If you suffer from hair that constantly feels oily and limp, no matter how regularly you wash it or how much dry shampoo you use, you might benefit from a shampoo that’s formulated for greasy hair.
While increased oiliness is of course completely normal the longer you go without washing your hair, there are some other factors that can cause exacerbated oiliness, even if you’re diligent about washing. Things like excess styling, using heavy products and even diet and too much touching your hair can cause extra greasiness. All of this can lead to an imbalanced scalp which, if not addressed, can cause irritation and itchiness as well as oily roots.
To help you navigate your way back to softer, shinier, healthier hair, here are some Vogue-approved buys to try.
The best shampoos for greasy hair at a glance:
- Straand UGLY Crown Cleanse Shampoo, £20
- Oribe Serene Scalp Oil Control Shampoo, £50
- OUAI Detox Shampoo, £28
- Living Proof Clarifying Detox Shampoo, £31
- Virtue Refresh Purifying Shampoo, £30
- Davines Solu Shampoo,
£23, £20.50 - Aveda Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo, £22
- Redken Amino Mint Scalp Cleansing Shampoo,
£23.90, £21.51 - L’Oréal Professionnel Serié Expert Scalp Advanced Anti-Oiliness Dermo-Purifier Shampoo,
£20.65, £18.59 - Dr Barbara Sturm Balancing Shampoo,
£50, £35 - Christophe Robin Purifying Shampoo with Thermal Mud, £29
In this article:
Why do I need a special shampoo for greasy hair?
Although it’s not an essential, it is a good idea to keep a clarifying shampoo on hand for those days when your hair needs a thorough deep clean. “Bad bacteria on our scalp love feeding off excess oil, if this is not controlled it can lead to an imbalance of the scalp microbiome which show up as dandruff itchiness and inflammation,” explains Este Tchung global product manager at Straand. “A clarifying shampoo will help to balance the scalp microbiome and reduce sebum and oil production.”
Best for healthier hair: Straand UGLY Crown Cleanse Shampoo
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: A powerhouse of a daily shampoo that’s formulated to restore balance to the scalp and remove excess impurities and build-up. Once sebum production has been regulated, irritation and itching are reduced and hair is left feeling silky, shine and full of health – mins the oily roots.
- Key ingredients: Defenscalp™, prebiotics, pro-vitamin B5
- Size: 350ml
- Why we love it: “I love how this formula is really focused on improving scalp health because if the scalp isn’t healthy then neither is the hair. This instantly refreshes my hair and leaves it feeling fresh and oil-free,” – Georgia Day, contributing editor.
Best for a balanced scalp biome: Oribe Serene Scalp Oil Control Shampoo
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Plenty of things can lead to a disrupted scalp microbiome, including excess heat, pollution and irritating treatments. All of which can create oily roots and dry, brittle ends. To get your scalp health back in order, this daily use shampoo uses green marine algae to regulate oil production as well as a probiotic to keep everything on a more even keel.
- Key ingredients: green marine algae, sugar-derived probiotic, watermelon, lychee and edelweiss flower
- Size: 250ml
Best for removing heavy-duty build-up: OUAI Detox Shampoo
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Designed to be used once a week for an intensive deep clean, this hardworking formula uses clarifying apple cider vinegar to cut through excess oil and heavy build-up. Hydrolysed keratin helps support hair’s innate strength and improve shine.
- Key ingredients: apple cider vinegar, hydrolysed keratin
- Size: 300ml
Best for daily use: Living Proof Clarifying Detox Shampoo
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Pollution particles, hard water deposits and day-to-day impurities are just some of the causes of greasy hair. This clever formula uses chelating agents that target these factors, washing them away while still leaving the integrity of the strands intact.
- Key ingredients: witch hazel, charcoal powder
- Size: 236ml
Best for improved overall health: Virtue Refresh Purifying Shampoo
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: In addition to ridding hair from unwanted dirt and oil that causes it to look and feel greasy and lacklustre, this shampoo contains the brand’s signature keratin protein, which helps to repair areas of damage and restore strength and shine.
- Key ingredients: Alpha Keratin 60ku™, coconut fatty acids
- Size: 120ml
- Why we love it: “I’m a big fan of this clarifying formula, which lifts dirt, grease and pollution while infusing hair with hydration. The result? Incredibly shiny hair that swishes with health,” – Hannah Coates, beauty and wellness editor
Best for added softness and shine: Davines Solu Shampoo
- Why it’s Vogue approved: Greasy hair can often mean dull hair that’s lacking in real shine and vitality. As well as providing a good deep clean and removing build-up, this gentle but intensive shampoo reinstates proper softness and gives hair a clean, mirror-shine finish.
