These Shampoos for Oily Hair Will Give Your Scalp a Salon-Grade Cleanse

One of the pitfalls of leading a busy life is trying to squeeze a manageable hair-washing routine into your packed week—especially for those of us needing to combat grease and lots of buildup in one go.

Having a hectic schedule is not compatible with regularly taking the time to detox and thoroughly cleanse our scalps and strands. When we do find a moment to reset our roots and ends after a long week on the hot tools and products from dry shampoo to hair oils, we here atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK rely on a stable of super-powered shampoos specifically designed to target and treat oily hair.

Indeed, shampoos for oily hair often do more heavy lifting than regular ones, and our editorial desk relies on a handful of tried-and-tested cleansers to really clean things up. "When picking your shampoo, you’ll generally focus on what you think is best for your hair, whether it’s moisture, volume, colour protection or so on," explains Stephen Buller, hair specialist and co-founder of London’s first-ever sustainable salon group, Buller and Rice.

"Shampoos targeted for oily hair will deeply cleanse the scalp, remove buildup and balance oil production without stripping the hair completely, which can trigger even more oil production,” he explains. It’s a fine balance to strike, especially when we’re looking for potent and multi-tasking shampoos that enhance shine whilst eliminating any flakes and dandruff. Getting an intense clean doesn’t require using harsh chemicals or drying ingredients that leave your hair brittle and prone to breakage. In fact, after putting in the hard yards, our beauty team has uncovered the best shampoos for oily hair that strengthen, revive and keep grease at bay.

So, how do these shampoos manage oily hair? "With oily hair, you will need to avoid some ingredients, especially those found in moisturising shampoos, to avoid making your hair more oily," Buller advises. Instead, our editors trust purifying and reparative ingredients like activated charcoal, apple cider vinegar and essential oil extracts to keep their hair cleaner for longer.

From our beloved rinsing essentials to the expert tips and tricks you need to take your hair-washing game to the next level—and of course, the best shampoos for sorting out oily hair of every hair texture—keep scrolling for everything you need to know.

The Best Shampoos for Oily Hair, According to the Experts

• Best Overall Shampoo for Oily Hair: Ouai Detox Shampoo, £28
• Best Gentle Shampoo for Oily Hair: Davines Rebalancing Shampoo, £23
• Best Affordable Shampoo for Oily Hair: The Body Shop Tea Tree Purifying Balancing Shampoo, £10
• Best Detoxing Shampoo for Oily Hair: Living Proof Clarifying Detox Shampoo, £31
• Best Grease-Removing Shampoo for Oily Hair: Fekkai Apple Cider Triple Cleanse Shampoo, £26
• Best Salon-Worthy Shampoo for Oily Hair: Kérastase Specifique Bain Divalent Shampoo, £25

1. Living Proof Clarifying Detox Shampoo

"Whilst this product should only be used once a week, I found that my scalp felt healthier, regulated and less dry overall," Gilchrist adds. "I don't feel like this usage extended the days between hair washes, but I believe my scalp had generally less grease to remove upon each rinse. I also loved how this shampoo not only mitigated that specific shiny look that comes with oily hair, but dealt with concerns I hadn't even considered, like hard water build-up."

2. Ouai Detox Shampoo

"The main reason I love it is that not only does it remove oil, but it also helps to smooth and hydrate my hair, making it my ride-or-die in-shower product. I've tried other oil-removing shampoos and masks before, and whilst they've worked, they haven't left my hair feeling particularly soft and healthy. This product is different. When paired with the OUAI hair mask (which I use once every two weeks), it is a complete game-changer. It's worth noting that it can also be used in place of your daily shampoo as it is very gentle, but I prefer to use it at the end of the week for a more intense result."

3. Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

"I have both an oily and sensitive scalp," Vousden says. "I've tried a lot of shampoos, but this Philip Kingsley one is of the few I trust to keep my scalp feeling clarified and comfortable. I was recommended it firsthand by a trichologist, and it's gentle enough to use daily without stripping the scalp whilst effectively leaving my roots feeling clean and bouncy. It works wonders if you're also prone to dryness and flakes, which can often go in tandem with oily roots."

4. Kérastase Specifique Bain Divalent Shampoo

"That being said, Kérastase Specifique Bain Divalent Shampoo makes things a whole lot easier for me," Lawlor continues. The clever formula works to clarify roots and regulate excessive sebum production on the scalp, whilst an amino acid and vitamin B6 concoction targets dry, weak ends and leaves them feeling stronger and more hydrated. I've been through bottles of it, and I plan to go through many, many more in the future," she adds. Her favourite part of all? "Whilst clarifying shampoos can sometimes feel a bit medicinal and boring, this stuff works into a rich lather, smells wonderfully fresh and delivers a salon-like luxury experience at home. As always, you win, Kérastase."

5. Davines Rebalancing Shampoo

"Firstly, the formula itself is silky smooth, which means it glides effortlessly across my strands and lathers up beautifully," adds Gilchrist. "B-Corp-certified Italian haircare brand Davines only uses sustainable and natural ingredients, so I know it’s nourishing from within, too. But most importantly, it's a super-gentle everyday shampoo specifically designed to bring equilibrium back to an oily scalp. It's anti-inflammatory, meaning that any itchiness or dryness is instantly soothed.

