Last updated on September 14th, 2026 at 05:18 am

Around 50% of people struggle with oily hair or an oily scalp at some point in their lives. Excess oil can make your hair look flat, greasy, and dirty only a day after washing. It can also cause product buildup, dandruff, itching, and an unhealthy-looking scalp. 

When your scalp naturally produces oil to keep your hair healthy, too much of it can become frustrating to manage. However, the right shampoo can make a big difference. A shampoo made for oily hair helps remove excess oil, cleans away buildup, and leaves your scalp feeling fresh. 

In this article, you’ll explore the 8 best shampoos for oily and frizzy hair that are tested, trusted, and recommended for cleaner, healthier-looking hair.

If you also color your hair, read Adore Hair Color: Top 7 Long-Lasting Semi-Permanent Dye for Healthy Hair to keep your hair healthy and shiny.

Why Does Oily Hair Needs a Different Kind of Shampoo?

shampoos for oily hair

Your scalp contains sebaceous glands that produce sebum, a natural oil. It keeps your hair and skin moisturized. When these glands become overactive, they produce more sebum than your scalp needs. 

This excess oil mixes with sweat, dead skin cells, and dirt. Furthermore, it also makes your hair look greasy and feel heavy. Regular shampoos may not remove this buildup effectively, while overly harsh formulas can strip away too much oil. It causes the scalp to produce even more sebum. 

Shampoos made for oily hair are designed to remove excess oil and maintain a healthier scalp.

Now that you understand why oily hair needs targeted care, it’s time to explore shampoos that actually deliver results.

Best Shampoo for Oily Hair: Top 8 Picks for Men and Women

The following selections are designed to control excess oil, cleanse the scalp effectively, and keep hair feeling fresh without over-drying. Each option suits different scalp needs, making it easier to find the right match for both men and women.

Sebastian Dark Oil Shampoo

best light weight shampoo for oily hair

Sebastian Dark Oil Lightweight Shampoo is designed for people who struggle with oily roots but still want soft, manageable hair. This shampoo gently cleanses the scalp to remove excess oil and buildup without stripping natural moisture. 

Infused with jojoba and argan oils, it nourishes hair lightly, preventing dryness while keeping the scalp balanced. The best shampoo for oily hair and hair loss formula helps reduce greasiness at the roots while maintaining smoothness through the lengths.

Its lightweight texture rinses clean and leaves no heavy residue. This makes hair feel fresh, airy, and full of movement. With regular use, hair looks healthier, shinier, and less weighed down. This shampoo is ideal for oily hair that needs cleansing.

Pros

  • Removes excess oil
  • Lightweight formula keeps hair soft
  • Controls greasy roots
  • Rinses clean with no sticky residue

Cons

  • Not strong enough for extremely oily scalp buildup

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Matrix Biolage Normalizing Clean Reset Shampoo

best shampoo for oily hair to remove built up

If your hair starts looking oily just a day after washing, Matrix shampoo can help bring your scalp back into balance. This best shampoo for oily, thin hair is made to remove excess oil and everyday impurities. It gives your scalp a deep cleanse. This makes it a great choice for people who regularly use styling products.

The formula contains lemongrass, an ingredient known for its refreshingness. It helps lift away dirt and oil. This one cleans thoroughly without making your hair feel rough. Instead, it leaves hair feeling light, soft, and easier to style.

With regular use, your hair stays fresh for longer and gains more natural volume. The rich lather spreads easily through the hair and rinses away clean. This shampoo offers a simple way to keep your scalp healthy.

Pros

  • Gently removes excess oil
  • Cooling mint refreshes 
  • Paraben-free, safe for regular use
    Leaves hair light and easier to style

Cons

  • May feel less intense for very heavy oiliness

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L’Oreal Paris EverPure Volume Shampoo

best shampoo for adding volume to oily hair

Flat, greasy hair can make even freshly washed hair lose its shape within hours. L’Oréal Paris EverPure Volume Shampoo is designed to solve that problem. It removes excess oil and adds lightweight volume from root to tip. It deeply washes away daily buildup. 

Its 100% sulfate-free formula is enriched with lotus flower extract. This makes it a great choice for color-treated hair. Unlike harsh shampoos, this formula leaves the scalp feeling clean. The lightweight lather rinses away easily. So, there is no heavy residue left behind.

