Best Shampoo for Oily Scalp: 5 Proven Products That Work (2018)

Updated 6 years ago

Oily scalps are a not only embarrassing, it can lead to problems including dandruff, greasy hair, as well as a scalp condition called seborrheic dermatitis. Seborrhea is when you have excess oiliness and is a common scalp condition.

Women with oily scalps often find themselves washing their hair more than one should, which can make the oiliness even worse and can lead to hair damage. We all want a beautiful and healthy head of hair, and we all deserve to have this. Our reviews will help you find the best shampoos for oily scalps.

What causes oily scalps

Your body normally produces natural oils, otherwise called sebum, on the scalp to help lock in moisture and protect your skin from drying out. Oily scalps occur when your skin produces an excess amount of sebum. This can lead to dandruff or outbreaks on the scalp.

For women going through pregnancy or those taking birth control, as well as teens going through puberty, a change in hormones can increase the amount of excess oil in your hair.

Your hair type can also determine how oily your scalp and hair get. Curly hair tends to appear greasier on the scalp because the curls prevent even distribution of oil.

Finally, your beauty routine can also be a contributing factor for an oily scalp. Excessively washing your hair can cause your scalp to produce more oil. That’s why it’s recommended that you wash your hair no more than once daily. Additionally, scrubbing too hard as you’re shampooing or brushing your hair to harshly can irritate your scalp. When shopping for hair styling products, try to find ones that do not have lotions or creams, as those ingredients can contribute to an oily scalp.

How to treat your scalp

If you experience an oily scalp, you’re probably wondering how to treat it. Treatment normally includes reducing the amount of excess sebum that your body produces while cleaning the scalp. Luckily, there are shampoo products that have been clinically proven to help with oily scalps, effectively reducing the amount of sebum that your scalp produces.

What is a shampoo?

We all know that shampoo is a product used for cleaning all kinds of hair. Nowadays, a lot of modern technology and science can go behind making a shampoo. There are shampoos for artificially dyed hair, thinning hair, dry hair and more. There are certain ingredients in some shampoos that can be harmful. Sulfates, such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) are strong and can irritate the skin. When looking for a shampoo, make sure to avoid these ingredients.

To help effectively treat an oily scalp, we have selected some of the best shampoos that have been proven to remove oil and grease buildup.

The best shampoos for oily scalps

Shampoo Features
Degrease Shampoo for Oily Hair by Maple Holistics Botanical Ingredients rich in Vitamins & Antioxidants Increases circulation and balances the pH levels and sebum levels on the skin Is anti-dandruff and gets rid of blemishes on the scalp
Shampoo for Oily Hair by Honeydew Formula includes 100% pure therapeutic-grade oil treatment Natural ingredients include Organic Lavender, Red Thyme, Evening Primrose, Rosemary and Yarrow Effective in rebalancing sebum secretion levels Free of parabens and sulfates
Shampoo for Oily Hair - With Jojoba and Keratin by Honeydew Formula is made to treat oily scalps and locks in moisture to prevent dry hair Keratin and Argan Oil keeps the hair healthy and shiny Free of parabens and sulfates
Schwarzkopf BC Scalp Therapy Deep Cleansing Shampoo Formula removes excess oil and product residue from the scalp Contains panthenol, which balances the moisture level of the scalp
Therapro Mediceuticals Solv-X Oily Scalp & Hair Treatment Shampoo Removes excess oil from the scalp Contains natural ingredients that are anti-inflammatory, antifungal and anti-allergenic Formulated with Natural Estrolin Complex, which prevents against hair loss

Now let's look at the reviews of the best shampoos for oily hair.

Degrease Shampoo for Oily Hair by Maple Holistics

This shampoo for oily hair is a best-selling product on Amazon, and for good reason. Besides being an anti-dandruff shampoo, it is infused with natural ingredients such as basil, lemon, rosemary and cypress, which gets rid of oil buildup. Their special formula increases circulation as well as balances the pH levels and the sebum levels on the skin. This directly attacks the source of oily hair, as unbalanced sebum levels is the main cause of an oily scalp. At the same time, this product cleans out the pores and hair follicles on your scalp, removing blemishes from the area. The use of botanical keratin in the product eliminates frizz and hydrates the scalp to also prevent from over drying.

