15 Best Shampoos To Treat Your Oily Scalp And Greasy Hair – 2024
Regulate scalp oil with balancing shampoos that gently cleanse your hair and remove build-up.
Tere Pruett is a certified trichologist from the United States Trichology Institute, with 9 years of experience. She also has a graduate education in phlebotomy. She is a master educator for the United States Trichology Institute and began traveling all over the United States teaching and facilitating trichology and hands-on clinical classes.
Read full bio of Tere Pruett
Experience: 2 yearsOyendrila holds a master's degree in English Literature from the University Of Calcutta, West Bengal, and is a certified skin care coach. As a beauty and lifestyle writer with two years of experience, she writes about everything that the modern woman needs to know about grooming and self-care.
Read full bio of Oyendrila Kanjilal
Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.
Read full bio of Shiboli Chakraborti
Experience: 3 yearsEshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru.
Read full bio of Eshna Das
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If your hair gets greasy a few hours after shampooing, you might need to wash your hair more often than otherwise. However, excessive washing will only make your scalp produce more oils and make your hair sit flat again. What you really need is the best shampoo for oily hair to maintain a balance between oil regulation and cleansing of the scalp. As uncomfortable as a greasy scalp, it mainly results from hormonal changes and dust build-up. Using a mild cleanser infused with sulfate helps gently remove the excess oil. Here are 15 shampoos crafted especially for oily hair that will help you keep your scalp clean and breezy for long.
In This Article
15 Best Shampoos For Oily And Greasy Hair
1. Best Cooling Effect:BIOLAGE Cooling Mint Scalp Sync Shampoo
The BIOLAGE Cooling Mint Scalp Sync Shampoo removes excess oil from your scalp while offering a cooling and soothing sensation. It contains mint leaf extracts with relaxing and antibacterial properties and helps soothe the scalp by keeping inflammation at bay. This non-greasy, anti-inflammatory shampoo deeply cleanses the scalp and hair by removing excess oil, dirt, and impurities so that your hair does not become greasy too quickly It also balances the natural pH of the scalp to leave it healthy and clean.
Key Ingredients: Mint leaf
- Imparts a cooling sensation
- Controls oil production
- Suitable for daily use
- Suits all hair types
- May cause scalp irritation
Pro Tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product is so liked by shoppers that it has gained over 3,443 great reviews on Amazon.
2. Best For Moisturizing:Honeydew Lemon Sage Cleansing Shampoo
The Lemon Sage Oily Hair Shampoo is a balancing and clarifying product that helps in reducing excessive sebum production. Its natural formula removes oil and dirt from the hair follicles to leave them clean and nourished. This, in return, offers you healthy and bouncy hair that is oil-free.
This fortifying shampoo contains nourishing and mild ingredients like the essential oils of lemon, rosemary, and tea tree that effectively remove dandruff. It also contains argan oil that helps strengthen the scalp and maintains optimum moisture levels. The traditional herbs in the shampoo enhance cell growth, eliminate flakiness, and revive hair without causing any redness or itchiness. This herbal purifying shampoo has a fresh scent and is suitable for colored hair. Online reviews have praised the product for adding body to the hair and revitalizing the scalp.
Key Ingredients: Lemon, rosemary, and tea tree essential oils
- Adds volume
- Moisturizes hair
- Gentle formula
- Pleasant fragrance
- Color-safe
- Suits all hair types
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Expensive
Pro TipWhy We Think It's Worth Buying
With over 620 reviews, this product has become a fan favorite among users.
3. Best Lightweight Formula:Nexxus Hydra-Light Weightless Replenishing System Shampoo
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The Nexxus Hydra-Light Weightless Replenishing System Shampoo gives you perfectly bouncy hair that does not get weighed down. This hydrating shampoo is equipped with a solid combination of nature and science, which is why it supplies moisture to your hair without making it greasy or sticky. It has the goodness of deep-sea minerals that deeply nourish and hydrate your hair while retaining moisture, leaving it bouncy and lively. This lightweight moisturizing shampoo also contains proteins derived from nourishing ingredients. These proteins are essential for maintaining your hair health. Click here to check out a detailed personal review of this product.
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, sea salt, and citric acid
- Lightweight
- Silicone-free
- Pleasant fragrance
- Does not control frizz
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has more than 2,042 reviews and is a top choice all around the world.