"The scalp-stimulating, ginger-infused blend also gives a rich scent that lasts on my hair days after washing," Gilchrist says. I straighten my hair once a week, and I can honestly say I look forward to using this shampoo because of the squeaky-clean feeling it gives me. My hair never feels stripped, but I always walk out of the shower with that pristine and new feeling I craved."

6. Fekkai Apple Cider Triple Cleanse Shampoo

"With a fresh, citrusy fragrance and a scalp-friendly pH level, I feel like it gives a really thorough clean but never leaves my hair feeling dry or stripped. Following the scrub, I lather it into my scalp only and rinse it through my lengths as I wash it out."

7. Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo

"It gets rid of all my scalp buildup without giving my hair that squeaky-clean finish that leaves it looking dull and dry. I also straighten my hair quite a lot, so I love that it’s formulated to strengthen and repair damaged hair."

8. Davines Ol Shampoo

9. Redken Amino-Mint Scalp Cleansing Shampoo

10. Sachajuan Scalp Shampoo

11. The Body Shop Tea Tree Purifying Balancing Shampoo

12. Monday Haircare Clarify Shampoo

13. Hair by Sam McKnight Light Cleanse Hair Scalp Shampoo

14. Oribe Resilience Shampoo

15. Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo

16. TRESemme Replenish Cleanse Shampoo

17. Act + Acre Balancing Shampoo

18. L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hydra Pure 72h Purifying Shampoo

Why Is It important to Cleanse With Shampoos for Oily Hair?

Shampoos can vary so widely, depending on whether they're treating hydration issues, breakage or greasiness. "Shampoos will have specific ingredients that target these concerns," Buller notes. "With oily hair you will need to avoid some of these ingredients not to make your hair more oily, especially moisturising shampoos," he continues.

What Ingredients Are Good for Shampoos for Oily Hair?

According to Buller, there are "key ingredients that definitely address the issue" to be aware of when searching for your preferred oil-battling shampoo. "Some familiar favourites are activated charcoal, which absorbs excess sebum and leaves your scalp feeling balanced. Tea tree oil is famously a natural antiseptic and reduces irritation, whilst green tea is great for naturally moisturising the scalp whilst removing sebum.

"At Buller and Rice, we use Davines Rebalancing Shampoo, which [contains] lemon phytoceuticals. These are plant compounds which are antioxidant, anti-free radicals and anti-inflammatory agents," Buller adds.

As for what we should steer clear of? "Avoid sulphates," Buller says. "It’s not so much that they are dangerous. However, they can be quite harsh on the scalp, stripping away too much of the natural oils you're producing, therefore making more oil to compensate." Silicones are another ingredient you should be wary of. "Silicones aim to lock in moisture, increase shine and can weigh down the hair: all no-nos for oily hair."

How Often Should You Use Shampoos for Oily Hair?

If you speak to any hairstylist, they'll tell you how damaging overwashing your hair can be. We get it; there's nothing worse than the feeling of an oil-slicked scalp, which is why it's imperative to treat grease buildup with a shampoo designed for oily hair. So, how often should we be washing with these products? "Usually, we would advise clients to wash their hair two to three times a week. However, lifestyles can change our routine, whether that be fitness, work or hygiene," Buller says.

Your hair type is a factor in figuring out your hair-wash schedule. "If your hair is finer, you may wash more regularly to reduce dirt and grease to create volume. However, if you have curly or thick hair, you may wash your hair as little as once a week to build that texture in your curls." Of course, if you're prone to an oily scalp, it's worth speaking to a stylist to ensure you're not over or under-washing. "You may need to use shampoo a few times a week, every other day or even daily, depending on conditions," Buller says.

How Can You Stop Your Hair from Getting Greasy Between Washing With a Shampoo for Oily Hair?

"Besides shampooing, we often look for alternative methods we can introduce into our daily routine that can reduce oily scalps," Buller tells us. The first thing he recommends is to reconsider your haircare fundamentals, even analysing if you're washing your hair properly. "Look at basics," he suggests. "Make sure you’re rinsing your hair thoroughly. Leaving shampoo and conditioner on the scalp will make your hair oily, limp and irritable."

Another port of call is to clean your hair brushes. "Residue, products and grease on your brushes will definitely contribute to oily scalps," he says. Additionally, he recommends thinking about the amount of heat styling you do. "As we know, heat styling your hair will ultimately dry it out, and the scalp will naturally produce oil to compensate. Maybe leave the heated tools for special occasions!"

Ultimately, however, one of the biggest contributors to oily hair is something outside of our control: our environment. "Big city chemicals, active lifestyles and stress levels will all play a role in excess sebum," Buller notes. Whilst we can't change exposure to pollutants or free radicals, making sure you're thoroughly cleansing with a shampoo for oily hair is a non-negotiable for amending greasiness.