphate-free and safe for use on colour-treated hair, vegan, cruelty-free
- What could improve: Some with sensitive scalps find the botanicals slightly irritating
Okay, so your hair's thinning but your patience isn't. With a blend of 17+ DHT-blocking herbal actives – including nettle, saw palmetto, and pumpkin seed oil – this sulphate-free formula aims to reduce hair thinning due to breakage, increase volume, and strengthen strands. Users have reported less shedding and fuller-looking hair after consistent use.
Best for Colour-Treated Hair: SheaMoisture Strengthen & Restore Shampoo with Jamaican Black Castor Oil
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- What we love: Safe for any chemically treated strands, rich and creamy lather, pleasant and refreshing scent with herbal notes
- What could improve: May be too heavy for fine hair
Colour-treated hair demands TLC that goes beyond the basics, and SheaMoisture’s Strengthen & Restore Shampoo delivers just that with its nutrient-rich blend. Formulated with Jamaican black castor oil and shea butter, it deeply nourishes and repairs damage while preserving vibrant colour and adding bounce. Plus, its sulphate-free, cruelty-free formula is gentle enough for regular use without stripping your salon-perfect hues.
Best for Natural Hair: Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo
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- What we love: Sulphate-free and safe for colour-treated hair, subtle yet invigorating scent elevates the shower experience, leaves hair noticeably stronger and shinier
- What could improve: May be too rich for fine hair types
Biotin gets a thoughtful partner in rosemary and mint here, both of which refresh the scalp without drama. 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. It’s the kind of shampoo that does its job quietly well, no frills required.
Best for Breakage: Maple Holistics Biotin Shampoo for Hair Growth & Repair
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- What we love: Sulphate-free formula is safe for colour-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 sulphate-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.”
Most Affordable: OGX Thick & Full + Biotin & Collagen Shampoo
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- What we love: Budget-friendly, sulphate-free and safe for colour-treated hair, real volume boost
- What could improve: Contains dimethicone so may cause buildup if you don’t regularly use a clarifying shampoo
Offering volume without the “treat yourself” price tag, this shampoo is basically your wallet’s best friend. Packed with biotin and collagen, it plumps strands for a fuller look that feels more “effortlessly polished” than “trying too hard.” Plus, the sulphate-free formula means it’s gentle enough to keep your hair happy on repeat washes.
Best for Hair Growth: Viviscal Gorgeous Growth Densifying Shampoo
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- What we love: Supports hair growth and stronger strands, adds noticeable volume without heaviness, sulphate-free and safe for colour-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 sulphates, 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’s Alanna.
Best Keratin Formula: Keranique Scalp Stimulating Shampoo
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- What we love: Strengthens hair with keratin, sulphate-free and safe for colour-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, colouring, 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 sulphate-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 for Cleansing Build-Up: Avalon Organics Biotin B-Complex Thickening Shampoo
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- What we love: Sulphate-free and safe for colour-treated hair, vegan, contains organic ingredients, helps build body in fine hair
- What could improve: Scent could seem too herbal or medicinal to some
For hair that craves both hydration and a boost in body, Avalon Organics delivers with this biotin-infused shampoo. Its blend of saw palmetto, quinoa protein, and vitamin E works to strengthen and nourish fine, thinning hair, promoting a fuller appearance. The formula is sulphate-free, making it gentle on the scalp while effectively cleansing and adding volume.
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.”
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 sulphates, 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?
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!”
Meet the experts
- Maryam Safaee, MD, a NYC-based board-certified dermatologist
- Howard Sobel, MD, cosmetic dermatologic surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital and founder of Sobel Skin
- Nava Greenfield, MD, a NYC-based dermatologist
This article was originally published on GLAMOUR US.
