As someone with greasy hair—I’m talking within a day—using one of the best shampoos for oily hair gives me a layer of protection against excess shine, and makes perfecting my hair routine a lot easier. To find the best shampoos to address excessive oil, we polled dermatologists for their favorites, and then tested them over a span of washes (including shampoos that address dandruff, scalp scrubs and dry shampoos for oily hair). We also tapped Glamour staffers to find out what oily hair products they swear by. After trying nearly a dozen dermatologist-approved shampoos for oily hair, the Garnier Pure Clean Shampoo was our top pick because it lathered well, left strands soft, non-greasy, and fresh for hours.
The best shampoos for oily hair, at a glance
All your oily hair questions, answered
According to Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC, greasy hair can be caused by a multitude of things. “Touching your hair frequently throughout the day can transfer oils from your hands to your hair, causing it to become greasy,” she says. But if you experience excessive oiliness there is likely an internal cause. “Hormonal changes, genetics and certain skin conditions can all cause the scalp to produce excessive amounts of oily, leading to oily hair,” says Dr. Engelman.
How do you wash oily hair correctly?
“When washing oily hair, start by wetting your hair with warm water to open up the cuticles. Then, use a small amount of shampoo, and focus on massaging the scalp gently with your fingertips or a scalp massager to lift excess oil and dirt,” says Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC. Next, rinse your hair thoroughly and follow with a lightweight, oil-free conditioner applied only to the ends. It’s also key to not overwash your hair. “Washing too often, especially with stripping shampoos, can exacerbate the problem and overstrip the natural oils in your hair,” says Dr. Engelman.
When you’re in between wash days, Brendnetta Ashley, a hairstylist and Schwarzkopf Professional Ambassador, recommends dry shampoo. “Apply it directly to the scalp, massage into the hair and style as usual. This is a quick fix if you’re running low on time,” she says.
What should you look for in a shampoo for oily hair?
Dermatologists recommend looking for shampoos that have exfoliating ingredients like tea tree oil, zinc pyrithione, charcoal or salicylic acid. “These ingredients help regulate sebum production, purify the scalp, and prevent excess oil build up,” says Dr. Garshick. She also warns to avoid heavy conditioners and look for clarifying formulas that can help keep the scalp fresh. “Other ingredients like apple cider vinegar, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid are also great for oily hair because they help balance the scalp and add lightweight, non-occlusive hydration,” says Dr. Engelman.
What should you avoid if you have oily hair?
“Oily hair types should avoid shampoos that contain heavy oils or silicones, as these will weigh your hair down and add more oil to your hair,” says Ashley. Dimitris Giannetos, a celebrity hairstylist says to avoid extra creamy or moisturizing shampoos, hair masks, and heavy hair oils and instead stick to lightweight, clarifying options. “In addition to that, sulfate-free shampoos will help keep your scalp in check,” he says.
Best Overall: Garnier Pure Clean Shampoo
This clarifying shampoo comes highly recommended by Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC. She loves that it removes residue and gently exfoliates with the help of salicylic acid, which is oil-soluble and can penetrate into pores to gently exfoliate and remove excess sebum. “It’s a nice choice for oily hair because it removes 100% of residue and is very lightweight, so it won’t weigh down strands,” says Dr. King. “And although there’s no residue, it won’t cause a dry scalp or strip the hair of moisture because it contains glycerin, aloe vera, and vitamins B3 and B6—these ingredients help to support scalp health.”
Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary is a massive fan because of its fresh scent and how well it lathers. “It smells super fresh and sweet, and makes me look forward to washing my hair. And if you’re someone who doesn’t feel like they’re getting a deep clean unless they see a lot of bubbles, this shampoo lathers so well,” she says. Kilkeary has naturally oily hair that gets pretty greasy even after a day, but incorporating this into her routine for a week really changed the game. “I didn’t feel that I had to wash my hair everyday like usual. Instead, I was able to go two whole days without feeling like a total greaseball: my hair was soft and shiny, and my scalp felt fresh.”
