One of the most aggravating hair problems is oily hair. You wash your hair, put it in a style and leave, only to discover by midday that your roots are already limp and greasy. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Overproduction of sebum, the oil that the scalp produces, is a problem for millions of people, and can be caused by hormones, diet, stress, genetics and over-washing. However, the bright side is that the proper shampoo can really make a difference.
The key to finding the best shampoo for oily hair is to select shampoos that will thoroughly cleanse the scalp, strip away excess oil without causing excessive dryness or damage to the mid-lengths and ends, and over time, help to regulate sebum production. The poor selection can leave behind a film or dry the scalp out so much that it compensates by making more oil. This is a list of ten best shampoos for oily hair in 2025 from a variety of price ranges, along with a few pointers on picking and utilizing shampoos properly.
Why the Right Shampoo Matters for Oily Hair
It is a fact that using the right shampoo is essential when it comes to keeping oily hair healthy.
Dirty hair does not equal oily hair or greasy scalp. Each hair follicle is associated with a sebaceous gland which secretes sebum which flows down the hair shaft. Others’ glands may simply be more active, and create more oil than is average, so their scalp will create oil quicker than average. Overwashing will cause a rebound effect — the sweat glands will produce even more oil. This leaves many people feeling trapped in a vicious circle.
A special shampoo for oily hair is the solution to the problem from the root. Gentle surfactants remove sebum from the scalp without over stripping, while specific active ingredients like salicylic acid and zinc pyrithione help to remove sebum, balance the scalp’s pH and moderate sebum production between applications; tea tree oil and other natural oils, such as clay and apple cider vinegar, help to remove excess oil. Just as important, these shampoos leave behind less of the following ingredients: heavy silicones, conditioning waxes, and emollients that cover the scalp and cause grease to build up.
Some of the essential ingredients to check for
The science of ingredients is important to know before choosing a product to make a better decision for your type of scalp.
Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that works at the cellular level to exfoliate the scalp, breaking the bonds which hold the dead skin cells and excess oil on the scalp. It is among the clinically proven ingredients for greasy and acne-prone hair and a major active ingredient in some of the greatest shampoos for oily hair.
Tea tree oil is an antibacterial and antifungal antiseptic that is natural. It cleanses and revitalizes the scalp while simultaneously leaving it clean and tingling, which many people believe is a deep clean, if the scalp is tingled at all. This is the sole ingredient that has made Paul Mitchell’s Tea Tree Special Shampoo a cult product.
Zinc pyrithione and pyrithione zinc are effective against the yeast that may be responsible for overproduction of sebum and dandruff. People who get greasy and flaky can use a shampoo that contains this.
A few more ingredients to look for are clay and apple cider vinegar. Clay, especially kaolin and montmorillonite, is like a sponge and absorbs too much oil from the scalp without affecting the scalp’s natural moisture levels. Apple cider vinegar brings the scalp’s slightly acidic pH back into balance, which will open the cuticle, add shine to the hair and remove buildup caused by hard water and styling products.
The best shampoos for oily hair in 2026 are listed below.
1. Kerastase Specifique Bain Divalent – the best overall shampoo
This is the tried and tested solution for people with a mix of oily roots and dry or damaged ends. The Kerastase Specifice Bain Divalent Balancing Shampoo purifies and balances the scalp thanks to its amino acids, salicylic acid and vitamin B6, and strengthens the mid-lengths and ends with an anti-damage effect. The product lathers well and produces a good, luscious lather, and with sulfates is suitable for colour treated hair. The fragrance — which combines Indian basil, freesia and sandalwood — is truly classy. It weighs about 8.5 ounces and is salon-priced, but worth the investment to those who struggle with oily scalps.
2. Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo – Best for a refreshing clean
Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special is a shampoo that few oily hair shampoos are able to boast the loyal customers the brand has gained over the years. It is infused with a blend of tea tree oil, peppermint and lavender that will create an invigorating scalp tingle, a true deep purifying reset. This formula is effective in removing excess oils and impurities, and users find their hair fresher for longer between hair washes. In addition to the oil control, the rosemary, peppermint and spearmint aroma profile provides a spa-like feel to every wash. Essential oil concentration can sometimes be irritating to the sensitive or broken scalp, so patch-test is recommended.
3. Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo
Neutrogena T/Sal is a shampoo that is often at the top of dermatologists’ lists when an oily or flaky scalp is recommended. The active ingredient is 3% salicylic acid that is clinically effective in breaking down sebum and scale. It doesn’t require a prescription, doesn’t cost much and is available at most pharmacies and grocery stores.
The bottle design is utilitarian and the fragrance is light, T/Sal doesn’t have the “artsy” touch of salon products, but when it comes to scalp, it delivers a lot more than its worth. It is recommended to be used 2-3 times a week instead of daily because of the high concentration of salicylic that could cause the product to be drying with excessive use.
4. Biolage Scalp Sync Cooling Shampoo _ Best for Oiliness and Dandruff
It is a treatment that is suitable for all your needs, no matter whether you experience oiliness or dandruff.Biolage’s Scalp Sync Cooling Shampoo is multi-ingredient. The zinc pyrithione works to control the yeast responsible for dandruff and excess sebum and the mint leaf adds a soothing, refreshing feel. Cola seed extract, which contains caffeine, helps support the health of your scalp, while mallow extract helps to detangle your hair and chamomile helps to buttress the hair strand.
What you will get as a result is a shampoo that can control oiliness and flaking at the same time, something which can be a real problem for many people. It’s clean, fresh and good enough for day-to-day use, but may be ok for very dry ends to condition from mid-length down.
