Dealing with a greasy scalp can be frustrating, but finding the right shampoo is a crucial step in managing excess oil. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick highlights the importance of choosing shampoos formulated with clarifying ingredients designed to wash away dirt and oils. She also emphasizes ingredients like salicylic acid, which can help regulate oil production. Regular washing is key to prevent oil buildup, but it's equally important to avoid stripping the scalp of its natural oils, which can lead to over-drying.
Experts recommend prioritizing shampoos that effectively cleanse without over-drying. Clarifying shampoos are a top choice for oily hair as they contain surfactants that remove excess buildup and oil. Dr. Garshick explains that these surfactants provide a deeper cleanse compared to regular shampoos, making them particularly effective for oily scalps. Ingredients like cocamidopropyl betaine are common surfactants, often combined with proprietary formulas that can also repair hair breakage without weighing it down.
Understanding What to Look For in an Oily Scalp Shampoo
When selecting a shampoo for an oily scalp, it's advisable to steer clear of ingredients like sulfates and parabens, as they can irritate the scalp and potentially increase oil production. Dr. Garshick suggests looking for shampoos containing salicylic acid, which can help reduce oil and buildup. However, she also notes that it might be beneficial to alternate with a gentler formula one or two times a week to prevent dryness. Clarifying shampoos, with their effective surfactants, are excellent for achieving a deep clean.
Ingredients that can help manage oiliness include:
- Salicylic Acid: Helps to exfoliate the scalp and reduce oil production.
- Tea Tree Oil: Known for its natural cleansing and purifying properties.
- Citric Acid: A natural ingredient that aids in cleansing the scalp.
- Charcoal: Helps to absorb excess oil and impurities.
- Menthol/Mint: Provides a refreshing sensation and can help control oil.
Conversely, it's generally recommended to avoid shampoos with terms like "moisturizing," "smoothing," or "shine" in their descriptions, as these can add an unwanted film to the hair, contributing to extra grease and weight. Similarly, shampoos specifically designed for dry or damaged hair might not be the best choice for an oily scalp.
Top Shampoos for Oily Scalps
Best Overall: Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Deep Clean Clarifying Shampoo
This sulfate and paraben-free shampoo is a great choice for those with oily hair. Its clarifying formula, featuring cocamidopropyl betaine as the main surfactant, effectively removes buildup and oil. The inclusion of Olaplex's proprietary ingredient, bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, also contributes to repairing hair breakage without weighing hair down, leaving it feeling stronger and more manageable.
Best for Volumizing: Kérastase Specifique Divalent Balancing Shampoo for Oily Scalp & Hair
This shampoo not only offers a pleasant scent but also works to combat oiliness by adding volume. It's particularly beneficial for fine or thin hair as it avoids weighing strands down. Enriched with Vitamin B6, it nourishes the ends of the hair and protects against environmental pollutants that can exacerbate oil production on the scalp.
Best for Thickening: R+Co Dallas Biotin Thickening Shampoo
For those concerned about hair thickness, this shampoo is a great option. It contains biotin, which coats each strand and adds a subtle sheen. While some users note that biotin can build up over time, this formula also includes coconut oil for conditioning and moisturizing, and saw palmetto berry to add natural body to the hair strands.
Best for Fine Hair: IGK Extra Love Volume Shampoo
Specifically formulated for oily hair that is fine or lacking volume, this shampoo uses lightweight ingredients. It avoids heavy oils and silicones that can weigh hair down and cause it to feel greasy faster. The formula is packed with beneficial ingredients like a lightweight microbiome prebiotic to improve scalp health and reduce oil production over time, and Jeju water, rich in iron and zinc, which aids in hair growth and follicle health.
Best for Moisturizing: Davines NOUNOU Repair Shampoo
Davines shampoos are known for their natural, nourishing ingredients. This particular shampoo is formulated for severely dry or chemically damaged hair and contains fiaschetto tomato extract, rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, to nourish and revitalize strands. It strikes a balance by being both moisturizing and lightweight, which is ideal for managing excess oil.
Best for Curly Hair: Cécred Hydrating Shampoo
This hydrating shampoo is designed for curly hair and is nourishing without being too heavy. It features keratin ferment to strengthen hair and prevent breakage, enhancing the natural curl shape. The phyto-collagen complex improves elasticity, crucial for maintaining curl health, while hyaluronic acid ensures hair is moisturized and nourished, improving overall strand strength.
Best for Irritated Scalps: L'Oreal Paris Elvive Hyaluron Pure Moisturizing Shampoo for Oily Hair
This shampoo combines the clarifying and moisturizing benefits of hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid. It's an excellent choice for those experiencing bumps or breakouts on their scalp. The salicylic acid helps to strip away dirt and oil, while hyaluronic acid binds moisture to the skin, preventing dryness and itchiness. It's recommended to alternate with other shampoos to avoid potential dryness.
Best Clarifying Shampoo: Neutrogena Exfoliating Healthy Scalp Clarify & Shine Shampoo
Featuring citric acid from pink grapefruit, this shampoo is effective at combating oiliness. The citric acid naturally cleanses the scalp gently, and it's combined with cocamidopropyl betaine, a surfactant that helps eliminate dirt and oil. This shampoo is a great option for a scalp reset, though it may require a conditioner or hair mask to replenish nourishing ingredients.
