One of the pitfalls of leading is a busy life is trying to squeeze in a manageable hair washing routine into your packed day—especially for those of us using shampoos for oily hair and look to combat grease, excess shine and added build-up in one go.
Having a hectic schedule is not compatible with regularly taking the time to detox and thoroughly cleanse our scalps and strands. When we do find a moment to reset our roots and ends after a long week on the hairdryer, styling and spraying everything from dry shampoo to heat protectant sprays, we here at Who What Wear UK rely on a stable of super-powered shampoos specifically designed to target and treat oily hair.
Indeed, shampoos for oily hair often do more heavy lifting than regular ones, and our editorial desk relies on a handful of tried-and-tested cleaners to really purify their lengths.
“When picking your shampoo, you’ll generally focus on what you think is best for your hair, whether it’s moisture, volume, colour protection etc,” explains Stephen Buller, hair specialist and co-founder of London’s first-ever sustainable salon group, Buller and Rice.
“Shampoos targeted for oily hair will deeply cleanse the scalp, remove buildup, and balance oil production without stripping the hair completely, which can trigger even more oil production,” he explains.
It’s a fine balance to strike, especially when we’re looking for potent and multi-tasking shampoos that enhance shine while buffing away flakes and dandruff. Getting an intense clean doesn’t require using harsh chemicals or drying ingredients that leave your hair brittle and prone to breakage. In fact, after putting in the hard yards, our beauty team has uncovered the best shampoos for oily hair that strengthen, revive and keep grease at bay.
So, how do these shampoos manage oily hair? “With oily hair, you will need to avoid some ingredients, especially those found in moisturising shampoo, to avoid making your hair more oily,” Buller adds. Instead, our editors trust healing and reparative elements like activated charcoal, apple cider vinegar and essential oil extracts to keep their hair cleaner for longer.
From our beloved rinsing essentials to the expert tips and tricks you need to take your hair washing game to the next level, along with the best shampoos for taming oily hair of every hair texture, keep scrolling below for everything you need to know.
The Best Shampoos for Oily Hair, According to The Experts
- Best Overall Shampoo for Oily Hair: Ouai Detox Shampoo, £28
- Best Gentle Shampoo for Oily Hair: Davines Rebalancing Shampoo, £23
- Best Affordable Shampoo for Oily Hair: The Body Shop Tea Tree Purifying & Balancing Shampoo, £10
- Best Detoxing Shampoo for Oily Hair: Living Proof Clarifying Detox Shampoo, £31
- Best Grease-Removing Shampoo for Oily Hair: Fekkai Apple Cider Triple Cleanse Shampoo, £26
- Best Salon-Worthy Shampoo for Oily Hair: Kérastase Specifique Bain Divalent Shampoo, £25
1. Living Proof Clarifying Detox Shampoo
Key Ingredients: Activated charcoal, which detoxifies hair and absorbs odours and impurities.
Review: "One of my yardsticks for determining a good shampoo from a bad one, especially as someone with oily hair, is whether or not it instantly leaves my scalp feeling free from grime," explains SEO Writer Ava Gilchrist.
"Living Proof's Clarifying Detox Shampoo is a dark grey formula that contains a gentle blend of cleansing agents to deeply wash without scrubbing," she adds.
Who What Wear UK SEO Writer, Ava Gilchrist, after using Living Proof's Clarifying Detox Shampoo.
"While this product should only be used once a week, I found that my scalp felt healthier, regulated and less dry overall," Gilchrist adds. "I don't feel like this usage pushed out the days between hair washes, but I believe my scalp had generally less grease to remove upon each rinse.
"I also loved how this shampoo not only mitigated that specific shiny look that comes with oily hair, but dealt with concerns I hadn't even considered nor intentionally like hard water build-up."
2. Ouai Detox Shampoo
Key Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, which buffs away dead skin cells and hydrolyzed keratin for a radiant gloss.
Review: About a year ago, someone (I can't remember who!) recommended the OUAI Detox Shampoo to me after I was complaining that, despite regularly washing, my hair always felt greasy and oily," Who What Wear UK's Managing Editor, Poppy Nash, says.
"Whoever it was, I owe them a lot. The detox shampoo is now one of my most-loved products and something that I refuse to go without," Nash continues. "I use it once a week to fully cleanse my scalp and hair, removing all oily buildup from the week prior."
Who What Wear UK Managing Editor, Poppy Nash, after using OUAI's Detox Shampoo.
"The main reason I love it is that not only does it remove oil, but it also helps to smooth and hydrate my hair, making it my ride-or-die in-shower product," Nash continues.
"I've tried other oil-removal shampoos and masks before, and while they've worked, they haven't left my hair feeling particularly soft and healthy. This product is different.