Expert tip: If you’re prone to acne on the scalp and/or body areas adjacent to the scalp, King recommends trying shampoo with salicylic acid, like this one.
- Ingredient highlights: Salicylic acid, aloe, vitamins B3 and B6
- Smells like: Citrus
- Safe for color-treated hair: No
- Size: 12.5 fl oz.
- Hair Type: All types & textures
Best Hair Shampoo Rinse: Raw Sugar Rosemary Vinegar Hair Rinse
Shampoo rinses are another great alternative to look to if you feel like you’re not getting the most out of your current oily hair shampoo, according to hairstylist Kylee Heath. A hair rinse usually contains potent, hair-nourishing ingredients like glycerin and is most effective when the product sits in your hair for 5-10 minutes, as opposed to massaging it in like you would a normal shampoo, and then rinsing it out. “Because of the leave-in format, it leaves the hair feeling clean and not stripped,” Heath says.
Kilkeary gave this one a trial, and is pleased to report that it really made a difference in the oiliness at her roots. “I tried this rinse after a long day at the office, when my hair was looking drab, flat and very oily. After using it, it was like life breathed back into my roots. My hair was fresh, super glassy and plush, without any greasy texture in sight,” she says.
- Ingredient highlights: Apple cider vinegar, rosemary, mint
- Smells like: Rosemary and mint
- Safe for color-treated hair: Yes
- Size: 6 fl oz
- Hair Type: All hair types, really works well on fine, thin hair
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Original image by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
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Original image by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
Best Balancing Shampoo: Moroccan Oil Scalp Balancing Shampoo
“This sulfate-free shampoo helps balance out oily, irritated scalps and still restores and nourishes the hair,” says Giannetos, who is a big fan of this formula. This is thanks to the fact that this pick is chock full of exfoliating ingredients including salicylic acid and niacinamide to gently exfoliate and nourish, plus argan oil that keeps the hair looking and feeling hydrated and healthy without weighing it down.
Glamour’s Kilkeary was thoroughly impressed with how well the formula lathers on the scalp and leaves behind fresh, clean strands with little flakes or oiliness in sight. “This one left my hair looking soft and non-greasy which made it easy to style, especially in the way that I like to wear my hair with two longer bang strands at the front.”
- Ingredient highlights: Salicylic acid, niacinamide, argan oil
- Smells like: Fresh and floral
- Safe for color-treated hair: Yes
- Size: 8.5 fl oz
- Hair Type: All hair types
Original image by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
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Original image by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
Best Dry Shampoo: Dae Hair Fairy Duster Dry Shampoo Powder
A great dry shampoo is non-negotiable in-between wash days, especially if you have oily hair, and our Glamour editors are a huge fan of this one. “The spray powder format of this dry shampoo is great for my fine hair,” says Kilkeary, who’s been using it for months now. “I’m a huge fan of how easy it is to apply, how quickly it absorbs to blend in and how much of a difference it makes when you’re dealing with oily, slippery tresses.” The proof is in the before and after pudding: this stuff is no joke, and a lifesaver when you simply don’t have time to wash your hair. “It’s my go to on mornings when I wake up too late to shower. Just pop it in a couple of places on my roots and massage. Boom!”
- Ingredient highlights: Mojave yucca, moringa leaf, prickly pear
- Smells like: Citrus, orange blossom, vanilla
- Safe for color-treated hair: Yes
- Size: 1.06 fl oz
- Hair Type: All hair types, best for thin hair
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Original image by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
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Original image by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
Best Scalp Scrub: Davines Solu Sea Salt Scrub
“Half of the clients that sit in my chair are not properly shampooing their hair. This leads to a flaky, oily scalp and buildup,” says Amanda Leigh Rush, a hairstylist based in Los Angeles. To help achieve healthier hair and texture, she recommends trying this exfoliating scrub shampoo. Rush says using this product helps create a healthy foundation: “From there, any style will look great with a fresh clean canvas.” If scrubs aren’t your thing, you can also try the brand’s clarifying shampoo.