4. Best For Hair Fall Prevention:Maple Holistics Degrease Moisture Control Shampoo
The Maple Holistics Degrease Moisture Control Shampoo gently washes away oil, dirt, and impurities to leave your hair and scalp clean and revived. This nourishing and soothing shampoo regulates the sebum levels and adds freshness and volume to your hair. It is made with a blend of revitalizing ingredients like lemon and basil oil that detox the scalp and reduce oiliness to leave you with refreshed scalp and hair. Rosemary and cypress promote blood circulation and strengthen the hair follicles while reducing flaking and itching on the scalp.
The shampoo also contains nourishing additives like peach kernel oil rich in vitamins and fatty acids and jojoba oil that increases hair elasticity, strengthens the hair, and enhances its texture. All in all, this shampoo moisturizes your hair so that it looks healthy, soft, and shiny. It is suitable for sensitive scalp and color-treated hair as well.
Key Ingredients: Rosemary essential oil, lemon essential oil, and jojoba oil
- Prevents hair fall
- Adds volume
- Gentle formula
- Strengthens hair
- Improves hair texture
- Prevents frizz and breakage
- No harmful additives
- Suitable for color-treated hair
None
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With 3,150 positive reviews on Amazon, this product has become a bestseller.
5. Best Flake-Free Formula:Maple Holistics Tea Tree Shampoo Cleanse & Clarify
The Maple Holistics Tea Tree Shampoo is a clarifying cleanser enriched with healthy scalp care ingredients, making it perfect for oily and greasy scalp. The nourishing formula enriched with tea tree oil gently cleanses your scalp and helps in removing flakes. It has a mild fragrance of lavender and rosemary that refreshes your senses. Here’s a review video featuring a tester’s experience of using the shampoo to help you get a better understanding of the product.
Key Ingredients: Tea tree essential oil
- Adds volume and shine
- Mild formula
- Removes flakes
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- GMO-free
- Synthetic color-free
- Synthetic fragrance-free
- Can dry the hair
Pro Tip6. Best For Frizzy Hair:Honeydew Shampoo For Oily Hair
The Honeydew Shampoo For Oily Hair is a clarifying scalp treatment infused with a nourishing formula that offers you healthy and lustrous hair. The blend of lemon essential oil and cypress essential oil deep cleanses the scalp to remove impurities, dirt, and grime. A combination of jojoba, rosemary, and basil oil moisturizes the hair and adds volume. It works miraculously for all hair types. Multiple reviewers have stated that this clarifying shampoo can be used regularly without any worry about your scalp getting dry.
Key Ingredients: Jojoba oil, Evening primrose oil, and Lavender essential oil
- Made with natural ingredients
- Mild formula
- Contains 100% pure oils
- Eliminates frizz
- Adds volume
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Refreshing fragrance
- Not suitable for colored hair
7. Best For Sensitive Scalp:Planative Charcoal Shampoo
The Planative Charcoal Shampoo helps to detoxify your hair and scalp to revive the texture of your tresses and make them oil-free. This deep cleansing shampoo is made with activated charcoal that unclogs the hair follicles to balance oil production and promote healthy hair growth. Charcoal works by pulling out the dirt, oil, and impurities to prevent buildup that may otherwise cause your hair to weigh down. It also imparts a soothing effect to keep your scalp problem-free and hydrated.
This volumizing shampoo helps in shine control and adds softness to your hair. It also prevents hair thinning and revives hair with a boost of volume. It is a great product to prevent hair damage as it contains nourishing ingredients like jojoba oil, almond oil, and avocado oil. These oils are rich in vitamin E that prevents hair fall by nourishing the scalp and makes your hair look fuller and thicker. The product has also attracted numerous positive reviews, owing to its high quality and visible results!
Key Ingredients: Charcoal, jojoba oil, almond oil, and coconut oil
- Sulfate-free
- Promotes hair growth
- Mild formula
- Suitable for colored hair
- Suitable for sensitive scalp
- May cause scalp itching
8. Best pH-Balanced Formula:Head &Shoulders Instant Oil Control Shampoo
The Head & Shoulders Instant Oil Control Shampoo is an ideal solution to get rid of dandruff or flakiness and reduce oiliness on your hair and scalp. This two-in-one shampoo is enriched with mango and citrus extracts that make the hair smell good, balance scalp pH, and provide volume to hair. Its dermatologically approved formula helps reduce scalp irritation and treats dermatitis. This shampoo is safe to use on color-treated hair. However, conduct a patch test on a small part of your tresses before committing to the product for consistent use.
