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Oily hair is something that a lot of people deal with; that feeling of your scalp starting to get greasy the day after a hair wash, or the unwanted feeling of product buildup weighing your hair down which can only be relieved by shampoos for oily hair.
Although oil production on the scalp is something that’s totally normal, there are ways that you can keep excess oil at bay while leaving the scalp’s natural oils to do their thing.
If you’re struggling with oily roots at the moment and want to find a clarifying shampoo to help tame some of that excess oil, we’ll be sharing some top tips and seven shampoos for oily hair in this article.
What causes an oily scalp?
If you find yourself struggling to keep the oily hair at bay when you’re in between washes, there are a few reasons that could be the cause of all your troubles.
Hormonal changes
Your hormones can actually have a big impact on excess grease and increased oil production on your scalp.
Androgens are a type of hormone that activates your body’s sebum production — which not only means you may get oily skin, but also means more oil production on the scalp.
Because of this, you may experience an oilier scalp when you’re on your period or during puberty.
Overwashing your hair
Although you may love the squeaky clean feeling you get after a hair wash, if you wash your hair too often it can result in an oily scalp.
This is because when you wash oily hair, you’re stripping hair of its natural oils which are needed to keep your hair healthy.
If you’re washing this all away, you’re basically forcing your scalp to produce even more oil, leaving oily strands and oily hair.
You’re using the wrong products
Not every product is designed for every hair type so, if you’re using the incorrect product you could be damaging your hair or causing it to get oilier.
For example, you should ways choose a shampoo for oily hair products if your hair can get on the greasier side. Just like you would get a gentle shampoo for color-treated hair.
How to get rid of greasy hair
Getting rid of oily hair can seem like a big challenge, but with a slight change in the products and techniques you use when you wash your hair, or between hair wash days, you can help reduce excess oil and deep clean your scalp without having to worry about greasy hair.
Here are 7 tips on how we like to get rid of an oily scalp:
- Find the right shampoos for oily hair for your hair type
- Only use conditioner on the ends of your hair
- Make dry shampoo your best friend
- Remember to clean your hairbrush frequently
- Avoid pricey shampoo with silicone
- Be gentle and rinse properly when you’re in the shower
- Avoid touching your hair too much during the day
Shampoo for oily hair picks that actually work
Now for the most important part, some of our favorite oily hair products can help to get rid of excess sebum, remove oily buildup and promote a healthy scalp.
Here are some of the best shampoos for oily hair, with a range of drugstore shampoo products, and a few higher end purchased in there for good measure.
L’Oreal Paris Elvive Rebalancing Shampoo with Clays $7.99
Just because you suffer from an oilier scalp doesn’t mean that you want a shampoo that’s going to strip away all the oils, especially not from the ends of your hair, which can often be the dryest.
The L’Oreal Paris Rebalancing Shampoo contains a beautiful mix of refined clays that help to get rid of any excess oil and care for sensitive skin while keeping the ends of your hair nice and hydrated throughout the day.
If you want soft, smooth hair that lasts longer between washes, this is a great drugstore shampoo to start with.
The Ordinary Sulphate 4% Cleanser For Body & Hair $8
We all know that The Ordinary creates some amazing budget skincare products (like their salicylic acid which we love), but did you know that their hair products are just as fantastic?
Their multi-use shampoo and body wash is a fan favorite, garnering plenty of positive reviews on their website, and for good reason. This is the best drugstore shampoo if you’re on a budget and want a repairing and strengthening shampoo that will make your hair feel brand new.
Working hard to keep oil at bay, this shampoo for oily hair is wonderful.
Bumble and bumble Sunday Shampoo $30
This may be one of the more expensive shampoos for oily hair but, we really think that it’s worth the extra investment for how good it will make your hair feel — especially those of you who have oily hair types.
This hardworking detoxifying shampoo will remove excess oil and any build-up or residue that can accumulate on your scalp in between hair washes. Perfect for use on a Sunday (hence the name) when you want to start a new week fresh, we couldn’t recommend this shampoo more.
Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Scrub Shampoo $15-$42
The perfect hybrid between a scalp scrub and an invigorating shampoo, the Briogeo Exfoliating Scrub Shampoo lifts away dead skin cells to reduce oil on the scalp, getting deep into the hair follicle to give you an intense clean feeling.
Although not ideal for everyday use, this is a weekly treat that will have your head feeling amazing. Whether you have fine hair or thick hair, this product will give your locks the TLC it needs when you’ve been going a bit too crazy on all the hair products.
Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Blend Sulfate Free Shampoo $7.89
If you’re looking for a shampoo that will be gentle on color treated hair or damaged hair, this balancing shampoo from Aveeno provides a gentle lather that won’t cause any more damage to your hair.
The great sulfate free formula is extremely gentle, making it a great shampoo for oily hair and oily scalps. The apple cider vinegar helps to refresh the hair and scalp, while the formula is also packed with other hair-loving ingredients that will get you one step closer to achieving the most healthy hair possible.
OUAI Detox Shampoo $30
OUAI is known for its great shampoos, but its shampoos for oily hair are among some of our personal favorites.
Their Detox Shampoo helps to avoid too much oil buildup by deeply cleansing away dirt, oil, and product buildup, leaving a beautiful fresh scent that lasts all day.
This hydrating hair shampoo is perfect for dry hair and damaged hair as it contains detoxifying apple cider vinegar and strengthening keratin, which a lot of traditional shampoos don’t.
Klorane Aquatic Mint Cleansing Shampoo $22
Last, but by no means least is one of our most frequently used clarifying shampoos (which we may go as far as to say is the best shampoo for oily hair) is the Klorane Aquatic Mint Shampoo.
All the Klorane shampoos are affordable and work just like any other high-end shampoo would. This shampoo, with peppermint extract, is a natural shampoo that will make your hair feel extra clean and soft after every wash.
Along with helping to get rid of excess oil, this also helps with an itchy scalp and won’t leave your hair feeling dry or stripped after use.
Get your oily hair under control
In this article, we’ve taken you through some of our favorite shampoos for oily hair that can help you to go longer in between hair washes, and not have to worry about your hair looking greasy the day after you’ve washed it.
From some drugstore favorites to some more expensive products for when you’re feeling spendy, we hope you’ve found a shampoo for oily hair that works for you.
Let us know what you think the best shampoos are, and if there are any in particular we’ve missed off this list in the comments.