Their formula contains no artificial fragrances and is sulfate and paraben free. There are no added dyes or colors, and it is suitable to use on all hair types, including dyed hair.

Shampoo for Oily Hair by Honeydew

This natural product is made from high quality ingredients such as organic lavender, red thyme, evening primrose, rosemary and yarrow. Their formula works to balance the sebum secretion levels, which is responsible for the amount of oil your scalp produces. The treatment also locks in moisture levels so that your scalp doesn’t become too dry.

This product contains no parabens, sulfates, or harsh chemicals. It’s safe to use for all hair types including color treated hair, and can be used on all ages.

The manufacturer offers a 100% satisfaction money back guarantee. They have a no questions asked refund policy which is upheld by all authorized distributors.

Shampoo for Oily Hair - With Jojoba and Keratin by Honeydew

This shampoo is made from botanical ingredients including lemon oil, basil oil, and cyprus oil, which work together to absorb excess sebum that the scalp produces. This also removes product buildup, balancing the scalp’s moisture levels. Besides absorbing excess oil from the scalp, this formula contains keratin, a protein builder that keeps the hair strong and healthy.

The manufacturer states that the botanical ingredients used in this formula, such as lemon rosemary and basil, help stimulate scalp cell renewal. Argan oil is added in to reduce hair loss.

This product can be used on all hair types including color treated hair. It is paraben free, sulfate free and cruelty free.

The manufacturer offers a 100% money back guarantee.

Schwarzkopf BC Scalp Therapy Deep Cleansing Shampoo

The BC Scalp Therapy Deep Cleansing Shampoo by Schwarzkopf is formulated with panthenol, which helps balance the oil levels in the hair and scalp.  Product residue from bad quality shampoos or hair care products can lead to oily scalps. This shampoo gently removes any remaining product residue from your scalp. This formula contains menthol, giving your scalp a burst of freshness.

This is a silicon free product.

Therapro Mediceuticals Solv-X Oily Scalp & Hair Treatment Shampoo

This oil control shampoo removes any excess oil and cell buildup from the scalp. It includes natural ingredients that contain anti-inflammatory, antifungal and anti-allergenic properties. The manufacturer states that their dermatological emulsifying system ensures the scalp gets clean without irritating the sebaceous glands.

This shampoo is formulated with Natural Estrolin Complex, which assists in stopping the formation of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the main cause of male and female hair loss.

How does shampoo help with oily scalps?

Shampoos designed specifically for oily scalps contain ingredients that help balance sebum secretion levels. To avoid damaging your scalp with harmful and strong chemicals, the best shampoos contain natural ingredients such as citrus extracts and herbs, which soak up any unwanted oils.

At the same time, finding the right shampoo is just the first step to treating an oily scalp. Make sure that you maintain good hair care practices as well. When showering, don’t scrub your scalp too hard and make sure your hair styling products aren’t damaging your scalp. If possible, don’t use too many products in your hair.

In Conclusion

Luckily, those who are suffering from an oily scalp can treat it by maintaining good hair care practices and purchasing the right shampoo. We have compiled a list of top shampoos for an oily scalp so that you can find your treatment in one sitting.

Most products that we recommended today are made with all natural ingredients so that they help remove excess oil without damaging or irritating the scalp. They are all paraben and sulfate free. At the same time, why not make sure you’re taking the right vitamins to promote hair growth as well?

In conclusion, we hope that the tips and reviews given today will help you speedily treat an oily scalp. If you have more concerns about your hair, take a look at our reviews on shampoos for sensitive scalps.

Check back with us again to receive reviews of the best cosmetics, skin care, hair care, and anti-aging beauty products.