Key Ingredients: Zinc pyrithione
- Hydrates hair
- Balances scalp pH
- Pleasant fragrance
- Imparts a cooling effect
None
9. Best Color-Safe Formula:Paul Mitchell Shampoo Two
The Paul Mitchell Shampoo Two has a color-safe formula that leaves your scalp and hair fresh and shiny. This deep-cleansing, lemony fresh clarifying shampoo helps minimize oil production and makes your scalp less oily over time. The formula is infused with aloe vera and rosemary extracts that soothe the scalp. Wheat germ oil in the shampoo strengthens the hair and makes it frizz-free. It also removes the dulling buildup from the scalp while leaving your hair squeaky-clean. The shampoo also gives volume and body, adding a refreshing sensation to your hair.
Key Ingredients: White ginger flower, wheat germ oil, and aloe vera
- Volumizes hair
- Tames frizz
- Color-safe formula
- Paraben-free
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Refreshing fragrance
None
10. Best Non-Irritating Formula:Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo
The Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo has a clarifying formula that can remove up to 90% of the dulling residue left behind by shampoos, conditioners, and other hair styling products. The non-irritating formula rinses away all the residue, leaving your scalp and hair clean. It is suitable for color-treated hair. Washing your hair once a week with this residue-free shampoo will give you desirable results.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, castor oil, and citric acid
- Boosts hair volume
- Non-irritating formula
- Suitable for all hair types
- Safe for color-treated hair
- Artificial color-free
- Overpowering fragrance
11. Best For Follice Protection:Natures Craft Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo
The Natures Craft Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo helps revive your hair and scalp. It deep cleanses your scalp and eliminates oil and impurities from the follicles to promote healthy hair growth. Your hair feels fuller, fresher, and cleaner with every hair wash. This shampoo contains organic apple cider vinegar that balances the natural pH of the scalp to keep it healthy. Jojoba oil helps nourish your hair and strengthens the hair follicles to give you smooth, soft, and shiny tresses. Patchouli oil prevents the damage caused by pollution and the sun and uplifts your senses. The botanical keratin smoothens and strengthens your hair. This safe-to-use shampoo is free from harmful additives like silicones, sulfates, and parabens. It adds volume and shine to your hair while rejuvenating it.
Key Ingredients: Keratin, jojoba, d-panthenol, and apple cider vinegar
- Balances scalp pH
- Prevents buildup
- Adds volume
- Adds shine
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Silicone-free
None
12. Best For Intense Hydration:Shea Moisture African Black Soap Bamboo Charcoal Deep Cleansing Shampoo
The Shea Moisture Bamboo Charcoal Deep Cleansing Shampoo has a gentle, effective, and deep cleansing formula that lifts away dirt, impurities, excess oil, and product buildup. It leaves your scalp with a soothing sensation. The formula is enriched with bamboo charcoal, African black soap, willow bark extract, and tea tree oil. Together, these ingredients invigorate revitalize the scalp and hydrate the hair.
Key Ingredients: African black soap, bamboo charcoal, tea tree oil, and shea butter
- Removes flakiness
- Color-safe
- Sulfate-free
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Might weigh your hair down
13. Best For Split Ends:TRUSS Equilibrium Shampoo
The TRUSS Equilibrium Shampoo is a daily cleanser that controls and balances excess oil on the scalp. This shampoo is infused with amino acids that repair split ends and make hair healthy and strong. The weightless formula adds more volume to your tresses and replenishes the scalp while making your hair look vibrant and robust. Additionally, the shampoo reduces frizz and keeps your hair soft. This shampoo can be used irrespective of hair type, length, or texture to get rid of the extra oil.
