Top 10 Shampoos for Oily Hair Guide

6 min read

Mozell Olson, Senior Wellness Writer

Published:

Struggling with oily or greasy hair can feel like an endless battle. With the scalp’s natural oil production in overdrive, finding the right hair care regimen becomes paramount. Enter the world of specialized hair care—where the quest for the best shampoo for oily hair turns into an essential step towards attaining that perfect balance between cleansing and care. Through detailed product analysis and expert recommendations, we’ve curated a list of the top 10 shampoos tailored for those grappling with excessive oiliness. Whether you’re searching for a good shampoo for greasy hair or a scalp shampoo for oily scalp, our guide serves the ultimate purpose: to endow you with both knowledge and power to choose the best hair solutions for a scalp that’s refreshed and hair that’s unmistakably lustrous.

Cracking Down on Grease: Understanding Your Scalp’s Needs

Before diving into our expert shampoo picks, let’s shed light on what causes oily and greasy hair, setting the premise for why certain shampoos can be game-changers. When your scalp produces excess sebum, it can lead to hair that looks and feels greasy, often necessitating frequent washes. But here’s the kicker—a harsh shampoo strips away natural oils aggressively, prompting your scalp to produce even more oil as a counteractive measure. The ideal shampoo for oily hair balances this fine line well.

Reasons for Oily Hair: More than Just Genetics

Oily hair isn’t solely a product of genetic makeup. Factors like diet, stress, hair care habits, and even the environment can contribute to sebum overproduction. Understanding these can help tailor your hair care approach for greasy hair with precision and care.

Hormonal Fluctuations and Diet

Hormonal changes, particularly during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause, can increase oil production. Diets high in greasy foods might also exacerbate an already oily situation.

The Shampoo Selection Process

Choosing the best shampoo for greasy hair or a scalp shampoo for an oily scalp involves looking beyond marketing claims and diving into the ingredient list. Gentle detergents such as cocamidopropyl betaine or decyl glucoside, as well as oil-regulating components like tea tree oil or clay, are beneficial, while avoiding shampoos with heavy moisturizers or silicone can prevent additional greasiness.

1. Purifying Perfection: A Clarifying Champion for Oily Scalps

Every oily-haired individual needs a clarifying shampoo in their arsenal, and our top clarifying champ does the job with gusto. Designed to deeply cleanse without over-stripping, this shampoo removes build-up, leaving the scalp refreshed and hair voluminous.

  • Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, witch hazel
  • Hair Type Suitability: Extremely oily hair types
  • Special Features: Deep cleansing action

Why It Makes the Cut

With frequent use, it fights oiliness effectively, providing a greasy shampoo alternative that actually improves scalp health with regular use.

2. Balancing Act: Gentle Detox for Daily Use

Those looking for a good shampoo for greasy hair that’s gentle enough for daily use will appreciate this balanced formula. It removes oil without harshness, maintaining your hair’s natural vitality.

  • Key Ingredients: Green tea extract, chamomile
  • Hair Type Suitability: Moderately oily to combination hair
  • Special Features: Mild enough for everyday cleansing

Its Daily Delight

Avoids the trap of over-washing, subtly managing oil levels for a fresher scalp each day.

3. Natural Nirvana: Eco-Friendly and Effective

This best hair shampoo for oily hair champions natural ingredients and is an eco-conscious choice. It leverages the potency of organic components to regulate sebum production without harming the planet.

  • Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, lemon essential oil
  • Hair Type Suitability: All oily hair types, especially the environmentally conscious
  • Special Features: Biodegradable formula

What Sets It Apart?

It’s gentle on both hair and the environment, cleansing and controlling oil with nature-derived ingredients.

4. Volumizing Virtuoso: Lightweight Lift for Lanky Locks

Greasy hair can often lack volume, but our volumizing pick delivers a greasy shampoo experience that’s all about fullness and body without the slick.

  • Key Ingredients: Rice protein, peppermint oil
  • Hair Type Suitability: Oily hair prone to falling flat
  • Special Features: Volumizing effect

The Volume Boost Benefit

While cleansing, it imparts an airy lift to strands, combating the common limpness associated with oiliness.

