Give limp hair new life.
If you’ve relied on dry shampoos to tackle an oily scalp, you’re not alone. But the best shampoos for oily hair work even better. Here’s why: While powder cleansers are a suitable solution for sopping up excess oil and avoiding daily hair washing, their benefits are temporary. Meanwhile, a dedicated rinse-out shampoo can give your scalp and roots the deep cleaning they deserve — and help you avoid some unexpected issues in the process.
“When dry shampoo particles build up on the scalp over time, they can clog hair follicles, trap oil, and prevent normal skin cell turnover,” Nancy Samolitis, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles previously shared with Allure. It creates something of a domino effect since Dr. Samolitis explained that “this can lead to overgrowth of bacteria and yeast that normally live on the scalp and cause folliculitis, or the inflammation of hair follicles, and dandruff.” Folliculitis can, in turn, lead to red pimples and pustules — sort of like scalp acne.
Best Overall: Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo
Why It’s Worth It: Paul Mitchell’s Tea Tree Special Shampoo combines tea tree oil, peppermint, and lavender for a zingy, get-your-scalp-right kind of clean. It helps wash away dirt and oil and is made for all hair types, too. New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Francesca Fusco, MD, recommends using the wash with its matching conditioner, which also invigorates the scalp.
Best for Fine Hair: Oribe Serene Scalp Oil Control Shampoo
Why It’s Worth It: Drawing inspiration from skin-care products, this sulfate-free shampoo targets excess oil production by way of the scalp’s microbiome. It pairs prebiotics with amino acids and marine algae to effectively reset and balance the microbiome, thus controlling oil production — and extending the time between washes.
Best for Dry Scalps: Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo
Why It’s Worth It: Briogeo’s Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo was awarded a Best of Beauty Award back in 2018 and has been featured in the Allure Beauty Box. Think of the crowd-favorite product as step one of your healthy hair journey. It’s another top recommendation for those with dry, itchy scalps, but truly, it’s a good first step for anyone looking to draw impurities from the hair follicle, stimulate their roots, and jumpstart hair growth.
Best Budget: Monday Haircare Clarify Shampoo
Why It’s Worth It: A 2023 Best of Beauty Award winner, Monday Haircare Clarify Shampoo earned major points for its ability to lift away buildup (courtesy of grapefruit extract) as well as smooth frizz and flyaways. It also lightly hydrates with coconut oil and vitamin E, making it a good option for those with dry hair on their mid-lengths and ends. Bonus: Even though it’s clarifying, it’s gentle enough for daily use.
Best for Buildup: Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo
Why It’s Worth It: Board-certified dermatologist James Y. Wang, MD of Metropolis Dermatology in Los Angeles says the Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo is one of the best cleansing shampoos for removing product buildup and excess oil. “This shampoo uses ginseng root and sage leaf extract to clean the hair, allowing for a deeper cleanse,” he says. “Because it is so effective, it may also have a drying effect on the hair, which can be treated with any conditioner or other post-shampoo hair products of your choosing.”
Best for Curly Hair: Philip B Peppermint Avocado Shampoo
Why It’s Worth It: Mia Santiago, a hairstylist based in Ohio and New York City, loves Philip B’s Peppermint Avocado Shampoo because it has “the perfect combination of refreshing and cleansing,” she says, adding that its peppermint-based formula leaves the scalp feeling tingly and refreshed for days. People with hair types 2A (wavy hair) through 3C (tighter, curly hair) will especially benefit from this rich-lathering, deep-cleansing formula.
Best for Natural Hair: Carol’s Daughter Wash Day Delight Water-to-Foam Shampoo
Why It’s Worth It: This Best of Beauty Award-winning drugstore pick, Carol’s Daughter Wash Day Delight Shampoo, gently removes oil and build-up without stripping your scalp of moisture. Instead of sulfates, this balancing shampoo uses a combination of micellar water, moisturizing glycerin, exfoliating salicylic acid, and soothing aloe to cleanse the scalp.
Best for Color-Treated Hair: AG Care Balance Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo
Why It’s Worth It: Want to ditch color-stripping sulfates? Then the AG Care Balance Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo is the right pick for you. Dr. Wang says he loves this sulfate-free shampoo for its gentle yet effective formula that cleanses without over-stripping hair of oils and color. “For those that like to decrease oily hair but do not want to use sulfates, this is a nice alternative,” he says. “In addition to apple cider vinegar, it has argan oil, which helps enhance the hair’s natural shine.” The argan oil can alleviate a dry scalp, too.
Best for Damaged Hair: Olaplex No.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo
Why It’s Worth It: Another Best of Beauty winner is the beloved hair-care brand Olaplex, which finally cooked up a detox shampoo infused with the brand’s signature bond-building technology. Use this one how you might use a hair mask; work into wet hair and let it sit for up to five minutes before rinsing out for a weekly reset — a.k.a. deeply clean and baby-soft hair.
Best for Volume: Kérastase Specifique Shampoo for Oily Scalp
Why It’s Worth It: New York City-based hairstylist Devin Toth recommends this Kérastase shampoo because it helps treat excessive sebum production — a crucial component of your skin barrier — along with your scalp. The shampoo is also enhanced with glycine, a protein that helps regulate oil production, and according to Toth, “prolongs the amount of time your hair can go without becoming greasy.”
Best for Travel: WYOS The Mane Event Daily Shampoo Stick
Why It’s Worth It: If you haven’t hopped on the solid shampoo bandwagon yet, New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, MD, says now’s the time. She gives the WYOS The Mane Event Daily Shampoo Stick her seal of approval for its paraben- and sulfate-free formulation, which provides a deep cleanse without inducing hair or scalp dryness. “The stick format makes it easy to target oily areas and reduce overall product waste,” she says. Dr. King also notes that this formulation has a soothing effect on itchy scalps, thanks to hydrating glycerin.
Best Shampoo Bar: Ethique St. Clements Shampoo Bar
Why It’s Worth It: This hydrating, moisture-attracting Ethique St. Clements Shampoo Bar was designed specifically with oily hair needs in mind. That’s because it’s formulated with nourishing ingredients like castor oil and cocoa butter — and without harsh foaming agents, which can strip your scalp of natural moisture.
Best Hair Mask: Klorane 2-in-1 Mask Shampoo Powder With Organic Nettle and Clay
Why It’s Worth It: Add a few drops of water to Klorane’s 2-in-1 Mask Shampoo Powder and watch it magically transform into a thick, creamy foam. And, as its name aptly suggests, its nourishing formula is packed with oil-absorbing ingredients like nettle and clay — the latter of which can “minimize the appearance of greasy hair,” Dr. Zeichner previously told Allure. Plus, it can help control oil for up to 48 hours, extending your time between washes.
Best Micellar Formula: Aveda Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo
Why It’s Worth It: Aveda’s Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo uses buildup-removing micelles and clarifying white vinegar to break down excess grease. You’ll also find rosemary and peppermint extract in the formula, which creates a soothing tingle as you lather.