Some women find themselves plagued by greasy hair during the warmer months, because sweat. Others (i.e. the majority of those with oily hair issues) are genetically predisposed to having greasy scalps year round. Still others develop #oilyhairproblems thanks to hormonal imbalances. And then there are those who exercise often (more sweat = more sebum, that light yellow, oily substance secreted by your sebaceous glands…yum) and those whose hyper-affinity for styling products leads to gunked-up hair.
Women with greasy hair or oily scalps, listen up. Regardless of the root of your follicle problems (har, har) or how often you’re washing your hair, when you do wash, you’re going to want to make it count. (And in between, you’re going to want to carry around a mini dry shampoo and resist the urge to play with your hair — your fingers are rife with oil.)
Those who choose to wash every day may prefer a gentler shampoo that de-greases hair without stripping it of all its natural defenses. Those who lather up less frequently are going to want to use a heavy-duty clarifying shampoo when they do go under the nozzle. Whatever sort of shampoo for oily hair you seek, we’ve got you covered.
Click through the slideshow below to shop 11 of the very best shampoos for oily hair, according to passionate reviewers who get the greasy-hair struggle, oily-scalp struggle, oily-scalp-but-dry-ends struggle, etc. (Note: said reviews have been edited and condensed for clarity.) Then, while you wait for your hero shampoo to arrive, try a turban or headband on for size. They’re trending, and they’ll cover up your roots.
[ Next: Before You Buy: The 9 Best Dandruff Shampoos, According to Consumer Reviews ]
Best Shampoo for Oily Hair
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HASK
Charcoal Clarifying Shampoo, $5.99 at Ulta Beauty
Charcoal's ability to draw out odors, impurities and sebum has long been celebrated; this shampoo for oily hair harnesses them to treat your scalp and hair.
Per reviewers:
"I have wavy, fairly thick hair that starts to get oily after a few hours of washing. Because of that, I am an avid dry shampoo user and naturally, that builds up. I cannot tell you the number of products I have tried to really get that lasting clean feeling while still having shiny, healthy looking hair. This product absolutely blew me away. Even when I was shampooing I could feel a difference and could tell my hair and scalp were truly getting clean. When I got out of the shower, it was so easy to comb through my hair thanks to the conditioner that goes along with this shampoo. I blow dry my hair and afterwards it looks healthy, shiny, feels as light as a feather and smells incredible. I cannot say enough good things about this product. The price is unbeatable!"
"I used to wash my hair every single day because it was so oily, no matter what products I used. I stumbled upon this shampoo online and I was skeptical that it would actually work as well as the reviews said. However, I was pleasantly surprised: this shampoo (and conditioner) is amazing! I can now wait two days between washes, and I would say that it is gentle enough for daily use."
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Rene Furterer
Curbicia Purifying Clay Shampoo, $25 at Rene Furterer
A favorite of dermatologists, this purifying clay shampoo doubles as a scalp mask. Squash seed helps to control oil production; mineral clay absorbs excess oil. (Unfortunately, while effective, neither smells particularly nice. Happily, once a week usage will still give you lasting results.)
Per reviewers:
"Before I got this shampoo I had to wash my hair every day. Now I wash it four times a week! I love it! The price is rather steep and the smell is kinda yucky but it really works! My hair looks great. I use this once a week and can wash my hair less! Try this if you have a problem with oily hair!"
"Great product. For years I fought with dandruff — I have dry scalp in the winter and dryer hair all season — but then a stylist suggested that I might, in fact, have an oily scalp and dry hair. I tried this shampoo (only on my scalp) and a different kind on my ends. Gone. I use it once a week now and I haven't seen a flake since. So expensive, but to me, it's worth it. Horrible scent!"
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Maple Holistics
Degrease Natural Shampoo for Oily Hair & Scalp, $12.95 at Maple Holistics
Lemon oil — which features in many an at-home hair mask — helps this all-natural, dermatologist-approved shampoo for oily hair break up sebum and keep your scalp's pH levels nice and, well, level.
