Our skin, and in particular our scalp, is designed to produce natural oil, which helps to hydrate and moisturize our skin and hair. But too much of a good thing can be a problem. Overproduction of oil on the scalp can leave your hair looking and feeling oily and greasy, giving off the impression that your hair is either dirty or that you’ve just finished a sweaty workout session. Neither one is a good look.
Finding the right shampoo that works for your hair can be a challenge. There are shampoos for thinning hair, dry and frizzy hair and there are even brushes that help massage shampoo into your hair. If you suffer from oily hair then you know that washing it regularly is not an easy fix. In fact, washing your hair too often actually causes the natural oil in your scalp to begin overproducing, which in turn makes your hair appear oily and greasy.
For people with fine hair, overproduction of oil can be a big issue. While thicker hair tends to soak up the excess oil and look clean longer, there’s nowhere for the oil to hide in thin hair, making it difficult to go more than a day without washing your hair. That’s why using a shampoo that specifically targets balancing the oil production in your scalp is even more important if you have thin hair.
Using a shampoo that cleanses the scalp and removes buildup is important when treating oily hair. Product buildup makes it difficult for the shampoo to properly clean your scalp, which in turn can make your hair look greasy. Using a shampoo that absorbs oil is also important, with a pH balance shampoo working to regulate your natural oil production.
Related Stories
Shampoos that use a long list of chemical ingredients can have a ‘plastic effect’ that weighs down your hair, which in turn makes it look oily. When purchasing shampoos to combat your excessively oily hair, it’s important to look for a list of natural ingredients. We rounded up some of our top choices that will let you finally win the battle against oily hair.
1. Honeydew Lemon Sage Volumizing Shampoo For Oily Hair
BEST OVERALL
If you have greasy hair and dandruff, this shampoo can help improve both issues. The shampoo reduces the natural excess sebum secretion that causes our hair to look and feel greasy, while the moisturizing argan oil, lemon essential oil and sage help to hydrate the scalp and hair strands to reduce dandruff. Non-toxic, anti-residue, and safe for all hair types, Honeydew Lemon Sage Volumizing Shampoo For Oily Hair will not only eliminate common hair issues, but will also add volume and lightness to your locks.
2. Maple Holistics Clarifying Shampoo for Oily Hair and Scalp
GOOD FOR SENSITIVE SCALPS
Boost the volume and texture of your hair while combating oil, grease and dandruff with Maple Holistics Clarifying Shampoo for Oily Hair and Scalp. The holistic and detoxifying shampoo uses purifying oils to absorb excess oil, making your hair look and feel lightweight. Essential oils help to deep clean your scalp, remove buildup from products and stop the natural oils of your hair from overproducing. Maple Holistics is safe for use on all hair types and is hypoallergenic.
3. Ethique Solid Shampoo Bar for Oily Hair
ECO-FRIENDLY OPTION
One bar equals three bottles of shampoo with the Ethique Eco-Friendly Solid Shampoo Bar for Oily Hair, which is a pH balanced shampoo bar that removes excess oil from hair without stripping hair of its natural oils and drying it out. Balancing your hairs’ natural oils with Rosemary, Juniper, Basil, Lime, Lemon and Orange extracts, Ethique leaves your hair feeling fresh and moisturized, without any need for a conditioner. The shampoo is biodegradable and has no plastic packaging, making it friendly for your hair and the environment.
4. Aveeno Scalp Soothing Shampoo
BUDGET BUY
Apple cider vinegar and shampoo may seem like an odd mix, but this pantry staple has been used in natural shampoos for years. Apple cider vinegar can help bring hair that has become oily back into balance by lowering hair and scalp pH. Overusing apple cider vinegar in hair care can irritate the scalp, which is why we like using the Aveeno Scalp Soothing Shampoo, which uses the correct ratio of apple cider vinegar to oat to make a shampoo that is gentle on the scalp and cleanses hair while also adding shine and balance. It also helps to remove build-up in oily to normal hair. Aveeno’s shampoo is free from parabens, dyes and sulfates, which can damage hair and weigh it down.
5. Pureology Hydrate Sheer Nourishing Shampoo
FOR COLOR TREATED HAIR
Another salon favorite, Pureology has a cult following for their line of hair care products, including their Hydrate Sheer Nourishing Shampoo. The silicone-free, sulfate-free and vegan-friendly shampoo is designed for fine, dry, color-treated hair and helps infused moisture back into strands. The life of a dye job is extended by users opting to not wash their hair often, which helps to maintain the color but may lead to an oily, greasy look for those with fine hair. Pureology addresses this conundrum with a shampoo that prolongs colors, hydrates and leaves hair with the inviting scent of lavender, bergamot and patchouli.
6. Head and Shoulders Instant Oil Control
FOR USERS WITH DANDRUFF
Some people only have one issue to focus on when searching for a shampoo. We can’t relate, but we’ve heard these people exist. For the rest of us who need a shampoo that checks multiple boxes, there’s Head and Shoulders Instant Oil Control. Formulated with mango and citrus essence, which leaves hair smelling fresh and clean, the shampoo addresses excessive oil production and dandruff at the same time. Customers will be left with hair that looks and feels clean without the dreaded white flakes of dandruff.
7. Joico K-Pak Clarifying Shampoo
FOR PEOPLE WHO USE A LOT OF PRODUCT
Clarifying shampoos help to give hair a deep clean and remove build-up that is the result of regularly using products like dry shampoo, gel, mousse and hairspray. After a while, these products can begin to build up around the hair’s cuticles and make hair appear oily and greasy. The Joico K-Pak Clarifying Shampoo is a great way to give your hair and scalp a deep clean once a week and help restore the nutrients your hair needs to look and feel full and light.
8. Be Gentle, Be Kind Aloe + Oat Milk Ultra Soothing Shampoo by Briogeo
BEST FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
For users who want to battle their oily hair but not their scalp, we recommend the Be Gentle, Be Kind Aloe + Oat Milk Ultra Soothing Shampoo by Briogeo. The gentle, dermatologist-approved shampoo is hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, making it a great option for anyone with skin sensitivities. Using aloe vera, oat milk and green tea extract, the oil-free shampoo hydrates the scalp and hair. Free from sulfates, phthalates, parabens, petrochemicals, mineral oil, silicone and talc, this shampoo is also a great option for anyone who can’t go more than a day without washing their hair since it won’t aggravate the scalp or leave hair looking dry.
9. Caviar Anti-Aging Clinical Densifying Shampoo
SPLURGE WORTHY
As we get older, our hair tends to thin, which can cause it to look oily or greasy faster after each wash. More products are needed to get volume back into hair that now appears limp and lifeless, which can lead to buildup. The Caviar Anti-Aging Clinical Densifying Shampoo provides a gentle cleanse that helps to get rid of product build-up while leaving the scalp feeling soothed and hair looking fuller and thicker. The shampoo comes with a big price tag, but users only need to wash with it once per week.
10. Mother Dirt Probiotic Hydrating Hair Wash
CONDITIONS THE SCALP
Oily hair is often caused by clogged hair follicles that are under attack from the buildup of hair products or sweat and humidity. Mother Dirt Probiotic Hydrating Hair Wash helps to smooth and condition the scalp which may have been irritated by buildup. The probiotic shampoo contains Rosa Damascena and flower water, which helps to reduce oiliness and balance the scalp. It also contains PCA glyceryl oleate to help reduce frizz and soften hair, making this a great option for users with curly hair or anyone living in a humid environment.
The Best Tea Tree Oil Shampoos That’ll Soothe Your Scalp Problems