The best conditioner for fine hair will not only deeply moisturise strands, but offer a weightless and glossy finish. So, I've tried and tested an array of formulas that are both nourishing and lightweight, whittling them down to curate this guide of must-have buys for you to shop...
Regardless of your hair type, using the best shampoo and conditioner is at the heart of every good haircare regime. Those with fine hair, whether that be fine strands in terms of width or a head of hair that is on the thin side, may be on the hunt for products that will boost volume without weighing you hair down - a struggle that I know all too well. For context, my locks have been bleached, have a slight wave to them and my scalp gets greasy super quickly.
Already equipped with the best shampoo for fine hair, I'm now on a mission to scout out the best conditioner for fine hair that will address my hair concerns, nourish my locks and leave them looking as voluminous as possible. Spoiler, I've found my top nine buys to suit a variety of hair needs, such as those targeting thinning hair and hair loss - including the standout Kevin Murphy Plumping Rinse Conditioner that tops this guide.
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The best conditioner for fine hair or thinning hair, tested by our beauty experts
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RRP: £33
Not to be dramatic, but Plumping Rinse by KEVIN.MURPHY is the best conditioner for fine hair that I've ever tried - and I've tried a lot of them. It's full of nourishing and strengthening ingredients including rice protein, biotin, shea butter and oleanolic acid.
Initially, I thought it seemed a little thick for a conditioner designed for finer hair, but it felt light as a feather. My hair felt thicker and stronger – even while still wet – and the fragrance was lovely, too. I saw instant lift and strength from root to tip. This Kevin Murphy Plumping Rinse seems to be a popular choice as our Editor, Kerrie Hughes, is also a fan of its ability to instantly achieve thicker results.
Buy if: You want to instantly boost volume or you're looking for a sulphate-free option
Avoid if: You're seeking an affordable conditioner
RRP: £10.99
The clue is in this name with Shea Moisture's conditioner. Whilst shea butter is an ingredient that might normally put finer-haired consumers off, this wonder product's superfruit complex, of marula oil and biotin, nourishes the hair without weighing it down.
Although it feels a little thicker than I'd normally like, a little goes a long way with this conditioner. Its super smooth consistency helped strengthen and nourish our parched ends and reduce flyaways, all without leaving my hair looking greasy thanks to its non-heavy feel. Overall, it left my hair feeling silky smooth - and it gets plus points for its clean laundry scent.
Buy if: You're on the hunt for an affordable, cruelty-free conditioner
Reasons to avoid: I simply can't find a fault at this price
RRP: £30
Crafted specifically for fine hair, this protective, detangling conditioner has a gel-like consistency offering weightless hydration. The conditioner is laden with rose oil and baobab leaf extracts, which lock in moisture without leaving behind any residue. It also maintains the hair's acid pH, which keeps coloured hair looking tip-top – always a plus in our books.
This gorgeously scented option brought back the volume and body to my hair, while also working to smooth and restore my hair fibres to a silky state. The consistency of this product also meant that my tresses, which usually look greasy fairly quickly, felt super clean even the day after washing.
Buy if: You're looking for a super lightweight formula that smells great
Avoid if: You don't like the rose scent
RRP: £27
This Philip Kingsley conditioner boasts hair-loving ingredients including strand-plumping wheat protein, which I noticed working even when my hair was still wet. As well as feeling thicker and plumper, my hair also looked and felt light, shiny and healthy, once dry.
I used it alongside the brand's Body Building shampoo and, if you want your hair to visibly double in size, I'd recommend using their Maximizer Root Volumising Spray. This may not be ideal for damaged hair but if you use a hair mask like the iconic Elasticizer weekly or fortnightly, you'll really see a difference.
Buy if: You want lightweight and visibly thicker hair after one wash
Avoid if: You have damaged and/or dry hair, as it's particularly light
RRP: £16
The first thing I noticed about this conditioner was its gel-like texture, which felt lovely and light and soaked in quickly, getting to work on pesky knots and general dryness. I was pleased with a number of aspects of this conditioner, such as the fragrance, how quickly it sprung into action and how my hair looked afterwards.