5. Hydration with No Heaviness: Moisturizing Without the Misery

Finding a moisturizing shampoo that doesn’t exacerbate oiliness is tough. This entry from our list strikes an exquisite balance, hydrating hair with lightweight moisture.

  • Key Ingredients: Glycerin, panthenol
  • Hair Type Suitability: Oily hair that still needs hydration
  • Special Features: Non-greasy moisturizing

The Moisture Without Misery Formula

It provides essential hydration without contributing to a greasy feel, making it a superior pick for those with oily but dehydrated strands.

6. Scalp Savior: The Ultimate Oil-Controlling Solution

For those who prioritize scalp health, this scalp shampoo for oily scalp stands out. It’s packed with ingredients that soothe and regulate the scalp’s sebum production while respecting its delicate pH balance.

  • Key Ingredients: Tea tree oil, zinc pyrithione
  • Hair Type Suitability: Those with scalp issues related to oiliness
  • Special Features: Targets scalp health

Why Scalp Health Matters

A focused approach to oily scalp care can prevent issues such as dandruff and dermatitis, manifesting as a clear, itch-free, and oil-balanced scalp.

7. Sleek and Chic: Shine Enhancing Shampoo for a Polished Look

Just because hair is oily doesn’t mean it can’t be glossy in all the right ways. This selection enhances shine without the slickness, giving you a just-left-the-salon look with each wash.

  • Key Ingredients: Argan oil, vitamin E
  • Hair Type Suitability: Oily hair seeking shine
  • Special Features: Boosts healthy shine

The Shine Without Slick Benefit

It imparts a radiant glow to hair, enhancing its natural luster without contributing to unwanted oiliness.

8. Detangling Dynamo: Smoothing Out the Kinks

Tackling oily hair can mean dealing with tangles. This formula offers a smoothening and detangling element that simplifies your styling routine without heavy ingredients that lead to more grease.

  • Key Ingredients: Hydrolyzed silk protein, acai extract
  • Hair Type Suitability: Oily, tangled hair
  • Special Features: Detangling action

How It Transforms Your Tresses

By smoothing out knots and locking in a sleek appearance, it makes managing oily hair a breeze.

9. Fragrance Feast: A Scent-sational Cleanse

Your scalp may be oily, but your senses still crave a delightful fragrance. This option offers a potent yet pleasant aromatic experience, deeply cleansing and leaving a long-lasting, fresh scent.

  • Key Ingredients: Mandarin peel, jasmine
  • Hair Type Suitability: Anyone craving a delectable scent
  • Special Features: Invigorating fragrance

What Makes the Scent Stand Out?

A shampoo with an alluring aroma can elevate mood and boost confidence. It stands as a testament that oily hair maintenance can be a luxuriously scented affair.

10. Dual Power: Best Shampoo and Conditioner for Greasy Hair

Convenience seekers will revel in this two-in-one masterpiece. Formulated to address oily hair concerns while simultaneously conditioning, it sets a new bar for hassle-free hair care routines.

  • Key Ingredients: Sea kelp, mint
  • Hair Type Suitability: Busy individuals with oily strands
  • Special Features: Shampoo and conditioner combo

The Convenience Factor

By combining cleansing and conditioning properties, it facilitates a quick yet effective approach to hair care for those with limited time.


Navigating through the labyrinth of hair products can be daunting when you have oily or greasy hair. Armed with our in-depth guide to the top 10 shampoos, you’re now poised to make informed decisions. When choosing your next shampoo for oily and greasy hair, consider not just the promises on the bottle but the ingredients within and their synergy with your unique hair type. Remember, the polished, lighter-feeling locks you’ve been dreaming of are just the right product away. So, give your hair the targeted treatment it deserves and witness the transformation towards a balanced, lustrous mane.

Mozell Olson, Senior Wellness Writer
Mozell Olson

About the Author - Mozell Olson Mission Statement My mission as a Senior Wellness Writer is to promote health, well-being,