Key Ingredients: Panthenol, Avocado oil, argan oil, vegetal complex, and pracaxi oil
- Hydrates hair
- Repairs split ends
- pH-balanced
- Color-safe
- Adds shine
- Suitable for everyday use
None
14. Best Glossy Finish:L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Clay Shampoo
L’Oreal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Clay Shampoo sweeps away oil and impurities from your hair and scalp to leave them clean and grease-free. This cleansing shampoo contains citramine that helps in removing product buildup and hard water residue from the scalp, while vitamin E strengthens the tresses. The shampoo can be used regularly without worrying about your hair becoming extremely dry.
This shampoo helps you enjoy clean, refreshed, and revitalized hair. The removal of excess oil and impurities, along with the strengthening benefits of vitamin E, contribute to a healthier-looking mane that can boost your overall confidence.
Key Ingredients: Citramine and vitamin E
- Moisturizing formula
- Minimizes greasiness
- Imparts glossy shine
- Mild fragrance
None
15. Best Plant-Derived Ingredients:Cherioll Tea Tree Oil Shampoo
The Tea Tree Oil Shampoo by Cherioll has a gentle formula that strengthens brittle hair, makes it manageable and promotes healthy hair growth. The rich-foaming shampoo has a lotion-like consistency that penetrates the roots and offers thorough scalp cleansing. It is formulated with jojoba oil, aloe vera extract, and almond oil that nourish the scalp and leave it fresh and rejuvenated. It effectively cleanses away all the dirt and grease and reduces scalp-irritation and dandruff. The shampoo works on all hair types and textures, and is suitable for both men and women of all ages. Use this shampoo 3-5 times a week for best results. By incorporating this root-lifting shampoo into your routine, you can add volume and lift to your hair, making it more manageable and vibrant.
Key Ingredients: Peppermint, tea tree oil, aloe vera, green tea extract, and coconut oil
- Suitable for all hair types
- Silicone-free
- Gentle formula
- Plant-derived ingredients
None
These are the best shampoos that will help treat your oily scalp and greasy hair. But there are certain factors you need to consider before buying a shampoo for oily hair. Let’s understand them!
How To Choose The Best Shampoo For Oily Hair –A Buying Guide
Amidst highly hectic schedules, washing your hair every day to eliminate all the excess oil can be quite a tedious task. To reduce the excess scalp oil production, you need to get your hands on the right shampoo and get the best results. Here is what you should look for a shampoo that is exclusively meant for an oily scalp:
- Check The Label: Look for product labels that mention words like volumizing, balancing, or strengthening. Products that mention these words won’t add extra moisture to your scalp and are more effective in eliminating excess sebum and oil.
- Avoid Hydrating Shampoos: Steer clear of shampoos with highly hydrating, moisturizing, and smoothening formulations. These products tend to add more moisture to your scalp, aggravating grease on your scalp and hair.
- Pick Clarifying Cleansers: Choosing the proper formulation plays a vital role in oily scalp treatment. Non-moisturizing formulations are specially designed to remove excess oil. Use a clarifying shampoo occasionally for deep cleansing. But remember to use it in moderation to avoid scalp dryness or irritation.
Oily hair and greasy scalp are common concerns faced by many. Here are some remedies put together to help you treat the same.
How To Treat Oily Hair
Stress, hormonal issues, unhealthy diet, genetics, lack of personal hygiene, or scalp infections can be the prime factors contributing to an oily and a greasy scalp. But you can treat the same with the following tips.
- Combine Two Shampoos
Try using a combination of 2 shampoos – one for your scalp and another for the length of your hair. This combination will help you achieve a better cleansing effect.
- Wash Your Hair Thrice A Week
Washing your hair frequently is one of the primary ways to treat an oily scalp. The pores secrete oil from your glands and make your scalp greasy and oily. Washing your hair often with a suitable product will prevent your scalp from excessive oil buildup and keep your hair healthy.
- Apply A Shampoo Properly
The way you shampoo also plays a significant role in reducing the excess oil from your scalp. Dilute the shampoo with water, lather it up, and gently massage it onto your scalp. Rinse your hair well and make sure no product is left behind. Also, avoid using hot water while cleansing your hair.
- Do Not Apply Conditioner To Your Scalp
Applying a conditioner to your scalp is a big NO-NO. Using a conditioner on your scalp makes it greasy and triggers hair fall and bacterial growth. Instead, apply conditioner from the mid-length of your hair towards the end of the strands.
