17 best tried-and-tested shampoos for greasy hair will help keep your oily scalp at bay
Anyone who has an oily scalp can confirm that finding the right shampoo for greasy hair is not an easy task. And no, an ordinary shampoo won't do the trick. The right formulations provide the perfect balance of nourishing your hair while avoiding stripping it from more oil than needed, which can often result in your scalp overcompensating and producing an excess amount of sebum.
Let's face it, washing your hair every day to keep greasy roots at bay is not exactly a perfect solution, either. Not only is it pretty wasteful of water, but it's also a time-consuming and tedious task when required so frequently. The problem is, the alternative (i.e. dry shampoo) also has its own downsides, namely, product build up and an itchy scalp if used for too many days consecutively.
Best shampoos for greasy hair at a glance – our top picks:
- Best shampoo for greasy hair overall: L'Oréal Professionnel Serié Expert Scalp Advanced Anti-Oiliness Dermo-Purifier Shampoo, WAS £20.15 NOW £18.14, LookFantastic
- Best nourishing shampoo for greasy hair: OUAI Detox Shampoo, £24, Cult Beauty
- Best volumising shampoo for greasy hair: VIRTUE Full Shampoo, £38, LookFantastic
- Best affordable shampoo for greasy hair: L'Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Clay Rebalancing Shampoo, £3.50, Amazon
Luckily, hair care formulas have evolved to the point of being able to cater for every need imaginable - including oily hair while simultaneously protecting hair's natural condition. The key is avoiding heavy ingredients like coconut and Argan oils as well as coconut milk, and instead look for formulas containing balancing ingredients like tea tree oil, mint and activated charcoal, which reduce oil production and detox the scalp of sebum build-up without completely stripping your hair from its protective natural oils.
The other important thing to remember is to avoid putting moisturising styling creams anywhere near your roots - stick strictly to the lengths and ends to avoid greasy residue. Finally, one of the biggest causes of greasy hair is too much touching. Our hands pick up grime and oil throughout the day, which we then wipe on our hair every time we absent-mindedly play with it or put it up in a ponytail. Make sure you wash your hands before styling and other than that, try to avoid twiddling with it too much.
To help you choose the one that works best for you, we've already gone through the trouble of putting together a full edit of all the best shampoos for oily and greasy hair for your perusal. And yes, we've made sure to include a variety of hair products to suit all budgets, preferences and hair types. Enjoy.
Looking for more haircare content? Check out our guides for hot styling tools such as the best hair straighteners, best curling wands and foldable travel hair dryers. We can also help you pick the best shampoo for dry hair, best shampoo bars, best hair conditioner, best hair serums and best hair masks.
For more shoppable makeup and skincare content from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.
For those days when you just need a quick fix, here's our fave, tried-and-tested dry shampoos.
Why we love it: Infused with AHA, this shampoo is ideal for managing oily hair while also clarifying the scalp and buffing away any dead skin. So say goodbye to excess oils – they won't bother you any more.
Enjoy extra savings when shopping for the best shampoos for greasy hair using these LookFantastic discount codes.
OUAI Detox Shampoo, £24, Cult Beauty
Why we love it: Boosted by apple cider vinegar, this detoxifying shampoo cuts through product build-up and ‘descales’ your hair. This allows it to make your hair as shiny as ever without any unwanted oiliness.
Save more when shopping for the best shampoos for greasy hair using these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Kérastase Specifique Bain Divalent Shampoo 250ml, WAS £27.15 NOW £24.40, LookFantastic
Why we love it: Designed to rejuvenate your hair from root to tip, this bestselling shampoo comes with vitamin B6 and glycerin to keep your hair well-hydrated. Leaves your hair looking shinier after just one use. One of the best shampoos for oily hair around.
Enjoy extra savings when shopping for the best shampoos for greasy hair using these LookFantastic discount codes.
Aveda Scalp Solutions Balancing Shampoo, £12, John Lewis
Why we love it: This gentle shampoo is suitable for all hair types, whether that's straight, coily, wavy or curly hair. It's ideal for removing excess sebum from oily roots while also protecting your scalp from impurities and environmental pollution.
Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, £25.50, LookFantastic
Why we love it: Mild enough to be used daily, this product soothes dry and irritated scalps while restoring your head's natural microflora balance.