I can also report that the product's built-in colour protection did its job on my freshly dyed hair, helping it to stay looking bright, shiny and bouncy. However, it is worth noting that this product contained sulphates and, sadly, it isn't cruelty-free.
Buy if: If you have coloured/bleached hair that requires gentle TLC
Avoid if: You're on the hunt for a sulphate-free and cruelty-free conditioner
RRP: £35.85
Kérastase products are nearly always a safe bet. Containing ceramides, hyaluronic acid and intra-cylane, this conditioner’s ingredients work to strengthen hair fibres from damage while also helping boost the hair's volume and shine.
I enjoyed how this conditioner quenched my parched ends without adding weight and quickly detangled my hair, coating each of my strands and leaving them silky smooth. For me, its downfall is its price tag – but, as I've said before, consider the longevity in expensive shampoos and conditioners, especially when caring for the health of thinning hair.
Buy if: You want to hydrate and detangle fine locks
Avoid if: You tend to run through your conditioners quickly
RRP: £7.99
Aveeno boasts a stellar lineup of hardworking haircare products that have pH-balanced formulas packed full of botanical ingredients, but the Apple Cider Vinegar Conditioner is the standout option for fine (and quickly prone to getting greasy) hair like mine.
The first thing I noticed was the gorgeous scent of this conditioner, which thankfully is nothing similar to the twangy apple cider vinegar aroma. My hair was left detangled and silky smooth but with no leftover residue or heaviness. Our Digital Beauty Writer, Sennen Prickett, agrees as she swears by Aveeno's Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo and Conditioner for tackling her greasy locks.
Buy if: Your strands are prone to quickly getting greasy
Avoid if: You're looking for a deeply nourishing formula
RRP: £52
The price tag of Oribe's Hair Alchemy Resilience Conditioner is far from low, but if your hair is quite damaged and you can treat yourself, it's worth it. Working wonders for your hair, this conditioner's rich ingredients help hydrate strands and lock in moisture. Despite my initial concerns with its thicker consistency, this product felt lightweight when I rubbed it between my hands to apply,
I loved how this product helps to repair existing damage and prevent it, too. If you’re someone who uses a lot of heat on your hair or often bleaches it, this conditioner would definitely benefit your haircare routine. The results left my hair feeling stronger and thicker, even while still wet.
Buy if: You have dry and damaged hair in need of deep hydration
Avoid if: Your tresses aren't in need of major hydration
RRP: £38
If you have fine hair that has a tendency to go limp, the thought of using a leave-in conditioner might feel completely counter-intuitive. The thing is, Philip B Weightless Conditioning Water is just that: a weightless hair treatment that hydrates without flattening the hair.
This "water" is filled with hair-friendly plant extracts and the scent of magnolia flowers. With just a few spritzes on my towel-dried hair, I waved goodbye to tangles and flyaways. Another thing I love about this product is that you can apply it to dry hair, too. Just be prepared for the price.
Buy if: You're seeking an ultra lightweight formula that is quick and easy to apply
Avoid if: You're wanting a traditional cream conditioner formula
How we tested the best conditioner for fine hair
As someone with particularly thin strands, I'm all too acquainted with searching for the best hair products for baby-fine hair. So, in order to scout out the best conditioners for fine hair available on the market, I took on the task of testing a variety of products for this guide. As well as being on the finer side, my hair is also slightly wavy and tends to get greasy very quickly, so I'm well-versed in what to look for.
To whittle down the products down to a curated edit that suits various budget levels, I tried several conditioners across all price points - from drugstore to luxury. For those wondering is expensive shampoo better – and whether it's also worth spending more on conditioner – in my honest opinion, if you have fine, thin, or thinning hair, spending a little extra on how you cleanse and condition your scalp and hair is entirely worth it.
What key ingredients help boost fine or thinning hair's volume?
For those looking to boost volume in fine and thinning hair, it's worth getting clued up on what ingredients are worth keeping an eye out for. Lisa Caddy, Consultant Trichologist at Philip Kingsley shares that the ingredients that work with the components of the hair, such as keratin, are effective for volumising fine hair, she says: "Cellulose is a thickening agent also frequently used to give hair more volume," she adds.
