The Best Shampoos for Oily Hair

In order to get the best possible results for your hair, you need to use a shampoo that’s designed with your hair type in mind. If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to the best shampoos for oily hair, you’ve come to the right place!

What are the challenges that come with oily hair?

Out of the various hair types, oily hair may be the most difficult to maintain. You face several challenges if you have oily hair:

• Oily hair tends to look greasy and may be difficult to style. This can make it hard to achieve the desired look or to maintain a well-groomed appearance.
• Oily hair may feel heavy and may be prone to tangles. This can make it difficult to manage and style.
• Oily hair is prone to product buildup, which can make it feel heavy and lifeless. This buildup can be hard to remove and may require the use of clarifying shampoos or other deep cleansing treatments.
• Oily hair is more prone to dandruff, which can be itchy and uncomfortable.

What should you look for in a shampoo for oily hair?

When looking for a shampoo for oily hair, you may want to consider the following factors:

• Some shampoos are effective at removing excess oil and impurities from the hair and scalp. Common ingredients to look for include sulfates, salicylic acid, and tea tree oil.
• Oily hair tends to be more alkaline, so look for shampoos that are formulated with a slightly acidic pH to help balance the scalp’s pH and keep it healthy.
• Oily hair can be heavy and flat, so look for shampoos that contain ingredients that help to add volume and body to the hair.
• Oily hair is often more sensitive, so look for shampoos that are formulated with gentle, nourishing ingredients that won’t strip the hair of its natural oils.
• Synthetic fragrances can be irritating to the scalp, so look for a shampoo that’s free from artificial fragrances.

It’s important to keep in mind that what works for one person may not work for everyone, and it may be necessary to experiment with different products to find the ones that work best for your hair. It may also be helpful to try using a smaller amount of shampoo and focus on the roots of the hair where excess oil is more likely to be present. Read on to find out which shampoos to try for your oily hair. 

1. Blu Atlas Shampoo

The perfect product for oily hair, Blu Atlas shampoo contains coconut derived surfactants that clean away dirt and oils, leaving your hair feeling healthy, nourished, and manageable. Blu Atlas shampoo is gentle enough to be used daily, perfect for oil-prone hair. 

When used daily, a quarter-sized amount not only cleanses your hair, the jojoba protein repairs any damage to the strands and the aloe vera in the product soothes your scalp. Saw palmetto and vegan biotin fortify your hair, leaving it stronger and healthier than ever. 

We love that this product comes in two scents, classic and coconut-apricot, both of which are derived from 99% natural ingredients so you can confidently avoid nasty chemicals that can damage your hair. Follow the shampoo up with Blu Atlas conditioner to get the best possible results. 

We also love that Blu Atlas is offering 20% off the price of all their products if you sign up for a subscription. 

2. Maple Holistics Degrease Shampoo

This simple shampoo, which is sulfate free, uses lemon oil to reduce excess oil and leave your scalp feeling fresh and clean. Jojoba oil is added to moisturize, and rosemary oil treats dandruff and prevents hair loss. The gentle ingredients are soothing on your scalp and leave your strands looking shiny and moisturized. 

The botanical ingredients in Maple Holistics Degrease Shampoo include aromas of peach and basil as well as lemon, jojoba, and rosemary, so choose this shampoo only if you enjoy a strongly scented product.

3. Virtue Purifying Shampoo

For cleaner, shinier hair, use this deeply cleansing shampoo to remove product buildup, toxins, and excess oil. It’s suitable for all hair types, ranging from straight and fine to curly and coarse. Furthermore, it’s made from a patented protein that’s identical to keratin. According to Virtue, this protein helps restore damaged hair over time if used regularly.

This shampoo can be used weekly for a deep clean, which is convenient for those short on time, or it can be used as needed to remove product residue and prevent oiliness.

Overall, this is an excellent product for keeping your scalp clean while keeping your hair soft and shiny. With this shampoo, a little goes a long way, which is a good thing because it’s not the cheapest option available.

4. Klorane 2-in-1 Mask Shampoo Powder With Organic Nettle and Clay

This product works a little differently to most shampoos; it comes in a powder form and you simply add a few drops of water and watch it turn into a thick, creamy foam that can be used like a shampoo. This product uses nettle due to its high concentration of scopoletine, a compound that has been shown to reduce greasiness and help hair stay cleaner for longer, while the clay component helps to absorb excess oil. 

This product is free from parabens, silicone and sulfates, as well as being vegan and sold in fully biodegradable packaging. 