Enjoy extra savings when shopping for the best shampoos for greasy hair using these LookFantastic discount codes.
The Body Shop Tea Tree Purifying & Balancing Shampoo, £9, The Body Shop
Why we love it: Made using 100% vegan silk protein, this cruelty-free shampoo leverages the purifying effects of tea tree oil to help you manage your hair's excess oils. Just lather it in and watch it work its magic.
Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo, £23.80, LookFantastic
Why we love it: Many celebrities, including Kim K, swear by Olaplex. This clarifying shampoo is no exception either – it removes excess sebum, impurities and pollutants with ease.
Enjoy extra savings when shopping for the best shampoos for greasy hair using these LookFantastic discount codes.
Beauty Pie Super Healthy Hair Detox Shampoo, £25, Beauty Pie
Why we love it: A hair-rebooting formula that can be used for a weekly deep-clean? Yes please. Powered by amino acids, apple cider vinegar, peptides and activated charcoal, it draws out oils, leaving your hair with more volume and shine than you can imagine.
Shea Moisture African Black Soap Bamboo Charcoal Deep Cleansing Shampoo, £13.69, Amazon
Why we love it: Filled to the brim with the benefits of bamboo charcoal and tea tree oil, this deep cleansing shampoo is guaranteed to leave your scalp feeling clean and comfortable. Plus, it's free from sulphates too.
Make sure to check out these Amazon discount codes.
Redken Retail Amino-Mint Scalp Shampoo, WAS £22.50 NOW £20.25, LookFantastic
Why we love it: Infused with peppermint extract, this soothing scalp treatment shampoo is great for fortifying and strengthening your hair while also cleansing your head from any impurities. It's basically a gentle, minty cleanser for your scalp.
Enjoy extra savings when shopping for the best shampoos for greasy hair using these LookFantastic discount codes.
OGX Purifying+ Charcoal Detox Shampoo, £6.99, Amazon
Why we love it: As most beauty experts will attest, there aren't many things in the world that are just as purifying as charcoal and kaolin clay. Great thing that this shampoo has both – and at such as affordable price too.
Make sure to check out these Amazon discount codes.
L'Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Clay Rebalancing Shampoo, £3.50, Amazon
Why we love it: Ridding your hair from excess oils shouldn't cost a pretty penny. Thankfully, this shampoo from L'Oreal is available for just £3.50 a bottle. The best part is that it works to keep your roots feeling lightweight for up to 72 hours at a time.
Make sure to check out these Amazon discount codes.
Aveeno Scalp Soothing Haircare Apple Cider Vinegar Blend Shampoo, £6, Amazon
Why we love it: If you have oily hair and sensitive skin, then this is the shampoo for you. Thanks to the soothing and moisturising effects of colloidal oat, this sulfate-free formulation is clinically proven to relieve irritated scalps.
Make sure to check out these Amazon discount codes.
Bumble and bumble Sunday Shampoo, £24.50, LookFantastic
Why we love it: Shiny hair is just one shampoo away. Boasting ingredients like ginseng, rosemary and sage, your hair will look bouncier and healthier than ever.
Enjoy extra savings when shopping for the best shampoos for greasy hair using these LookFantastic discount codes.
KLORANE Nettle Shampoo, £10, LookFantastic
Why we love it: Formulated with 85% natural ingredients and housed in a fully recyclable bottle, this shampoo is perfect for every environmentally-conscious beauty enthusiast. 10/10 would recommend.
Enjoy extra savings when shopping for the best shampoos for greasy hair using these LookFantastic discount codes.
VICHY Dercos Oil Control Corrector Shampoo, £12.50, LookFantastic
Why we love it: Enriched with thermal spa water, this hypoallergenic and paraben free formula combines a blend of carefully-selected surfactants to help cleanse oily scalps. The best part is that it's gentle enough for frequent use.
Enjoy extra savings when shopping for the best shampoos for greasy hair using these LookFantastic discount codes.
VIRTUE Full Shampoo, £38, LookFantastic
Why we love it: Hair feeling flat and weighed down by excess oils? Say no more. Specifically developed to add volume and density to fine hair, this lightweight formula is perfect for strengthening your hair from the inside out.
Enjoy extra savings when shopping for the best shampoos for greasy hair using these LookFantastic discount codes.
