How to Use Pomade in Thinning Hair

Thinning hair doesn’t mean giving up on a good hair style. It means choosing the right hair product and applying it the right way.

Most guys with thinning hair either skip hair styling products entirely or reach for whatever’s closest on the shelf, perhaps a familiar brand like American Crew. Both moves backfire.

No product means no volume. The wrong product means flat, greasy hair that actually makes thinning more obvious.

Pomade fixes that. A quality clay-based pomade adds texture, creates volume, and gives your hair a fuller, thicker appearance—no crunch, no grease, no weight pulling everything down.

The difference between thinning hair that looks bad and thinning hair that looks styled comes down to two things: the right product and the right technique, often recommended by a skilled barber, perhaps even over popular brands like Reuzel.

Nail both, and your hair stops being something you stress about every morning.

Did You Know: GQ Recommends chose Highland Glacial Clay Pomade as the best pomade for thinning hair and recommends it to their audience.

Let’s explore how to use pomade for thinning hair, benefits and what to avoid when dealing with thinning hair.

Applying pomade to thinning hair isn’t complicated.

But there’s a difference between slapping product in your hair and actually styling it for maximum volume.

Your goal is lift and texture—not flatness. Here’s how to get it right.

• Use it on damp or dry hair -  You’re after volume, not a slicked-down wet look. Damp hair gives you the best base for building fullness. Dry hair works great for restyling or second-day touch-ups. The key is using a pomade that handles both—like the Glacial Clay Pomade, which performs on damp and dry hair without changing consistency.

• Start with a pea-sized amount -  A pea-sized amount is all you need — too much product upfront flattens everything and kills the volume you're working to build. Start with a pea-sized scoop, work it through, and layer more if you need it. Smart hair care means knowing when to stop — and for guys focused on hair growth and fullness, less product means more lift every time.

• Warm it up and distribute evenly -  Rub the pomade between your palms and fingertips until it’s fully spread. This step matters. If you skip it, you end up with clumps of product in random spots—which creates heavy patches that expose your scalp. Even coverage is everything.

• Work from back to front -  Most guys over-apply to the front because that's what they see in the mirror. With thinning hair, that's a fast track to a flat, lifeless front section. Even the best product for men's hair won't save you if it's all stacked in one spot. Start at the back and work forward for balanced, even coverage. Run your fingers through all sections—including the roots.

• Add a hit of heat -  A quick blow dry locks in your style and adds serious lift at the roots. Direct the airflow upward while you shape your hair with your fingers or a comb. This step alone can make thinning hair look noticeably fuller. It takes 30 seconds and makes a real difference. Pro tip: use medium heat, not high—too much heat can dry out already fragile hair.

For a detailed walkthrough on proper technique, check out our full pomade application guide.

Not every styling product plays nice with fine hair, unlike how some might work for other hair types like thick hair or even curly hair. Gels dry crunchy. 

Waxes clump and weigh things down. A natural clay pomade hits different. 

Here’s why it works.

Adds volume and texture.  A clay-based cream pomade creates separation between individual strands, which is exactly what makes hair look thicker.

You’re not coating your hair in a heavy film—you’re adding dimension and lift.

Each strand gets to stand on its own, creating the illusion of density that thinning hair needs.

Gives flexible, natural hold.  Nobody dealing with hair loss wants hair that looks stiff and plastic. 

That's a fast way to draw attention to the exact spots you're trying to disguise.

Pomade delivers strong, firm hold without the crunch. You get all day hold that actually stays put — but your hair still moves naturally.

Run your fingers through it. Restyle mid-afternoon. It still looks intentional.

Nourishes while it styles.  If your hair is thinning, the last thing you need is a product packed with sulfates, parabens, and synthetic garbage weakening your hair follicles and scalp over time.

A natural pomade doesn't just style—it actively supports hair and scalp health every time you use it.

Clean, volumizing ingredients like kaolin clay, shea butter, and jojoba oil condition and protect your hair while you're getting your look dialed in.

That should be the bare minimum, not a bonus.

Lightweight and non-greasy.  Heavy products weigh thin hair down and make it look even thinner.

A matte clay pomade like the Glacial Clay Pomade delivers light hold and texture without the greasy residue. Your hair looks styled, not weighed down.

And because it’s not oil-based, a water-based pomade washes out cleanly without leaving buildup that makes your next wash day a nightmare.

If your hair is thinning—or you're dealing with a receding hairline—you already know the drill. More scalp showing. Less room for error with your product choices.

The wrong styling product doesn't just underperform. It actively makes thinning worse. Shine reflects light through thin spots. Heavy formulas flatten what little volume you have.

Clumping exposes gaps that kill any chance of a full, natural look—and does nothing for your hair health.

Here's what to cut from your routine immediately.

Skip high-shine products.  Gels and glossy pomades reflect light directly through thinning areas, putting your scalp on full display.

Think of it like a spotlight on the one thing you’re trying to minimize.

A matte finish does the opposite—it absorbs light, making your hair look denser and your scalp less visible.

This is the single biggest product swap you can make for thinning hair. Go matte. Always.

Avoid products that harden or clump.  Anything that makes strands stick together creates gaps that expose your scalp.

You want separation and texture—not chunks.

Natural pomades spread evenly through the hair and keep each strand defined instead of glued together.

Ditch heavy, oil-based formulas.  If a product feels heavy in your hand, it’s going to feel heavy on your head.

Oil-based pomades create a greasy, flat look that’s the opposite of what thinning hair needs.

They’re also a nightmare to wash out, leaving buildup that clogs your scalp and makes hair look even flatter the next day.

Read the label. Sulfates and parabens strip your hair's natural moisture and speed up thinning over time. If the ingredient list reads like a chemistry exam, put it back.

This is why the Glacial Clay Pomade stands out in product reviews as the go-to matte pomade for thinning hair. 

Its low shine finish absorbs light instead of bouncing it through thin spots. The natural formula spreads evenly—no clumping, no heavy patches.

Its 9 natural ingredients—including kaolin clay, jojoba oil, and shea butter—work like a conditioner while you style, nourishing your hair and scalp instead of stripping them.

Choose products with clean ingredients that build fullness and support scalp health. Your hair is already working against you—your product shouldn't be.

Pomade is one of the best styling products you can use on thinning hair. 

It delivers volume, texture, and a natural finish that makes your hair look fuller without weighing it down or exposing your scalp.

Apply it right—small amount, even distribution, back to front, a hit of heat—and you’ve got hair that looks thicker, healthier, and styled with intention.

Skip the shine. Skip the heavy formulas. Go matte, go lightweight, go natural.

The Glacial Clay Pomade was built for exactly this. Matte finish. Medium hold. Lightweight. 

Nine natural ingredients that nourish your scalp with every use. No crunch. No grease. Just hair that actually looks good.

There’s a reason GQ named it the best pomade for thinning hair—and a reason over 200,000 people trust Highland with their hair. See what the fuss is about.