This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep creating helpful hair and beauty content!
Struggling with greasy roots, limp hair, or scalp buildup? Oily hair can be frustrating, leaving your locks flat, lifeless, and difficult to style. The right shampoo can balance oil production, remove buildup, and leave your scalp feeling fresh and healthy without stripping essential moisture.
These shampoo for oily hair picks are based on customer reviews, product ingredients, and brand reputation.
Favorite Picks
Best Overall – Neutrogena Exfoliating Healthy Scalp
Removes buildup, controls oil, and leaves hair soft and shiny—perfect for daily use on all hair types.
Best Clarifying Vegan Formula – Maple Holistics Degrease
Purifies oily scalp with rosemary and citrus oils while keeping hair lightweight and refreshed.
Best Moisturizing Balance – Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Shampoo
Balances oil without drying, adds shine, and smooths fine or static-prone hair.
TOP PICKS
Best Overall – Neutrogena Exfoliating Healthy Scalp
Why We Love It
Neutrogena Exfoliating Healthy Scalp Shampoo is gentle yet effective, removing excess oil and buildup without drying hair. Infused with pink grapefruit extract, it refreshes the scalp, boosts natural shine, and leaves hair soft and manageable. Safe for daily use and color-treated hair, it also has a bright, citrusy scent that lingers all day.
Key Ingredients
Pink grapefruit extract – refreshes scalp and adds shine
Gentle exfoliating agents – removes buildup without stripping
Best For
Oily hair, product buildup, dull hair, all hair types including color-treated
Best Clarifying Vegan Formula – Maple Holistics Degrease Clarifying Shampoo
Why We Love It
Maple Holistics Degrease Shampoo is a vegan, sulfate-free formula that tackles excess oil, buildup, and an itchy scalp. Rosemary and other purifying essential oils deeply cleanse while leaving hair feeling refreshed and lightweight. Color-safe and cruelty-free, it’s perfect for oily or greasy hair prone to dandruff.
Key Ingredients
Rosemary oil, basil oil, cypress oil, lemon oil – purify and balance scalp
Best For
Oily hair, itchy scalp, product buildup, dandruff-prone hair
Best Moisturizing Balance – Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Shampoo
Why We Love It:
Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Shampoo is a moisturizing, balancing shampoo designed for all hair types, particularly fine or static-prone hair. Infused with awapuhi extract, it helps restore moisture, add shine, and smooth hair without weighing it down. Its lightweight formula gently cleanses while enhancing manageability and softness, leaving hair refreshed with a subtle cucumber-melon scent accented by soft floral notes.
Key Ingredients:
Awapuhi extract (moisturizing), gentle cleansing agents
Best For:
All hair types, fine hair, static-prone hair, dry or dull hair
Benefits:
Balances moisture, adds shine, softens, smooths, lightweight
Best Detox – OUAI Detox Shampoo
Why We Love It:
OUAI Detox Shampoo is a clarifying, sulfate-free shampoo designed to remove buildup from dirt, oil, product residue, and hard water. Infused with apple cider vinegar and keratin, it gently exfoliates the scalp, restores volume, bounce, and shine, and helps prevent color fading. Ideal for chemically treated, normal, straight, wavy, or curly hair, it’s perfect for a weekly detox that leaves hair feeling refreshed, clean, and healthy without over-drying.
Key Ingredients:
Apple cider vinegar, keratin, chelating agents
Best For:
Hair with product or hard water buildup, itchy scalp, chemically treated hair, all hair types
Benefits:
Detoxifying, clarifying, adds volume, shine, and scalp refreshment
Best Eco-Friendly Clarifying – Ethique Clarifying Shampoo Bar
Why We Love It:
Ethique Clarifying Shampoo Bar is a plastic-free, vegan solution for oily hair that effectively removes excess oil and buildup. Infused with castor oil for gentle cleansing, ginseng to invigorate the scalp, and orange peel for a refreshing finish, it leaves hair revitalized and healthy. Travel-friendly and compact, it’s ideal for on-the-go use. Gentle enough for color-treated hair, it supports a sustainable, eco-conscious lifestyle while delivering a deep, clarifying clean.
Key Ingredients:
Castor oil, ginseng, orange peel
Best For:
Oily hair, buildup-prone scalp, all hair colors, color-treated hair
Benefits:
Clarifying, purifying, refreshing, eco-friendly, travel-friendly
How to Choose the Best Shampoo for Oily Hair – Explained
1. Clarifying vs. Balancing
Clarifying Shampoos: These are strong cleansers that remove buildup from oils, hair products, and hard water minerals. They are great if your scalp feels greasy or heavy, but overusing them can dry out hair.
Balancing Shampoos: These control oil production while keeping the scalp hydrated. Perfect for daily use or sensitive scalps.
2. Key Ingredients
Look for shampoos with active ingredients that specifically target oily hair:
Tea tree oil naturally regulates oil and soothes the scalp.
Salicylic acid exfoliates the scalp and removes dead skin and grease
Charcoal – absorbs excess oil and impurities
Rosemary – refreshes and balances the scalp
Citrus extracts – brighten hair and control oil
3. Hair Type Compatibility
Not all oily hair is the same. For example:
Fine hair – heavy formulas can weigh it down
Thick hair may need stronger clarifying shampoos
Color-treated hair—look for color-safe shampoos that won’t fade dye
FAQ
1. What causes oily hair?
Oily hair is usually caused by overactive sebaceous glands, which produce excess sebum (natural oil). This can be influenced by:
Genetics
Hormones
Stress
Product buildup
Washing too infrequently or with heavy, moisturizing products
The right shampoo helps balance oil production without stripping your scalp.
2. What should I look for in a shampoo for oily hair?
Look for shampoos that are:
Clarifying or balancing removes excess oil and buildup
Sulfate‑free or gentle cleansing—so hair isn’t over‑stripped
Containing ingredients like:
• Salicylic acid or tea tree oil (helps break down oil and cleanse scalp)
• Charcoal (absorbs excess oil)
• Botanical extracts (like rosemary, peppermint, or citrus for a fresh feel)
Lightweight formulas that don’t weigh hair down
3. How often should I wash oily hair?
With oily hair:
You can wash daily if your shampoo is gentle and balancing
Every other day can help train your scalp to produce less oil
Avoid heavy conditioners on the scalp; instead, apply conditioner only to mid‑lengths and ends.
4. Will shampoo for oily hair dry out my scalp?
Good clarifying shampoos remove excess oil without stripping moisture. Avoid harsh detergents and choose formulas with gentle surfactants. If your scalp feels dry or irritated, switch to a balancing (not stripping) formula and follow with a lightweight conditioner on the ends.
5. Should I use conditioner with an oily scalp?
Yes—but only on mid-lengths to ends. Applying conditioner on roots can add to greasiness. Choose a lightweight or oil‑free conditioner.