Vitamins are essential when it comes to volumising fine hair, particularly vitamin B5, which Nicole Petty, hair expert at Milk + Blush, says is a sought-after ingredient thanks to it's ability to deeply penetrate the hair shaft and increase moisture retention. In turn, this helps to keep your hair hydrated and healthy. As for other impressive vitamins, she adds: “Vitamins C and E are essential for boosting collagen production and improving blood circulation that can help with hair growth and iron absorption."
Improving blood circulation in the scalp will also encourage hair growth and volume. You can achieve this by massaging lighter natural oils, such as sunflower, almond, and coconut oil, into your scalp and roots. Petty explains: "Sunflower oil is an anti-inflammatory that can prevent dandruff and bacterial buildup that causes scalp dryness and itchiness." For those prone to experiencing breakage, Petty recommends: "Applying coconut oil on the mid-lengths and ends of your hair can prevent protein loss and minimise breakage, which fine hair is susceptible to."
What ingredients should you avoid if you have fine hair or thinning hair?
It's also worth noting that there are also a handful of ingredients within conditioners that should be avoided if you have thin locks, Petty advises: "Heavy oils and styling products are not ideal for fine hair, as it possesses fewer layers of hair cuticle that, if weighed down, can make the hair look flat and lifeless."
Silicones, which help to create a smooth feel in the hair, are another ingredient that can have a negative impact, according to Petty, as they can build up on the hair over time. However, Petty notes that they can "prevent other products from properly penetrating the hair shaft", which may in some cases lead to dryness and breakage. To combat this you can adopt a clarifying shampoo into your regime to thoroughly remove build-up and give your hair a very deep clean.
How do you properly shampoo and condition your hair?
Reminding us of perhaps the most common hair washing mistake of all, Caddy says: "Shampoo is intended for the scalp and conditioner is for the hair." Although it may be tempting, conditioner should only be applied to the mid-lengths and ends of your hair - never to your scalp. But for those struggling with tangled locks, she recommends you "use a wide tooth come to work out the tangles," before rinsing the conditioner out of your strands.
Echoing Caddy's advice about not applying conditioner directly to the scalp, Petty explains the knock-on effects, causing your roots to lose volume and oil production to occur faster, meaning you will have to wash it sooner. "It is best to split your hair into sections to ensure it is fully saturated and focus on the hair from the chin downwards," she says. "Leave it to sit for at least three minutes or longer to maximise its effectiveness, before rinsing it out with cold water for one minute to help seal and smooth the cuticle and dry with a microfibre towel." Petty also suggests that, once a week, you swap out your conditioner for one of the best hair masks to quench dehydrated ends.
How often should you wash fine hair or thinning hair?
How often should you wash your hair depends on a few different factors personal to you, such as how much oil your scalp produces to the density, texture and thickness of the hair itself. Cowley says she always recommends that her clients shampoo their hair as soon as it gets greasy.
"As fine hair is easily weighed down by oil and build-up that can make it look flat and greasy, it will need cleansing more frequently," says Petty. "However, be careful not to over wash it, as this can cause your scalp to become dry, flaky and damaged." This, she warns, will in turn cause your scalp to increase oil production to compensate for the lack of moisture, meaning your hair could end up getting greasy more quickly as a result.
That being said, Petty also says that under washing can have an equally damaging impact as it can cause product, oil and dead skin to accumulate and, as a result, you may see flaking. “If you’re naturally more prone to greasier hair, this could actually be a sign that your scalp is dry and may be overproducing oils to try to balance this out," she says. Though it might seem counterintuitive, Petty says that reducing hair washes [from daily] and using scalp oils can help to remedy this.
"Train your hair to require a wash every other day (three to four times a week), use lightweight and deep cleansing shampoos that rid the scalp of dirt and look for thickening ingredients such as keratin and panthenol." If you're concerned about your hair looking greasy, one of the best dry shampoos for oily hair can help to absorb excess oil between washes.
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