5. Ouai Detox Shampoo — Best Clarifying Treatment
The Ouai Detox Shampoo is a weekly treatment and not a daily wash. Here, apple cider vinegar takes the burden as it works to dissolve product buildup, excess oil, and hard water mineral deposits which can build up on the scalp over time. Hydrolysed keratin will continue to help keep the hair moisturised during the clarifying process and chelators will take care of the unwanted mineral deposits. The Ouai Detox can be added to your users’ styling line of products on a regular basis, like dry shampoo, texturising spray, hairspray, and it will dramatically increase the freshness of your hair once or twice a week. It’s also a steady star for people who have fine and flat hair and lack volume due to oily hair.
6. OGX Extra Strength Refreshing Scalp + Tea Tree Mint Shampoo — Best Budget Option.
If you are looking for a drug store hair wash that doesn’t skimp on performance, then you should try out OGX’s Tea Tree Mint Shampoo. This delicious formulation of tea tree oil, peppermint extract and witch hazel clears away the excess sebum without dehydrating the hair. Most important of all, the formula contains sulfate free surfactants, which means it works on chemically treated and coloured hair. It lathers well and rinses off, leaving a fresh, minty smell. It may be slightly drying at the tips for some very dry ends, but this can be taken care of by using conditioner from ear level down and avoiding the scalp to prevent it from getting on the hair.
7. L’Oreal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Clay Rebalancing Shampoo – Best Clay formula
L’Oreal’s clay shampoo is a practical and accessible product to control oil at the scalp without harming the ends. Three refined clays make up the composition, which absorbs excess sebum directly from the scalp surface so as to prevent a greasy scalp by midday if it was not treated. The formula is formulated to treat the classic “oily roots – dry-ends” situation as the conditioning agents to condition the hair shaft are lighter, and the clay works from the top. It is readily available, inexpensive and consistently reliable — a sure bet for everyday use.
8. Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo — Best Exfoliating Formula
Briogeo’s solution for oily hair is not based on stripping processes but rather it focuses on skin health. Scalp Revival formula combines the effects of binchotan charcoal to absorb impurities and excess oil from the depth of the follicles and peppermint oil to refresh and invigorate the scalp. Micro-exfoliation removes dead skin cells and prevents them from blocking oil from flowing near the root. The formula is still considered clean, with no sulfates, silicones, parabens, or artificial dyes, even with its deep cleansing ingredients, making it appropriate for people who have to deal with ingredient sensitivities. It leaves a truly refreshed scalp every wash.
9. Giovanni Eco Golden Wheat Deep Cleanse Shampoo _ Best Natural Formula.
If you’re looking for a more natural hair care routine for oily hair, Giovanni’s Eco Shampoo is the ideal choice: It’s easy to use, packed with only the essential ingredients and completely chemical-free. Combined with wheat protein, silk protein helps to strengthen every strand and ensures that even roots do not flatten out due to oil. Deep cleanse action is provided by softly formulated plant-based surfactants that will eliminate buildup without leaving any residue. It is free of sulphates and parabens, and is especially effective for thin hair that is very limp. The subtle, fresh perfume is not overpowering, and suits perfumers who like fragrance free products.
10. Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Shampoo – best choice for a lightweight, everyday shampoo
Lastly, Garnier’s Pure Clean Shampoo is a lightweight formula that doesn’t contain silicones and provides an everyday shampoo that won’t exacerbate oily hair. The formula is formulated to be very effective with the ability to remove oil without stripping the scalp. No silicones at all are used to provide no film or coat that may lead to further oil accumulation in the future. One of the easiest and cheapest options on this list (can be found in most supermarkets) and can be a very effective choice for individuals with mild to moderate oil production.
How to Wash Oily Hair Correctly
However, selecting the right shampoo will only half get the job done. The technique is as important. For oily hair, apply shampoo to your scalp and massage it with your fingertips (not your nails) for 60 seconds or more in gentle circular movements. This guarantees proper contact with the surface of the scalp and follicles. Rinsing well is also very important: any shampoo that remains will bring back dirt and oil and cause the hair to regain its greasiness.
Experts say it’s best to wash oily hair only two to three times a week, not every day.
Shampooing more frequently will rinse off the oils and prompt a reaction by the oil glands. In cases where roots are greasy between washes, a light dry shampoo applied to the roots (not the hair) can help keep the hair fresh without interrupting the sebum regulation cycle of the scalp.
The conditioner should only be used from mid-length to ends and not directly to the scalp. If these products are applied too close to the scalp, they will cause the hair to be oilier and make a good shampoo less effective.
FAQ’S Related to Best Shampoos for Oily Hair
The general rule is to have 2-3 sessions per week. Washing each day can take away the natural oils from the scalp, leading the scalp to make more sebum to compensate.
Not necessarily. Sulfates are good surfactants which can remove sebum and buildup effectively. If you have chemically-treated or coloured hair, it might be better to use sulfate-free products to preserve your colour, while if your scalp is just really oily, a mild sulfate shampoo will work better in terms of getting your hair clean.
Yes. Heavy shampoos, oils or waxes in conditioners can block the pores and contribute to an over-production of sebum. By design, clarifying and scalp-balancing formulas are free of these ingredients.
Salicylic acid is among the best scientifically proven products because it effectively removes cellular accumulations and buildup of sebum from the scalp. Other highly effective ingredients are tea tree oil, zinc pyrithione, clay and apple cider vinegar depending on the other issues that are present, such as dandruff, product buildup, or pH imbalance.
No. Clarifying shampoos are deep-cleansing shampoos for weekly or bi-weekly use. They can be overused and over strip the scalp, resulting in dryness and, over time, excessive oil production.
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