Sick of having greasy hair? Snagging the best shampoo for oily hair is a great place to start. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick explains the importance of prioritizing the right shampoos: ones formulated with clarifying ingredients specifically formulated for washing away dirts and oils. She also emphasizes the importance of ingredients like salicylic acid, which can help curb oil production before it starts.
“It’s important to wash your hair and scalp regularly to prevent buildup of excess oil,” says Dr. Garshick. “That said, it’s also important to avoid over-drying the scalp and avoid using too many products that can strip the scalp of its natural oils.” We asked experts to recommend the best shampoos for oily hair, with options pulled from the drugstore to DTCs and everything in-between.
Kérastase Specifique Divalent Balancing Shampoo for Oily Scalp & Hair
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Best Shampoo for Oily Hair Overall: Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Deep Clean Clarifying Shampoo
Olaplex
No. 4C Bond Maintenance Deep Clean Clarifying Shampoo
Pros
- Sulfate and paraben-free
- Lightweight
Cons
- Some ingredients can be stripping
Clarifying shampoos are a generally great choice for those with oily hair because they contain surfactants, which remove excess buildup and oil. Dr. Garshick explains that “the surfactants used in clarifying shampoos tend to offer a deeper cleanse than regular shampoos, making them especially good for those with oily scalps.” Cocamidopropyl betaine is the main surfactant in this formula, but it’s also mixed with the brand’s proprietary ingredient bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate. (This is what Olaplex is referring to when they hype-up their bond-repairing abilities, since it’s been found to repair breakage without weighing the hair down.) In general, this is a great formula that makes your hair feel stronger and more manageable, and it gets bonus points for working into a rich lather.
Best Volumizing Shampoo for Oily Hair: Kérastase Specifique Divalent Balancing Shampoo for Oily Scalp & Hair
Kérastase
Specifique Divalent Balancing Shampoo for Oily Scalp & Hair
Pros
- Scent
- Volumizing
- Nourishing ingredients
Cons
In addition to combining notes of basil and freesia sandalwood, this shampoo works against oil by adding a boost of volume. This makes it a great choice for fine hair or thin hair because it won’t weigh strands down. It also nourishes the ends of strands with B6, which works to protect the hair from environmental pollutants that exacerbate oil production on the scalp.
Best Thickening Shampoo for Oily Hair: R+Co Dallas Biotin Thickening Shampoo
Neutrogena
Dallas Biotin Thickening Shampoo
Pros
Cons
- Some people say biotin can build-up on the strands
If you’re concerned about thickness, definitely make sure you search for products with biotin on the label. Biotin coats each strand and adds an undetectable layer of sheen. The only downside with this ingredient is that some people feel as though it can build up over time and weigh the hair down. This shampoo also contains coconut oil to condition and moisturize the hair, as well as saw palmetto berry, which is an ingredient that adds natural body to the strands.
IGK
Extra Love Volume Shampoo
Pros
- Promotes overall scalp health and hair growth
- Great scent
Cons
- Some users reported that it felt drying over time
People with fine hair want to be careful to choose shampoos that are gentle in order to avoid breakage. This shampoo is specifically formulated for oily hair that is fine or lacking in volume, and all of the ingredients are lightweight. Aaron Grenia, a hair stylist and the co-founder of IGK Hair Care explains that formulas rich in oils, silicones, or creams will “weigh hair down and cause it to feel greasy faster.” He also explains that this is especially true when these types of products are overused or applied near the scalp. To remedy these issues, this formula is packed with ingredients that will make your hair healthier overall, including a lightweight microbiome prebiotic that works to improve the overall health of the scalp, which will result in less oil production over time. It also contains Jeju water, which is volcanic water that’s rich in iron and zinc, both of which aid in hair growth and overall follicle health.
Best Moisturizing Shampoo for Oily Hair: Davines Nounou Repair Shampoo
Davines
NOUNOU Repair Shampoo
Davines shampoos are known for their natural ingredients that feel super thick and creamy—and that’s because they’re incredibly nourishing. This one in particular is formulated for severely dry hair, including hair that could be chemically damaged from dyes. It contains fiaschetto tomato extract, which is packed with antioxidants and vitamin C which nourish strands and bring them back to life. The Nounou is particularly great because it can be hard to find a shampoo that’s both moisturizing and lightweight, which is key for those dealing with excess oil. It’s also important to note that you should be using a conditioner or hair mask if you’re dealing with dry, brittle hair—just make super sure that you’re rinsing it out thoroughly. (This particular shampoo actually has an accompanying hair mask that would be ideal.)
Best Shampoo for Curly Oily Hair: Cécred Hydrating Shampoo
Not only does this shampoo have notes of oud, sandalwood and musk, but it’s also incredibly nourishing for curly hair without being too heavy. It contains keratin ferment, which works to strengthen hair to prevent breakage and enhance the natural shape of the curl. It also contains a phyto-collagen complex—a fancy way of saying that the collagen is derived from natural ingredients. This complex works to improve elasticity, which is especially important for maintaining the health and shape of curls. Finally, the hyaluronic acid will ensure that your hair is moisturized and nourished, which will improve the overall strength of your strands.
Best for Shampoo for Irritated Scalps: L’Oreal Elvive Hyaluron Pure Moisturizing Shampoo for Oily Hair
L’Oreal Paris
Elvive Hyaluron Pure Moisturizing Shampoo for Oily Hair
You might recognize hyaluronic and salicylic acids from skin care products, and that’s because they’re both workhorse ingredients that act as clarifying and moisturizing agents. This makes this shampoo a particularly great choice if you’ve noticed bumps or small breakouts along your hairline or on your scalp. “It can be helpful to use shampoos containing salicylic acid, which may help to reduce oil and buildup,” says Dr. Marisa Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist. Not only will the salicylic acid strip away dirt and oil, the hyaluronic acid will work to bind water molecules to the skin so that your scalp never feels dry and itchy. That said, she notes that it could be good to alternate with other shampoos to avoid dryness.
Best Clarifying Shampoo for Oily Hair: Neutrogena Exfoliating Healthy Scalp Clarify & Shine Shampoo
Neutrogena
Exfoliating Healthy Scalp Clarify & Shine Shampoo
Pros
Cons
- Lacks nourishing ingredients