Per reviewers:
"I have very thin hair, and I have to wash it every day in order to keep it from getting oily. A couple of years ago, I decided I wanted to swap out all of my beauty and hair products for natural products. I was very disappointed when I tried one natural shampoo after another; they all made my hair feel greasy and weighed down, even after a few weeks, by which time my oils should have balanced out. I finally came across this shampoo and decided to give it a try, and I'm so happy I did. This has been the only shampoo I've found that actually results in a good hair day. When I use it, I can go a full day before my hair starts to get oily (as opposed to a few hours). My hair feels lighter, softer, thicker, and believe it or not, actually seems longer when I use it. If you have naturally oily hair, I highly recommend this product. Note: Be sure to follow the directions and let the shampoo sit in your hair for a few minutes before you rinse it out."
"As a practicing dermatologist for over twelve years, I'd say that in my experience, more patients have come to me with scalp problems than any other...I recommend this to most clients who have greasy hair and/or a greasy scalp. Sebum secretion is something many shampoos fail to heal, but this one succeeds."
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Paul Mitchell
Clarifying Shampoo Two, $10.99 at Ulta Beauty
Clarifying shampoos aren't meant to be fun. They simply give you what you came for: clean hair, clean scalp. Formulated by the pros at Paul Mitchell, this shampoo does just that, plus it helps minimize oil production over time. No arguments here.
Per reviewers:
"After I chopped most of my hair off about a year ago, I noticed that it was becoming visibly greasy very quickly and I could no longer go multiple days without washing. What occurred to me recently, though, was that with my short hair I was also using far more styling products. Thus began the hunt for a great clarifying shampoo to get all that buildup off my head. Even after one use, my hair feels like its old self again, and I can once again return to my semi-irregular bathing habits."
"Works great! Removes buildup from everyday use of regular hair products. One caveat: do not use this product every day because it will strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving it super dry and raggedy. Once a week works best."
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Briogeo
Be Gentle, Be Kind Green Tea Clarifying Shampoo, $24 at Sephora
Packed with powerful green tea antioxidants and coconut-derived surfactants — but sulfate-free — this 96 percent natural formula lathers into a sudsy shampoo that will lock onto dirt and oil and whisk it away. It's recommended for those with oily, fine, thin or normal hair.
Per reviewers:
"I have fine, wavy hair that gets greasy. It's a dilemma because the ends are prone to dryness and splits, but because of my scalp I do need to wash daily. This stuff is great. It's a bit pricey, but I just use a quarter-sized amount, rubbing it between my palms, so it lasts a long time. My hair is clean but not stripped. I've had fewer split ends, and for some reason it also defines my waves nicely when my hair dries."
"My hair is thin and very oily. While I don't use much product in my hair — least of all near my scalp — my scalp area tends to accumulate buildup and a lot of shampoos don't clean it completely. This shampoo removes all the buildup from my hair and leaves it frizz-free and soft. I love it!"
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Fekkai
Salon Professional Apple Cider Clarifying Shampoo, $15.19 at Target
This cheerily packaged shampoo for oily hair boosts shine and rids hair of dullness-causing grease and gunk with the help of apple cider vinegar, known for its clarifying properties.
Per reviewers:
"I use this with the Shea conditioner and it works wonders! My hair tends to get oily pretty quickly and this shampoo is just the fix it needs. It almost feels as if I exfoliate my scalp every time I use it and afterwards my hair can truly breathe. A little goes a long way, and I love the smell too!"
"I get a lot of buildup from the products I use on my long, thin, fine, straight hair (and the fact that I have to wash it with hard water). I bought this and was pleasantly surprised. It smells wonderful and works great. My scalp is squeaky clean. I also used it to try and fade my pink hair since I wanted to try a new color but it actually didn't work for that! So I'd say it's probably safe to use on colored hair. (At least in my experience. Definitely do a strand test on your own though, everyone's hair is different.)"
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Neutrogena
Anti-Residue Shampoo, $4.89 at Target
This drugstore staple works particularly well on curly hair. Several reviewers praised its ability to clean even dreadlocks, which usually require specialized shampoos.
