These are The Best Oil-Absorbing Shampoos If You Have Greasy Hair

You may have tried dry shampoos to get rid of oily hair. These powder cleansers can be a temporary solution to oily scalps and avoid daily hair washing, but they shouldn’t be relied upon as a permanent solution.

«When dry shampoo particles buildup on the scalp over time they can clog hair lice, trap oil and prevent normal skin cell turnover,» Nancy Samolitis MD, a board certified dermatologist in Los Angeles, previously shared with us. This can cause a chain reaction, as Dr. Samolitis explained, «This can lead to an overgrowth of bacteria, yeast, and other organisms that are normally found on the scalp, and cause folliculitis or the inflammation and dandruff of hair follicles.» Folliculitis can lead to pustules and red pimples, similar to acne.

It’s best to use a traditional liquid shampoo for oily and dry hair. This will absorb oil without leaving behind any residue. Ginger King, a cosmetic chemist, advises against using silicone-based shampoos when looking for the best shampoo for oily hair. King says that silicones can build up on the scalp in the same way as powder particles.

This was the common theme among all of our experts. Nick Stenson, a Chicago hairdresser, also advises against silicones. He explains that silicones can coat hair and make it heavier, which is counter to the benefits of volumizing. Joshua Zeichner MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, said that silicones can also weigh down hair over time.

King says that shampoos with clarifying and exfoliating ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids are the best for oily hair. They reduce oil buildup and residue. Charlotte Birnbaum MD, a New York City dermatologist, agreed with King and told us previously to search for a clarifying shampoo that can deep clean the hair, preferably one that contains salicylic acid.

Once you have a better idea of which ingredients to watch out for and which ones to avoid, the next step is to change your washing frequency. Dr. Birnbaum has previously advised us that oily hair should be shampooed more often, as much as once per day.

This all depends on the hair texture and type. Dr. Birnbaum explained, for example, that people with curly hair can get away with shampooing less often — perhaps once per week — while those with finer hair may need to shampoo more frequently. Every hair is different so test it out for a couple of weeks to see how it reacts to the new routine.

Get your shampoo choices in order before you start a new washday routine. We asked experts to help us find the best shampoos that work for oily hair starting at $8.

Briogeo’s Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo with Coconut Oil + Charcoal was awarded the Best of Beauty Award in 2018. It has also been featured in Allure Beauty Box. Consider this crowd-favorite product step one in your journey to healthy hair. This is a great product for dry scalps. However, it is a good starting point for anyone who wants to remove impurities from their hair, stimulate their roots and boost hair growth.

Paul Mitchell’s Tea Tree Special shampoo combines tea tree oil with peppermint and lavender to give your scalp a refreshing, zingy clean. It is suitable for all hair types and helps to remove dirt and oil. Francesca Fusco MD, a New York City-based dermatologist, recommends that the shampoo be used with the matching conditioner to stimulate the scalp.

Necessaire is well-known for its body-care products. But don’t forget to try the brand’s shampoo, which was a Best of Beauty nominee in 2022. It is hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic (meaning that it won’t block pores), and boasts an impressive ingredient listing, including moisture-retaining Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide (which has been proven to increase hair thickness and fullness), and strengthening vitamin B5 (a.k.a. Panthenol and hydrating Aloe extract).

Olaplex, a beloved hair-care brand, won another Best of Beauty award. It finally created a Clarifying Shampoo that was infused with its signature bond-building technology. We couldn’t be happier. This shampoo can be used in the same way as a hair mask. Apply to wet hair, and allow it to sit for five minutes. Rinse out with warm water for a weekly reset. Deeply clean, baby-soft hair.

Mia Santiago, a New York City hairdresser, says oil can help remove oil. She says that Shu Uemura’s Art of Hair Cleansing Oil shampoo is lightweight and uses delicate neroli essential oils to remove oil from the scalp. It smells great, just like a fresh-out-of-the-salon scent.

Santiago also likes Philip B’s Peppermint. Avocado Volumizing & Clarifying Shampoo, because it has «the perfect mixture of refreshing and cleaning,» she said. The peppermint-based formula leaves the hair feeling tingly and fresh for days.

Klorane’s 2-in-1 mask shampoo powder transforms into a thick, creamy foam when you add a few drops water. According to Dr. Zeichner, the nourishing formula contains oil-absorbing ingredients such as nettle and clay, which, in turn, can help «minimize the appearance greasy hair.»

Carol’s Daughter’s Best of Beauty Award-winning Wash Day Delight Shampoo gently removes oil buildup and leaves your hair moisturized. Star ingredients include moisturizing glycerin and exfoliating salicylic acids, as well as cleansing micellar waters.

L’Oreal Paris’s Elvive Extraordinary Clay shampoo is formulated with kaolin clay, which helps to remove excess oil. It also contains salicylic acid, which exfoliates your scalp. Sarah Kinonen said that after using the shampoo once per day, her hair began to love it — a feat impossible for her with thin, flat hair.

The hydrating and moisture-attracting Ethique St. Clements Shampoo bar was specifically designed for oily hair. It’s made with natural ingredients such as castor oil, cocoa butter, and no harsh foaming agents that can strip your hair of its natural moisture. Simply slide the shampoo bar along the hair’s roots and ends. Use the shampoo bar to massage your scalp until it foams. Rinse off with water.

Devin Toth, a New York City hairdresser recommends Kerastase shampoo because it treats the overproduction sebum. This is a critical component of your skin barrier. It also helps to treat your scalp. Glycine, which is a protein that regulates oil production, is added to the shampoo. Toth says it «prolongs hair’s life without causing it to become greasy.»

Matrix’s Total results High Amplify Volumizing shampoo will amp up your volume. It cleanses, strengthens and adds bounce to flat hair. Hydrolyzed wheat protein for hair repair, salicylic acid to deep exfoliation and glycerin for hydrating dry hair are some of the key ingredients.

Rex Jimieson is a Chicago-based colorist who recommends this volumizing Oribe shampoo for Magnificent Volume. He says it’s great for fine hair and can be used once per day for virgin hair or every other day for hair that has been chemically treated. It contains a mixture of botanical and moisturizing extracts as well as moringa seeds extract which King says is known to eliminate pollution. Hydrolyzed proteins are also included, which contain amino acids and peptides that strengthen brittle hair.

Maria Elizabeth, a hairdresser and owner of Salon deZEN, Old Town Alexandria, Virginia loves Kevin Murphy’s Balancing Wash shampoo. Elizabeth tells us that this rich shampoo cleanses hair with green tea and strengthens it against environmental damage. The ylang-ylang oil condition and restores hair and scalp moisture as a counterbalance.

Aveda’s Rosemary Mint purifying shampoo uses clarifying white vinegar and buildup-removing micelles to remove excess grease. The formula also contains peppermint extract and rosemary, which gives it a gentle tingle when you lather. King told us previously that peppermint extract can be used to remove excess sebum.