"When paired with the OUAI hair mask (which I use once every two weeks), it is a complete game changer. It's worth noting that it can also be used in place of your daily shampoo as it is very gentle, but I prefer to use it at the end of the week for a more intense result."
3. Philip Kingsley Flaky/itchy Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Key Ingredients: Anti-microbial piroctone olamine, which works to relieve your scalp while clearing it of stubborn flakes and skin cell build-up.
Review: Who What Wear UK's Beauty Editor, Eleanor Vousden, has put her hair through a gauntlet of heat, humidity and dryness in her pursuit to uncover the best products on the market. As someone who is constantly road-testing everything from hot brushes to hair oil, her strands have been through it all. But when it comes to the best shampoos for oily hair, there is only one she trusts.
Who What Wear UK Beauty Editor, Eleanor Vousden, after using Philip Kingsley's Flaky/Itchy Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo.
"I have both an oily and sensitive scalp," Vousden begins. "I've tried a lot of shampoos, but this Philip Kingsley one is of the few I trust to keep my scalp feeling clarified and comfortable," she adds.
"I was recommended it first-hand by a trichologist, and it's both gentle enough to use daily without stripping the scalp while effectively leaving my roots feeling clean and bouncy. It works wonders if you're also prone to dryness and flakes, which can often go in tandem with oily roots."
4. Kérastase Specifique Bain Divalent Shampoo
Key Ingredients: Vitamin B6 and glycerine.
Review: "Everything about my hair and scalp lends itself to oily, greasy roots, says Who What Wear UK's Beauty Director, Shannon Lawlor. "My hair is super-long, really fine and poker-straight, and all of these things contribute to oil on my scalp finding its way down the strands of my hair," she explains.
"On the other hand, my very long hair is also bleached, which means my fine hair and fragile ends are prone to dryness and breakage. So, all in all, it's not an easy mop to deal with."
Who What Wear UK Beauty Director, Shannon Lawlor, after using Kérastase Specifique Bain Divalent Shampoo.
"That being said, Kérastase Specifique Bain Divalent Shampoo makes things a whole lot easier for me," Lawlor continues.
"The clever formula works to clarify roots and regulate excessive sebum production on the scalp, while an amino acid and vitamin B6 concoction targets dry, weak ends and leaves them feeling stronger and more hydrated.
"I've been through the bottles of it, and I plan to go through many, many more in the future," she adds.
Her favourite part of all? "While clarifying shampoos can sometimes feel a bit medicinal and boring, this stuff works into a rich lather, smells wonderfully fresh and delivers a salon-like luxury experience at home. As always, you win Kérastase."
5. Davines Rebalancing Shampoo
Key Ingredients: A zesty cocktail of lemon leaf, cassia bark and ginger root.
Review: "While this sounds unusual, I love nothing more than the feeling of tight and fresh skin. It's a sensation that I usually only get after exfoliating my face or body, but something I've rarely felt on my hair, much to my chagrin," says Gilchrist.
"On the flip side, I also hate the feeling of a scalp scrub. I know it's intended to remove any left over gunk, but there's something about rubbing something so abrasive into my roots that is counterintuitive to my goal," she adds.
"That's why when I was put onto the Davines Rebalancing Shampoo by leading international hairstylist Diane Gorgievski, I felt like I had just fallen onto a miracle cream".
Who What Wear UK SEO Writer, Ava Gilchrist, after using Davines's Rebalancing Shampoo.
“Firstly, the formula itself is silky smooth, which means it glides effortlessly across my strands and lathers up beautifully," adds Gilchrist. "B-Corp certified Italian haircare brand only uses sustainable and natural ingredients, so I know it’s nourishing from within, too.
"But most importantly, it's a super gentle everyday shampoo specifically designed to bring equilibrium back to your oily scalp. It's anti-inflammatory, meaning that any itchiness or dryness is instantly soothed."
"A scalp-stimulating, ginger-infused blend also gives my tresses a rich scent that lasts days after washing," Gilchrist continues. "Leading salons across the world, including Gorgievski's Koda Cutters and Buller's Buller And Rice also use this shampoo, so I always feel like I'm getting a professional treatment when using it.
"I straighten my hair once a week, and I can honestly say I look forward to using this shampoo because of the squeaky-clean feeling it gives me. (Without any of the literal squeak, of course.)
"My hair never feels stripped, but I always walk away from a shower with that pristine and new feeling I craved."
6. Fekkai Apple Cider Triple Cleanse Shampoo
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid.
Review: "I have psoriasis, and whilst it isn’t on my scalp as such (and this shampoo doesn’t claim to be for psoriasis), it does mean my scalp gets itchy and flaky quickly," says Who What Wear UK's Copy Editor, Georgia Seago.
"Thanks to this shampoo and the coordinating scalp scrub, I think Fekkai is a very underrated haircare brand. I use this every other wash with the aforementioned scurb, and I’ve seen brilliant results."