Per reviewers:
"This product is a life saver. My hair started to get this waxy buildup and would look super greasy even after I showered and blow dried it. My hair is normally shiny and healthy and I did not understand why this was happening. I did some research on the internet and came across this shampoo and decided to give it a try. I am in love! After the first wash my hair came out looking exactly how it used to be. I was shocked and so happy with the results. I normally do not write reviews but I felt like this was needed. Highly recommend."
"This is the best shampoo. I struggled with greasy hair for a couple of years (out of the blue). I tried everything from baby powder to $50 dry shampoo. This gets out all the dirt and grime and leaves my hair feeling perfectly clean, just like a trip to the salon."
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Christophe Robin
Purifying Shampoo with Jujube Bark Extract, $38 at Sephora
Jujube bark extract, which boasts anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, is the star ingredient in this light, translucent formula, geared towards those with oily roots, dandruff and sensitive scalps.
Per reviewers:
"I really, really wish I didn't like a $38 shampoo, but I'm in a whole new bracket now. My hair was getting really oily after I stopped breastfeeding (yay, hormones!) but shampoos with SLS were irritating my scalp. With this shampoo, I don't get the annoying patch of itchiness near my hairline that I've had every winter for years and I can go two or three days between washes. My hairstylist even said that my hair is feeling thicker since I've stopped using anything with SLS!"
"This shampoo is seriously amazing! I have an extremely oily scalp that's also super itchy. I started feeling the difference after just one use of this shampoo, and started seeing it after the first week. I don't have to wash my hair everyday anymore! Also it smells fantastic! Going to buy another bottle for my boyfriend because he keeps using mine."
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Sachajuan
Normalizing Shampoo, $26 at Net-a-Porter
Sweden-based haircare professionals Sacha Mitic and Juan Rosenlind infuse their cult-favorite line with hair-loving proteins and minerals found in sea algae. Expect shiny, weightless results.
According to one oily-scalped reviewer:
"Best shampoo ever. I have an oily scalp but dry ends and this makes my hair so much more manageable. I think it smells a little like baby shampoo, but I kind of like it actually. Very clean."
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Bumble & Bumble
Seaweed Shampoo, $24 at Sephora
If a deep-cleaning, once-a-week cleanser is what you seek, allow us to direct your attention to Bumble & Bumble's famed Sunday Shampoo. If you'd prefer something more mild and moisturizing, this marine seaweed, spirulina and kelp-enriched formula is your guy.
Per reviewers:
"Not only do I have oily hair, I also have oily skin. Plus I have bangs that sweep to one side of my forehead and live in a very humid place. I needed a shampoo that would not completely strip my hair. I decided to try this product. So far I really like the way that it cleans my hair. It stays grease-free through the end of the day, although I do still have to wash it on a daily basis."
"I have fine, oily hair and I like this shampoo. It leaves my hair feeling clean and light and fresh! The smell is so amazing. It is wonderful for getting salt out of my hair after a day at the beach. That said, if your hair's had a bit of a rough day, I would recommend a shampoo that is more restorative than this one. This is a great everyday shampoo but it doesn't do a lot of damage repair."
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Verb
Ghost Shampoo, $16 at Sephora
Verb's shampoo for oily hair is meant for fine hair, which it weightlessly conditions and protects with the help of smoothing, nutrient-filled moringa seed oil and reparative quinoa protein.
Per reviewers:
"I thought I'd found my dream shampoo and conditioner with the Verb Hydrate set, but Verb's Ghost set is the absolute best for my baby fine blonde hair. My hair becomes oily rather quickly at the roots and most conditioners are way too heavy. This shampoo and conditioner provide the right amount of moisture to keep my hair feather light and not weighed down. It's still super soft and shiny too. Love love love!"
"I've worked in the beauty industry for a few years now, specifically at a salon, and this shampoo and conditioner is hands down the best. I adore this product. My hair is fine, thin and oily which makes it limp and lifeless. With this shampoo my hair is lightweight and shiny. Vegan, cruelty free! Color safe! Even works on my tape-in extensions. Cannot recommend enough!"