With regular use, hair looks fresh for longer between washes. The added root lift gives fine hair a more natural body. The best shampoo for oily hair drugstore fresh botanical fragrance leaves your hair smelling clean. Whether you wash your hair daily, this shampoo provides a balanced cleanse.

Pros

  • Sulfate-free 
  • Removes excess oil 
  • Adds natural-looking volume
  • Leaves hair soft and lightweight

Cons

  • May not be strong enough for heavy product buildup.

Bumble and Bumble Surf Foam Wash Shampoo

best moisturizing shampoo for oily hair

Looking for a shampoo that leaves your hair feeling clean without making it dry? The Bumble and Bumble best shampoo for oily and frizzy hair offers a refreshing cleanse. It removes excess oil and helps hair maintain its natural texture. It is an excellent choice for people with oily roots.

This shampoo uses a lightweight cleansing formula. Therefore, it lifts away sebum, dirt, and styling product buildup from the scalp. It also contains mineral-rich ingredients. Therefore, it helps create a natural-looking texture. 

Instead of weighing hair down, the formula leaves it feeling fresh. The rich foam spreads evenly through the hair and rinses away completely. With regular use, oily roots stay cleaner for longer. It works especially well for fine or flat hair. 

Pros

  • Lifts excess oil without harsh stripping agents
  • Foam texture delivers airy
  • Enhances natural body 
  • Leaves hair clean and non‑greasy

Cons

  • Foam may feel light for very heavy oil buildup

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Amika Sexture Texturizing Shampoo

Gentle cleansing shampoo for oily hair

A shampoo should do more than wash away oil. It should leave your hair looking fuller and easier to style. The Amika Sexture Texturizing Shampoo is designed for people who want a deep cleanse. It removes excess oil, dirt, and product buildup. Therefore, it gives hair a beach-inspired finish that lasts.

Its lightweight formula is infused with zeolite. This best shampoo for oily teenage hair absorbs excess oil and impurities from the scalp. At the same time, sea buckthorn berry is a nutrient-rich ingredient packed with vitamins. So, it helps support healthier-looking hair. 

This combination keeps the scalp feeling fresh. The shampoo creates a rich lather that spreads easily. It works especially well for oily hair that quickly loses volume between washes. With regular use, your scalp stays cleaner for longer. 

Pros

  • Absorbs excess oil
  • Adds natural texture
  • Removes buildup
  • Contains antioxidant-rich sea buckthorn

Cons

  • Not suitable for people who prefer a very sleek hairstyle

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Ag Care Balanced Shampoo

No 1 shampoo for oily hair

Not every oily scalp needs a harsh clarifying shampoo. Sometimes, the best results come from restoring your scalp’s natural balance. AG Care Balanced Shampoo is formulated to gently cleanse excess sebum, dirt, and buildup.

One of its standout ingredients is apple cider vinegar. It helps remove buildup and supports the scalp’s natural pH balance. The sulfate-free formula cleans effectively without leaving hair feeling dry. This is the best shampoo for oily men’s hair, suitable for regular use. 

It also contains nourishing botanical ingredients. Therefore, it keeps the hair manageable after every wash. The lightweight lather rinses away cleanly. As excess oil is washed away, hair stays cleaner for longer between washes. It also helps improve shine and reduces the greasy feeling. 

Pros

  • Gently removes excess oil
  • Apple cider vinegar helps maintain a healthy scalp pH.
  • Sulfate-free formula is suitable for regular use.
  • Leaves hair lightweight and refreshed.

Cons

  • May not provide a deep clarifying cleanse for extremely oily scalps.

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Biolage Cooling Mint Scalpsync Shampoo

best shampoo for oily hair clean scalp

A healthy scalp is the foundation of healthy-looking hair. Biolage Cooling Mint Scalpsync Shampoo is designed to refresh oily scalps. It washes away excess sebum, dirt, and buildup. Meanwhile, it leaves your scalp feeling clean and energized.

The formula is enriched with mint leaf. Over time, it helps the scalp feel soothed after every wash. It also lifts away impurities and excess oil. The best shampoo for oily hair women is a lightweight cleansing formula that rinses away easily. As a result, your hair feels lighter and looks cleaner.

With regular use, this shampoo helps maintain a balanced scalp environment. It works especially well for oily hair that tends to feel heavy. The crisp mint fragrance creates a refreshing salon-like experience. Therefore, it leaves both your scalp and hair feeling revitalized after every wash.

