Best Shampoo for Oily Scalp & Hair
| Image | Name | Top Choices | Latest Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Maple Holistics - Degrease Moisture Control Shampoo | Our Favorite | Amazon |
 | 2. Natures Craft - Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo | Premium Pick | Amazon |
 | 3. Acure - Curiously Clarifying Shampoo | Great Value | Amazon |
 | 4. Honeydew - Oily Hair Shampoo | Amazon | |
 | 5. Aveeno - Apple Cider Vinegar Blend | Amazon |
Having an oily scalp can be a product of your genes or a variety of other factors, including your hormones if pregnant, diet, hygiene, and the weather. The problem with having a scalp that produces sebum in excess is not just limited to having embarrassingly limp and greasy hair. It also attracts dirt more easily. That could lead to other issues, including dandruff, hair loss, and scalp acne.
What to Look for in an Oily Scalp Shampoo
Some of your best options will be explicitly labeled for oil control. But, that’s not enough to make sure you’re choosing the right product. Here are a few more things to look out for to find the best shampoo for your oily scalp:
1) Choose a clear shampoo.
Clear shampoos are generally better for oily scalps because the opaque ones are often too creamy and are more prone to product build-up. They could also introduce more oil to your already greasy scalp.
2) Avoid harsh chemicals and additives.
Shampoos that are too harsh could strip your scalp off its natural oils, which triggers the cycle of sebum overproduction. In general, you should opt for a paraben-free and sulfate-free shampoo. Also, check the label and make sure it doesn’t have other nasty ingredients. That might include formaldehyde, artificial fragrance, dyes, silicone, propylene glycol (PG), diethanolamine (DEA), monoethanolamine (MEA), and triethanolamine (TEA).
3) Find beneficial essential oils.
Essential oils are a more natural way to get certain health benefits. Tea tree oil, for example, is an excellent antiseptic and antimicrobial, which could help reduce bacteria build-up and minimize the risk of dandruff and acne. On the other hand, rosemary and lavender oils prevent hair loss by strengthening and stimulating growth.
4) Check for pH.
While not all products will indicate this, it helps to find a shampoo that’s specifically labeled “pH balanced.” The scalp’s natural pH level is between 4.5 and 5.5. A pH-balanced shampoo will be between that range and will help you manage oiliness without causing excessive dryness.
Top 5 Shampoos for Oily Scalps
It’s a common recommendation to use a clarifying shampoo when you have an oily scalp. But, that’s not really enough to give you the care and nourishment your scalp needs not just to manage your sebum but also to provide you with fresh-smelling, lustrous, and strong hair. To help you find the right product for you, here’s a list of the best shampoos for oily scalps:
1) Maple Holistics – Degrease Moisture Control Shampoo
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The Degrease Moisture Control Shampoo by Maple Holistics is a nature-based shampoo for oily scalps. It is paraben, silicon, and sulfate-free and uses essential oils to cleanse and nourish the scalp and hair. It contains lemon oil, which helps degrease and clarify to wash away excess sebum as well as the build-up of product residue, dirt, and grime. It also contains cypress and rosemary oil, which helps relieve itching and prevent hair loss. Peach kernel oil strengthens hair to prevent breakage, while jojoba oil is excellent for improving softness and shine. This shampoo has remarkable effects on all hair types but is especially beneficial for people with color-treated hair or fine strands.
2) Natures Craft – Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo
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The Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo by Natures Craft allows you to gain the clarifying and pH-balancing benefits of ACV in a product that’s mild enough for daily use. Apart from removing build-up, it strengthens and stimulates hair growth for thick and voluminous tresses. It also contains botanical keratin and jojoba oil, which help strengthen each hair strand to minimize breakage and split-ends. These ingredients also help you achieve softer and smoother hair over time. Additionally, this shampoo boasts a vegan formulation that’s free of parabens, sulfates, and silicone. It is safe to use whether you have virgin or color-treated hair.
3) Acure – Curiously Clarifying Shampoo
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The Curiously Clarifying Shampoo by Acure is a gentle shampoo made for daily cleansing. It was explicitly formulated not just to combat oily hair but also the problems that often go with it. That includes build-up, itching, and dandruff. In fact, it contains lemongrass extracts, which help relieve scalp irritation. It also strengthens your follicles to minimize hair fall and also improve the health and texture of your hair over time. But what sets this apart from other clarifying shampoos is its inclusion of argan oil, which softens and hydrates hair without making it limp and greasy. Also, it is completely vegan and free of sulfates, parabens, formaldehyde, petrolatum, and mineral oil.
4) Honeydew – Oily Hair Shampoo
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The Oily Hair Shampoo by Honeydew was formulated with natural ingredients to clear the scalp and maintain a healthy level of sebum production. It contains essential oils from lemon, sage, rosemary, and tea tree, which work together not just to balance oil but also prevent bacteria build-up, avoid itching, strengthen strands, and minimize hair fall. It also has Moroccan argan oil, which moisturizes, smoothens, and softens. So, it doesn’t just help you manage your oily scalp but also improves the texture of your hair with continued use. Whether you have curly, wavy, or straight hair, this shampoo will help give you more body and shine. Plus, it is free of sulfates, parabens, and other harsh chemicals.
5) Aveeno – Apple Cider Vinegar Blend
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The Apple Cider Vinegar Blend by Aveeno was formulated to clarify your scalp and restore shine to your hair. It boasts colloidal oatmeal extract as its most active ingredient. This not only helps absorb excess sebum but also soothe any scalp irritation that could cause itching and flaking. Plus, it softens hair by providing moisture to the strands. The vinegar blend in this shampoo further enhances its clarifying benefits but also helps balance the scalp’s pH levels. It is also formulated with no sulfates, parabens, nor artificial dyes. With regular use, you can expect to keep your oiliness in control and also have hair that’s shiny from better health and not from grease.
Tips for Managing an Oily Scalp
When you have an oily scalp, many professional hairdressers recommend shampooing every other day. That’s because the overproduction of sebum could be a response to excessive dryness caused by overwashing. But, the American Acadamy of Dermatology Association actually recommends washing once a day using a product that’s formulated for your hair type. Doing so will allow you to wash off the excess oil and keep bacteria from proliferating. Here are other tips that might help:
- Do an ACV rinse. You don’t need an ACV shampoo to enjoy its benefits. Plain apple cider vinegar will help you balance your scalp’s pH levels and, consequently, keep sebum production in check. Add half a tablespoon of ACV to an 8-ounce glass of water. Pour it over your scalp and leave it on for 3 minutes before rinsing it off. Do this no more than once a week.
- Condition away from your scalp. You can use a conditioner to detangle, soften, and smoothen your hair. But, keep it away from the roots to avoid excess moisture as well as additional product build-up in the scalp.
- Avoid hair products. Styling products like mousse, wax, and hairspray can quickly build-up in the hair and scalp, which could trigger excessive oil production. Use them sparingly and make sure to cleanse thoroughly afterward.
- Improve your diet. What you eat can have a direct effect on your scalp health. Try to avoid eating too much sugar and refined carbohydrates. Instead, fill up your diet with foods that are rich in zinc as well as vitamins B and E.
Whether having an oily scalp is normal to you or it’s a temporary condition brought about by stress or other factors, it pays to learn how to address it. Finding the right shampoo will help you cleanse your scalp properly and minimize the risk of more severe hair problems. Apart from keeping your greasiness in check, the best shampoos for oily scalps will also make your hair healthier and give it the right kind of shine.