Who What Wear UK Copy Editor, Georgia Seago, after using Fekkai's Apple Cider Triple Cleanse Shampoo.
"With a fresh, citrusy fragrance and a scalp-friendly pH level, I feel like it gives a really thorough clean but never leaves my hair feeling dry or stripped in any way," explains Seago.
"I lather it into my scalp only, following up with my usual shampoo as a second cleanse, which I rinse through my lengths too.”
7. Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance™ Shampoo
Key Ingredients: A patented bond builder.
Review: "I'm always trying out different conditioners, but when it comes to shampoo, Olaplex’s No. 4 Bond Maintenance is the only one I use," explains Brittany Davy, Who What Wear UK's Editorial Assistant.
Who What Wear UK Editorial Assistant, Brittany Davy, after using Olaplex’s No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo.
"It gets rid of all my scalp buildup without giving my hair that squeaky clean finish that leaves it looking dull and dry," Davy says. "I also straighten my hair quite a lot, so I love that it’s formulated to strengthen and repair damaged hair.”
8. Davines Oi Shampoo
Key Ingredients: Roucou oil, which nourishes for soft, shiny and voluminous hair.
Review: Unlike other shampoos that focus on high-octane ingredients to really cleanse and remove buildup, Davines's OI Shampoo takes a different route to treating grease. This shampoo for oily hair is formulated with a milky consistency that softens hair.
It also features the addition of Roucou Oil, which is a ‘secret’ ingredient used by native inhabitants of the Amazon rainforest to protect against environmental damage and daily stress. Yes, adding oil to your oily hair can be beneficial when the results are this good.
9. Redken Amino Mint Scalp Cleansing Shampoo
Key Ingredients: Infused with peppermint extract to invigorate the scalp and an amino acid strength complex which works to promote moisture retention.
Review: Treating oily hair and greasy scalps, Redken's Amino Mint Scalp Cleansing Shampoo revitalises tresses by balancing pH levels. The shampoo also helps refreshen the crown of your head and strengthen strands.
10. Sachajuan Scalp Shampoo
Key Ingredients: Rosemary oil, salicylic acid and oat oil for added hydration without the greasiness.
Review: Similar to other shampoos for oily hair, Sachajuan's Scalp Shampoo takes a holistic approach to decrease the amount of grit built up over time. Yet, where this product differs is in its devotion to reducing the appearance and amount of flakes on the scalp. While skin cell shedding is automatic and unavoidable, this formula keeps the scalp moisturised and exfoliated to visibly clean and clarify.
11. The Body Shop Tea Tree Purifying & Balancing Shampoo
Key Ingredients: Organically-grown Community Fair Trade tea tree oil.
Review: Coming in under £10, The Body Shop's Tea Tree Purifying & Balancing Shampoo has garnered a reputation as one of the best affordable shampoos for oily hair. You can attribute this to the presence of tea tree and vegan silk protein, which work in tandem to refresh and reduce the amount of oil produced.
12. Monday Haircare Clarify Shampoo
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil and vitamin E.
Review: As a Who What Wear UK Next In Beauty winner, Monday Haircare's Clarify Shampoo comes highly-rated. Not only does this product work to balance your pH for added shine, but it's also rich in antioxidants for an all-round brighter sheen.
13. Hair by Sam McKnight Light Cleanse Hair & Scalp Shampoo
Key Ingredients: Velvet flower, nettle leaf and honeysuckle extracts for detangling and moisturising properties.
Review: If you're looking for a shampoo that can tide you over till a deeper detox, look to Hair by Sam McKnight's Light Cleanse shampoo. This product is touted as 'skincare for your scalp,' meaning it does a serious job of supporting your barrier and overall hair health. It will give a shine boost to greasy manes while washing away build-up and dirt.
14. Oribe Resilience Shampoo
Key Ingredients: Plant-based proteins and floral extracts, which prevents brittleness.
Review: We don't often equate fragile or weak hair with oily hair. But, it's often the case that over shampooing in an attempt to manage grease production can leave your strands exposed to breakage. Oribe's Resilience Shampoo is a one-and-done salve for restoring brittle ends and rebalancing the scalp. You'll also notice that hair is more bouncy because of the stronger fibres and that there's less hair fall out over time.
15. Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo
Key Ingredients: An invigorating blend of ginseng, rosemary and sage.
Review: The weekend is a time for rest, respite and refreshing for the next five days ahead. Knowing this is the period when we catch up on life admin, Bumble and Bumble have pioneered a shampoo for oily hair that's designed as a weekly cleansing formula that removes build-up, excess oils and impurities. Whether you haven't found the time to wash your hair after work or between appointments, this product can hit refresh on your strands thanks to the clarifying and invigorating ingredients.