5. Ethique St Clements Shampoo Bar for Oily Hair

If you’re looking for the best shampoo for oily hair, don’t discount shampoo bars. Ethique’s solid St Clements shampoo bar is a great option. This hydrating, moisturizing bar was created specifically for oily hair. This is why it’s made with nourishing ingredients like castor oil and cocoa butter rather than harsh foaming agents, which can strip your scalp of natural moisture. When your scalp is stripped with harsh cleansers, this tends to produce more oil to compensate, leading to the opposite of what you are trying to achieve.

If you’ve never used a solid shampoo bar before, don’t be put off—it’s easy! Simply slide the shampoo bar from the roots to the ends of your hair. As the cleanser foams up, massage it into your scalp, and then rinse thoroughly to reveal clean, refreshed hair.

6. Serie Expert Pure Resource Shampoo from L’Oréal Professionnel

This L’Oréal shampoo is ideal for people who suffer from oily or greasy hair. It contains Citramine, a compound that deftly removes excess grease and residue buildup from hard water or styling products, both of which can increase your scalp’s oil production. This shampoo is safe to use on colored and chemically-treated hair thanks to its gentle formulation. It has a higher price point than some other options on our list, so it’s better if you prefer a weekly shampoo session instead of more frequent washing. 

7. OGX Tea Tree Mint Shampoo

This tea tree and mint scalp shampoo thoroughly cleans your oily hair while providing a burst of freshness. It contains peppermint, tea tree oil, and witch hazel, which combine to stimulate the senses with a revitalizing tingling sensation.

This nourishing shampoo’s lightweight formula provides a thorough clean while leaving hair shiny, soft, and moisturized with a healthy appearance and feel.

The shampoo contains tea tree oil, which stimulates the scalp, peppermint extract, which stimulates the senses, and witch hazel, which is naturally astringent and helps remove buildup and nourish the scalp.

Furthermore, the paraben-free, sulfate-free surfactant hair care system is gentle on your hair, allowing you to use it as often as necessary without causing damage.

8. Reverie Natural Botanical Shampoo

Reverie Natural Botanical Shampoo is formulated so that it’s strong enough to remove buildup from the scalp and hair, improve strand strength, and restore luster—despite being made with biodegradable ingredients from coconut and sugar cane. Not to mention, it’s safe for daily use and on color-treated hair. 

This shampoo also is silicone free. Silicone is a synthetic polymer used in many shampoos, but which is a definite no-no for folks with oily hair; people with an oily hair type may find that silicones can weigh their hair down or make it feel more greasy, and silicone can be difficult to wash out of the hair. 

9. Neutrogena Anti-Residue Clarifying Shampoo

Neutrogena’s Anti-Residue Shampoo is a gentle formula that’s designed to help remove excess oil and buildup from the hair and scalp. It’s a sulfate-free shampoo, which means it doesn’t contain artificial surfactants like sulfates that can strip the hair of its natural oils and lead to an overproduction of oil from the scalp. 

This shampoo is formulated with a mild cleansing agent that gently removes excess oil, dirt, and styling product buildup. This can help balance oil production and leave your hair feeling clean and refreshed. 

This product is ideal to use once a week alongside your regular shampoo in order to clarify your hair and ensure it’s free from oil and product buildup. 

10. Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Shampoo

Garnier Fructis Pure Clean shampoo is designed to combat oily hair by thoroughly cleansing the scalp and hair to remove excess oil, dirt, and product buildup.

The formula contains ingredients such as tea tree extract and menthol, which help to cleanse the scalp and refresh the hair. It also contains a blend of natural fruit extracts, such as apple, lemon, and green tea, which nourish the hair and scalp while regulating oil production.

Garnier Fructis Pure Clean shampoo leaves hair looking and feeling healthier and more balanced by removing excess oil and nourishing the hair and scalp.

11. Head And Shoulders Classic Clean Shampoo

Head & Shoulders Classic Clean shampoo is formulated to help control oil and grease, making it a good option for people with greasy hair. The shampoo works by gently cleansing the hair and scalp, removing excess oil and dirt that can contribute to greasiness. It’s also formulated with pyrithione zinc, an ingredient that helps control the growth of the yeast that can cause dandruff. 

In addition to its oil-fighting properties, the shampoo is also designed to be gentle on the hair and scalp, making it suitable for daily use. Regular use of Head & Shoulders Classic Clean shampoo can help keep the hair and scalp clean and refreshed, without stripping the hair of its natural oils. It is another great wallet friendly option for those on a budget. 

