Best Shampoo for Oily Hair
By noon, your hair looks like you haven't washed it in days. You've tried washing more frequently, but that seems to make it worse. You've tried washing less, but then you just look greasy. The oily hair struggle is real—but the solution isn't what most people think, and the wrong approach can make things significantly worse.
Why Your Hair Gets So Oily
Understanding the cause helps you fix the problem effectively. Oily hair comes from your scalp, not your hair itself—specifically, from sebaceous glands that produce sebum, a natural oil that protects and moisturizes your hair and scalp.
Some people's sebaceous glands are simply more active than others—this is largely genetic. If your parents had oily hair, you probably will too. But other factors can make the problem worse.
Over-washing is the biggest aggravator, and it creates a vicious cycle. When you wash too frequently or with too-harsh products, you strip away all your natural oils. Your scalp panics and produces MORE oil to compensate for what was lost. So you wash again, strip more oil, and your scalp produces even more. The cycle continues, and you end up oilier than when you started.
Hormones play a significant role. Puberty, pregnancy, menstruation, menopause, and certain medications can all increase oil production. Stress and diet can also affect sebum levels. If your hair suddenly became much oilier, consider what changed in your life or health recently.
Using the wrong products matters too. Heavy conditioners applied to roots, silicone-rich products that don't wash out easily, and products that cause buildup all make oily hair look worse.
If your hair suddenly became much oilier without explanation, consider recent changes: new medications (birth control is a common culprit), stress levels, dietary changes, or hormonal shifts. Sometimes the cause is internal, not your shampoo choice.
What to Look for in Shampoo
Not all shampoos labeled "for oily hair" are equally effective. Here's what actually helps.
Ingredients That Help
Gentle sulfates in moderation. Yes, sulfates are controversial, but for genuinely oily scalps, the cleaning power of gentle sulfates (like sodium laureth sulfate or sodium lauryl sulfate) can be helpful. The key is balance—you want to remove excess oil without stripping so much that you trigger overproduction. Avoid super-harsh industrial-strength sulfates, but don't fear all sulfates if you're oily.
Salicylic acid helps control oil and clears away scalp buildup without over-stripping. It's also good for oily scalps prone to flaking.
Tea tree oil has natural oil-controlling and antimicrobial properties. It keeps the scalp fresh and helps regulate sebum.
Charcoal and clay absorb excess oil without harsh detergents. Good for those who want oil control without sulfates.
Zinc helps regulate oil production and is also good if you have oiliness with dandruff.
Citrus extracts like lemon can help cut through oil and add brightness.
Ingredients to Avoid
Heavy silicones (dimethicone, cyclomethicone) can build up on hair and scalp, making oiliness look worse.
Moisturizing formulas labeled "for dry hair" will weigh down oily hair and add to the greasy look.
2-in-1 shampoo/conditioners deposit conditioning agents that can accumulate and make oily hair limp and greasy.
Heavy oils (coconut, argan, olive) in shampoos add to the problem rather than solving it.
The Correct Washing Technique
How you wash matters as much as what you wash with.
Focus on Scalp, Not Lengths
Oily hair is really about an oily scalp. Apply shampoo to your scalp and massage thoroughly with fingertips. Work the shampoo into your scalp, not just your hair. Let the suds run down the length of your hair as you rinse—this is usually enough to clean the strands without over-processing them.
Rinse Thoroughly
Really thoroughly. Product residue contributes to oiliness and buildup. Rinse longer than you think necessary—and then a bit more. Until there's absolutely no slippery feeling left.
Condition Ends Only
This is crucial for oily hair. Apply conditioner only to mid-lengths and ends—never to your scalp or roots. The scalp doesn't need added moisture (it's already producing plenty). Focus conditioner where hair is actually dry: the older sections toward the ends.
Use Lukewarm Water
Hot water can stimulate oil production. Lukewarm water cleanses effectively without triggering your sebaceous glands. A cool final rinse can help close the cuticle and add shine.
Consider washing your hair upside down or forward. This prevents conditioner from running onto your scalp and roots during rinsing, keeping the oily zone product-free.
How Often Should You Wash?
This is where most people go wrong—and where breaking the cycle matters most.
The instinct is to wash more when hair is oily. But as we discussed, over-washing often makes oiliness worse by triggering compensatory oil production. The goal is finding the minimum washing frequency that keeps your hair presentable.
Try gradually extending time between washes. If you currently wash daily, try every other day. Yes, the first few times will be rough—your scalp needs time to adjust. Stick with it for 2-3 weeks before judging.
Use dry shampoo between washes. Dry shampoo absorbs excess oil at the roots, helping you extend time between washes while training your scalp to produce less oil. Apply to roots only and brush through.
For very oily scalps, daily washing may genuinely be necessary—but use a gentle formula, focus on scalp only, and make sure you're not creating a stripping/overproduction cycle. If daily washing makes things worse over time, you're washing too harshly.
Lifestyle Factors That Help
Products aren't the only solution. Daily habits affect scalp oiliness too.
Touch your hair less. Every touch transfers oil from your hands to your hair and stimulates your scalp to produce more oil. Resist the urge to run your fingers through your hair throughout the day.
Clean your hairbrush regularly. A dirty brush redistributes oil and old product back onto clean hair. Wash brushes weekly with shampoo.
Change your pillowcase frequently. Oil, product residue, and skin cells accumulate on pillowcases and transfer back to your hair and face. Change pillowcases 2-3 times per week or use a fresh towel over your pillow.
Consider your diet. While evidence is mixed, some people notice increased oiliness with diets very high in fried foods, dairy, or sugar. Staying hydrated may help balance oil production.
Manage stress. Stress hormones can increase oil production. Whatever helps you manage stress—exercise, sleep, meditation—may help your scalp too.
When to See a Dermatologist
Excessive scalp oiliness can sometimes indicate seborrheic dermatitis or other conditions. See a dermatologist if: oiliness is accompanied by redness, irritation, or flaking; you notice hair thinning along with oiliness; oiliness suddenly increased dramatically without explanation; or nothing helps despite consistent, proper use of appropriate products.
The Bottom Line
Managing oily hair is about balance—cleaning enough to remove excess oil without stripping so much that you trigger overproduction. Choose appropriate products, focus on your scalp while washing, condition only the ends, and work on gradually extending time between washes. Breaking the strip-and-overproduce cycle takes patience, but once your scalp adjusts, you'll find a sustainable rhythm that keeps hair fresh longer.
After years of heat damage and chemical treatments left my 4A curls lifeless, I dedicated myself to learning everything about natural hair care. Now I help women embrace their natural texture with science-backed tips and real-world advice. When I'm not researching the latest in hair science, you'll find me mixing DIY hair masks in my kitchen.