I’ve had oily hair for as long as I can remember. Dry shampoo has become my best friend between washes, giving me an easy way to resurrect my greasy hair and make it look somewhat presentable. Healthline says oily hair is caused by too much sebum distributed throughout your hair through the scalp. Some oil is natural, but an excess can be caused by washing too often, not washing enough or simply genetics.
If you’re on the hunt for new products to change your routine and try to prevent greasy hair, there are certain ingredients to be on the lookout for. Rosemary, lavender, peppermint, lemongrass and tea tree oil are superstars when it comes to clarifying texture while also removing buildup and oil. Apple cider vinegar has also proven to be an effective remedy that many folks use in hair DIYs to save money and time. But even better news? These are the best shampoos for oily hair to help you narrow down the huge selection of products out there.
Best shampoos for oily hair:
- Neutrogena – Exfoliating Healthy Scalp Clarify & Shine Shampoo
- OUAI – Detox Shampoo
- CHI – Tea Tree Oil Shampoo
- Paul Mitchell – Shampoo Two
- Aveeno – Apple Cider Vinegar Blend Shampoo
- Nexxus – Hydra-Light Weightless Moisture Shampoo
- Maple Holistics – Degrease Shampoo
- Tea Tree – Special Shampoo
- BIOLAGE – Cooling Mint Scalp Sync Shampoo
- OGX – Refreshing Scalp + Teatree Mint Shampoo
- L’Oreal Paris – Elvive Extraordinary Clay Rebalancing Shampoo and Conditioner Set
- Ethique St. Clements – Clarifying Solid Shampoo Bar
- Garnier Fructis – Full and Plush Volumizing Shampoo
- Kérastase – Bain Divalent Balancing Shampoo
- Olaplex – No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
- FEKKAI – Apple Cider Detox Shampoo
- Head & Shoulders – Dandruff Shampoo Advanced Oil Control
- Luseta – Tea Tree Shampoo
- Kristin Ess – Deep Clean Clarifying Shampoo
- Acure – Daily Workout Watermelon Shampoo
Neutrogena is probably best known for creating high-quality, affordable skincare products, but their hair products are solid choices too. This shampoo is made with pink grapefruit to clarify and exfoliate your scalp. It’s made for oily hair but is suitable for all hair types, including colored hair.
The next selection on our list has tea tree and peppermint oils to refresh your scalp and replenish moisture. As we mentioned earlier, tea tree is a hero for greasy hair — it can reduce the appearance of dandruff and — it can reduce the appearance of dandruff and also reduce the production of excess sebum.
Ideal for all hair types, the Paul Mitchell Shampoo Two has a refreshing lemon scent and works to make hair less oily over time. The formula is vegan, paraben-free and will leave your locks luscious and full of body.
With a whopping 48,000 reviews on Amazon, the Tea Tree Special Shampoo has a blend of botanical ingredients that give your scalp a tingling sensation. Tea tree, peppermint and lavender work overtime to refresh your hair and leave behind a lovely scent. Plus, it’s made with post-consumer recycled bottles.
The Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Blend Shampoo is excellent for those with a limited budget. It’s affordable yet doesn’t compromise on quality. Oat and apple cider vinegar promote a healthy scalp for high shine and volume.
OUAI’s Detox Shampoo cleanses without stripping and removes any product buildup that may be left behind. Apple cider vinegar, chelating agents and hydrolyzed keratin work together to eliminate pesky oil and provide your best hair day yet. This has the brand’s signature Melrose Place scent, which includes notes of champagne, amber and sandalwood.
Made for fine to flat hair, the Hydra-Light Weightless Moisture Shampoo from Nexxus is a top player in providing deep hydration. Deep sea minerals help nourish locks without being too heavy, and it’s effective on normal to oily hair.
Next is a shampoo with nearly 15,000 reviews, with over 10,000 of those five stars. Reviewers rave about the Maple Holistics Degrease Shampoo’s low price point and how well it works to alleviate grease. The formula includes jojoba, rosemary and lemon essential oils and has an herbal vanilla berry scent.
BIOLAGE is a salon staple that features reliable formulas worth the splurge. Their Cooling Mint Scalp Sync Shampoo can be used daily to cleanse excess oil and keep dandruff in check, all while giving a cool sensation.
The OGX Refreshing Scalp + Teatree Mint Shampoo is another affordable, easily accessible option for those who don’t want to break the bank. The scent is a mix of peppermint, iced vanilla and tea tree. One reviewer said this cleared up his dry, scaly scalp better than Head & Shoulders.
L’Oreal never fails to disappoint, whether it’s makeup or skincare or hair products. The silicone-free formula of the Elvive Extraordinary Clay Rebalancing shampoo has three refined clays for rebalancing greasy roots while also hydrating dry ends. Even better, this set comes with shampoo and conditioner to kill two birds with one stone.
Always wanted to try a shampoo bar but have been unsure where to start? Try the Ethique St. Clements Clarifying option for oily locks. Give up the bottle and switch to something more sustainable. The bar is palm oil-free and 100% plastic-free — you’re helping your hair and Mother Nature.
Garnier Fructis’ Full and Plush Volumizing Shampoo has citrus protein, vitamins B3 and B6, and fruit and plant-derived extracts for healthy hair. Reviewers say it’s an effective way to remove grease while adding fluff and shine. The formula has a lovely citrus and pomegranate scent.
If you’re looking for something more luxurious, this next choice will make every shower feel like a spa experience. The Kérastase Bain Divalent Balancing Shampoo is lightweight but purifies to reduce oil and lingering odors. As a bonus, the bottle looks bougie, so you’ll feel extra fancy.
Of course, Olaplex has a spot on this list — it’s iconic! The No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo is an Allure Best of Beauty Winner and a Sephora favorite. It removes product buildup, oil, hard water minerals, chlorine and pollution while simultaneously creating volume and softness. You won’t be disappointed.
FEKKAI’s Apple Cider Detox Shampoo regulates moisture levels of your scalp through ingredients including ginger extract, salicylic acid, pomegranate seed oil and pro-vitamin B5. You can use this with your regular conditioner or FEKKAI’s matching Apple Cider Detox Scrub for an even better clean.
The Head & Shoulders Dandruff Shampoo Advanced Oil Control is infused with citrus and made with 1% selenium sulfide for prescription-strength flake protection. It provides relief from seborrheic dermatitis while also removing excess oil with every use.
Luseta’s Tea Tree Shampoo is sulfate and paraben-free and suitable for all hair types, including curly and colored locks. Argan oil is a natural moisturizer that helps repair brittle and damaged hair, and of course, tea tree helps relieve a dry, itchy scalp.
How gorgeous is this bottle? Kristin Ess knows how to design hair products, and what’s more, these perform well too. The Deep Clean Clarifying Shampoo has “zip-up” technology, a complex that works to “zip-up” split ends while smoothing and cleansing.
Acure is on a mission to take your hair from blah to brilliantly boosted. This product is for all the folks who must shampoo and condition daily due to environmental stressors, heavy sweat or excess oil. The gentle formula has watermelon seed extract and blood orange.