12. Kerastase Specifique Bain Divalent Balancing Shampoo 

Part of the anti-oiliness range from Kérastase, this shampoo is specially formulated for use on oily scalps combined with dry ends. Kérastase Bain Divalent is a balancing shampoo that’s formulated to nourish and balance the scalp while gently cleansing the hair. It’s suitable for normal to oily hair types and is designed to help maintain the natural pH of the scalp. 

The shampoo contains a blend of ingredients to nourish and moisturize the hair and scalp, including glycerin and panthenol. It’s also sulfate-free, making it gentle on the hair and scalp. Regular use of Kérastase Bain Divalent can lead to a reduction in excess oil and an improvement in the overall health and appearance of your hair. We recommend that the shampoo be used in combination with other Kérastase products from the Divalent line for best results.

13. L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Clay Shampoo

Another great option from L’Oréal, the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Clay Shampoo is formulated to help control excess oil and provide a deep clean for oily hair. It contains a blend of three types of clay, which work together to absorb excess oil and impurities from the scalp and hair. 

The shampoo also contains a nourishing formula that helps hydrate the hair and scalp, leaving it feeling refreshed and clean. It’s suitable for all hair types, but is particularly effective for those with oily hair. 

Frequent use of L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Clay Shampoo can lead to a reduction in excess oil and an improvement in the overall health and appearance of your hair. This is also a more affordable option than the Serie Expert Pure Resource Shampoo from L’Oréal Professional that we listed above, so is great for the budget conscious consumer.

14. Philip B Peppermint & Avocado Volumizing & Clarifying Shampoo

Philip B Peppermint & Avocado Volumizing & Clarifying Shampoo is a cleansing shampoo designed to control excess oil and add volume to the hair. It contains a combination of peppermint and avocado oil, which nourish and moisturize the hair and scalp, leaving it feeling refreshed and clean. The shampoo’s peppermint oil stimulates the scalp, promoting healthy hair growth and adding volume to the hair. Avocado oil nourishes and moisturizes the hair and scalp, leaving it soft and smooth. The shampoo is suitable for all hair types, but it’s especially effective on oily hair.

15. Redken Amino-Mint Shampoo

Redken’s Amino-Mint Shampoo is designed to help regulate oil production and remove excess oil from the scalp and hair. It contains a blend of amino acids and peppermint oil, which work together to help balance the scalp’s oil production and promote healthy hair. 

The peppermint oil in the formula is known for its invigorating and refreshing properties, and it can help to stimulate the scalp and promote blood flow, which can in turn help to support healthy hair growth. In addition, the amino acids in the formula can help to nourish and strengthen the hair, leaving it looking and feeling healthier. 

Overall, this shampoo is formulated to help cleanse and nourish the scalp and hair, while helping to regulate oil production to keep your hair looking and feeling fresh.

16. Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-exfoliating Scalp Scrub Shampoo

Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-exfoliating Shampoo is a scalp care product that exfoliates and cleanses the scalp while nourishing it, gently removing oil buildup and leaving your hair feeling clean and fresh.  

It contains charcoal and coconut oil, which are known to help remove impurities while moisturizing the scalp. The scrub is also free of sulfates, parabens, and silicone, making it appropriate for all hair types and color-treated hair. The benefits of using this scalp scrub include improving scalp health, reducing dandruff and flakes, and promoting healthy hair growth. 

To achieve the best results, it’s critical to follow the label instructions and use the product as directed. Due to the exfoliating nature of the scrub, it’s best used once a week rather than daily. 

17. OUAI Detox Shampoo

OUAI Detox Shampoo is designed to help remove excess oil and buildup from the hair and scalp. It’s formulated with charcoal and clay to absorb excess oil and impurities as well as apple cider vinegar to help balance the scalp’s pH level. It also contains a blend of natural ingredients to help nourish and condition the hair, leaving it looking and feeling clean and refreshed.

Clay is an excellent ingredient choice when looking for a shampoo that’s formulated for oily hair because it’s the perfect ingredient to absorb excess oil, balance the scalp’s pH, and regulate oil production. This is perfect for people with oily hair as it allows you to remove excess oil and keep the hair looking clean and fresh without damaging the scalp or stripping your natural oils too harshly.

18. BIOPOINT Rebalancing Shampoo for Oily Scalp and Dry Ends

Biopoint Rebalancing Shampoo for Oily Scalp and Dry Ends is a hair care product designed to address the common problem of an oily scalp and dry ends. It’s formulated with a blend of ingredients that help balance the scalp’s oil production, cleanse the hair and scalp, and nourish the ends of the hair. 