16. TRESemme Replenish & Cleanse Shampoo
Key Ingredients: A vitamin-rich complex including vitamins B3, B5, B7, C and E.
Review: Beloved by professionals for over 70 years, this affordable shampoo from TRESemme really makes you feel like you've just stepped out of the salon all for the price of a cup of coffee and a sweet treat from Gail's. This cleanser is light weight and rich in vitamins, amino acids and ceramides.
17. Act + Acre Balancing Shampoo
Key Ingredients: Amino acids, which gently remove dirt, buildup and impurities and soothing baobab oil to support and balance the scalp's microbiome.
Review: Act + Acre has created a niche for itself as a haircare brand devoted to looking after the health of your scalp. Using pioneering cold-pressed techniques, this Cleanse Shampoo uses naturally-derived proteins to cleanse without irritation, hydrate without itchiness and balance over time.
18. L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hydra Pure 72h Purifying Shampoo
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid.
Review: Making a bold claim to remove oil and impurities for up to 72 hours (that's three full days), L'Oréal's Elvive Hydra Pure 72h Purifying Shampoo gently strips hair of excess grease and dirt without taking away further moisture.
FAQS
Why is It important to Cleanse With Shampoos for Oily Hair?
Shampoos can vary so widely, depending on whether they're treating hydration issues, breakage or greasiness. "Shampoos will have specific ingredients that target these concerns," Buller notes. "With oily hair you will need to avoid some of these ingredients not to make your hair more oily, especially moisturising shampoos," he continues.
What Ingredients are Good for Shampoos for Oily Hair?
According to Buller, there are "key ingredients that definitely address the issue" to be aware of when searching for your preferred oil-battling shampoo.
"Some familiar favourites are activated charcoal, which absorbs excess sebum and leaves your scalp feeling balanced. Tea tree oil is famously a natural antiseptic and reduces irritation, while green tea is great for naturally moisturising the scalp whilst removing sebum.
Editor's Note: The Living Proof Clarifying Detox Shampoo heavily features this ingredient.
"At Buller and Rice, we use the Davines Rebalancing Shampoo, which uses lemon phytoceuticals. These are plant compounds which are anti-oxidant, anti-free radicals and anti-inflammatory agents," Buller adds.
"A high-quality product that does exactly what you’re looking for without compromising on essential ingredients," he also reminds us.
As for what we should steer clear of? "Avoid sulphates," Buller points out. "It’s not so much that they are dangerous. However, they can be quite harsh on the scalp, stripping away too much of the natural oils you're producing, therefore making more oil to compensate."
Silicones are another ingredient you should be wary of. "Silicones aim to lock in moisture, increase shine and can weigh down the hair. All no-nos for oily hair."
How Often Should You Use Shampoos for Oily Hair?
If you speak to any hair stylist, they'll tell you how damaging over washing your hair can be. We get it, there's nothing worse than the feeling of an oil-slicked scalp, which is why it's imperative to treat grease build up with a shampoo designed for oily hair.
So, how often should we be washing with these products then? "Usually, we would advise clients to wash their hair two to three times a week. However, lifestyles can change our routine, whether that be fitness, work or hygiene," Buller says.
The hair expert, who has salons across London from Walthamstow to Newington Green, also points out that your hair type is a factor for figuring out your hair wash schedule.
"If your hair is finer, you may wash more regularly to reduce dirt and grease to create volume. However, if you have curly or thick hair, you may wash your hair as little as once a week to build up on that texture in your curls."
Of course, if you're prone to an oily scalp, it's worth speaking to a stylist to ensure you're not over or under-washing. "You may need to use shampoo a few times a week, every other day, or even daily, depending on conditions, Buller informs.
How Can You Stop Your Hair from Getting Greasy Between Washing With a Shampoo for Oily Hair?
"Besides shampooing, we often look for alternative methods we can introduce into our daily routine that can reduce oily scalps," Buller tells Who What Wear UK exclusively.
The first thing he recommends is to reconsider your hair care fundamentals, even analysing if you're washing your hair properly. "Look at basics," he suggests. "Make sure you’re rinsing your hair thoroughly," Buller continues before adding, "Leaving shampoo and conditioner on the scalp will make your hair oily, limp and irritable."
Another point of call is to clean your hair brushes. "Residue, products and grease on your brushes will definitely contribute to oily scalps."
Additionally, he recommends reconsidering the amount of heat styling you do. "As we know, heat styling your hair will ultimately dry it out, leaving scalp will naturally produce oil to compensate. Maybe leave the heated tools for special occasions!"
Ultimately, however, one of the biggest contributors to oily hair is something outside of our control: our environment. "Big city chemicals, active lifestyles, and stress levels will all play a role in excess sebum," Buller notes. While we can't change exposure to pollutants or free radicals, making sure you're thoroughly cleansing with a shampoo for oily hair is a non-negotiable for amending greasiness.
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