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 using the best shampoo and conditioner 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 at Who What Wear 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 multitasking 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 we want you to know.

How We Tested

Here at Who What Wear UK, we're an oily-haired bunch who have tried everything from clarifying shampoos to purple shampoos and even the best affordable shampoos, so we thought who better to test out the best shampoos for oily hair than the team themselves.

To ensure the shampoos we recommend are the best of the best, we didn't just trial them for a single wash. Each shampoo was put through multiple washes to ensure it left both our hair and scalp feeling squeaky clean. We also took into account how quickly, following each wash, our hair grew greasy again — a strong marker for a truly great shampoo. Here are the ones that passed the test...

The Best Shampoos for Oily Hair, According to the Experts

1. Best Overall Shampoo for Oily Hair: Ouai Detox Shampoo
2. Best Gentle Shampoo for Oily Hair: Davines Rebalancing Shampoo
3. Best Affordable Shampoo for Oily Hair: The Body Shop Tea Tree Purifying & Balancing Shampoo
4. Best Detoxing Shampoo for Oily Hair: Living Proof Clarifying Detox Shampoo
5. Best Grease-Removing Shampoo for Oily Hair: Fekkai Apple Cider Triple Cleanse Shampoo

1. Ouai Detox Shampoo

Key Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, which buffs away dead skin cells, and hydrolysed keratin for a radiant gloss.

Review: About a year ago, someone (I can't remember who!) recommended the Ouai Detox Shampoo to me after I was complaining that despite regular washing, my hair always felt greasy and oily," says managing editor Poppy Nash.

"Whoever it was, I owe them a lot. The detox shampoo is now one of my most-loved products and something I refuse to go without," Nash continues. "I use it once a week to fully cleanse my scalp and hair, removing all oily buildup from the week prior."

"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."

2. Living Proof Clarifying Detox Shampoo

Key Ingredients: Activated charcoal, which detoxifies hair and absorbs odours and impurities.

Review: "One of my yardsticks for determining a good shampoo from a bad one, especially as someone with oily hair, is whether or not it instantly leaves my scalp feeling free from grime," explains Who What Wear UK SEO writer Ava Gilchrist. "Living Proof's Clarifying Detox Shampoo is a dark-grey-coloured formula that contains a gentle blend of cleansing agents to deeply wash without scrubbing."

"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."

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

Key Ingredients: Anti-microbial piroctone olamine, which works to relieve your scalp whilst clearing it of stubborn flakes and skin cell buildup.

Review: Beauty editor Eleanor Vousden has put her hair through a gauntlet of heat, humidity and dryness in her pursuit to uncover the best products on the market. As someone who is constantly road-testing everything from hot brushes to hair-growth products, her strands have been through it all. But when it comes to the best shampoos for oily hair, there is only one she trusts.

"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

Key Ingredients: Vitamin B6 and glycerine.

Review: "Everything about my hair and scalp lends itself to oily, greasy roots," says beauty director Shannon Lawlor. "My hair is super long, really fine and poker straight, and all these things contribute to oil on my scalp finding its way down the strands of my hair. On the other hand, my very long hair is also bleached, which means my fine hair and fragile ends are prone to dryness and breakage. So, all in all, it's not an easy mop to deal with."

"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

Key Ingredients: A zesty cocktail of lemon leaf, cassia bark and ginger root.

Review: "This sounds unusual, but I love nothing more than the feeling of tight and fresh skin. It's a sensation that I usually only get after exfoliating my face or body, but something I've rarely felt on my hair, much to my disappointment," says Gilchrist. "On the flip side, I also hate the feeling of a scalp scrub. I know it's intended to remove any leftover gunk, but there's something about rubbing a product so abrasive into my roots that feels counterintuitive to my goal. That's why when I was put onto Davines Rebalancing Shampoo by leading international hairstylist Diane Gorgievski, I felt like I had just discovered a miracle potion."

"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

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, apple cider vinegar.

Review: "I have psoriasis, and whilst it isn’t on my scalp as such (and this shampoo doesn’t claim to be for psoriasis), it does mean my scalp gets itchy and flaky quickly," says copy editor Georgia Seago. "Thanks to this shampoo and the coordinating scalp scrub, I think Fekkai is a very underrated haircare brand. I use this every other wash with the aforementioned scrub, and I’ve seen brilliant results."

"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

Key Ingredients: A patented bond builder.

Review: "I'm always trying out different conditioners, but when it comes to shampoo, Olaplex’s No. 4 Bond Maintenance is the only one I use," explains Brittany Davy, editorial assistant.

"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. JVN Hair Embody Daily Volumizing Shampoo

10. Sachajuan Scalp Shampoo

11. The Body Shop Tea Tree Purifying & Balancing Shampoo

12. Hair by Sam McKnight Light Cleanse Hair & Scalp Shampoo

13. Oribe Resilience Shampoo

14. Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo

15. Act + Acre Balancing Shampoo

16. 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.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.