Some benefits of using this shampoo include reducing oiliness, improving the overall health and appearance of the hair, and providing a refreshing sensation to the scalp.

19. BIOLAGE Cooling Mint Scalp Sync Shampoo 

Biolage Cooling Mint Scalp Sync Shampoo is another great option for oily hair. The shampoo contains ingredients that help to balance the scalp’s oil production and remove excess oil from the hair and scalp. The refreshing and invigorating cooling mint scent of the shampoo also helps reduce oiliness by providing a refreshing sensation to the scalp. 

In addition to using a shampoo specifically formulated for oily hair, it may also be helpful to use a conditioner that’s lightweight and nourishing, avoid over-styling or using heavy products, and wash your hair regularly to remove excess oil and impurities.

20. Peach Not Plastic Purifying Shampoo Bar

This is another solid shampoo bar option for oily hair. It’s made from plants and targets the overproduction of oil and removes buildup leaving hair feeling clean and fresh. When using Peach’s purifying shampoo bar, you won’t find any harsh sulfates on the ingredients list, which helps prevent the loss of natural oils from your scalp and hair. 

Lather away with the silky coconut-derived foaming agents, which function like a regular shampoo. This bar also comes in sustainable packaging and is made in small batches using a low waste and low energy manufacturing process, so it’s perfect for people who want to combat oily hair as well as look after the environment. 

21. ACURE Daily Workout Watermelon Shampoo

This is a great option for anyone who has oily hair due to frequent sweating from workouts. It’s a gentle enough formula that can be used every day without damaging your hair. The natural ingredients mean that your hair isn’t stripped of its natural oils by harsh chemicals, which can lead to an overproduction of oil from your scalp.

This shampoo is paraben free, sulfate free, mineral oil free, petrolatum free and formaldehyde free. It has an enticing scent of watermelon and blood orange, which will make you happy to use it every single day. 

22. Tea Tree Shampoo for Oily Hair

This shampoo contains tea tree oil as an active ingredient, which has astringent properties that helps remove excess oil from the hair and scalp. When used in a shampoo, tea tree oil helps regulate oil production, leaving the hair and scalp feeling refreshed and clean. It’s also known to have antimicrobial properties, which may help keep the scalp healthy and free from dandruff and other conditions that can contribute to oily hair. 

In addition, tea tree oil has been used traditionally as a treatment for a variety of scalp conditions, including dryness and flakiness, and may also help improve the overall health and appearance of the hair. This shampoo is also sulfate and paraben free, which helps to keep your hair healthy and strong. 

23. Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Sulfate-Free Shampoo

 

Among the most important things to look for in a shampoo for oily hair is that it’s sulfate free. Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Sulfate-Free Shampoo is formulated with apple cider vinegar and is completely free of sulfates. Sulfates are known for their ability to create a rich lather and effectively clean the hair, but they’re also harsh and can strip the hair of its natural oils. Sulfate-free shampoos, like Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Sulfate-Free Shampoo, are designed to be gentler on the hair and scalp and are often used by people with oily, dry, damaged, or sensitive hair. 

In addition to being sulfate-free, this shampoo is formulated with other ingredients that nourish and strengthen the hair, such as oats and honey. It’s intended to improve the health and appearance of your hair, leaving it looking and feeling soft, shiny, and manageable.

24. Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo

Bumble and Bumble Sunday shampoo is a deep-cleansing product specifically formulated to remove excess oil and buildup from the hair and scalp. It contains a blend of ingredients including micellar water, which is known for its ability to attract and remove impurities from the hair and scalp, and apple cider vinegar, which has astringent properties that may help balance the pH of the scalp and reduce oil production. 

Sunday shampoo is also sulfate free, which means it’s less likely to strip the hair of its natural oils and further irritate an oily scalp. It’s recommended for use once a week or as needed to help refresh the hair and scalp.

25. Aveda Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo

This haircare product is designed to thoroughly cleanse and purify the hair and scalp. Created with a natural ingredient blend that includes rosemary and mint, both of which are known for their refreshing and invigorating properties, the shampoo cleans and refreshes the hair and scalp by removing impurities and excess oil. It’s safe for all hair types and contains no sulfates, parabens, or silicone. 

Aveda Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo is designed to improve the health and appearance of hair, leaving it soft, shiny, and manageable. In addition to its purifying properties, the shampoo is intended to stimulate the scalp and promote healthy hair growth.