Best Scalp Scrub: R+Co Crystal Halo Balancing Scalp Scrub + Shampoo
For a weekly deep cleanse, this scalp scrub can help slough away dirt and grime from pores, rebalancing excess oil production. It provides a full scalp detox and is designed for less frequent use, making the price per ounce more manageable. It's recommended to use this in conjunction with a clarifying shampoo during the week.
Best for Strengthening: Ouai Detox Shampoo
This detox shampoo effectively washes away impurities, oil, and product buildup. It contains keratin, which is beneficial for strengthening hair. While it can be drying, it also manages to moisturize, though following up with a conditioner is advisable to prevent over-production of oil as a compensatory measure.
Best for Removing Product Buildup: Baxter of California Deep Clean Shampoo
This deep-cleaning shampoo is ideal for those who use styling products regularly or have active lifestyles. It effectively removes gunk and buildup without overly drying out the hair or scalp, offering a great scalp refresh. It is not recommended for daily use due to its purifying nature.
More Highly-Rated Shampoos for Oily Hair
- Sachajuan Clarifying Shampoo: Praised for its effectiveness in preventing greasy-looking hair, even when wearing a hat.
- Davines Purifying Shampoo: Another effective option from Davines, known for its high-octane cleansing power.
- OGX Refreshing Scalp + Tea Tree Mint Shampoo: A testers' favorite for tackling excess oil while remaining gentle, rebalancing hair texture and reducing the need for frequent washing.
- Head & Shoulders Citrus Fresh Anti Dandruff Shampoo: This shampoo demonstrated a remarkable 99.5% oil eradication in lab tests, leaving hair feeling clean and scalps rejuvenated.
- Aveda Men Pure-Formance Shampoo: Claims to reduce oiliness within two weeks, creating a vigorous lather that cleanses effectively and improves hair appearance.
- Bumble and bumble Sunday Shampoo: A powerful treatment shampoo, recommended for once-a-week use to detox the scalp of product residue and pollutants.
- Lush Jumping Juniper Shampoo Bar: An eco-friendly shampoo bar that provides a rich lather to cleanse dirt and sweat without causing dryness or itchiness.
- Natura Siberica Shampoo - Volume and Freshness for oily hair: Voted best for long-lasting oil control, keeping hair cleaner for longer without harshness or residue.
- Tresemmé Deep Cleansing Shampoo: A value-for-money option that significantly reduces oiliness, backed by lab results showing a 97% reduction.
- Vichy Dercos Technique Anti-Dandruff Dermatological Shampoo: Effectively eliminates dandruff and soothes inflamed scalps, while also reducing oiliness by 95%.
- Earth Kind Citrus Leaf Shampoo Bar for Frequent Use: A plastic-free, eco-friendly bar designed for gentle cleansing after sports without stripping natural oils.
- Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Shampoo: Aims to remove sweat and dirt without compromising moisture, leaving hair feeling balanced, cleaner, and fuller.
Tips for Managing an Oily Scalp
Washing Technique
"When you wash your hair, don't be shy, get a bit rough when massaging your shampoo in," advises barber TJ Hunt. "Make sure your digits are rigid and really work away with the lather, going side-to-side, back and forth, and going all over the head. It'll dislodge any dandruff and debris blocking the glands and that might cause them to go into overdrive. Take your time too, many people are over keen to get the suds out of their bonnet, shampoo should be worked in for around a minute before rinsing."
Conditioner Usage
For those with oily hair, it's important to rethink how conditioner is applied. Instead of massaging it deep into the hair, try applying it only to the ends. "Be sure to rinse off after no more than a minute," suggests Hunt. "This way you'll reap the rewards on your hair whilst avoiding the extra oil on your scalp."
Washing Frequency
There's a myth that not washing hair leads to natural oil regulation. However, if your hair tends to get oily quickly, washing it every other day is recommended, and always after exercise or excessive sweating. Over-washing can exacerbate oil production, leading to greasier hair.
Product Choices
Products like gels and pomades can make hair look and feel oilier. Switching to matte products such as paste, hair powder, or salt spray can provide a drier, more natural finish. It's also important to avoid direct contact of styling products with the scalp.
Avoid Touching Your Hair
Constantly running your fingers through your hair or brushing it away from your face can redistribute oil and stimulate more sebum production. It's best to minimize touching your hair throughout the day.
Dietary Considerations
Studies suggest that dairy and high-glycemic diets (foods like cornflakes, potatoes, and rice) may influence oil production. Adjusting your diet could potentially help manage scalp oiliness.
Understanding Scalp Oiliness
The term "greasy hair" is somewhat inaccurate, as the scalp is the source of the oiliness. Each hair follicle has an oil gland that produces sebum. Finer hair types may appear oilier because each strand takes up less scalp real estate, leading to more oil glands and thus more sebum. Oily scalp and hair can also be associated with conditions like seborrheic dermatitis, which may cause red, greasy, scaly, and itchy plaques on the scalp. In such cases, more frequent washing can help manage buildup and flaking.