Pros

  • Removes excess oil
  • Cooling mint formula 
  • Lightweight cleanser 
  • Helps hair feel cleaner

Cons

  • It feels too intense for people with very sensitive scalps.

GK Hair Balancing Shampoo

best shampoo for oily hair to remove dirt and restore scalp ph balance

Finding a shampoo that controls oily roots can be challenging. GK Hair Balancing Shampoo is designed to do exactly that. It gently removes excess oil, dirt, and impurities. So, it helps your scalp maintain the right moisture balance. The result is hair that feels clean, soft, and healthy after every wash.

One of its key ingredients is Juvexin. It is a keratin-based protein blend that helps strengthen and protect the hair from damage. The sulfate-free and paraben-free formula cleanses the scalp. This makes it suitable for regular use and color-treated hair. 

The best shampoo for oily hair is a drugstore-rich lather that spreads easily through the hair. As oil and buildup are washed away, the scalp feels refreshed. With continued use, hair stays cleaner for longer and looks healthier. It is an excellent option for anyone who wants balanced cleansing.

Pros

  • Removes excess oil 
  • Juvexin helps strengthen 
  • Sulfate-free and paraben-free formula
  • Leaves hair soft and easy to manage

Cons

  • May not deeply clarify heavy buildup

How to Properly Use Shampoo for Oily Hair (Most People Get This Wrong)

The best shampoo for oily hair and frizzy hair won’t deliver great results. Many people apply shampoo only to their hair. A few small changes to your routine can help keep your scalp cleaner. Here are steps that help you use them properly.

Here are three steps to get it right every time:

infographic for shampoos for oily hair

Step 1: Wet Your Hair Completely

You have to start by rinsing your hair with lukewarm water. Do it for at least 30–60 seconds. This helps loosen excess oil, dirt, and product buildup. It also allows the shampoo to work more effectively.

Tips:

  • Make sure both your scalp and hair are fully wet
  • Avoid hot water, as it can dry out your scalp.

Step 2: Massage the Shampoo Into Your Scalp

The next step is to pour a small amount of shampoo into your hands. Then,  apply it directly to your scalp. Gently massage with your fingertips for 1–2 minutes to lift away oil and buildup. As you rinse, the shampoo will naturally cleanse the rest of your hair.

Avoid:

  • Using more shampoo than necessary.
  • Scratching your scalp with your nails.

Step 3: Rinse Thoroughly and Don’t Overwash

As you already know, the leftover shampoo can attract dirt and make hair feel greasy faster. Therefore, rinse thoroughly until your hair feels completely clean. Washing too often causes your scalp to produce even more oil.

For best results:

  • Wash only when your hair starts to feel oily.
  • Use a clarifying shampoo once a week if you regularly use styling products.

Hard water can make oily hair worse, so check Natural Remedies and Best Shampoos for Hard Water Hair Damage for better hair care.

Disclaimers: These are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through them. Rest assured, our recommendations are based on thorough research and personal experience to bring you the best products.

FAQs

How to reduce oily hair?

Wash scalp regularly with gentle shampoo, avoid overwashing, rinse thoroughly, limit heavy conditioners, keep styling products minimal, eat balanced diet, manage stress, and clean brushes often to prevent excess oil.

How to check shampoo quality?

Check the ingredient list, avoid harsh sulfates, note pH balance, review brand transparency, test lather and rinse feel, observe scalp reaction after use, and monitor hair softness over time carefully and consistently.

What are signs of unhealthy oily hair?

Persistent greasiness, itchy scalp, frequent dandruff, limp texture, excessive shedding, clogged follicles, dull appearance, and breakouts nthe hairlineline indicate unhealthy oily hair needing proper care, attention, routine balance, products, and consistency.

Final Thoughts

To sum up, the selection of the best shampoo for oily hair and hair loss starts with understanding what your scalp actually needs. Instead of buying the popular product, look for a shampoo that matches your hair type, oil level, and any specific concerns. 

Also consider the product buildup, color-treated hair, or a sensitive scalp. Pay close attention to the ingredients and cleansing strength. The right shampoo should remove excess oil. It should help your scalp stay balanced. Once you find a formula that works for your hair, use it consistently to enjoy longer-lasting freshness.