Oil on your body? glistening Oily scalp? Not as nice. If you fall into the Need to Shampoo Daily category, we feel you. Greasy hair can be a hassle, as can the need to wash it every day. But with the right technique, it’s possible to keep the oil slicks—and the wash days—to a minimum.
“People with oily hair need a gentle cleanser that removes buildup and product,” Joseph Maine, celebrity hairstylist and cofounder of Trademark Beauty, explains. But he also shares that the issue may not be excess oil after all. “Often, people think they have an oily hair type or oily scalp when in reality it’s buildup from products or shampoo.”
That’s why it’s important to wash thoroughly and with products that don’t leave residue behind. Read on for 15 formulas that’ll cut the grease while also keeping your hair healthy and shiny.
Best for Color-Treated Hair
Color Security Shampoo
Best for Fine Hair
Fine Hair Shampoo
Best for Scalp
Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Scrub Shampoo
Best Treatment
Clean Rinse Clarifying Scalp Treatment Serum
Best for Major Excess Oil
Shampoo with Nettle for Oily Hair and Scalp
Best Tea Tree Shampoo
Special Shampoo
Best for the Gym
Daily Workout Watermelon & Blood Orange Shampoo
Best Hydrating
Specifique Divalent Balancing Shampoo for Oily Hair
Best Strengthening
Balancing.Wash
Best Luxe
Balancing Shampoo
Drugstore Deal
Elvive Extraordinary Clay Rebalancing Shampoo
Best Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo
Apple Cider Vinegar Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Best Clarifying
Degrease Shampoo for Oily Hair Care
Best Balancing Shampoo
Bain TS Shampooing Balancing Shampoo
Best for Roots
Purifying Shampoo with Thermal Mud
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you condition your hair if it’s oily?
Yes, but … “Always keep conditioner away from your scalp,” Maine explains. Apply conditioner from the middle to ends of your hair, and that’s it. Any higher will just add to the greasy appearance.
Is it bad to wash your hair every day?
If you don’t have to, it can be nice to give your hair a day or two in between washes. But if you must shampoo every day, stick with one of the gentle, balancing formulas above, like Kevin Murphy’s.
Does my shampoo cause buildup?
“A lot of people experiencing excess oil are unaware that their shampoo can be contributing to this issue,” Maine says. This includes moisturizing agents in the shampoo that build up over time and can make your hair appear greasy.” If you’ve recently swapped shampoos and are suddenly seeing extra oil, or if you’ve been oily for a while and haven’t changed up your shampoo, the fix might be as simple as making a switch.
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