- Key ingredients: buckwheat extract
- Size: 250ml
Best for a squeaky-clean finish: Aveda Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: If you’re on a mission to refresh greasy hair without feeling like you’re leaving hair overloaded after each wash, this formula is a great option. White vinegar and micelles effectively and efficiently remove dirt and excess oil, but hair is left feeling lighter, fresher and full of body.
- Key ingredients: white vinegar, micelles, peppermint, rosemary
- Size: 250ml
- Why we like it: “I love how invigorating this shampoo feels. Not only does it brilliantly remove build-up if I’ve been styling my hair a lot, it leaves it feeling so fresh and my strands feeling baby-soft,” – Georgia Day, contributing editor
Best for greasy ends and oily scalps: Redken Amino Mint Scalp Cleansing Shampoo
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: If greasy roots have left your hair feeling itchy and uncomfortable, try this soothing shampoo. Peppermint extract cools any heat while an amino acid complex encourages better, more balanced scalp health.
- Key ingredients: peppermint extract, amino acid complex
- Size: 300ml
- Why we love it: “As someone who suffers from a dry scalp, I love this formula because it cools upon application, helping to alleviate that slightly frustrating itchy feeling. Be warned: it’s addictive,” – Hannah Coates, beauty and wellness editor
Best for fresher follicles: L’Oréal Professionnel Serié Expert Scalp Advanced Anti-Oiliness Dermo-Purifier Shampoo
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Containing a 3 per cent water-soluble alpha hydroxy acid, this shampoo gently buffs away dead skin cells on the scalp to reduce greasiness and remove the build-up and daily dirt that causes it.
- Key ingredients: AHA
- Size: 300ml
Best for irritated scalps: Dr Barbara Sturm Balancing Shampoo
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Hair that’s prone to oiliness can often be imbalanced in other ways. If you suffer from itchiness or flaking then this daily cleanse contains soothing ingredients like algae and Japanese camellia to reinstate calm.
- Key ingredients: Japanese Camellia, brown and green algae, lavender, pro-vitamin B5
- Size: 250ml
Best for a deep clean: Christophe Robin Purifying Shampoo
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Just because you have oily roots, doesn’t mean you should compromise on softness or shine. Luckily, with this shampoo you don’t have to. Formulated using thermal mud to purify and remove excess oil, as well as Baltic sea red algae to calm any irritation and improve hydration.
- Key ingredients: Baltic sea red algae, thermal mud
- Size: 250ml
FAQs
Why does my hair get greasy so often?
“There are many factors that go into excess sebum and oil production,” says Tchung. “Things like genetics, stress, diet, and over-washing all play a part in tipping the balance, leaving your scalp oily and out of whack.”
What’s the difference between normal shampoo and a shampoo for greasy hair?
While many regular shampoos will cleanse your hair of the usual dirt and debris that’s accumulated over a couple of days, many will also contain additional, aggravating ingredients that cause an imbalance in the scalp and accelerate oiliness. “The biggest difference between normal shampoo is that it may contain sulphates and heavy fragrances which strip the natural oils on the scalp, our body compensates by producing even more oil to protect itself leading to greasy scalp and hair,” says Tchung. “Generally with greasy hair shampoos, formulators will add actives to reduce sebum production.” Straand’s own formulas contain a signature complex called Defenscalp™ which helps control excess sebum production over time. The formulas are also free from sulphates to avoid over stripping the scalp.
What ingredients should I look for in a shampoo for greasy hair?
“The most important thing is what not to look for,” says Tchung. “Silicones, sulphates and parabens can contribute to product build up or over strip the scalp therefore making your scalp feel and look greasier. [Instead, look for] shampoos that contain prebiotics to help balance the scalp microbiome and that have lots of antioxidants are ideal to reduce inflammation.”
How often should I use a shampoo for greasy hair?
According to trichologist Chelcey Salinger the most important thing is shampooing frequently and ensuring you’re washing it after things like sweaty workout sessions. “Using a shampoo with the right pH helps maintain a happy scalp microbiome and keep the acid mantle in check,” she adds.