- Maintain A Healthy Diet
Maintaining a healthy diet plays a significant role in managing your scalp health. Avoid oily or fried foods. Replace all the saturated fats with healthy fats and carbs. Including omega-3s in your diet is helpful as they promote scalp health and reduce oil secretion. Eat green vegetables and fruits as they keep your scalp healthy.
- Buy Products Meant For Oil-Free Scalp
There are products available on the market that are exclusively meant for those who have oily scalp. Invest in products that address your hair concerns. Look for hair products that do not contain benzoyl peroxide, sodium lauryl sulfate, selenium sulfide, sodium sulfacetamide, and ketoconazole.
- Clean Your Brushes
The grease and dirt accumulated in your brush must be cleared away. Your hairbrush may also carry product residue, and using the same brush on your hair for days will only add excess grease and dirt to your scalp. Clean your brushes at least once or twice a week to get rid of all the product residue, oil, and dirt.
- Avoid Using Heat Styling Tools
Putting down your straightening iron or curling tongs can be difficult. But note that frequent use of these styling tools can cause potential damage to your hair. The heat produced from styling products can cause breakage or strip away essential oils from your hair in the long run. This can cause your scalp to overproduce oil again, making it feel heavy and greasy.
The Bottom Line
Oily and greasy scalp can be extremely frustrating. These may be due to hormonal changes or scalp build-up that makes the hair look dull and lifeless. In addition, regular washing can damage your hair shafts and cause hair loss. Tere Pruett, certified trichologist, says, “Removing too much oil too often can cause an adverse effect making the scalp produce even more oil to make up for the loss. A good balance is a must!” A nutrient-rich shampoo helps remove excess oil, is gentle on the scalp, and keeps your hair healthy. if you have an oily scalp, try products like The BIOLAGE Cooling Mint Scalp Sync Shampoo, highly recommended for its unique formula designed to promote a healthy scalp and control oil. If you need added moisture without weighing your hair down, the Maple Holistics Degrease Moisture Control Shampoo is a great suggestion as it helps balance moisture while controlling excess oil. If you want a drugstore option effective against dandruff, try the Head & Shoulders Instant Oil Control Shampoo. These are vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free. However, some of them have overpowering fragrances and cannot control frizz. You may also choose a shampoo that is expert-recommended and suits your hair and scalp type to get the best results.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author of this article, Oyendrila Kanjilal, is a certified skin care coach and hair care enthusiast who loves keeping a tab on different beauty products. She has researched the best shampoos for oily hair and browsed through online reviews to curate the perfect list for her readers. Oyendrila’s well-researched article features shampoos that are of high-quality and suitable for daily use. Not only do the shampoos add volume to your hair but are also safe to use if your hair is color-treated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What shampoo treats greasy hair?
For greasy hair, an oil-balancing or oil-control shampoo is recommended. A mild oil-balancing shampoo can be used daily to prevent your hair from becoming oily.
How often should I shampoo if I have oily hair?
If you have oily hair, you need to shampoo every alternate day. But use a mild shampoo to keep your scalp from secreting more oils.
Why is my hair getting oily so fast?
Excess sebum secretion can cause your hair to get oily or greasy too fast. Optimum sebum production is necessary to keep your hair healthy. But when produced in excess, it can make your hair look greasy or slick.
How do I stop my hair from going greasy overnight?
You cannot prevent your hair from getting greasy overnight. This process takes time and requires using suitable products. However, you can try incorporating oil-absorbing products into your hair care routine to help manage the excess oil. One effective option is to use a dry shampoo at night before sleeping, as it can absorb some of the excess oil and refresh your hair.
What should I eat/avoid to keep my hair from getting too oily?
Include foods rich in zinc, vitamin B, and vitamin E to reduce hair oiliness. Reducing intake of sugar, milk products, oily foods, and salt also helps.
Can an oily scalp cause hair loss?
Yes, an oily scalp can cause hair loss as excessive sebum production can make your hair follicles too greasy. This causes the pores to get clogged, which ultimately leads to hair loss.
Why does my hair get greasy after a day of washing?
Excessive sebum production is to blame. This happens when you shampoo your hair too often and massage your scalp too much while washing. Doing so activates the sebum glands and they produce more oil and make your hair greasy.
Read full bio of Tere Pruett
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